Category Archives: meals

Photo of tree swing over the swimmin' hole

A Trip to Krause Springs

photo of Marilyn

Marilyn

Jim, July 22:

Marilyn was eager to connect with teardrop trailer enthusiasts and looked for groups we might join. The Southwest Teardrop & Vintage Trailers had a scheduled meetup in May and we decided to go. The three-day event was more than our time allowed, so we drove up for the day on Saturday. That way, we could make some new friends and check out Krause Springs at the same time.

Krause Springs

Located in the Texas Hill Country off Highway 71 on the way to Llano, the privately-owned, 115 acre park has been in operation since 1955. It’s on the National Registry of Historic Sites and has been owned by the Krause family for over 50 years. We happen to be on the right side of Austin, so it’s very close to our home, Roy Creek Ranch, northwest of Dripping Springs. We were there in less than an hour. It’s a beautiful park with camping, hiking trails, a butterfly garden and or course, the springs! One of the best swimmin’ holes in Texas, the springs ultimately empties into Lake Travis. With both natural and man-made pools, it’s easy to cool off on a hot summer day.

A tour of Teardrops

Marilyn had already contacted the group, and they were expecting us. They quickly found us a spot in the impressive line of teardrop trailers, and we spent the next couple of hours visiting with our new friends. Most of the trailers are custom crafted, and The Ambassador fit right in. There were a wide range of sizes an looks, and it was clear that everyone took teardrop camping very seriously. Our solar-powered beer cooler was a hit, and I was glad we had a special feature to show off.

Hiking the Springs

The initial flurry of introductions and tours completed, we had bite of lunch and decided to look around the park. We spent the next couple of hours exploring.

An Evening Potluck

Hikes, swims, naps and other afternoon activities completed, it was time for cocktails and a potluck. Marilyn had prepared some potato salad, and the overachievers in the group insured no-one left hungry. It was amazing to see what was produced in the tiny teardrop galleys: chips and dips, casseroles, slow-cooked pulled pork and a variety of desserts and more. An amazing day — lots of unique trailers and new friends!

photo of Krause Springs Pool

Krause Springs Pool

Photo of Farma Coffeehouse

Bidding Marfa Farewell

Teardrop Trail Log: March 28, 2016

We went in search of breakfast. On the teardrop trail, we try to avoid chain restaurants and convenience stores. We explore the local spots. We often rely on the Internet, an app or just exploring.

Photo of Jim and a breakfast taco at Farma

Breakfast taco at Farma

The day before, we found Farma (an anagram of Marfa) at the Tumbleweed Laundry where Jim had gotten his daily mocha. A uniquely quirky Marfa combination of lattes and laundry. The menu is spelled out in Scrabble letters. We returned, grabbed breakfast tacos and beverages. The bulletin board offers a listing of the happenings around Marfa, an interesting introduction to local goings on.

Photo of The Get Go

The Get Go

Next – resupply provisions. I’d heard about The Get Go. “Small desert outpost delivering natural and gourmet foods, wine, beer and a friendly attitude.”  The offerings were amazing. A great selection of cheeses including Marfa Maid Goat Cheese. Local products and produce amongst hipster treats. Such a wonderful assortment stuffed into a convenience store size space in this tiny West Texas town. We will eat well!

While visiting Marfa, we enjoyed KRTS Marfa Public Radio, the NPR-affiliated station at 93.5 FM. I had discovered it when working in West Texas. The station was founded in 2005. They combine NPR with local news and programming, a very Marfa-centric mix. The station recently won every category in the regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. It has the smallest listenership of PBS stations in the lower 48.  It has a geographic coverage about the size of South Carolina but a much greater reach through partnerships and live-streaming. We continued to enjoy the variety of offerings until we lost the signal after we left Ft. Davis heading north.

We found boomer heaven in Marfa and know we will return….

Photo of Hotel Paisano Lobby

Dining — Marfa Style

Photo of The Buffalo

The Buffalo

Teardrop Trail Log: March 27, 2016

We treated ourselves to dinner Jett’s Grill in the Hotel Paisano, located just one block from the courthouse. We entered through the historic hotel. The lobby is appointed with a beautiful tan and brown tile floor and ornate wrought iron light fixtures with mica panel inserts around glass globes, remnants from the past. Buffalo and longhorn trophies gaze down from the white washed walls.

