it never leaves the stove top

Hands down many people will agree that aside from a roaring campfire, one of the best things about camping is cooking in the great outdoors. Now, if any of you out there are purist lightweight style backpacker campers, this post may irk you slightly as it has NOTHING to do with cutting weight out of your back. And listen, I hear you. I understand as I myself for THE LONGEST TIME fell into this range of camping style and thusly, all of my meals consisted solely of what I could make from boiling water or tiny airtight packets of tuna and carry on my back. However, in my later years and move to the great Pacific Northwest, I have re-discovered the joys of car camping. The wonders of being able to take everything you need - and probably a few things you don't - and live in the outdoors in perfect comfort! And my friends... this is where the irreplaceable cast iron skillet comes into play.

What would never cross your mind to throw in a backpack the cast iron skillet without hesitation will find its way into your car for camping and can be used for pretty much any dish you'd make around the campfire. From cooking up bacon in the morning to making delectable quesadillas at night, there is not one basic dish that can't be cooked up in a cast iron.

Sadly, in many households across the states, the cast iron skillet has been shoved to the back of many people's cookware collection over the past thirty some years. Granted, in some households it never leaves the stove top... but many people have switched to stick free easy cleaning teflon. But you know, that teflon is gonna ware out over time and the one dish that can take a licking and keep on ticking and be passed down to your kids... is the good old cast iron skillet.

So, to continue on an Classic Americanna theme, I'm going to share with you a small company called Borough Furnace (Murfreesboro, TN) who are venturing to combine modern design with a classic american product and... to make it out of upcycled materials.

These two cousins that make up Borough Furnace, shared a mutual love of industrial design and environmental responsibility. They wanted to get into business doing something that combined those passions... so, they started gathering scrap metal, things from junkyards, old furnaces, car parts, then melted them down to create a high quality classically designed product. Not only are all the materials completely recycled in their dual handled skillets, but the whole process takes place in their backyard! In fact, the furnace that they use for the process was constructed from recycled steel dairy cans and about 500lbs of hand mixed sand and clay.

Recently, Borough Furnace were showcased at the A+: "The Young Designers Platform" at the Accent on Design portion of the International Gift Fair in New York City. The duo walked away from the exhibition with the garnering of the Bloggers Choice Award by Jen Lockwood, a judge and blogger from The Daily Grommet. (You can catch the interview here). As well, they recently were featured on CoolHunting.com, which is always a sign of good things to come.

On a side note: My favorite meal to be cooked in a cast iron in the open air is the dish that I won Outstanding of the Day for in the 1995 Ohio State Fair Outdoor Cookery 4-H Competition (which... for those of you not familiar with 4-H, is like winning a huge ass stage race in cycling) is calico beans. If you like bacon, beef and beans this dish is for you! (Just a warning though, you may want a fair amount of ventilation in your tent for the post dinner aftermath.)

Calico Beans

(as written in the Ohio State University Extension Outdoor Cookery 4-H Cookbook)

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained

• 1 (16 ounce) can baked beans with pork
• 1 (15 ounce) can butter beans, undrained
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 4 ounces bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, fry the ground beef, bacon and onion together until ground beef is no longer pink. Drain fat.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the kidney beans, baked beans with pork and butter beans. Stir in the ketchup, white vinegar, dry mustard, brown sugar and cook beef mixture. Mix thoroughly, adding salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pour the bean and meat mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

(the Ohio State Fair, not every state is lucky enough to have an even amount of open letters to walk through)

Have an old cast iron laying around you need to re-season? Check here.

Getting Away...

Getting away without really getting very far away at all....

Its amazing what a weekend in the woods can do to rejuvenate your soul and it was so nice to actually have a weekend in the summer where I didn't get on my bike, even once. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around I actually started to feel a little guilty for being bikeless, but that feeling was quickly replaced by another IRA at my favorite Hood River brewery, Double Mountain.

This is a photo post... enjoy!

Sam and I found a great secret spot last weekend at Mt. Hood off the main roadway that was perfectly perched under some pine trees...

... and right next to a cold mountain fed creek.

I brought old paperwork with me to get the fire going...

in the morning there was coffee by the creek...

and then there was hiking! We went up the Cooper Spur Trail, which is on the "other side" of Mt. Hood, the one opposite of Timberline Lodge and Govy Camp.

The mountain was beautiful that day. It kept going in and out of clouds.

It even snowed for a few minutes.

The trail was a 2,800 climb that took you right up one of the ridges of Mt. Hood, overlooking the Elliot Glacier.

