Geocaching Revisited

In 2006 we began Geocaching. My daughter had heard about it and we thought it sounded like an inexpensive and fun activity. It was fun and included eating lunch in unknown places. We would make a day of it. I have written about it several times. There are several types of caches. There are virtual caches, earth caches, multi-caches and traditional. I won't describe it again, but if you aren't familiar with it here is the link from my first blog about it. https://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/03/geocaching-as-one-of-our-hobbies.html

Twenty years ago we would go to a lot of different places mostly around Wisconsin but where ever we would visit, we would look for at least one cache. We would hike miles into the woods just to find that special container. We even geocached in London in 2009. Yes, our London trip was in 2009. Boy time just keeps whizzing by. I can't say I like it, but we have no choice.

Since Mike's death, I rarely geocache. First of all I shouldn't walk miles alone into the woods anymore, at my age it wouldn't be smart. Nothing is fun alone, but for many reasons it is just dumb to drive around and hike alone. It probably isn't a good idea at any age. Stuff can happen from falling to encountering a large animal. 

In an attempt to get me out of the house, my daughter gave me this kit for Christmas. It's a kit with everything necessary to geocache. The kit includes a stamp for signing in and pens that write on wet paper or work upside down. It includes tools for getting into small places and of course mosquito repellent wipes. I love it. Although I took it on a recent trip to North Carolina, and I forgot it was in my carry-on. When it went through the scanner, it was dinged. They had to go through my luggage and found a small little multi-tool. This tool had a tiny blade. My teeth could do more damage than this tool, but we couldn't keep it. Fortunately there was time to take it back to the car. That is the beauty of flying out of a small airport like Appleton, WI. This kit and a phone are all the equipment I need. 

Now I am back Geocaching in a modified way. When they have time my daughter and her family will take me out. We actually went on Mother's Day. I am a simple person and that was more fun for me than a fancy brunch and a bouquet of flowers. I look for easy ones on my own. I am planning a couple easy ones after the busy weekend. During the week things are pretty quiet out in the country. In twenty years some of the caches are too tricky and hard to find. Having two sets of eyes is helpful but not always necessary. I just move on to another rather than trying to kill myself. I have found 885 caches. This year we have done 23. It's still a fun activity and it gets me out of the house. It takes me to places I am not familiar with but still safe. My sense of direction isn't what it used to be but that's what GPS's are for. I gotta keep on going and this is one way I can do that.

Easy to make Pudding

Years ago I posted about how I like pudding. I like most kinds but especially chocolate, vanilla and rice pudding. The only flavor that doesn't appeal to me is butterscotch. I don't like the pudding cups because they taste horrible to my taste buds. Though convenient, they taste like chemicals. I used to make Avocado pudding but I don't always have an avocado to use. Here is that blogpost.  https://www.thecabincountess.com/2017/08/avocado-chocolate-pudding.html

Although I make this avocado version once in a while, I usually make this microwave recipe. It is usually about 8:00pm, and I want chocolate. I will make this pudding in 10 minutes but then it is too hot to eat. I stick it in the freezer for a while until it's set and cool. It isn't as convenient as the pre-made pudding cups but it has no artificial ingredients and turns out perfect. If you want to sweeten it with honey, maple syrup or artificial sugar, I think it would turn out. I feel the strong taste of honey or maple syrup overrides the chocolate, so I use plain white sugar.

 Microwave Chocolate Pudding

Mix together in a microwave bowl or as I do, a 8-cup Pyrex pitcher.

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

A pinch of salt

When these dry ingredients are combined add 2 cups of milk (or non-dairy milk) and a teaspoon of vanilla. Mix well. I use the immersion blender but a spoon would be fine as long as it is completely blended.

Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stir well and microwave for another 3 minutes.

Just pour in dishes and put it in the refrigerator. It is ready when it is cool. This recipe makes 3 small dishes less than 1/2 cup each, but enough for a quick snack or desert. 

Vanilla pudding is made the same way without the cocoa or last time I made it, I added two eggs. It was very good. It tasted more like custard. I also put a few chocolate chips on top for the fun of it. Whipped topping would taste good too. I haven't made it without the eggs so it may need extra cornstarch to thicken it.

