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Post by gaetzchamp on Jun 9, 2006 1:01:41 GMT -5
Well, are you up for more pictures?  Here are more photos of our trip out last weekend to the desert in Green River, Utah. It's a place I've gone to find coprolites and wood but got ran off by hoardes of horse flies and we had to improvise and found some great, new territory. I posted some shots of the neat rocks we found, now here are some scenery shots.... Rainey and Dillon posing on an elephant back at dusk...  Dillon not wanting to get out of bed  Rain cooking dinner....  Rain and Dillon Eating some pizza hot off the fire. Anybody notice empty 5-gallon bucket? It was filled to the rim the next day...ha, ha.  Rain and Dill  Breakfast is served.....  Rainey driving the truck. Shortly after grabbing the wheel, 2 baby antelope jumped onto the road and we had a great time chasing them a couple of hundred yards down the road.....too dang funny.  Ok, here's some rock porn  A weird combination of beautiful blue fortified agate in a fairly loose conglomerate.....go figure, eh?    Ok, Ok, enough already. I've cut a bunch of my rocks up and will post those another day. It was a great trip. I wished I would've had my camera when a huge collared lizard (url if you want to see one..... www.centralpets.com/animals/reptiles/lizards/lzd2699.html) jumped out in front of us. Dillon was going crazy trying to catch him. These things can flat out run!!!! The desert is such a magical place that appears so dead and desolate, but it's actually teeming w/ life. We had fun chasing lizards, grasshoppers, bunnies, antelopes. No brushes w/ rattlers or scorpions which is nice. take care RTH'ers. gaetz |
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Post by driftwood on Jun 9, 2006 1:33:59 GMT -5
That looked like a awesome trip ! I am going to have to make it out there one day. Do they allow travel trailers there ?
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jun 9, 2006 1:42:35 GMT -5
Neph-
This place is actually not too far off I-70 in Green River. It's pretty hospitable country and I wouldn't hesitate to drag in a camper or trailer to set up a base camp then explore the rest of the county on 4x4's. I found some great petrified wood and I need to get back down there to find the source. As for "they allowing" travel trailers....there's no rules against it. In fact, it's so desolate that we didn't see anyone for the evening and day we were there. I would recommend April/May or October for the trip when it's cooled off a little and the rains clear off some of the material in the washes.
When you're ready to make plans, we'll meet you and bring the machines.
gaetz
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Post by LCARS on Jun 9, 2006 1:46:16 GMT -5
Awww man, that sounds sweet!  |
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Post by driftwood on Jun 9, 2006 2:11:58 GMT -5
That sounds great Tim, I will definitely take you up on that one day. I think my wife is getting sick of camping near the coast and would love that place.
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jun 9, 2006 2:24:11 GMT -5
Tony-
Earlier today we were just talking about how much fun it would be to go to the California and play on the beach for a few days. I think we'll really look into it for next year. Just shoot me if I have to go to Disneyland though!!!!!!!!! ARGGGGHHH.
There's a whole playland of diversity here. I could have you camping in the desert one day and playing in the snow at 11,000 feet the next. All within 3 or 4 hours drive. This state is a virtual wonderland w/ unequalled variety (I used to work in travel and tourism, can't you tell?)
We'll get you guys out here one of these days. You may even find you an ancient knife too.
gaetz
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Post by rockyraccoon on Jun 9, 2006 4:30:28 GMT -5
i'd be scared a scorpion would get in my sleeping bag!
kim
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Post by joe on Jun 9, 2006 8:47:09 GMT -5
It looks like you had a wonderful time. Happy kids, cool rocks, and no scorpions sounds perfect.
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stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 9, 2006 9:46:46 GMT -5
Way cool- BTW I love seeing your kids actually learning some outdoor skills- We have a seasonal setup and everyone gives me strange looks when I cook over the fire- and teach my daughter the art of open fire cooking- Most of the other campers have Gas (shutter) grills!!! Nope nothing like real OPEN FIRE COOKING- Now details on the shovel Pizza Please (I make a real mean DEEP DISH dutch oven Pizza- but loved the look of the shovel pizza)
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jun 9, 2006 10:08:36 GMT -5
Steph-
You're right about "outdoor skills" seems like not many kids are getting them these days. I insist the kids build the fire and help out at all times. They're skills that are invaluable because we are always out fishing, camping, riding etc. Last year I took a bunch of scouts up into the mountains and I was amazed to see how lazy and brain-dead the kids were. You literally had to hold their hands on every task; from washing dishes to getting wood capable of being combustible...they were grabbing green, rain-soaked branches. They were too preoccupied w/ hand-held video games to be interested in anything else. It was then that I was determined that my kids learn how to fend for themselves.
As for the pizza, here is how you do it.....
Stop at Pizza Hut in Price, Utah. Go to grocery store and get tinfoil. Put Pizza and Cinnamon Stix in cooler for the drive out into the desert. Dig firepit, take small, brown, dry twigs and brush and make fire. Wrap pizza in foil and place on shovel over hot coals. Heat to desired temp. Sit back and eat under stars and howling coyotes.
