I imagine that Pioneer Day would be the perfect time to talk about pilgrimages. We owe so much to our pioneer heritage.
Last week, I too had a sort of pilgrimage – but more on that later…
Religious pilgrimages are not unique to our faith – in fact other faiths take them much more seriously. For example:
Mecca: In Islam, a pilgrimage to Mecca is supposed to be attempted at least once in a lifetime. Mecca is the most important of all Muslim pilgrimages.
The Wailing Wall: In Judaism, the greatest pilgrimage is to visit the Western Wall of the temple in Jerusalem. It is the most sacred of all Jewish sites, and people travel from all over the world to visit.
The Vatican: Home of the Catholic Church is a pilgrimage destination for many, as well as other sites around the world associated with the Apostles, and the Virgin Mary.
The Mormons: Pilgrimages are not a requirement of the LDS theology, but we do like to visit sites that hold special meaning for us. The Sacred Grove, the Hill Cumorah, Nauvoo, Temple Square, etc., hold special places in our heritage.
And a Personal Destination:: After seeing the Hill Cumorah Pageant, there was one more place I needed to go. My EC understood that it was important to me and she was supportive. So we set out together. The clouds gathered and it threatened rain as we set out- but we were undeterred, undaunted. It was to be a journey of over 100 miles. But with guidance from my trusty navigator, and a good car stereo, we knew we would arrive at our destination.
My pulse quickened as we began to get close. When our destination came into view, I found myself struggling to find the words. After all these years – there it was – directly in front of me.
Yes, there it was. The Anchor Bar. I know you are probably feeling jealous right now. We parked our car and walked to the door. What? You don’t understand? Really? It was in that very place that Teressa Bellissimo changed history. On a Friday night, in 1964, she fried the first Buffalo wing. And covered it with sauce. And here we stood, at the very place, on a Friday night, in Buffalo, New York.
Moments like this don’t come around every day.
We went inside, and experienced exactly what we had hoped for. Rather than try and put it into words, I will merely show you an image of the fulfillment of my pilgrimage. With blue cheese of course.
I was fulfilled.
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| Actual photo of 20 wings with Original sauce. |
Special reminder: This Sunday, July 29, is National Chicken Wing Day.
National Chicken Wing Day on Sunday? Uh oh, my brother and I may need to get together and do a chicken wing cook off!!!
This is much like my husband’s pilgrimmage to Tommy’s Burger in downtown Provo. He gets there every 5 years or so. He orders a chili dog, then he and the owner practically cry and hug each other.
Jenny in NC
Wow, the spiritual high must be intense after a trip like that.
I’ve been to most Church history sites and Sharon is my favorite. Go in the fall.
I’ve been to the anchor bar….awesome buffalo wings! Somehow I thought you were going to say my house instead! 🙂
Yes, many intersting sites in upstate New York. At the University of Rochester Medical Center, in the Psychiatry wing, there is a conference room that was funded by the family who owned Jello originally and for years it was known as the “Jello Room.” Been to meetings in that room. But just think abot it, the Jello Room in the Department of Psychiatry. I guess that’s why they renamed the room a couple of years ago and changed to some boring name of a real person. sheesh!!
Buffalo Wings in Buffalo are part of celestial eating!
There is kind of a pilgrimage in our faith for those that don’t live in Utah. Visiting the temple for saving ordinances. Of course, if you live in Utah, you could probably pass by the nearest temple (or two) on your morning jog. For some around the world, however, it is a real pilgrimage.
I agree, and I thought about that. But since I knew I was heading for a joke, I figured I would rather not take it any deeper.
We lived in Buffalo for our residency and let me tell you something— there are weekends where we seriously consider hopping an airplane, going to Anchor Bar for wings and coming right back home.
Those things (with the celery and blue cheese) are A.MAZE.ING.
Feeling a little green in Cache Valley…
At least you have plenty of cheese in Cache Valley.
Yes, of the squeaky variety.
I’m so happy for you! Anchor Bar. I know how much that must mean to you.
I was at the Hill Cumorah Pageant Friday and Saturday, and although I’m really happy that you got to go there, I’m a little freaked out that I very well could have walked right past you last weekend!
You should definitely go to Kirtland!! Definitely. I have yet to go to Sharon, VT, but it’s on my list.
JWW
Actually, I spotted you early on, and took video. I’ll put it up on Youtube when I get a minute to spare.
Kirtland is way worth the trip, especially since the church has invested heavily in the area and done a terrific job “Nauvoo-izing” the key LDS sites. The first time I went (when I took a group of seminary students who finished my home study Church History course) it was pretty much just the RLDS-owned temple. That by itself was awesome (our guide was very nice and let us up to the third floor of the temple, a place where most people don’t get to go), and now with the Whitney store and other places, it’s even more awesome!
Oh, good grief! I thought you were going to tell us about going to Sharon, Vermont, which, in my opinion, is totally worth the extra day’s drive to get there. But to each their own. Glad you had a good moment.
2 key places I have NOT been: Kirtland, OH, and Sharon, VT. However, I will eventually get to both.
For added incentive, I understand that the Ben & Jerry’s factory is only an hour away from the Joseph Smith birthplace memorial.
MMmmm Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia!
We were in Cleveland last month and visited Kirkland on a Sunday. Loved the Temple tour. In Cleveland my son found a place called B.A. Sweetie…a candy “Costco” going back to the 40’s. All the stuff that ruined my teeth in the 50’s. I bought Sen-Sen in case I ever give another 50’s party.
HIll Cumorah and the Anchor Bar. What a great vacation!! I hope your taste buds were happy and hot.
P.S. If I’m suspecting rightly, the radio in the car turns off when your EC doesn’t fasten her seatbelt. If that makes NO sense to you, my apologies!!
P.P.S. The Jello Museum is in Leroy and it shows all the cool Bill Cosby commercials for Jello pudding. Ah well, come back to western New York again someday, there is a LOT of cool stuff here!! Like Nick Tahoe’s Garbage Plate.
Oh Doulabug! You’re making me homesick!! Gotta make sure he heads over to Abbott’s for custard too!
The Anchor Bar!!!! I’ve been there! And I will freely admit that I wimped out and stuck with the mild wings.
I don’t even know how to respond to that. It’s like going to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel tower.
Ha! Good one.
I’ve been to the world’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken. Believe it or not, it’s right here in Salt Lake City.
Ate there often as a kid. Good memories!
Jeni: Too funny! I didn’t know there was a Jello Museum. What a missed opportunity!
I sold out and ate at the Anchor Bar in the airport. Shame on me. BUT…we did go to the Jello Museum which is also in Buffalo. It was an homage to our Mormon Heritage – which the mention of is entirely fitting for this day.
I snorted my lemonade. LOL. Ouch.
One of the grad programs we’re applying to is in Buffalo. We will definitely check this place out if we end up there. Mmm… buffalo wings.