Microwave Vanilla Pudding

Whisk together: 

1/2 cup white sugar

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

Pinch of salt

Add:

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups of milk (I used 2% but whole milk would be even better or a non-dairy product)

2 beaten eggs

Mix everything very well and microwave for 3 minutes, stir and cook 3 more minutes. 

Pour in dishes and cool.

I have written about my Rice Pudding before. There is a microwave version of that too, but I usually make this in the Instant Pot. https://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/10/rice-pudding.html 

These are simple recipes and easy to make with common ingredients. Some people don't like and won't use a microwave. These recipes will work just as well in a saucepan, you just have to stir often to prevent scorching. It is a quick snack or pour the pudding in a prepared pie shell and have a piece of pie. 

My Reverse Osmosis Water System

Sometimes in life you just do things as you always did them and never really question why. That was me and my Brita water filter pitcher. For years I would fill the pitcher and make my coffee or drink the water. At the appropriate time, usually every month, I would change the filter and think I was getting clean purified water.

One day I saw an ad for a very inexpensive water testing gadget.  It looked like a thermometer. You would put it in your water to see what numbers you get. Very clean purified water would register a low number and the higher number would indicate how contaminated the water was. 

I have well water that was supposedly clean so I tested it. It wasn't horrible or in the danger zone, but it was marginal at 215 TDS (Total Dissolved Solids). It registered in the acceptable range for tap water. I would be fine drinking it but sometimes well water has a rusty taste.  My water softener takes care of that but sometimes I can taste a hint of rust. 

I then tested the Brita water. It was no different from my plain well water, in fact it was slightly worse. It must be going from the tap and through the filter with no change. Next I thought I should test the bottled water I would drink occasionally. I don't drink it often because it comes in plastic bottles. Everyone has plastic in their systems in this day and age but I avoid it where I can. I am sure it contributes to some health problems that didn't occur before plastic bottles became the norm, but that's a discussion for another time. The bottled water registered 344 TDS. Again it won't kill you but it's not that good.

I want to mention that this water testing wasn't really very scientific. There are many ways to test water. You can call a company that specializes in water quality, you can have the state you live in test it by sending in a sample or you can get an idea the way I did. 

At this point I was on a mission to find a water filtration system that didn't involve hiring a plumber and the expense of a whole house filter. The least technical, the less chance of something leaking or going wrong, and it was portable. There are many systems on the market. There are all sizes and all of them claim to be the best. Some are fancy and look beautiful but take up a lot of room. Some look very industrial but were also too large for me. I settled on a Bluevua lite system. It is not a water filtration system, it is a UV Reverse Osmosis water purifier. I liked that it had a glass pitcher, it had a UV light for more purification, you could add a remineralization filter for better taste and you just plug it into a normal outlet.  This lite version is small enough to fit on the kitchen counter and it provides plenty of water for me. The container is 40 ounces. If you need more water, you just push a button and it dispenses another container in a couple of minutes. 

I did test the water from my reverse osmosis system. The machine said it was only 12 TDS but the tester said it was 42 TDS. That is still really good and when I washed the equipment it was even better.  I like it below 30 TDS, but the number isn't exact and it varies slightly day to day.

This Reverse Osmosis system eliminates PFA's and other dangerous chemicals hidden in our water. The Brita filters cost about $7 per filter times 12. This filter cost $80 and it lasts a year. That isn't a great deal of difference cost wise but the water quality is so much better. Don't take my word for it. I don't get paid for these blogs. They are just my experiences so look it up yourself. I probably won't live any longer, but I have to try for better options wherever I can.

Let's Make Some Peanut Butter

I am knee deep in the Winter of my life. I am way to old for all the drama and misunderstandings that are happening right now. Every age has its challenges but by now I thought it would be smooth sailing for me. Whether it's personal or world issues, I just need to let things play out. Whatever happens, happens. I am not responsible for others. Don't be shallow, selfish and only think of yourself. Life for everyone could be so much better if people would let go of their ego, think of others and just be kind. 

