Dutch Oven Deliciousness

Any time of year is perfect for dutch oven cooking, but I especially enjoy it during the autumn months. Perhaps it gives me a feeling of camp cooking, or it is simply just spending some time outdoors. The beauty of dutch oven cookery is it can be done practically anywhere, no campfire required!

I’m a succer for a delicious coffee cake. My father in-law makes a great one every Christmas morning. Maybe this year I’ll get him to try this one!

Do you have a favorite dutch oven recipe you’d like to share? Submit it to Suniechick!

11 (more) Things Every Outdoors Woman Should Experience

Eleven you ask? Most of these types of  lists are ‘ten’. I even have one myself. There is such a variety of experiences I feel should be had by not just every woman, but everyone. Here is a list of eleven more things I’ve added to the list of should dos.

  • Setting up a tent completely on your own. This leads to quite a feeling of accomplishment if you’ve never done it.
  • Starting a campfire from scratch; no firestart sticks, newspaper, just what is provided by nature.
  • Drinking your tea/coffee around a campfire (one of my favorites).
  • Summiting that mountain, whatever size it may be.
  • The scent of evergreens blowing in the breeze.
  • A whispering creek telling bed time stories as you drift into dreamland.
  • Chopping wood, can be difficult but rewarding.
  • Cooking anything over the fire.
  • That moment of peace when you gaze out into nature, feeling the breeze caress your skin while the birds and squirrels hold their conversations. This can be done almost anywhere, even your own backyard.
  • Ice cold creek water running between your toes.
  • Cool grass, soft mud, sun warmed river rocks under your bare feet. This makes me feel so connected, when my feet can touch the earth sans coverings.

Most of these items bring upon a sense of accomplishment for me, no matter how many times I do them. Not because I’m a ‘girl’ that was able to chop my own firewood or set up my own tent, but because I am proud of who I am, and the things I can do for myself. I’m not afraid of a little hard work, and am usually fairly good about asking for help when needed (although I have been known to be quite stubborn). I ask you to try new things, to challenge yourself. You might just be surprised at what you can do.

Are there items on your ‘Experiences List’ you’d like to share? Please, send ’em in!

Day Trip Preparedness

September has arrived, and with it summer begins its transition into fall. This season has been filled with enourmous amounts of heat (and horrific forest fires), making day hiking a bit more difficult. School is starting for some, and ‘regular’ life and routine have returned. The weather has started to cool, and thus begins one of my favorite times of year; day trip season! I continually re-evaluate my day trip needs, reviewing packlists and current contents of my pack. I would like to share with you a bit of day trip prepardness for those non-camping jaunts into nature.

Day Trip Pack List
Depending on your destination, and the journey to get there, your list may vary. These are some things that I ALWAYS take with me despite where I may end up.

Clothing Items
* Extra socks
* Knit hat (beanie)
* Gloves (the little “magic” gloves will do)
* Jacket/hoodie
* Towel

Food
* Granola bars (I prefer Larabars, very few ingredients and yummy!)
* Nuts. dried fruit. trail mix type items.
* Shot Blocs (for extra electrolytes if needed)
[The above items can be stored in your day pack and changed out as needed since they have a longer shelf life and no need for refrigeration}
* Fresh fruit; mandarin oranges, apples, grapes etc
* String cheese (can go awhile without refrigeration)
* PBJ
* Lots of water

Miscellaneous
* Big black trash bag for setting my stuff on or myself, also works as a rain jacket in a pinch
* Small plastic grocery bags for picking up others trash
* Head lamp/flashlight
* Knife
* Lip balm
* Lotion
* Bug spray
* Sun screen
* Camera
* Notepad and pen

A few of these items may seem frivolous or unnecessary, but in my fairly extensive experience these are must haves for me. I dream fondly of the next adventure to come. I’m sure it will be here sooner than later.

Are there any items that are must haves for you to include? Please remember to pack it in, pack it out, to leave the wilderness better than you found it and to tell someone where you’ll be. Safety is important!

Happy Adventuring!