tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74544192024-02-20T18:18:33.275-08:00Live Green, Wear Black.Vegan cooking, vegan baking and vegan candy making with a focus on whole foods and a bit of environmentalism, recycling, reusing and general green experiments.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.comBlogger357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-63097019508299222952022-11-27T13:18:00.006-08:002022-11-27T13:22:40.145-08:00My Favorite Plant-Based Cheeses<p> </p><p>In the intervening decade or so since I started this blog, many vegan-friendly, plant-based cheeses have come and gone (looking at you, Nacheez & Nacho Mamma). Fortunately, being in the Bay Area, there are always a lot of enterprising locals who create amazing vegan options. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>BAY AREA ARTISANAL PLANT-BASED CHEESE</b></h3><p><b>Miyoko's Creamery</b> - so many options! I love the Sharp English Farmhouse - it's one of my favorites for eating with bread or crackers. <a href="https://miyokos.com/collections/all " target="_blank">https://miyokos.com/collections/all </a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Liquid Mozzarella</b><span> </span>- this stuff is great for pizza, but it also works for open-faced toasted cheese in the toaster oven, and on nachos.</li><li><b>Roadhouse Cheddar<span> </span></b>- this is amazing stuff. It tastes just like cheddar cheese log cheese, but in a good way. Maybe I'll make a nut log with it this holiday season. </li><li><b>ALL THE CHEESE WHEELS: </b><span> </span>the "Double Cream Classic Chive" tastes like goat cheese. The Sharp English Farmhouse and Smoked English Farmhouse are also favorites. They are ALL good.</li></ul><p><b>Vegan Butcher's Son Feta </b>- packed in salty brine with a bay leaf or two, this feta tastes exactly like the dairy based version to me (granted, it's been 15+ years since I've eaten any dairy cheese). It's got a great texture - crumble it onto salads, eat with crackers or fruit. You can buy it in person or through delivery services at <a href="https://www.thebutchersveganson.com/" target="_blank">https://www.thebutchersveganson.com/</a></p><p><b>The Uncreamery</b> - Smoked Gouda, Truffle Brie, Ghost Pepper Jack -- great right out of the white paper. This stuff is so delicious with a nicely uniform, delicate texture. It never lasts long enough in my house to cook with it, ymmv. <a href="https://www.theuncreamery.com/" target="_blank">https://www.theuncreamery.com/</a> or any number of stores, including Rainbow Grocery.</p><p><br /></p><h3><b>OUTSIDE THE BAY AREA</b></h3><div><b>Portland-based Vtopian</b> makes a lot of amazing cheeses. Any time I am in Portland, this is a required stop and I always end up eating Vtopian cheese with bread for my meals on the road trip home. You can visit them in Portland, or find their cheese in stores all around the Bay Area (SF's Rainbow Grocery has an awesome selection): <a href="https://www.vtopiancheeses.com/" target="_blank">https://www.vtopiancheeses.com/</a> </div><div><br /></div><p><b>Bandit Barn Cat</b> --great with bread, dried fruit and on sandwiches. This savory delight is wrapped in black ash and white paper, this cheese is so delicious and tastes like a blue cheese. I purchased this at the vegan grocery at <a href="https://www.littlesainthealdsburg.com/about" target="_blank">Little Saint in Healdsburg</a>, and there may be options near you. <a href="https://eatlikeabandit.com/products/barn-cat" target="_blank">https://eatlikeabandit.com/products/barn-cat</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Renegade Foods</b> makes amazing plant-based salame (not GF) -- <a href="https://renegadefoods.com/" target="_blank">https://renegadefoods.com/</a> - also available at SF's Rainbow Grocery.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>NON-ARTISANAL CHEESES FOR COOKING: </b>not all vegan cheeses possess the cultured, tang and texture that makes them ideal for eating with bread or as part of your charcuterie. However, there are quite a lot of non-artisanal cheeses that work pretty well cooked in your broccoli rice casserole, nachos or macaroni and cheese. </p><p><b>Nachos</b> - I like Violife and Daiya shredded cheeses. They melt pretty well under the broiler of my wee toaster oven. </p><p><b>Open-faced toasted cheese</b> tastes just like I remember it (plus my version of <a href="http://www.livegreenwearblack.com/2009/09/pottsville-relish.html" target="_blank">Grandma Clark's Pottsville Relish</a>) when I use thin slices of Daiya's <a href="https://daiyafoods.com/our-foods/blocks/grilling-cheeze/" target="_blank">Grilling Cheese Block</a> (I'm also a fan of Daiya's "Smoked Gouda" and "Jalapeño Havarti").</p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-7667800081451953522022-08-17T19:16:00.011-07:002022-08-17T19:16:53.663-07:00<p>REVIEW: Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey (2022)</p><p>The dangers of rest to the dominant paradigm have been well known for millennia. Centuries ago Aesop and other writers described the story of the “Ant and the Grasshopper” as a cautionary tale. For hundreds of years – strikes and work stoppages have been the primary means of resisting the demands of productivity demanded by Capital. People put down their tools and walked off the job and out the factory doors. Truck drivers block ports with their vehicles. Work stoppage has long been a means of resisting the dehumanizing effects of capitalism. </p><p>“Capitalism commodifies whatever it can and doesn’t allow space for us to experience the full spectrum of being human.”</p><p>“We are socialized into systems that cause us to conform and believe our worth is connected to how much we can produce.”</p><p>“Fear and scarcity are a big part of how the culture keeps us bound up in the hamster wheel.”</p><p>Tricia Hersey’s new book is part auto-biography, part history book and part sermon, offering us a lens for resistance of the dehumanizing, deleterious effects of capitalism & the cult of “productivity” that is womanist, liberationist and at the same time deeply validating of both the need to disconnect for dreaming & private thoughts and of community. </p><p>Hersey makes her keen observations in a style of a song: intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, outro. </p><p>She doesn’t need to expand too much on her verses – it’s not novel information for her audience. It’s the repetition and the chorus – the soothing reassurance that “You are not unworthy. The systems are unworthy.” </p><p>Deep inside, people know:</p><p>“ we didn’t arrive on Earth to be a tool for a capitalist system.” … It is not our divine purpose. […] You were not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor.”