Since I have no control over anything, I decided to make Peanut Butter. I know, some people take drugs or drink, but I make food.

If you ever buy peanut butter and read the ingredients in the popular brands, you will see peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil, dextrose, salt, molasses and other things. That is insane. A 40 oz jar costs about $4 or more. Even natural natural peanut butter has sugar and palm oil in it. That costs $7. This version costs whatever a jar of peanuts cost. It's usually about $2.50. 

Peanut butter is so easy to make if you have a food processor or a blender. It just takes a jar of unsalted dry roasted peanuts. You pour the peanuts in the food processor and blend for 5 minutes. If your food processor gets too hot, just stop it and let it cool. Then continue to blend until smooth. If you want chunky peanut butter just quit sooner. I added a pinch of salt and some honey, but that is in your control. I wish the jar of peanuts would not be made of plastic, but while trying to eliminate as much plastic as I can from my life, it is nearly impossible.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you notice the Rowe Pottery bowl in the picture that says Neillsville, WI; Est. 1882, I recently got it. For those who know me, know I was born in Neillsville. Rowe Pottery in Cambridge WI must have been commissioned to make these bowls.  My good friend saw them for only $5 on the clearance table and bought it. I love it.

My Summer Vacation To North Carolina-Part 4 the Moore's Creek National Battlefield and the Venus Fly Trap

Our trip was almost complete. As we traveled back to where we started, we had a few more stops to make. We had time because we were going as far as Rockingham, NC. We wanted to be closer to the airport so there was no rushing on Sunday morning.

We headed back to Wilmington, NC. There was a nice nature trail in town which was started by a man named Stanley Rehder. Mr. Rehder was known as "the flytrap man" and was an advocate for carnivorous plants. He transplanted and cultivated Pitcher plants, Venus fly-traps and Sundews all over North Carolina. I read on one of the signs that the Venus Flytrap only appears naturally from 75-100 miles around Wilmington, North Carolina. Outside this area the plants have been cultivated. The yellow and purple Pitcher plants were blooming and very pretty. I didn't see any Sundew plants and the only Venus flytrap plants we saw were in a planter. They are very small and hard to see. I was under the impression they would be much larger.

Our next stop was very appropriate considering on July 4, 2026 it is the 250th Anniversary for the United States. This was a national site for the Moore's Creek National Battlefield. 

 

 

This Revolutionary War battlefield is managed by the National Parks Service. It commemorates the 1776 victory of the patriots over the loyalists at Moore's Creek bridge. This ended the hopes for the loyalists to regain North Carolina for the British. It weakened British control making North Carolina the first to vote in favor of independence.

 

This battlefield is home to the only women's monument of the Revolutionary War. 

 

 

 

 

The bridge where the famous battle occurred is long gone, but the rebuilt version is where the old one was. We talked to a man who was walking his dog on the trail. He said the old bridge was left at the bottom of the river.

 

Another interesting thing about this trail is the swamp. I can't imagine troops marching through these forests and swampy lowlands, especially in February. Being cold and tired in these conditions must have been miserable in this Cypress swamp. We also learned that those root projections poking out of the soil are called "knees".  

 

 At the end of this trail we did see another Venus Flytrap. This was really tiny but they are there if you look hard enough. Locals probably take these for granted but we were fascinated. 

 

 Before we left the area, we picked up another geocache. That made five for the trip. 

 

Now it was time to head to our last hotel in Rockingham, NC and in the morning catch a flight from Charlotte to Appleton, WI. By 3:00pm I was back home. What a wonderful whirlwind.

 

We went 765 miles in 6 days. Two days of air travel and 4 days on the road. My daughter can drive in any type of conditions. There are a lot of loud and fast Dodge cars that thought they ruled the road, but she handled it well. Confession: I was lost most of the time but thank goodness for her and a GPS that worked most of the time. 