Sorry, I know that was a little anticlimactic, you were probably hoping to hear how we made the dough ourselves by rolling it out over rocks and placing it in the fire before adding sauce and cheese. Well, I only had 4 hours in the evening and 4 hours the next morning for rocks and I didn't want to spend a whole lot of time w/ dishes and cooking. Pizza Hut dinner and a box of doughnuts were a hit w/ the kids. LOL. My only concern w/ our time out there was that we had a TON of water. We had about 30 water bottles and they didn't last too long. We actually do quite a bit of open fire cooking. One of our favorites is "tinfoil dinners" where you take hamburger, taters, carrots and some cream of mushroom soup and dump some onto foil. Then you just place the foil packets into the coals and heat for 30 min or so. Next trip I'll show you some picts of my dutch oven specialties.
gaetz
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Jun 9, 2006 10:18:51 GMT -5
LMAO!!!!! that made my day!!!!! We always eat take out on our first night of camping (usually Friday Night) but from then on it is all HOMEMADE!!! But then we have very little pacup or set-up time!!! I have a Killer Donut recipe for a morning when you have the time- Start Fire and when good and hot place dutch oven over fire (I use an adjustable grill and place the dutch oven on that) Pour in favorite oil (I perfer just plain Vegtable oil but you can use what ever trips your fancy) Heat oil till is will sizzle spit (aprox 300 degrees) Take CHEAPEST (Walnut- $.49 a tube) tubed rolls you can find (Pop-n-fresh work- but are too costly) Open tube and pull apart presliced rolls. Toss dough into HOT oil- cook for 30 seconds (more if oil is too cool less if too hot) flip with long handles devise (NOT FINGERS!!!!) cook for another 15 seconds (until both side are golden brown) Take Hot roll/donut out of oil- Drain on Papaer towel- roll in powdered sugar (or cinnimon sugar) and Eat Hot (CAREFUL as these are VERY HOT!!!!)
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jun 9, 2006 10:29:51 GMT -5
Steph- Now that sounds fun. ......taking copious notes to put in my wallet for next trip..... when is that next trip BTW? ? We're alike in that the first night is always the easiest in terms of food prep. We usually do the tinfoil dinners or even easier is sloppy joes already cooked. Just heat up and serve. thanks for the recipe, I'll definitely try that one. gaetz |
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Post by Cher on Jun 9, 2006 10:56:33 GMT -5
I was wondering what you had cooking on the shovel there, that's a pretty unique untensil. My other question is do you actually sleep out under the stars, no tent?
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Post by gaetzchamp on Jun 9, 2006 11:20:52 GMT -5
Cher-
We were gonna bring a tent (just in case it got windy and needed to get out of a sandstorm) but again I didn't want to take time out to go get the tent from my brother. I have a shell on my truck we coulda taken cover in if we needed it. A tent in the desert has almost the same effect as a grasshopper in a tupperware cannister....very uncomfortable and confining. There's just about nothing greater than sleeping under a desert moon. It was just a perfect night w/ a hint of a breeze to cool you off. It was also crucial to know exactly where the sun was going to come up to place the trailer. We slept in the cool shade until 8:30. If you are in the sun when it comes up, you're immediately enveloped in an intense inferno of heat.
gaetz
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Post by xenaswolf on Jun 9, 2006 19:26:28 GMT -5
Love the camping pics! Here is a good snack recipe for you guys. They are called bannana boats. Dig your firepit and get some really good coals going. Take a bannana, leave the peel on it. Cut it down the middle with a knife so it can spread apart a bit. Fill it with chocolate chips, nuts, marshmallows etc. Close it up, wrap in foil tightly and place in coals with the cut side up. Check after about 5 minutes. If the stuff inside is melted you are done, if not back in the coals till it is.
I worked at a girl scout camp one summer and that is the only thing I remember how to cook on the coals LOL
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Post by docone31 on Jun 9, 2006 21:24:25 GMT -5
Wow, and to think, back when I lived in the bush in Alaska, I had 100yr old sourdough starter. I never thought I could wrap pizza in tinfoil and toss it over the pit.
I think what you are doing with the kids is very healthy for them all around. Can they find water? Can they still water, and purify it? I bet if they were shown, they could master it. Can they make sourdough? I bet they would love to learn and make their own bread. A person can live on sourdough alone for a long time. They can make their own butter, rig up a toaster, and have a treat they made themselves. Have they learned to make fire with a charcloth and steel?
You can always tell a person from their children. You must be ok.
They do look ready to learn it all.
I make starter with pizza yeast, maple syrup, and two cups of flour. Cake yeast works also. It is best after sitting for a bit. One cup for the bread, replace with one cup flour, and maple syrup. I mean real maple syrup, not store bought. The starter won't last otherwise.
To make char cloth. Get military surplus cleaning pads for rifles. They come in tins of 1000. If the top is not metal, not too many are anymore, find a tin box. Put the cloths in the box. Close the lid and punch a nail hole in the top. Put it on the stove. When the smoke starts slowing down, light the smoke with a match. When the fire goes out, let it "cook" for a while longer, then let it cool down with the burner. Makes great charcloth for fire starting.
To get water, dig an hole. Have some plastic to cover the hole. About 3"dia works well and can be carried. Secure the plastic over the hole, with a stone in the center of the plastic over a collection cup. Voila' water. Takes a bit to get going and works best at night. You get distilled water without bacteria.
Large ants make good stitches. Let one bite hard, and break off the head. The jaws lock the wound so it can heal. Maggots clean infections out. Seems gross, but it works. The secretions of the maggots contain Hydrogen Peroxide. The maggots eat the putrid areas of the flesh.
I bet, once the little ones eat their own sourdough raisin bread, with their handmade butter, started by their own sourdough starter, cooked over their own fire made from charcloth and steel, over a dutch oven firepit, with coffee made from water they distilled from the ground, they just might go hmmmm.
The desert is indeed alive, if one takes the time to look.
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