Every summer when School was out and before it Got really hot my Sister-in-law, Kala, and my Good friend, Vickie and I would gather up the kids(8) and some of their friends(2+) and go Camping. We would have been planning for months. Kala cooked Breakfast, Vickie cooked lunch and I did dinner. I enjoyed Camp Cooking over the fire.
Plan the Trip to Make Cooking Easy
To make life easier on us we would get Reservations at Buffalo Gap State Park right outside of Abilene, Texas. This was about the middle of where we all lived so the Driving was the same. There were trees in the Camp Ground for shade. Each Campsite had a water spicket, a pole with electric plugs, and a Cooking Pit. In the campground was a bathroom and shower house. What made Buffalo Gap the best was a swimming pool with lifeguards. We could send the pre-teens and teenagers off to the swimming pool. We knew they were supervised and if they were acting up they would be kicked out. They did not want to be banned from the pool! Those that were not in the pool went hiking or fishing (catch and release).
Organize the Cooking
When you go Camping you still have to feed everyone and you do not want to spend all of your time doing prep and clean up. The Kids had their duties. They helped straighten up camp, take out the trash, and help wash dishes. And then they were off hiking, exploring, a little fishing, and when the pool opened up to swim.
Cooking Breakfast
The smell of Coffee cooking over the fire would wake us up as the sun rose. Kala had her coolers and usually made egg and sausage burritos, and milk. She would sometimes substitute pancakes. We would start fueled to have an active day. Cowboy Coffee was taught to us by my Husband. Boil your water and when It was boiling throw in the ground coffee (about 3 scoops and let it boil. Richard would say strain it through your teeth but the ladies of the camp would fold a paper towel into forths then pull out one paper and you would have a funnel, put it in your cup and fold the sides down over the outside and hold it as you pour your coffee in your cup. This would strain the grounds out.
Keep them Hydrated
We set up a water cooler and a fruit drink cooler. A tray of named cups was set up for them to use and they stayed hydrated. The average temperature at this time of the year was 91 degrees it was the cool month of Summer. The sun was hot so the Mom’s frequently called for sun screen to be applied.
Cooking Lunch was Cold
Vickie had her coolers full of things to make sandwiches and some snacks for mid-afternoon. The kids would come in from swimming during the heat of the afternoon and be starving. They would eat, clean up and either take a nap or play card games. ,
Cooking Dinner and the Evening Fire
First Night, I would bring food to Warm and create a meal. Maybe brisket and potato salad. We would Have driven into camp Early Afternoon and get set up., Tents pitched, unload the cars and straighten them up. Clean around the fire pit to prevent blown-out sparks from falling on dry grass and leaves. The kids would then unload the wood we had brought with us for the fire. We wanted a Fire for Dinner and later Marshmallows. The older kids were ready to run off to the pool.
The second night I would work on the fire after lunch so that by cooking time I would have a strong bed of coals. Baked potatoes washed and wrapped in foil, set in so the coals are on all the sides. Put the grill over them and let it get hot.. Before I put it on the grill scrub down the grill with a wadded up handful of aluminum foil. Once the grill is hot place the chicken on the grill and let it slow cook over the coals. Do not try to turn or move it too soon or you will tear the meat.
The third night packet of foil with hamburger Pattie sliced vegetables/potato, carrot, and onion wrapped up and put in the coals. sometimes take my grill basket and put in zucchini strips that I had left to marinade in sun-dry tomato vinaigrette dressing. Easy prep. Easier clean-up. We would be leaving in the morning and wanted to start packing up. So while the Kids cooked smores and tried to catch fireflies the Mom’s would start packing up
Dessert-Smores
Melt a marshmallow over the fire try to melt it not burn it.
Place the marshmallow on 1/2 of a Graham cracker with a square of Hersey’s chocolate on it
Place the other 1/2 of the cracker on top. Smash it down and eat it while still warm and gooey
Time to go Home
So much more happened on these trips, relationships were strengthened friends were made and Memories were made about spending special time with the Mom’s. Plan an outing with your kids, some of your friends, and their kids, and make memories