 

My Summer Vacation To North Carolina-Part 3 the Sea Turtle Hospital

It is now Friday, the fourth day of our journey. We are finally at the beach. The beaches in this area are very very busy but we managed to find a less congested spot. It was Topsail Beach on the southern end of Topsail Island. Topsail Island is a barrier island along the coast and is 26 miles long. We forgot our bikini's (darn) so we settled on rolling up our pants legs and walking along the sand. It was wonderful. It was not too hot and the breeze was wonderful. Of course it was obvious we were northern tourists. We pronounced the name of the island wrong and we had a lot more clothes on than the average person. Topsail is pronounced Tops'l. 

We stayed at the beach for a couple hours and then headed to Surf City. We had an appointment for a tour 
 at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital. Next to the Dambo Trolls, this was my favorite part. The Karen Beasley hospital was set up for the rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing of Sea Turtles. Karen died at age 29, but she wanted her mother Jean to take her insurance money to help the turtles. Jean did just that and established the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in a small 900 square foot building. Since then a 13,000 square foot was donated and it has grown to a hospital that has saved thousands of sea turtles over the years. Jean Beasley died last December but with 9 paid employees and hundreds of volunteers, the hospital will be able to continue its work. They provide medical care for sick or injured turtles and educate the public of the importance of saving this creature.  

The tour lasted about an hour and it was so much fun and very informative. I became interested in Sea Turtles in 2015. I wrote about it at the end of the following blog. Seeing sea turtles hatch is something I won't forget.  https://www.thecabincountess.com/2015/07/our-3150-mile-vacation-in-10-days.html

Soon it was time to leave and make room for the next group. When it was over we had ourselves a little Dunkin Donut and some coffee. This was vacation after all, and I hadn't had a Dunkin Donut in years. Now it was time to head to Carolina Beach. 

 

Carolina Beach is an experience in itself. It had wall to wall people and music and food. That part was not my cup of tea but I'm glad I saw it. We had a beautiful room with an ocean front view. I was able to sit on the balcony and enjoy it without being in the middle of the chaos. We did take a walk and had dinner at a very nice restaurant. Our meals would have fed a family of five, but we didn't go away hungry. 

 

The next morning it was time to head back to Charlotte. We planned on going about half way on Saturday. There was still a few more things to see. 

My Summer Vacation To North Carolina-Part 2 the Whirligigs

I have to back track just a little for this part 2 of my trip to North Carolina. My daughter doesn't like to stop at fast food places or chains. She likes to find out of the way local places to eat. We didn't take the interstate but took a two lane road from High Point to Raleigh to see how the locals lived. A lot of tobacco is grown in this part of North Carolina. It reminded me of growing up in Stoughton, WI where they used to grow a lot of tobacco.

For brunch, before we reached the final trolls in Raleigh, we stopped at the Saxapahaw General Store in Graham, North Carolina. The internet said it was one of the best hidden dining gems and they were correct. This little general store had a great menu. We had breakfast that included biscuits, homemade jam,  potatoes or grits, breakfast meat and eggs. I didn't think I liked grits but even those were delicious. And the biscuits, holy cow. So good.  It wasn't much to look at but so delicious. Maybe it was the "duck fat", but I didn't want to think about that or ask questions.

We walked down to a pretty little river called the Haw River and scoped out the area before setting off to Raleigh. After seeing all the trolls on Wednesday, we spent the night and left in the morning. We were heading to the coast. On the way we came upon a town called Wilson, North Carolina. In the middle of this town was a Whirligig Park. There was a man named Vollis Simpson. He was a WWII veteran and a local farm machinery repair man. At his farm he would create these giant kinetic sculptures out of used machinery parts. The word got out and tourists would try to locate his farm. When it became so popular and Mr. Simpson's health declined, the city of Wilson took over and created a free Whirligig Art Gallery. 

This was a fun little break from the drive. We visited the museum and gift shop before heading down the road. Our next break was the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. We walked a nice trail to see the cliffs. It felt good to stretch our legs a bit. We even found a geocache on the trail. We looked for them along the way and found a few to add to the fun of our adventure.

By now we were getting ready to stop for the day. It was hot and humid but not as bad as I thought it would be. We stayed in Kinston, NC. We had a busy day on Friday. Stay tuned for Part 3.