Freja and her two buddies, Sushi & Biscuit, are all ready for our drive to Wildcat Mountain State Park. We're planning on camping for a few days and look forward to exploring a new part of Wisconsin.
While I do enjoy "primitive" camping where you take little gear and make your way into the wilds, there's something to be said for drive in camping. That jeep trailer allowed us to bring a lot of gear, and food. It's not a bad way to spend some family time.
We'd arrived in camp shortly before dark. After a quickly setting up camp we all enjoyed a nice fire before turning in early. Aside from a scuffle between a couple of raccoons, and the sounds of other campers, it was a quiet night.
The first order of business was to make coffee. We fresh grind our beans, and use the same French press that we use at home. Having the exact same cup of Joe as at home makes us happy. No sooner was the coffee brewed and then the kid woke up.
Her priority is to sit first in Mommy's lap, and once I settle down, in mine. I can't say it's a bad way to begin this day. As she snuggled up against me I really noticed how much she's grown.
It was a hazy, humid summer morning.
The girls tried their hand at throwing small pebbles off the cliff of an overlook. Neither of them threw very far, so we weren't concerned about actually hitting anything below. That, and the tiny size of the pebbles didn't pose a major safety risk. At the most, they annoyed a few birds.
I packed her bike and while there were no trails, the roads weren't busy or too hilly. She spent a lot of time peddling around the circle of the camping section. There were a few steeper descents she seemed to really enjoy flying down, and then would hit her brakes making them squeal.
The kid made a new friend while we were hanging out at the overlook. Another camper had his puppy with him. Naturally Freja couldn't resist petting it for a while. I was grateful it didn't spark the usual, "can we get a dog?" litany. BTW, the answer is still NO!
It was becoming very hot and humid so the kid was allowed to play with our potable water supply when we returned to camp.
A canoe makes it way down the Kickapoo River.
2 - 3lbs of chicken thighs, boned & skinned
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon - juiced
1 1/2 tspn kosher salt
1/4 tspn fresh ground pepper
1 large clove of garlic - minced
2 tspn dried oregano
1 - 2lbs red potatoes - rough cut
2 cups chicken broth
4 tbls unsalted butter
Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces.
In a mixing bowl whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil. Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano. Store in a sealed container, and pack in your cooler.
In camp, cut up the potatoes. Tear off a large piece of heavy foil and line the bottom of a cast iron pan, with enough excess foil to either side to make a package when folded. Spread the marinated chicken, with all the marinade, into the bottom of the foil. Layer the potatoes over the chicken, and pour the broth over all. Place the butter on top equidistantly. Fold over the foil, making a tight package. Poke a few small holes in the top to allow steam to escape.
Place your pan over hot coals, and rotate every 15 minutes. Cook for 1 hour. Serve.
This is a very aromatic meal!
Well after dark, as I sat by the fire while my family slept, I notice the sky was seemingly clear. I walked to one of the overlooks where I could clearly see the stars. It was a hazy summer evening, and the lights from a few farms illuminated the misty horizon. The only sounds I heard while photographing the sky were of the wind, and a distant barred owl.
The haze made it hard for me to even see the Milky Way with my naked eyes. In fact, after my first test shot I was surprised it was in the photo! I'm afraid I didn't get as clear, and crisp of an image as I would have liked, but it was still worth the effort.
I may have to come back to this spot when the air is dry, clear, and there's no moon. I'd heard that Wildcat State Park, here in Wisconsin, was a well known "dark sky," and it is indeed a nice place to sky watch.
