The Roast Post

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The Roast Post

01 Apr

Spoiler alert: I peed in line.

Let’s dial it back a few hours. Today’s leg of the Journey has been in the works for a very, very long time. It represents the culmination of the Alleghenies portion that began months ago, exploring the heart of rural coffee culture in Pennsylvania. During that time, there were several side trips into other mountains in pursuit of a full picture of those lifeways. Now, we’re headed into the town of Mount Union, located on the Mifflin and Huntington Counties border. When people talk about the ‘countryside,’ this is it. The mountains look hairy with trees, and the fields of one farm touch those of the next in a patchwork quilt of life.

I needed this trip. Once again, this area of Pennsylvania saw a precious two-day break in the bonkers March weather, and I decided to make the most of it. Driving on Route 22 and Route 522 is an interesting experience. One could easily think these roads don’t go to places but through them. Everything on the way is geared to the traveler, with pull-off areas every few miles and plenty of food and gas options. It’s like the Turnpike if the Turnpike weren’t manic insanity. These roads are calm and endless. Liminal in the extreme.

When I found The Roast Post on Google, it seemed like a normal coffee stop on a normal stretch of road in a normal town. Wrong on all three counts. Roast Post is anything but normal. Let’s break it down: First, The Roast Post is a literal post. The coffee shop is a drive-thru trading post with a touch of outdoor seating for especially weary travelers. Second, this place is popular in the extreme. Locals are quite vocal about their love of coffee and cherish what appears to be the only source of coffee within ten miles. Their Google rating, after 149 votes, remains five stars. Lastly, the owners of Roast Post take their craft even more seriously than the customers do. The coffee is an unlabeled proprietary roast held to stringent standards.

Oh, and the lines to get coffee are a phenomenon. As you can see below, I was stuck in a veritable traffic jam. This segues to my one complaint about Roast Post: no restrooms. And so, I grabbed an empty bottle, and the rest was yellow history. I had plenty of time. People in front of me were ordering carloads of expensive and complicated victuals. I opted for something simple. There was a combination of nutty and smoky flavors on the bouquet. The mouthfeel was milky-smooth. Oddly, the smoky notes didn’t stick around. The subtle nut taste was there and pleasant. I don’t know the provenance of the beans, but they presented like a South American would. Acidity was low; the lowest I’ve tasted in a while. This coffee can be quaffed ad infinitum.

Mount Union (the town) was quietly awesome (emphasis on the quiet). The real standout here was the temperament of the townsfolk. Everyone was nice. The main drag was a small collection of old-fashioned buildings containing a few normal shops (a pizza place, a church, or two) and a few standouts like Jaedylans Antiques Glass, a soon-to-open antique shop filled with glassworks from the 19th Century through early 20th. As a fan of the Art Deco movement, I couldn’t resist.

Something interesting was mentioned here: East Broad Top Railroad. Apparently, during the summer they have the train running. I’m willing to bet that many fun folk events happen at that train station. As a verified expert, I say with authority that train stations are great places for beer festivals. Alright, I say that as someone who had a beer at a train station before. Anyhow.

I couldn’t come all this way without visiting a local hiking hotspot: the Thousand Steps Trail. Reinvigorated by the coffee, I grabbed my EDC (everyday carry; that’s a “prepper” term for the small collection of important survival tools you should carry on your person consistently) and began climbing. I didn’t get far before the fatigue of driving a hundred miles on 5 hours of sleep caught up with me. I did get to the headwaters of a small waterfall. It poured from a ruined brick edifice upon whose purpose I can only guess.

So began the long trip home. I savored every moment I had left in these mountains. I said at the beginning that this was the culmination of the Allegheny Journey. I’m not sure of that anymore. While in Mount Union, I was pointed toward the towns of Huntington and Orbisonia. These locals really do love their coffee. I want to head north into the Pennsylvania Wilds region soon, but at this rate, it might have to wait until fall. In terms of coffee, these mountains are getting bigger by the day. Until next time, stay caffeinated.