Sam and I brought my dog Anna, as well as an energetic "dog friend" of hers named Riley. Anna, despite not being the most athletic dog out there, was a trooper. She climbed like a rock star but sadly, her legs started bothering her before too terribly long. We made it up a pretty far distance before we realized we might have to carry Anna all the way back down the mountain, and so... puppy comfort in mind, we turned around before we reached the "tie in" apex of the trail.

There were all sorts of cool cairns marking the trail.

And tons of bright purple wildflowers once you got down below timber line.

There are a lot of cool older structures on this side of the mountain. Things like the Cloud Cap Inn, showed here. The Snowshoe Club Cabin and a skier's hut constructed by the CCC.

I love Mt. Hood.

Everyone, including the dogs, was pretty tuckered out at the end of the day. thankfully, nothing is more relaxing than a warm fire and a cold beer.

yum!!

4th of July weekend...

Once again, in lieu of actually "writing" a blog... I'm going to post some photos from my 4th of July weekend to the coast for camping and surfing and firework watching. As we're constantly reminded, photos, more often than not, speak louder than words (and well, some people and small children don't read so well - so hopefully they can enjoy this post as much as anyone else.)

it's a bit foggy on top of Mt. Hebo

Make that foggy and cold, about 45 some degrees for the first weekend of July.

Anna and I warming up by the fire.

Amy, Julie and Riley warming up...

Sam and I's awesome double decker camping set-up (it'd be even more awesome if it hadn't deflated half-way through the night)

Dinner time!

Julie reading maps by the fire.

Amy climbing cell phone towers

Sunset at Mr. Hebo

looking out over the valley. That little rock under the clouds in the far left of the photo is Pacific City's haystack rock (as seen in later photos), the rest is the ocean!

Sam and I on a mountain top.

Surfing at Pacific City/Cape Kiwanda (that's haystack rock in the background)

Sam and Riley

Amy and Julie found a nice parking spot on the beach.

4th of July birthday fireworks shin dig at Rockaway Beach

bonfires make any occasion special, even the 4th of July.

That night we camped in an empty culdasack since it was the only place we could find. I mean, at least we had ample storm drains in case it rained.

worst case scenario

I was thinking not too terribly long ago about how when we were children, our parents and our schools would put emergency action plans into place. Growing up in Ohio, the biggest threat were tornados, so if one happened to hit while we were at school or at the house, the Levo’s had a plan for action. When I worked at summer camp... in case of fire, every counselor had a task and a responsibility to make sure that our campers would be safe and accounted for. However, now I am in my 30’s and I find myself living as a pretty much single girl in the earthquake friendly zone of the Pacific Northwest, aside from my dog ... there is no one in 2000 plus miles that I have a direct responsibility to take care of. No kids, no parents, no spouses... nobody. Okay, I do have a sig other; but basically, there is no mom or dad waiting for me at home, expecting a phone call to tell them I’m okay.

Overtime, I’ve come to realize that my friends who live in town with me, especially the ones who live closest to me, are my family, and many of us are in the same boat. Aside from sig others, we have no legitimate spouses, no kids, and no one to really make sure that we are accounted for in an emergency. True, this is rather depressing and we could choose to sit around and be depressed about our impeding doom or we could decide to put an emergency action plan into place.

In light of recent earthquakes in China, Haiti and in South America... all the reports and readings say that the Pacific Northwest is ripe for the next biggest earthquake. This is something that is very real and very likely to happen, more so than Mt. Hood or St. Helen’s erupting again. And the thing is, unlike midwest tornados... you never really know when an earthquake could happen. True, the ground may shake a little prior... but you don’t get a watch or a warning. And more often than not, you don’t have time to move to a safe place. You could spend all your time and money building an earthquake proof office or home, but just watch the ground start shaking as you’re sitting on the double decker Marquam Bridge, during rush hour. Basically, there is so much we can’t plan for when it comes to earthquakes... but if we survive the initial quake, the steps we can take afterwards can help us survive everything else that also follows.

So, I suggest that if you are like me and your friends are your family and you live in an urban area prone to any kind of natural disaster.. or unnatural disaster... get together with those people closest to you and play the “what if game”. Here are some steps to help you and your loved ones come up with your own emergency action plan.

PLAN FOR THE WORST:
In Portland’s scenario... the earthquake would most likely hit while I was downtown at work. Ideally, I’d want to get home, however I live on the other side of the river from where I work, so this may prove more difficult than I can really imagine at this time. I figure the chances of the bridges still being up and stable are very slim. So, depending on what the water conditions are like with debris, I’d try to swim it. This may not be the best idea, but it’s one that I’m going to play by ear when the time comes.

