Memorial Day Weekend Prep: Tips for Happy Camping

May 23, 2013 in Tips & Recommendations

Keep your campers happy this Memorial Day Weekend.

Keep your campers happy this Memorial Day Weekend.

Summertime is here! As you dust off the camping gear, this is a great time to review a few simple tips to keep your Memorial Day Weekend camping memorable for all the right reasons.

  1. Don’t let the sun get the best of you. It’s great to get some rays but make sure to do it in moderation. Drink plenty of water, pack a hat and to keep slapping on that sunscreen, especially if you’re going to be active. Don’t let dehydration or a nasty burn ruin a good weekend.
  2. Buggin’ Out. Keep the ‘skeeters from eating you alive with bug spray or  these Off PowerPad Lanterns (our favorites) - they provide light while keeping the mosquitos and other gnarly bugs at bay much more effectively than standard citronella candles. We use two for a standard campground area and it makes a huge difference. Just be sure to bring enough of the refills for the entire weekend.
  3. Know where to go if Mother Nature turns ugly. Have fun while you’re out, but be sure to keep an eye on the weather. As we were all reminded this week, spring and summer storms can be brutal. When you get to your campground, check with the ranger to find out where the location of the nearest storm shelter. Make sure everyone in your crew knows where to go and what to do if the weather turns nasty.
  4. Did someone say “S’mores”?  Just the mention of the word “s’mores” will make even the crankiest camper a little bit happier, so be sure to pack plenty of jumbo marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolates. Check out our ideas for gourmet s’mores if you’re looking to up your campfire game.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Let us know where you’re going and how your trip goes!

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Camp Recipe: Dutch Oven Bacon-Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls

May 21, 2013 in Camp Recipes

Quick & delicious Dutch Oven Bacon-Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls

Quick & delicious Dutch Oven Bacon-Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls

A few weeks ago I stumbled across this recipe on Pinterest and knew it wouldn’t take much to convince Nate that we should give it a try. This is a great breakfast camp recipe that will leave everyone drooling while it cooks and smiling after they woof them down. These Bacon-Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls are delicious and better yet – incredibly easy to make on the camp fire.

Dutch Oven Bacon-Wrapped Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

  • 5 Strips Bacon (thick cut works best)
  • 1 Tube Refrigerator Cinnamon Roll Dough with Icing
  • Maple Syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Light camp fire and get about 26 coals hot and ready to go.
  2. Heat pan and briefly fry bacon strips for 2 – 3 minutes, making sure the bacon is slightly cooked, but still soft. Remove from pan and pat with paper towel to remove excess grease. 
  3. Unroll each individual cinnamon roll. Place bacon on strip of cinnamon roll dough and re-roll the dough back into the cinnamon roll shape. See this picture for step-by-step photos.
  4. Spray Dutch Oven with non-stick spray and place all five cinnamon rolls inside.
  5. Place Dutch Oven on the camp fire. Make sure about 10 coals are on the bottom of the Dutch Oven and about 16 are on the top to help it reach a temperature of about 350 degrees.
  6. Cook for 25 minutes or until cinnamon rolls are cooked through. Remove Dutch Oven from fire.
  7. Drizzle cinnamon rolls with icing and maple syrup (optional). Serve warm and enjoy each bite!

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Memorial Day Camp Recipe Menu & Shopping List

May 15, 2013 in Camp Recipes, Good Eats, Tips & Recommendations

Memorial Day Camping Menu & Camp Recipes

Get the summer camping season started off right!

Get the summer camping season started off right (and to knock your campers’ socks off) with our favorite breakfast & dinner camp recipes and shopping list. Looking for more ideas?
Check out our camp recipes page for
more meals, sides & desserts.

We recommend assembling the foil packets at home before you leave. Put them on ice in a cooler and keep them good and cool until you’re ready to throw them on the coals!

Memorial Day Camp Menu & Shopping List

Saturday Morning:

Saturday Night (Home Cookin’ Night):

Sunday Morning:

Sunday Night (Tex-Mex Night):

Monday Morning:

Shopping List (for four campers)