Photo of Jett's Grill

Jett’s Grill

Described by Vogue Magazine as the place for a proper sit-down meal, Jett’s offers patio dining in the picturesque courtyard complete with a four-tiered fountain. Our reservation was for inside. While cooking in the galley of the teardrop and eating in the great outdoors is an adventure, we welcomed the chance to relax with a white table cloth and a littleTexas flair.

Photo of Grilled Salmon over Asparagus and Pasta

Grilled Salmon over Asparagus and Pasta

We had in a lovely sauvignon blanc. I enjoyed grilled salmon over asparagus and pasta. Jim indulged his culinary wild side with

Photo of Chile Rellaño

Chile Rellaño

Chile Rellaños, long green chili peppers stuffed with Asadero cheese coated with a tortilla chip crust. Avocado cream sauce. Topped with Pico de Gallo. Served over rice.

We splurged and split a Crème Brŭlée.

Photo of Crème Brŭlée

Crème Brŭlée

Road Trip Eats

Teardrop Trail Log: March 27, 2016

We got a recommendation on where to camp with our teardrop and checked into Big Bend Resort and Adventures in the Study Butte Terlingua area, just outside the national park. The Cafe, which is open seven days a week, reminded me of so many places I’d eaten, like the Java Junction Cafe in the West Texas town where I had gone to elementary school. Formica tables, melamine plates divided for the main dish and two sides, plastic water glasses and two flavors of Tabasco on each table. The first time we walked in the door, we were greeted by a symphony of aromas that brought back memories of home and family.

One evening, the special was chicken fried steak, a tenderized cube steak coated with seasoned flour, deep fried with a crisp golden brown crust. A Texas classic. The other option was steak fingers, chicken fried steak cut into strips. Our plates arrived, the steak was plied high on a bed of french fries, served with white, peppered country milk gravy. There were also Texas-style green beans on the plate, cooked to the “unique” texture and color like so many women in my family did. Yum…. We were so focused on the food that we forgot to take a picture!

Photo of biscuit and gravy breakfast

Breakfast with bacon, eggs and biscuit with white, peppered, country milk gravy.

The next morning, we decided to check out the breakfast buffet. While waiting in line to use the toaster when we spotted biscuits. Not the doughboy’s biscuits, but the light, flaky good ole comfort food fantasy biscuits. We left the buffet line for the table with bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits and the white, peppered milk country gravy like my Mamaw used to make.

Ah, comfort food on the road!

Preparing to hit the Teardrop Trail again!

Electric Travel Refirgerator

Electric Travel Refrigerator

Marilyn, March 19:

When we got the teardrop trailer, we started to look for ways to take some of our favorite foods along. Most people know the hassle traveling with an ice chest can be. Looking for ice in some remote areas can be extremely frustrating. On one of our shopping trips, we found this amazing little fridge. It plugs into the cigarette lighter in the back of the Mazda but does have an adaptor for a wall outlet. We carry many things that normally live in our home fridge. It’s a great way to prepare a lunch for the road. As we get ready for our Big Bend trip, we are getting the little fridge ready for to go.

Just one warning – unplug it from the cigarette lighter when you stop in the campground. It can plug into shore power. We found out the hard way that this little wonder can drain your battery when I failed to disconnect it. Makes for an unpleasant surprise in the morning. It is also not the optimum way to meet other folks in the campground.

 

Road Food Eats

 

camp stove with Balsamic Chicken

Balsamic Chicken serves 2

  • 2 boneless chicken thighs
  • half of a yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 cup sliced Baby Bella mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup Balsamic vinegar or to cover chicken thighs
  • salt and pepper to taste

We enjoy taking some of our favorite entreés on the Teardrop Trail. Here are some tips:

  • Freeze the chicken thighs and add to your ice chest or travel refrigerator. This helps conserve ice.
  • Find small bottles of your favorite olive oil and Balsamic vinegar. Measure for the recipes you plan for your road trip and transfer to small plastic bottles with tightly fitting lids to conserve space. I like square plastic bottles because they are a better fit in our kitchen boxes and less likely to rattle. I save plastic bottles for a variety of uses on the road.
  • Buy only the quantity of herbs and spices you will need for each recipe or for your entire trip in the bulk department. Use the small plastic bags to save space.

