The 'Shortcut'

We followed route 95 to Fredericksburg, Va. When we refused to follow the GPS directions to DC eventually the GPS said to take route 15 north. That was what I thought after looking at the map- we were headed for Harrisburg, PA- and that looked like the shortest way. Well it may be the shortest distance but....There were way too many traffic lights and it was just 2 way traffic until we got into Maryland. It was beautiful country to drive through (Bob's car would have been great). There were lots of horse farms and beautiful homes. We had been through the PA part before and knew it was a four lane road and we hoped the rest would be- oh well. I don't think I can talk Bob into the RV and that route ever again.
This campground is open all year but we weren't told until we asked (while getting set up) that there's no water. There's piles of snow but even the gravel is unbelievably muddy. So we'll bring home dirty dishes and muddy shoes. This makes us ready to be home.

Traveling

We're on our way home. We're in Roanoke Rapids, NC at The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads. This is a pretty new place and very nice. It's very open so we imagine it'll be rather warm in the summer. There are several gazebos, an open clubhouse, a playground area, and a dog walking area.

The sunrise this morning at the ocean was beautiful. Just before
the sun actually came up there was a red outline of about 5 clouds
on the horizon. I never saw anything like it- It was really neat.

No major traveling problems- it took a few tries to get the car hooked up right. I also rearranged some cupboards and when Bob pulled into the parking lot all the plates went flying. One chipped but we love Corelle Ware it held up beautifully (and is now back in the original cupboard). Today's driving was just on 95 so no direction problems :) We'll see how tomorrow goes.

We're going to sit outside a bit (probably our last chance for a while).

Cold part 2 and Cooking part 2

The temperatures are 20 degrees below normal. I think the news said these were record cold temperatures. Water for the camper goes through a hose from the faucet at each campsite to the camper. Yesterday water was a little slow in the morning – this morning there was no water- the temperature got above freezing and the hose was in the sun – still no water. Bob went out to check – when he unscrewed the hose there were chunks of ice. So we changed hoses and had water for the day.

Shawn needs to know that Bob is getting pretty good at cooking with charcoal. He’ll even discuss when to use briquettes (natural ones if you can find them) and when to use chunk charcoal. He really likes the chimney for starting the charcoal (he even said Shawn was right). We use the briquets especially when cooking with the dutch oven. We’ve now had two very successful cooking attempts (2 out 3 not bad for beginners). Tonight we had pot roast – it was great including the gravy!! Well worth the 2 1/2 hours he spent cooking it.

Cold

It’s noon and the temperature is finally up to 32!! (There’s still no snow)

Yesterday we drove up to the Visitor Center for Sapelo Island. In the winter there are only two trips a week to the Island- Wednesday and Saturday. We woke early, listened to the wind , checked the temperature and went back to bed. The thought of a boat ride when it was windy and below freezing was more than I could handle (especially when the Wednesday tour doesn’t always go to the lighthouse). So next year we’ll spend a couple days near Tybee Island and Savannah on our way home and we’ll plan a earlier trip to Sapelo. We did stop in Darien for lunch at Skippers Fish Camp. Bob had spicy hot oysters and I had a seafood chowder and shrimp quiche.- all very good. After we took a walk on the docks and saw all these fishing boats.
We took the scenic route home and saw more salt marshes, a variety of homes both old and new and some historic sites to explore another time.

The Super Bowl and more

Sunday was a very good day.

Laundry was done, we went for a walk on the beach and saw a dolphin.
I got to sit in the sun and read.

And we had our own Super Bowl Party.
It was the first (of many we hope) that we spent
watching the game and the campfire.
It was low 50’s and a perfect night.
Bob had quite a set up.
He had the campfire going in half the fireplace
so we could try again with the dutch oven in the other half.
Bob also had his computer with EYE TV for watching the game. And he had two stoves going to cook the chicken fingers (very mild for me and very spicy for him)



We made sourdough bread (Knead Not Sourdough-Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2008

Show: Good EatsEpisode: Going Dutch) and it came out great! The stones we found for the legs of the dutch oven did the trick and Bob added coals to keep it hot for the 45 minute baking time.

The chicken was good and I even watched a lot of the game.

What a Mess!!

First a little history- We like using cast iron cookware. One night recently on Food Network, Alton Brown was cooking – baking actually -in a dutch oven. Of course we wanted one for the camper. We found one when shopping.

So, we tried the pineapple upside down cake that was in the cookbook . We followed the directions carefully and after the proper amount of time we removed the top and checked- it appeared to be done. Serving this cake requires putting a plate on top and flipping the pan (in this case very heavy oven) over. It wasn’t done and halfway over there was a hot gooey mess running off the plate, down the cupboard, stove, and onto the floor. Bob turned it back over before the entire mess slid onto the floor and we cleaned up the mess.
Here’s what went wrong (we think) : Bob said he cleaned a spot off in the fireplace and placed the coals as directed. But he said the weight of the dutch oven pushed it into the ground and when he lifted the whole thing off the coals underneath were out- so the bottom didn’t cook.
Before we try again we have to find some rocks to put under the legs of the dutch oven. We won’t get old as long as we keep trying new things right ?