HAVE A PRE-PLANNED MEETING SPOT:

Keep in mind that most of the local phone lines would most likely be jammed so using your cell to call your friends and loved ones would be out of the question. This is why you and your friends (who live closest to you ideally), should decide on a neutral meeting location. Ideally, this place should be a park or lot that would be free from unsafe structures, light poles, big trees, or anything that could possibly come down during the earthquake or aftershocks. Also, note that during total and mass destruction, familiar landmarks and signs may not be around anymore. Make sure that it’s a place thats easy to find regardless of familiar surroundings. (If one of your friends works near you, also having a meeting place close-by work would be a good PLAN A).

HAVE A FLEXIBLE TIME TABLE:

Be aware that you and your friends may work in different parts of the city, so keep in mind that not everyone will get there at about the same time. So allow for a wide time gap for everyone to meet up (I’d say something like five hours would be safe for mostly everyone to be able to make it).

HOUSE HUNTING:

After everyone meets up, this would be a good time to swing by everyone’s residences to check things out, especially if you have pets. I’d suggest if it’s not too much trouble, that people go to do this as a group, for teamwork you know. However, keep in mind that after an earthquake is a very dangerous time to go crawling around in buildings as they may be structurally unsafe; so, even if you have a group of four or five, I’d suggest that only go in one person at a time. This way, in case the building falls, only one person is trapped and the rest can help. If the building seems to be sound, don’t spend a lot of time in it, but quickly go in and try to round up your earthquake kit.

WHAT? AN EARTHQUAKE KIT?
You don’t have an earthquake kit? Well... this might be a good time to put one together. Basically, this is the kind of survival stuff you’re gonna need when the shit hits the fan. Remember that in times of emergency, you’ve got to plan for things like running water to not be working, for there to not be food to buy, no gas or electricity for several days afterwards. Experts recommend that you make at least three identical emergency kits. Store one at home, one at your workplace, and one in your car. That way... regardless of where you are during the quake, there are the chances one is nearby. Things like rubbermaid containers and backpacks are good places to store this such kit. (Personally, I have a tupperware container which also doubles as my camping kit as many of the things that I use for camping, are also the things that I’d use for an emergency. On that note, it’s a good idea that if you have a big camping kit in your house, to throw in a few more emergency items and store it some place easily accessible.)

Ideas of what to place in your kit:

• Water and food to last at least three days (your car trunk is a handy place for these bulky items).

• Water purification tablets or backpacking filters

• Heavy-duty gloves

• A first-aid kit

• Cash (automated teller machines and banks may be shut down following a quake)

• Family photos and descriptions (to aid emergency personnel in finding missing people) as well as copies of any important documents.

• A flashlight and portable (or solar-powered) radio

• Extra batteries

• Goggles and dust mask

• A personal commode with sanitary bags

Nearby your main emergency kit in your house is where you should also keep any tents, sleeping bags, camping tableware, camping stove type items as well. Other items to have on hand would be any axes or shovels, matches, rope, warm clothing, rain gear, bandanas, disposable camera, duct tape, plastic sheeting or tarps, heavy duty plastic bags.

For food, it’s a good idea to also have on hand dry goods, like crackers and cereals, instant soups, coffee, evaporated milk and “just add water” dishes that can be sealed up tightly in ziploc or other plastic containers. Even if you don’t use much canned food, it’s excellent to have on hand for these occasions. Just make sure you’ve got a manual can opener and to include items that can be eaten cold. Another item to always make sure you have plenty of is water. Remember that if you don’t have a shut-off valve on your tap water, it will be contaminated within 12 hours. The best thing to do is buy a bunch in bulk and keep it in a hall closet or garage... someplace that it will be easy to access when you need it. Remember that if you have pets, you’ll need to be able to provide for them too.

If the earthquake hits while at home, the most important thing is stay clam, but to get out of the house quickly. From there... proceed with the other steps of gathering your stuff and your friends. I'd grab a few basic items and then go meet your friends. From here, you can go back to your house later and hopefully if you need to move into a tent city, you’ll have the proper tools to ensure your comfort and make sure you and your friends are safe till you can get further assistance. As well, when you get a chance you should probably call your parents in Ohio to let them you're okay. I'm sure they'll be worried when they hear about it on the news.