Thaw the chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels. Chop the onions and garlic. Place the olive oil in a skillet and simmer until the onions are clear. Add the chicken thighs and brown over medium heat. Add mushrooms to skillet. Cook until mushrooms are tender. Add the Balsamic vinegar, spoon over chicken and mushrooms. Simmer until the vinegar bubbles and thickens and chicken thighs are done. Salt and pepper to taste.

Place two thighs on each plate and cover with thickened Balsamic vinegar sauce. Garnish with parsley. Serve with rice or cooked pasta.

Serve with your favorite Cote de Rhone or other red wine and toast to the next adventure on the Teardrop Trail.

Road Trip Eats

Dairy Queen, Stratford, Texas

Dairy Queen, Stratford, Texas

Marilyn, June 24

What’s a road trip without road food – right? We drove across the flat landscape at the top of the Panhandle and pulled into Stratford, just a stone’s throw away from the Oklahoma line. The water tower and the massive bank of grain elevators, called the tin man and silos dominated the skyline and across the highway was unmistakable sign for DQ, a comforting sight in the middle of nowhere. Dairy Queen held special memories for me. As a child in Eldorado, Texas we used to pile in the car and go for soft-serve cones during the hot summers. Jim pulled into the parking lot, we opened the door and indulged in the familiar sights, sounds and tastes. In addition to the DQ menu, there was Orange Julius, another memory from childhood. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Ahhhh…..

 

 

… And the Rain Came.

Marilyn, June 24:

Camp Palo Duro in the Rain

Camp Palo Duro in the Rain

The sky turned from overcast to a full-fledged downpour as we finished breakfast under the canopy. Water started to collect and reshape the shelter. It was time to break camp and pack up as puddles collected around the campsite. Each time we pushed up on the canopy, large amounts of water ran off. We had to disassemble the kitchen as quickly as we could. Stashing the stove in the hatch. The two plastic totes with fold-over lids I had used for condiments and larger items had filled with water. We folded the wet chairs and forced them into stuff sacks. Wet items were thrust into garbage bags. As we loaded the trailer with all our wet gear, it became apparent that we needed a plan to deal with rain. We did our best to dry off and hopped in the Mazda to depart.

A Canyon Breakfast

 

Breakfast in Palo Duro

Breakfast in Palo Duro

Jim, June 24:

Although the sunrise was beautiful, the sky was mostly overcast and it wasn’t long before it started to rain. I quickly set up the canopy so we could enjoy breakfast, and Marilyn made short work of preparing the food. As was clear from the mocha incident of the day before, I care about my coffee. Most coffee that is available on the road is pretty poor, so we travel with an Italian stovetop espresso maker. We also carry a supply of dark roast sumatra from Anderson’s Coffee in Austin (best in the city!) They work great on camp stoves and I set out brewing my morning espresso. Add Bacon, Eggs, Toast, and Jam, and you have a breakfast that is a far cry from the chuckwagon of olden days!

 

Breakfast and Coffee

Breakfast and Coffee

Setting Up in the Dark

The Chef at Work

The Chef at Work

Jim, June 23:

We made it to the campground just in time to set up camp and make dinner — in the dark. Ain’t no hill for a stepper, right? I began unloading the pantry boxes and putting the kitchen together while Marilyn found the food. The trailer lights and LED lantern provided enough light, and we were set up in about 20 minutes. Not too bad. I opened a beer and poured a glass of wine for Marilyn. She then invented what I will always remember as one of the best meals I’ve ever had while camping — Balsamic Chicken. It’s so good we’ve fixed it several times at home. Simple. Satisfying. With a salad and mashed potatoes, it was a great meal. We had passed the first hurdle of the trip in our new rig: arrived, set up for the night and had a great meal.

An Elegant Repast

An Elegant Repast