Story & Photo – Joseph Boyle
We live in a really big country. The USA is huge. I like using the word “huge”. My 3 year old grandson reacquainted me with the word huge when he said, “Papa Joe, your mustache is huge.”
The USA is especially huge when explored from a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
I guess I will never learn. I did it again. I rode my Harley all the way to the East coast. When I reached the Atlantic, it is then that I realized I would have to travel back across our vast country to get back home.
Last time I looked I had over 4,000 miles since having left Lakewood, Washington. Of course those miles include having gotten lost along the way.
Most people find it amazing that anyone, especially a 70 year old retired guy, could ride that far and for that long. I guess by most standards, it is amazing that anyone at any age would ride a motorcycle anywhere.
For me it starts with attitude. My attitude and what I do during the day help determine how young I think, act and feel. Long distance riding is a little like the old TV adventure show, “Here Comes Bronson”.
It is fun and it is exciting to see our country, go to new places and to meet so many interesting people along the way.
For 11 days a part of my adventure took me to a quiet small town called Milford, Delaware, just a half hour from the Atlantic Ocean.
I found this wonderful place in Milford, I want to tell you about. I am inside this wonderful place right now, typing you this story.
The establishment is called Dolce. It is part coffee shop (That’s my part.), part bakery, (That’s my part too!) and part ice cream shop.
Dolce is a very friendly place. The local townspeople love it.
Back in 2005 Dolce started out as a bakery. The name, Dolce, which can also be found spelled dolce’, is Italian for sweet. In about 2008 Dolce was negatively affected by the economic downturn. To modify their business plan to fit the economic times, Dolce decided to see if they could expand the coffee shop element of their business. It worked, making them the popular success they are today.
This story is an example that supports one of my life theories; “Bad news brings good news!”
Dolce is CO-owned by Chuck Stanko and George Carroll. George has been baking for most of his life. He comes in early every day to prepare taste treats for his customers.
Chuck runs the front end. All the employees are delightful. So far I have met owners Chuck and George along with baristas Nick, Erin and Joslyn. I never met a dolce’ barista I did not like.
When you are on the East coast and find yourself in downtown Milford, Delaware, stop by for a visit. They are located at 36 North Walnut Street, MIlford, DE 19963. Phone: 302-422-5760. Website: www.dolcebakery.com.
If you make it, tell them Joe Boyle sent you.