  • Breakfast Shopping List
    • 1 lb. Breakfast Sausage (pork or turkey)
    • 10 oz. Packet Diced Potatoes
    • Green Bell Pepper
    • Red Bell Pepper
    • Onion
    • 10 Eggs
    • 1 Package Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
    • 1 Package Shredded Colby and Cheddar Cheese Blend
    • 1 Tube Refrigerated Crescent Rolls Dough
    • 1 Tube Refrigerated Biscuit Dough
    • Walnuts or Pecans (optional)
    • Pantry Items: Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, sugar, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar
  • Dinner Shopping List
    • 4 Pork Chops
    • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
    • 1/2 – 1 lb of New Potatoes
    • 1 or 2 Sweet Potatoes
    • 1 Can Black Beans
    • 4 Ears of Corn
    • Taco Seasoning
    • Spinach (optional)
    • Packets of Tortillas
    • Grated Parmesan Cheese or Cojita Cheese
    • Pantry Items: Salt, pepper, mint, honey, garlic, hot sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika
  • Dessert Shopping List
    • Graham Crackers
    • Golden Grahams
    • Dark Chocolate
    • Strawberries
    • Marshmallows (regular & mini)
    • Mini Chocolate Chips
    • Packet of Tortillas
  • Misc.
    • Aluminum Foil
    • Nonstick Spray (like Pam)
    • Dutch Oven

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Camp Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato

May 14, 2013 in Camp Recipes

Vegetarian Camp Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato

Vegetarian Camp Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato

A while back we noticed our camp recipes list was woefully short on vegetarian camp recipe options – which isn’t good because we like vegetarians and vegetarians like to eat when they camp, right? So, we’re working to remedy that with our first of many more vegetarian-friendly camp recipe ideas. This is based off of a recipe I saw somewhere on the Internet (I tried to find it again to give credit, but it’s lost in the abyss…sorry!) and a few modifications to the Black Bean & Corn Salad recipe from Whole Foods.

If you’ll be camping, we recommend mixing up the Black Bean & Corn Salad ahead of time and then dropping it into the potatoes once they’re done. If you have any leftovers, mix the corn salad into your
scrambled eggs in the morning for an added tasty bonus!

Camp Recipe: Black Bean & Corn Salad Stuffed
Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon Lime Juice
  • 1 cups Corn (frozen or fresh)
  • 2 cups Black Beans (rinsed & drained)
  • 1/2 Red Bell Pepper (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion (chopped) optional
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 2 Sweet Potatoes

Instructions

  1. Mix balsamic vinegar, olive oil and lime juice. Set aside.
  2. Combine corn, black beans, bell pepper, cilantro and red onion until well mixed. Top with vinegar and oil mixture, stir until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Note: Don’t skip the cilantro in this recipe – it’s much more than garnish, it really brings the flavor out!)
  3. Individually wrap sweet potatoes in foil. Place on campfire coals and let cook about 60 minutes or until softened.
  4. Remove potatoes from fire and unwrap. Caution – it will be hot and steamy.
  5. Cut open the potatoes, fill with Black Bean and Corn Salad mixture. Grab your fork and enjoy!
Black Bean and Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato Camp Recipe

Black Bean and Corn Salad Stuffed Sweet Potato Camp Recipe

 

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MetroCenter Levee Trail on the Cumberland River Greenway

May 8, 2013 in Convenient to Nashville

MetroCenter Levee Trailhead

MetroCenter Levee Trailhead

Nashville has made great strides in the last several years to strengthen the greenway system throughout the city. We’ve already reviewed several of the greenways (Shelby Bottoms, Stones River, Mill Creek, Bells Bend) so last fall (I know, I know this post is LONG overdue) we headed out to check out the MetroCenter Levee trail on the Cumberland River Greenway.

  1. Scenery:  2.0
  2. Difficulty:  0
  3. Length:  3.0 miles
  4. Dog Friendly Factor: 4.5
  5. Convenience:  5
  6. Bonus Funtimes: 0

Scenery (2.0 out of 5.0): If you’re familiar with MetroCenter, you know it’s a pretty flat space topped with a whole lot of office buildings (and the Titans’ training facility), so I was pleasantly surprised by how relatively scenic this trail was. The Cumberland River and the bluffs overlooking it are the main attractions. There were a few nice views, but the steady stream of office buildings and storage facilities killed a lot of the “get out in nature” vibe.

Great sunset on the MetroCenter Greenway

Great sunset on the MetroCenter Greenway

Difficulty (0 out of 5.0): This trial is flat and paved and super easy. This is a there-and-back trail, so unless you’re immensely talented you won’t get lost. It’s easily accessible for walkers as well as cyclists or would also be a good alternative for anyone with disabilities who may not be able to get out and about on other trails.

Length: 3.0 Miles

Dog Friendly Factor (4.5 out of 5.0): This was another easy trail for the dogs. The only thing it’s missing is a good watering hole for them to take a long drink, but overall this is a short enough trail that it shouldn’t matter too much.

Convenience (5.0 out of 5.0): This trail starts just north of downtown next and is easily accessible.

Bonus Funtimes (0 out of 5.0): Aside from the perk that this trail is almost smack dab in the middle of Nashville (where there’s tons to do), there’s not a lot of extra fun stuff on this trail. However, the immense convenience of it does make for a nice spot to get some fresh air and enjoy views of the Cumberland River.

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