Foil and the propane camp stove.

2 of my favorite tools for cooking out in a camp site.
WHY?
I have cooked so many great meals by placing them in foil and placing them on my propane camp stove.
Examples:

• We love veges. Cabbage, potatoes and onions, carrots, asparagus etc. Place them in foil diced up with your seasoning, butter, place a small amount of water inside and fold up tightly. I place them in a dutch oven and cook over low heat. They steam beautifully.
• Place chicken breast, veges, and seasonings and butter, then cover tightly. 
• Meatloaf- spray the foil well with cooking spray and wrap the meatloaf with bacon and cover. When cooked pour sauce over it.
• Pizza- use pizza crust, tortillas, pita bread, biscuits.  Place foil on griddle  then place pizza crust. Cook until browning then put sauce and toppings on it and within minutes you have pizza.

Cooking tips when camping.

There are some tips to help you prepare for great food while camping. These tips can prevent you from always being over the propane camp stove and having no fun with the family or friends.

• Make soups or stews ahead of time and freeze in bags or containers. They will only need heating up on a camp stove. They also help keep temps low in the ice cooler while traveling.
• Having a dice day before leaving for dicing up onions, garlic, carrots, cabbage, lettuce etc.
• Cook your ground beef ahead of time and freeze in a freezer bag. 
• If eggs are hard to travel with, you can break them gently and fill a container completely with the eggs and cover with a sealed lid. When you need one you simply pour out the egg. It will come out one at a time.
• Make your biscuits at home and cut out and freeze separately. Cuts down on preparation then all you do when camping is place them in your camp dutch oven and you will be eating homemade biscuits.
• Pasta can be cooked about 3/4 of the way and store in a baggie with olive oil. Then when you place it in boiling water it takes just a few minutes to finish cooking.
• Always remember to take things to store left overs. Heavy duty foil is a must for cooking and storing leftovers.
• Make sure your favorite pans you take to cook with will fit on your camp stove. 
• Make crusts ahead of time, pies are terrific in a dutch oven.

Cooking doesn't have to be a pain when camping.

Its Time to prepare

Living in North Texas, we are experiencing beautiful weather. We are starting to think about camping and all the equipment that goes with that. For us Texans, we are pulling out the camping tents and checking out our propane camping lanterns. We put up our camping tents and check out the condition of them. We check all the parts of our lanterns. We pull out our camping dutch ovens and season them. We make a list of supplies we need to replenish from our last camp out and then extra equipment we may need or want. The great thing about camping frequently is that you begin to ecru a good supply of camping gear. Once you have invested in items such as a great tent, propane camping stove, propane lanterns, cots or sleeping bags, hammocks and bicycles. Then there is no stopping you from being spontaneous and plan a camping trip for the next week. 

Backpacking need list.

Wow there is a lot to think about when you are going backpacking. It is not like you can jump in your car and buy what you forgot or ask a neighbor for help. If you don't have it, too bad.

Clothing: Be prepared for weather change.

• Underwear
• Socks- 2 pair(if one pair gets wet you have a dry pair until the other drys)
• Hat- for sun
• Shorts- Lightweight
• Trekking pants- lightweight
• Wind or rain shell
• Long sleeve top
• Light Jacket

 Backpacking Gear:

• Tarp or a lightweight backpacking tent
• Down sleeping bag
• Internal frame pack
• Led camping lantern
• Water bladder
• Insect repellant
• Knife
• Sunscreen
• Cookware- 1 piece with a lid
• Utensils
• Water treatment drops
• Small camera
• First aid kit
• Toiletries
• Map and compass
• Pen and paper
• Food- bulk
• Internal frame pack.

I found these things from other sources. Be sure you do your homework before you take an adventure far away from civilization.

Backpacking

I was exploring the web for different places to camp. I ran across parks that had backpacking and hiking. We love to hike and explore the trails.But we haven't backpacked. There are some people that like to hike and then camp where they are and then continue on their hiking adventure the next morning. In order to do that, they must carry all there needs with them. Food, shelter, clothing, and personal needed items.I am not sure if I could hike with all that on my back. I know that lightweight backpacking tents are available for those who do not like to sleep out in the open. A led camping lantern might also be a great item to carry. I am going to explore more on this topic. I would like to put together a possible need list for a camping backpacker. Stay tune.

Robbers Cave: Great camping outdoor fun

What a pleasant surprise. Our friends had reserved a two room cabin that was fully furnished. There were also tent sites and trailer sites. The weather was beautiful. The rain held off till Saturday night. We hiked around the lake, checked out the caves, took some pictures and enjoyed the fellowship. We decided to reserve a cabin for November when the leaves turn. I would really encourage you to check out this park.

I have lived in the fast paced life, watched the simple life, and have decided there has to be a sweet spot somewhere in the middle. The biggest thing I believe that the fast paced life has robbed us of is time for relationships. Relationships with our spouses, kids, parents, friends, and with our creator. I want for this blog to not only encourage camping out but also to take the time to invest in your relationships with little distractions.

Check out the slideshow on Robbers Cave with our friends.

On our way to Robber's Cave

Well, we have a date at Robber's Cave State Park in Oklahoma. Never been there. I am excited because we will be joining some great friends for the weekend. We started thinking about 3 person tents or a family tent. It is always best to plan well before you leave or go with someone who is a good planner. I am doing both. Our friends have asked for a 2 bedroom cabin in the woods. Oh I can't wait.

We have discussed food. When you go with multiple people, there are a few options on food. Everyone can bring their own food, the food can be divided out and all cook together or the way we are choosing to do it this outing, dividing the meals and each buy what is needed for their meals. All ways are great.

The weather may be wet most of our time there. Not a problem. We always take board games and cards. Movies are great if there is access to a TV. But I believe the conversation is the best. I tend to never run out of things to talk about when I am with people I love. We need to pack an array of clothing. Never know what we may need. It is always a good idea to check the weather forecast for that area and plan by that.

Many parks have wood that you can buy but it can be expensive. We will be bringing our own. They do have fire pits available at the cabins. Yeah, Dutch Oven cooking here we come. If weather permits.

Always have a camera. We, to this day, get out the pics and reminisce of our previous camping trips.

Remember that there is always opportunities to explore, be sure to bring supplies. Proper shoes, walking sticks, sunscreen, bug spray, first aid kits, hats, water bottles and a few snacks are just a few.

Be on the lookout for my next post. I will tell you all about the state park and all the amenities. I'll have pics, possible new recipes and much more. I have included a link for you to check out on Robbers Cave. Maybe you may want to experience it for yourself.

Robbers Cave State park  http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6415