tony.latham wrote:Heck, I'M excited.![]()
Take that Dutch and cook up this for your pals. It ain't rocket science and they'll be blown away:
You can leave the eggs at home and use 7 Up or Sprite instead (trust me –add it until your batter is "there"). Also, for it to come out as perfect as the video, the Dutch has to be on a level spot. Otherwise, it'll be thick and thin.
I'd throw a can of bear spray in (you won't need it but you should have it on those hikes). Dunno if the Canadians will let you cross the border with it.![]()
Tony
dreamofcolors wrote:In July, I'm doing a cross-country trip from North Carolina to Edmonton, Canada then a week in Banff and Jasper, and then home via Montana and Wyoming (Glacier National Park & Grand Teton & Yellowstone).
It will be about 5000 miles round trip. Much of the distance driving will be done in big chunks (I figure 3 12-hour days each way) and on those nights, I don't plan on actually camping as much as simply stopping for a place to sleep.
The Banff portion of the trip is largely planned. I'm driving to Edmonton and back with a friend who will be there for work, and while she's working, my parents are flying into Calgary so I can take them to my favorite place in North America - Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and the Canadian Rockies. We have campsites reserved, day hikes planned and a basic schedule of the seven nights in the rockies.
I haven't planned anything else... a lot of it will be "just wing it" probably, but I'm already trying to think of a packing list. Living out of my teardrop for up to four weeks will be a big deal. I only got my camper in November, and have never spent more than four nights in it.
I'm not carrying an extra table for food prep, and may even leave the easy up at home (though it fits in my front storage box without firewood, which I won't be transporting to Canada (or even out of state) for obvious reasons!). I'm not even sure if the Dutch Oven will make the cut, because I haven't yet discovered and mastered it's usefulness and am not sure we will have a lot of leisurely camping and cooking time (the coleman stove will be my workhorse). I will have to have a tent and sleeping bag for the time I'm in Banff... I've told my parents they can sleep on a "real" bed and I will take the forest floor while they are with me.
None of the campsites have electricity. All have running water and bathrooms. I have done mathematical calculations and am confident my battery and solar panel are sufficient to keep my lights and fans and small electronics charged. I will likely use a 100w inverter in my car for my laptop (I don't want to drain 8+ amps per charge off of my camper battery).
What items are must haves for those of you on big trips? What can I leave at home?
I know I need to get a full set of cookware... am seriously considering Magna. I need a new headlamp, but that's more for night hikes to see sunrise at some of my favorite sites. I really want to pack light. I don't want to store anything in the cabin of my camper so it can be used on travel days for mid-day napping. I have an awesome new Yeti cooler, but it's on the smaller side so I'm trying to find recipes with non-perishable ingredients (vegetarian chili, pasta, etc.) and will likely take a second cooler for cold drinks that won't hold ice as long or as well. I need some grab and grow breakfast ideas for my morning photography hikes. I don't eat meat, so that's one less perishable thing to pack!
Thanks for advice in advance!
S. Heisley wrote:
That sounds like a blast!!!! Advice?
First of all, you don't need a full set of cookware. You need a medium to large pot with a lid and a fry pan that can share the same lid. Chances are, you only have two burners on your stove and the one pot and one pan should be able to do just about everything you need. Make sure that the two can be nested inside each other, to save space. If you like tea or coffee, you may want a small tea kettle or coffee pot. Again, be certain that it will nest inside the pot, to save space. You can usually go to a thrift store and find some still very nice copper bottom stainless steel ware that will work great without spending a lot.
Easy, canned meatless meals? Whenever you can, make one pot meals.
This list is off the top of my head (Assumes cheese/eggs okay-adjust accordingly) :
Dinner ideas
- Canned Hunts spaghetti sauce, warmed and poured over a package of cooked up & drained spaghetti noodles.* Buy the smallest packages of Parmesan cheese & use in one meal.
- Canned Chili, your choice of brands or make your own with one can each chili beans, Mexican style tomatoes, and one drained can of either kidney beans or black beans**
- Cook up some Uncle Ben's instant rice (12 minutes) with a pkg of cashews, peas & carrots, broth or bouillon and seasonings of your choice (garlic, curry, turmeric, S & P)
- Canned Soups and grilled cheese or bean spread sandwiches
- Dehydrated foods....Go to the local Sportsman/REI/Walmart to buy. These are nice to have if you are really tired, alone, and don't want a lot of fuss. Follow pkg directions.
- Or, try on-line places like this: http://www.wildernessdining.com/vegen.html
* Most people don't know that spaghetti tomato sauce and whole wheat noodles combine to make a complete protein.
** Black beans not only cause less flatulence but also contain more iron than kidney beans. If chili is meatless, serve with whole grain bread or corn bread for complete protein.
Lunches
- Sandwiches, such as Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Cheese or bean spread and crackers
- Eggs, hard boiled the night before and eaten plain or in a sandwich
- Any saved leftovers from the night before
- Food from Roadside stands
Breakfasts
- Oatmeal packets mixed with raisins, a little peanut butter, and hot water; or, just with milk, if you have it.
- Eggs, hard boiled the night before and eaten plain or in a sandwich
- Dehydrated scrambled eggs, reconstituted
- Pancakes, the just add water kind, cooked for a leisurely morning breakfast
In some places, they may insist that you store your food in the bear boxes. I had a hard time finding the size; but I found that the metal ones are usually:
36”D x 43”W x 28”H
This is what could be stored in that much space:
This is 3 weeks food for me and my dog plus we had some left that we brought home.
(Notice that the ice chest wasn’t filled when the pic was taken; but, it’s a small ice chest.)
razorback wrote:http://allrecipes.com/recipe/omelet-in-a-bag/
Macy and I have been to several tdrop gatherings where we did omlets in a freezer bag. Just leave out meat in the attached recipe. Just boil some water and add your eggs, and veggies, and cheese, and salsa. Simple but good.
Larry
GuitarPhotog wrote:Be prepared for rain. I followed that route (Banff - Waterton Lakes - Glacier - Yellowstone - Grand Tetons) in June last year and had 5 consecutive days of hard rain from Banff through Glacier.
It's beautiful country, with truly majestic mountain views, and well worth the trip.
Have a great time.
<Chas>
Stacie Tamaki wrote:Sounds like a really fun trip! Having driven cross country from CA to MI more than once in a year and living full time out of my trailer for 6 months a few tips I can offer are:
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.
dreamofcolors wrote:I have AAA+ but had never thought of the RV option... I'll have to look into that. Another good suggestion.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 19 guests