Also, for more earthquake tips... check out this cool site out of earthquake usa capitol, San Francisco.

LIST #2: Things every girl should own.

I've always been a bit off kilter when it came to items I wanted for christmas and my birthday. When other girls my age were asking for dolls and ponies, I was asking for baseball gloves and flashlights. I thought that by joining girl scouts, they'd teach me how to fish and make a campfire, but all I ever seemed to learn was how much I detested selling cookies. It was never about ribbons and jewelry for me. I'd rather wear a hat and a watch and consider it good. It was never about the smell of perfume, for the smell I loved was the smell of my grandfathers pipe and the sweet smokiness of the tobacco wafting through the air. I also loved the feel of his leather work gloves and how whenever anyone needed anything cut... he was johnny on the spot with his pocket knife. These things, knifes, watches, leather, etc... are what I consider "tools for life": small quality items that may cost a little more up front, but were made to use year after year and last. Things that you should have on you, for whenever the need arises.

These are the things I admired and asked for, but whenever I had to dip my hand into the women's basket at our family holiday gift exchange, I always hated pulling out another scented candle or decorative towel set while my brother pulled out a mini wrench set from the men's basket. I have always been frustrated that these tools, marketed for "sportsmen" were always geared towards the boys. While prissy, fluffy, soft, shiny things, the cheap things of one time usage, made for mere ornamentation, were geared for girls. There was injustice in what was marketed towards females and what was felt appropriate to give boys as gifts.

Sure, I knew I was tomboyish and would rather play with sticks in the woods, building forts and playing ball than make mud pies and barbie houses. I would rather make maps of my imaginary kingdoms and go on treks to the furtherest stretches of my neighborhood to the edge of town.... through the woods, over the streams, past the cow field all the way to the abandoned railroad track. I'd follow it till the brush got to thick, till it got dark and dinner was on the horizon. And standing there, on the cusp of going back to everything I knew.... I'd wonder how far the tracks went, what towns did they pass through, and what other adventures laid beyond? Also, there had to be more girls out there that, just like me... were not satisfied by playing house and sticking close to home with their scented candles and matching towel sets.

So, over the years I've compiled a mental list of essential things that every girl with a hankering for adventure should own. Classic items that will never go out of style, always come in handy, and always make you adequately prepared for any occasion... even if it's just everyday life.

things every girl should have:

a good coat:

It should be a coat that will warm the coldest breeze, keep off a light rain, and be able to ball into a pillow for use on long drives and layovers in airports. As well, it should be versatile and look good whether you're picking up flowers in the city or repairing a fence post at the farm. I personally, am always on the lookout for the perfect coat... which is probably why I own about twenty of them.

a leather belt:

Season after season, pants after pants. Black or brown, they should match your shoes.

a pair of good boots:

Ones that will take a romp in the woods or a jump through a puddle without grimace or doubt of their steadfastness. Black or brown, they should match your belt.

a knife:

If it's a Leatherman all the better as it's one of the most versatile knife combinations out there, but one should have a knife that is large enough it can get the job done, but still small enough that it can fit in your everyday bag (but remember to remove it from your checked luggage at the airport). However, don't leave your knife at home while traveling since it is an essential tool in slicing an apple, cutting some brie, salami, and crusty bread and removing a cork from a bottle of wine during an impromptu casual dinner on a park bench in Copenhagen, Denmark or Bar Harbor Maine.

a flask:

Either kept in the glove box of your car, at your desk or in your pocket during a snowboarding trip... sometimes you just need a little nip.

a flashlight:

Be it a maglite or a headlamp kept in your car, at your desk, or in your bag... be the light when the lights go out.

a bike:

Self reliance at it's best. You can go fast, you can go hard, you can go to the store or across the world. Get where you want to faster than running and without depending on anyone but yourself.

wool blanket:

From cowboys to soldiers to the foot of a cot at summer camp.... a quality wool blanket is one item that is essential from chilly summer evenings to the deepest darkest days of winter. Personally, last year I treated myself to my own little Oregon luxury, my first Pendleton Blanket.

good dress:

Hands down, there is nothing that a girl should have in her travel and adventure bag than a very versatile sexy little black dress. You could find yourself in a country with a dress code, decide to crash someone's wedding or maybe it's just what that night of dancing or candlelit dinner calls for. My go to dress is the Patagonia Morning Glory Halter Dress. Just the right amount of spandex and right amount of sass. Plus, it dries quickly, packs well and comes in a multitude of colors.

good hat:

