Sweet Memories of Sweet Action

Finding parking around the historic Baker neighborhood can be a bit tricky, especially on a beautiful Saturday afternoon like today.  With so many things to do on South Broadway, the narrow streets fill up fast.  Making things even more challenging is the fact that I drive a rather large vehicle.  My old, champagne-colored Suburban doesn’t seem to be designed for streets like these.  Determined, I drive around the neighborhood until I happen upon a parking spot large enough to accommodate my wheels.  I know it’ll be worth the effort. 

Today is special.  It is one of those rare occasions when I get to spend the entire day with my best friend.  With so many things in our lives keeping us busy, it seems like these days are becoming increasingly infrequent.  So when the stars align and the universe allows, we enjoy each other’s company and explore this neighborhood. I am grateful for days like these.

Wandering around Broadway is one of our favorite things to do.  There’s something special about the neighborhood, the energy is palpable in the air.  Dive bars, scrumptious restaurants, and specialty boutiques are a few of the things that draw us here.  Where else can you procure bondage accoutrements, used books, and the latest hipster fashions all on the same block? There is something innately magical about this place.  It is one of our sanctuaries.  More importantly, there is an even more delicious reason that we come here to spend time together.  That reason is called Sweet Action Ice Cream. 

Sweet Action is a great little local ice cream joint that is nearly impossible to resist. The smell of freshly baked waffle cones wafting on the afternoon breeze lures us in every time.  We get in line, waiting anxiously to order one of their many exotic creations. The chalkboard posted at the entrance reveals the incredible array of ice cream flavors.  Flavors like Silverback Honey Spice, Roasted Green Chili, Stranahan’s Wiskey Brickle, and Vegan Garam Masala make this an arduous decision…for most.  I, on the other hand, know before I even set foot in the building which flavor I will be feasting upon.  I order my go-to favorite, a double-scoop of Salted Butterscotch in a waffle cone. 

I distinctly remember the first time I tried Salted Butterscotch ice cream.  My attention was instantly captivated by the notion of a salted ice cream.  Would you be able to taste the salt?  Would one flavor overpower the other?  I had to find out for myself.  With my first lick of this mind-blowing concoction, I knew that I had come across my newest vice.  The flavor of this ice cream was absolutely awe-inspiring.  The salt only intensified the sweetest of the butterscotch.  Its divine texture was so incredibly rich and creamy that it made all other thoughts fade away.  And just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, I tasted the waffle cone.  This homemade waffle cone, with its buttery flavor and light crispy texture was the perfect medium in which to enjoy my frozen treat.  The combination of flavors made me feel as though there were a Fourth of July celebration transpiring on my tongue.  I was in heaven.

So with my ice cream in hand, and my best friend by my side, I think about how much times like these mean to me.  Days like these will never be forgotten.  This is what life is all about, enjoying time with the people that mean the most to you.  And if you just so happen to enjoy a little of Sweet Action’s ice cream while you’re at it, then your time together will be just that much sweeter.