Thursday, May 19, 2016

To Camp or Not To Camp, That Is the Question

The jury is still out about me and camping.  I talked about it a little near the end of a previous blog.   http://www.thecabincountess.com/2016/04/spring-and-summer-will-come-eventually.html


Beautiful view from the campground

Basically we bought an old camper in hopes of getting my dad out of the house without having him sit or sleep in motel rooms, ride in the car for hours or just stay home.  He liked sitting outside around campfires with the family and was somewhat excited about the prospects of traveling to some new locations.



As I mentioned, we had a few challenges getting the thing road worthy.  The sad part is dad passed away before we could use it.  In his honor, we decided to give camping a try.  We rented a permanent campsite for a couple months in a county park.  I love the daytime camping.  The campfires, the nature walks, the fresh air and relaxing outside is awesome.  The nights, not so much.  It is really really dark in the woods.  The first night we got all tucked in.  It isn't exactly roughing it.  We have a bed with a real mattress and an inside bathroom.  All was going well even though I was slightly claustrophobic and a bit warm from a ninety degree day.  Then just as I was falling asleep a big thunder and lightning storm rolled in beating rain on the roof of the camper.  It lasted for a long time.  The morning was fresh and nice, so it wasn't a deal breaker.  One week later we tried again.  This time the temps fell into the 30 degree range and in spite of having a heater, I froze.  I slept in my clothes covered with two blankets and my coat.  About 6:30 am the next morning, we locked up and traveled thirty minutes to our daughters cabin.  We spent the remaining weekend there. 


The reason why I wasn't going to camp another night..SNOW in May

My husband has convinced me to try one more time.  I said I will try, but if I have one more horrible night then the For Sale sign goes up.  Three strikes and I'm out.  I live in a log cabin with wildlife and a beautiful view.  I have a great bed and can be warm or cool by adjusting the thermostat.  I can build a campfire outside if I feel the need to sit by the fire.  Why would I camp?  I will give it a chance though.  Camping people are very friendly, there are no bed bugs to worry about as in some motels these days and it does provide a change in scenery.

I do like to cook over an open fire.  Here is one of our foil recipes.  I posted another in a post from a few years ago.  It seems that the sleeping part of camping is an issue for all of us.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/08/the-hobo-steak-and-camping-experience.html

Campfire Breakfast Burritos
http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/ 

½ T. olive oil
1 cup frozen hash browns
8 oz. cooked ham, diced
12 eggs
1 T. taco seasoning
1 (4.5 oz.) can green chiles (optional)
2 cups cheddar cheese
8 flour tortillas (I used low-carb tortillas, and they were a little wetter than I like.)

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the hash browns and ham.  Cook until browned, stirring continuously.
Meanwhile in a large bowl whisk the eggs and add the taco seasoning. If you like cilantro, you can add some to taste.
Pour the egg mixture over the browned ham and hash browns in the skillet.
Stir until the eggs have set.  Stir in the cheese and green chiles if you use them.
Warm the tortillas to make them pliable.  Put ⅛ of the mixture on the tortilla and roll up like a burrito.  Wrap it tightly
in foil.  Store in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator or in your cooler.

When you’re ready to cook, place the wrapped burrito on the hot coals or on a rack close to the fire.  Turn them over
once until they are heated through.  It takes about 10-15 minutes. 

 
Place scrambled egg mixture on tortilla


Roll the burrito and place on foil


Fold the foil around the burrito to make a packet

Just put the foil packets on the campfire until they are warmed.  I know there is a lot of controversy about using aluminum foil, but it works so well for this purpose.  If you don't over use aluminum foil, I think we will all be fine.

Eventually I will report the final decision concerning the camping situation.  Right now I'm on the fence, and it could go either way.  Stay tuned.