Escapees January-February 2024

skpstops

Employees say they get three main questions: 1. Where is Duke? (Although he may not be there, you never know when he will stop by.) 2. What’s the secret recipe? (It’s a secret) 3. Where are the bean fi elds? (North Dakota and Michigan) You will start your visit with a 20-minute video tour of the cannery across the road. Amazingly, there are seven tons of beans in each of the soak tanks. You will see the blanching process, bacon cubing (and Bush knows that the consumer expects a piece in each can), the sauce waterfall and the can fl ipper to make sure the beans are saturated. And, guess what? The beans are not baked, they are steamed in a 90 story tower. We were asked what we, the consumer, did with the bacon in the can and the entire group said, “throw it away.” Even though 96- percent of customers throw it away, they still want to see it in the can. As you walk through the museum, you start by walking through a huge bake bean can. It describes the process. On the walls you will see questions that the next placards will answer. There are several interactive activities that the kids really enjoy along with most adults that we saw. One item of interest to everyone was the scale you could step on, and it told you your weight in beans. And, you could not have paid the ladies in my group to step on that scale! (ha ha) They have a corner set up with scenery of the Smoky Mountains that you can stand in front of with Duke and take pictures. Outside there are several cut outs for you to take pictures with, which is always fun. The fi nal display you’ll fi nd in the museum is the baked beans secret family recipe, bound in leather, in a showcase behind a formidable lattice of Mission Impos sible-style lasers. As you leave the museum and gift shop you de fi nitely want to go over to the café. It specializes in home cooking. You will be served a sample of the “bean of the day.” Ours were black beans—yum! The food is really good and we could hardly wait to try the “pinto bean pecan pie.” The recipe dates back to the 1800s. Don’t leave without it. And, if you see Duke while you’re there, pat him on the head for us!!! Ava Fluty #122671

Danny and Ava Fluty with Duke.

Bean-can entrance to museum.

Duke in his camper.

GUIDELINES FOR SKP STOPS SUBMISSIONS Material for each issue will be selected based on location and the migration of seasonal travel. Submissions of 300 to 500 words are ideal. Due to limited space, submissions will be edited. High-resolution photos are included on a space-avail able basis. Include the name of the photographer and anyone in the photo. HELPFUL HINTS Share unique and o ff -the-beaten-path RV travel destinations. Keep submissions brief and include only pertinent information. Include the best season to visit the destination. Include information on RV parking and accessibility. Send submissions to Escapees Magazine, 100 Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351, or to editor@escapees.com.

29

January/February 2024 ESCAPEES Magazine