Braving the cold and damp weather, I took Andrew camping in the Olympic mountains. We were the only souls at the Staircase campground that night but we had plenty of hoot owls in the trees to keep us company.
We baked Mini Papa Murphy pizzas in the Dutch oven for dinner. If you haven't tried one of these, they are just the right size and they come with all the ingredients you need for a individual pepperoni pizza. You have to assemble it, but that is most of the fun. Andrew and I added some of our own toppings as well.
The first one I cooked burnt to a crisp because I was too anxious and added many more coals than necessary. However, the second one was PERFECT! Here's the trick...after you empty the can of pineapple, put it in the bottom of the Dutch oven then place the pizza (still on it's Papa Murphy plate) on the can. The crust comes out with a fabulous smoky flavor and the cheese is melted to perfection.
We baked Mini Papa Murphy pizzas in the Dutch oven for dinner. If you haven't tried one of these, they are just the right size and they come with all the ingredients you need for a individual pepperoni pizza. You have to assemble it, but that is most of the fun. Andrew and I added some of our own toppings as well.
The first one I cooked burnt to a crisp because I was too anxious and added many more coals than necessary. However, the second one was PERFECT! Here's the trick...after you empty the can of pineapple, put it in the bottom of the Dutch oven then place the pizza (still on it's Papa Murphy plate) on the can. The crust comes out with a fabulous smoky flavor and the cheese is melted to perfection.
This is the view from Site #5. It was right on the river. I loved falling asleep to the gentle sound of babbling water.
It is surprising that I still love this place despite the fact that the first time I ever came I severely injured my knee. It still gives me problems, so now I wear a simple knee brace and I can keep doing what I love best... hiking! Some day I will have to tell you the whole story of that fateful hike to Wagon Wheel Lake.
It is surprising that I still love this place despite the fact that the first time I ever came I severely injured my knee. It still gives me problems, so now I wear a simple knee brace and I can keep doing what I love best... hiking! Some day I will have to tell you the whole story of that fateful hike to Wagon Wheel Lake.
The last day of 2013 found us on the trail. I figure we went a total of five miles, give or take. The vistas were spectacular! Try and find my boots on the rock in the picture above.
Look again. You will find them in the orange circle in this close up shot.
Below is a my hiking buddy and son, Andrew. This was the coolest swamp I have ever seen. Andrew walked right out on that mossy log to be part of it. You can barely see him wearing that blue shirt.
Below is a my hiking buddy and son, Andrew. This was the coolest swamp I have ever seen. Andrew walked right out on that mossy log to be part of it. You can barely see him wearing that blue shirt.