Tex - Camping

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:56 am

I saw in a previous post when you were talking about some allergy problems that you mentioned that you were camping.
So???? Do you like to camp???

Love
Dee~~

Post by **tex** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:56 am

Yes ma'am, I do, although I don't "rough it" near as much as I used to. Back when I was younger, (and more ambitious), I even backpacked into the high desert mountain country of New Mexico, known as the Gila Wilderness, for a few days. I called it a hunting trip, (so as not to appear wimpy, LOL), but all I did was to camp out, climb the mountains, and take pictures.

I love that rugged country, but I haven't been there in years, and I don't think I could stand up to the physical demands any more. These days, I take shorter, less ambitious outings, with more of the comforts of home. LOL. I haven't been out of Texas in years, but one of these days, I want to take off and go back out to the Rockies.

I seem to recall that you've mentioned camping trips also, haven't you? What sort of camping do you like?

Love,
Tex

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 12:38 pm

I love to camp!!!!!
We started camping when my children were very young.
Started out with a tent, then to a pop up, and now we have a 32' travel trailer with a slideout.
We keep our trailer at a campsite that is owned by an older farming couple that converted some of their acreage into a campground with water, electricity..
Nothing fancy and not your typical campground where you have cars driving thru and noise of all hours..
It is just beautiful when night falls to sit by the campfire, hear the sounds coming from the woods and when the sky is clear, you can look up and see nothing but a sky full of stars. The shooting stars are unbelievable.
We were fortunate last year to be down there to see the space shuttle and the space station.
There's another couple down there and the husband's hobby is kites. He has some of the most beautiful and the largest kites that I've ever seen.
It's fun to meet people that come from either all over the state or out of state.
There's a lake (Salt Fork Lake) that's about a 10 minute drive. There is hiking trails, horseback riding, swimming, etc...

Love
Dee~~~~

Post by **tex** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:11 pm

Yep, I like the same things - serenity and solitude, away from the crowds. It's nice to think that those are the same stars, in the same sky, that Lewis and Clark enjoyed, 200 years ago, even though almost everything down here on the surface, has changed immensely.

Love,
Tex

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 3:05 pm

And there is nothing better than making a pot of beef stew, soups, etc., over the campfire.
And the pie irons are great!!

Love
Dee~~~`

Post by **tex** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:23 pm

LOL. You've got me waaaaaaaaaaay outclassed when it comes to cooking, even on a campfire. I've made lots of stews in camp, but never over an open fire. That sounds like a pretty good challenge.

I usually start my stews about nightfall, spend a few hours getting the basic ingedients "assembled" and cooked, then I let it sit overnight, and finish it the next morning. IOW, I like thick stews, with lots of ingredients, and I pretty well cook almost everything to pieces. I've never even owned any pie irons, but I may have to try that one of these days. Years ago, I used to use a dutch oven, but if I tried that now, I'm sure I'd have to relearn that "art" too.

Hmmmmmm. Talking about it makes me want to get out there and try it. LOL.

Love,
Tex

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:20 pm

How about the foil pack meals that you make on the hot coals?????
You can make a complete single meal all in one...
I can throw together what Jack likes in one and whatever I want in the other ....
I have great suggestions for those..
If you haven't ever tried any let me know!!!!

Love
Dee~~~

Post by **tex** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:30 pm

I've tried a few of those, but not very many, and that was a long time ago. I've cooked a lot of "baked" potatoes that way, of course, but even with those, I always have a hard time deciding how long to leave them in the coals.

I'm not sure when I will get a chance to try them, but some tips on combinations that work well, (and how to properly judge the cooking time), would certainly be appreciated.

Love,
Tex

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:15 am

What's a pie iron?

Love,

Nosy Polly

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:45 am

Morning Polly & All,

A pie iron. Best description is kind of a sandwich sized " box or container" on a long iron rod and you can make sandwiches in it. You put it over a fire and toast up a grilled cheese or what have you. I have gone so far as to make a sort of apple turnover in it. Delicious.

Dee & Tex:

I was always an avid camper and have camped in all provinces of Canada and 49 of the 50 states and in some gorgeous locales. I still love it but alas, Frank is more a 5 star hotel person. The solitude of the night was always my favorite part and the people I met. I also always cooked over an open fire. Loved it and thanks for reminding me of the great times I had.

Love, Maggie

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:29 am

Yes, a pie iron is a mold made out of cast iron with a long handle and they come in different shapes, round, square, and they even have a waffle one.
I use rolled out Chebe bread when I want to make something for myself.
Jack has made himself pizzas and they sure smelled good.

Love
Dee~~~