One that shades the sun and keeps your little noggin warm. Baseball hats are so bland... but if you must you must. Personally, I'd opt for a little bit more style and once again, something that works in the mountains and in the little cafe on the corner. I'm a big fan of coal headwear, its just like leatherman, another cool company straight outta the PDX.

a journal:

Record your thoughts, your plans, your ideas, your sketches, your newspaper clippings, your numbers, your stories, your life. I'm a fan of these little black books by Moleskine, I use their blank books and their planners to chart out my daily life. They also make some pretty cool little city guides that much like the NFT Guides, can help you travel a new urban landscape without looking like a tourist.

a camera:

You can kick it 35mm style with your Pentax k1000, you can go luddite and whip out your Holga, you can switch up your interchangeable lenses on your digital SLR, you can travel small with your iphone or stylish with your Leica (that which I covet). However you do it though, go out and shoot and record your adventures and the world around you. After all, your mom needs to see proof of what you've been up to since you haven't called her in two weeks.

a good watch:

Once again, it's gotta look good with the little black dress, easy to wind as you past through time zones, and take a little water here and there. For my high school graduation my parents got me a Fossil watch and ten years later it still looks as good as the day I tossed my cap into the air.

a good bag:

Indiana Jones had his leather satchel. I have my Timbuk2. In fact, I have my Timbuk2's I like them so much. Small, medium and large they are easy to carry while riding my bike, stuffing into an overhead compartment on a cramped air plane and they are big and durable enough to take the every day rough and tumble and overload of my life. And... as an added plus, they keep my stuff dry. I got my first one back in 2003 and it's still just as durable as it was then. As well, you can be creative and build your own bag. That way, if ever you meet someone with the same bag as you... not only is it a good conversation starter, but you'll know that person is a kindred spirt or just damn plain unoriginal.

a good pen:

I personally can not say enough about each person having their own "pen". One that feels right in your hand, writes the way you want it, doesn't bleed, doesn't run out when you need it most. Seriously ladies, make your mark in the world (and don't do it in purple ink). My personal favorite pen write now is this little pilot number. - nice pun eh?-

good sunglasses:

If it's been a rough night and an even rougher morning, or you just have really sensitive eyes like I do, one item that I am lost without is a good pair of sunglasses. In the winter and in the summer, I am naked and blind without. Personally, I still have yet to find my favorite pair of sunglasses that I can wear for sport and for casual, are polarized and fit my face well... which is another reason, just like a good coat... why I have about ten pairs of them.

good button down shirt:

Whether it's a shirt you stole from your dad, your brother, an ex or just something you picked up along the way... you should have a good button down shirt. Regardless if its a chambray, a plaid, or a stripe... if it's got a collar and sleeves that can be rolled up when getting down to business, it's a good thing to have when a t-shirt just won't cut it.

zippo lighter:

Fire is one of the best gifts you can give someone. Be the light when the lights go out and there are no batteries. A classic zippo also doubles as the perfect thing to have in your back pocket during a rock concert, when you need to light a campfire and when that cute mysterious person outside the coffee shop asks if you have a light. You may not smoke, but that doesn't mean you can't strike up and fuel a good conversation. (As well... don't buy cheap plastic bic lighters. There is no class there.)

a bandanna:

Be it in your back pocket, favorite bag or worn around your neck, a bandanna is one of the most versatile and functional items of anyone's arsenal. Wipe your nose, keep your hair back, stop the bleeding, or clean your glasses.... the possibilities are endless.

a good baseball glove:

Timeless. You can play catch with your grandpa, your dad and your kids. I got my Nokona baseball glove from my grandfather on my 11th birthday. I still use it to this day. It was one of the most memorable times I got exactly the gift I wanted and when I use it, I think of my grandfather.

Next in this list, is "skills that every girl should know". It'll include tying knots, fixing a flat tire, and making a killer omelet. Recently, a book was published that if ever I wrote about book about this kinda subject... it would pretty much be like this book published the other year called The Daring Book for Girls. If ever you were a girl or know of one, who longs for the types of adventures that your neighborhood couldn't provide or skills your family didn't have... you should look into this handy little book. As well, I'm not knocking the Girl Scouts as I spent some great years with them, but I often felt the outdoor skills I wanted to learn were not really taught. I understand this has more to do with the troop you're in rather than GS it'sself... but.... Southern Ohio being what it is, cookie sales and crafts were pretty much the week to week agenda.

Semi related vein: a dream vacation every girl should want to take:

Traveling around New Zealand in a VW Camper Van.