</p><p><br /></p><p>The effects of this fatigue remove community and intellectual agency – turning us into machines: </p><p>“When you are exhausted, you lack clarity and the ability to see deeply. Your intuition and imagination are stifled by a culture of overworking and disconnection."</p><p>“[…] stealing your imagination and time, grind culture has stolen the ability for pleasure, hobbies, leisure, and experimentation.”</p><p>Black liberation and womanism are woven throughout the book – her message that “Black liberation is human liberation” is strong and consistent. The goal of capitalism and white supremacy is to strip away the humanity – it’s essentially reductionist and isolating.</p><p>“Black liberation is a balm for all humanity and this message is for all those suffering from the ways of white supremacy and capitalism.”</p><p>If you are reading this book and feel that the topics of white supremacy and black liberation are a bit heavy – you have a lot more work to do before you can well and truly appreciate what is being communicated in this book.</p><p>The goal of this work is to decolonize your mind and enable a culture shift. If your reaction to creating a nap practice, making time for day dreaming or resting as resistance is to immediately think of slackers, freeloaders and laziness – you’re falling into racist stereotypes as well as white supremacist programming. </p><p>“We have been bamboozled. This is why it’s so critical that we create systems of care to help people dismantle and decolonize their minds.”</p><p>“We are resting not to do more and to come back stronger and more productive for a capitalist system.”</p><p>The loudest chorus in this book is that you don’t have to always be “productive” – and that busyness reduces your ability to heal, dream and tap into your imagination. Even Hersey’s grandmother would rest with her eyes closed and reminded her granddaughter that every shut eye was not asleep. We close our eyes to reduce distraction and focus inward on our own experience whether it’s breathing in meditation or processing feelings or enjoying the fragrance of a flower (to name a few). </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>“Resting is not a state of inactivity or a waste of time. Rest is a generative space.”</li><li>“Naps provide a portal to imagine, invent, and heal.”</li><li>“Rest is not a luxury, privilege, or a bonus we must wait for once we are burned out.”</li><li>“Rest is not a privilege because our bodies are still our own, no matter what the current systems teach us.”</li><li>“Your bodies don’t belong to capitalism, to white supremacy, or to the patriarchy.”</li></ul><p></p><p>Social media is another area covered by various choruses throughout the book. Just as a reminder: where anything is “free” – you are the product. Hersey rightly points out that social media is a marketing tool and an extension of capitalism. “The goal is to keep you scrolling long enough that you become a consumer. The goal is for you to buy, buy some more, and stay on as long as possible until that happens.” Social media “is a space of dependency” and “robbing us of the archives and memory. Taking from us the ability to go to the past for guidance, motivation, and grounding.”</p><p><br /></p><p>Hersey highlights the disruptive nature of social media and how it has absorbed “our quiet time” – and urges us to “detox intentionally and often if we are to find rest.”</p><p><br /></p><p>Our challenge is to “spiritually disconnect from the shenanigans of grind culture while physically still living in it.” Establish healthy boundaries, resist responding right away to email or social media. Reject urgency.</p><p><br /></p><p>“You cannot achieve deep rest in a consistent way if we don’t detox regularly from social media and the internet. Technology is not built to support our rest or make space for our rest.”</p><p><br /></p><p>Finally – you have to accept that you have been brainwashed. You have been swimming in a pool of the dominant paradigm for so long, there’s no way it could be any other way. The repetition in this book serves a purpose – to begin unspooling the cocoon that has been limiting us for so long so that we can claim our birthright. </p><p><br /></p><p>We are enough just as we are – we are enough because we exist. We do not have to be productive, busy or constantly contributing. There is no quick fix – dismantling millennia old mindsets and building communities of care takes time. </p><p><br /></p><p>“Our interconnectedness is a form of resistance in times thriving against the dehumanizing ways capitalism and white supremacy sees the world.”</p><p><br /></p><p>“We will not heal alone. We will not thrive alone. Communal care is our saving grace and our communion. Community care will save us. It is already saving us.”</p><p><br /></p><p>Hersey offers some places to begin:</p><p>-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Intentionally and regularly detox from social media</p><p>-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Learn boundaries – “heal the individual trauma you have experienced that makes it difficult for you to say no”</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Establish a “daily practice in daydreaming”</li><li>“Slow down”</li><li>“Listen more”</li><li>“Create systems of community care”</li></ul><p></p><p>Print out this quote and stick it up in your environment in a half dozen places:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>1. I deserve to rest now. </p><p>2. I am worthy of rest. </p><p>3. I am not lazy. How could I be lazy? My Ancestors are too brilliant for that. </p><p>4. Capitalism wants my body to be a machine. I am not a machine. </p><p>5. I am a magical and divine human being. </p><p>6. I have the right to resist grind culture. </p><p>7. I don’t have to earn rest. </p><p>8. Do less, watch how I thrive. </p><p>9. Ease is my birthright. </p><p>10. I Will Rest!”</p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><b>“You don’t have to wait on permission from the dominant culture.”</b></p><p><b>“Grind culture is violence. Resist participating in it.” </b></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-25047007686554452542022-07-08T21:08:00.002-07:002022-07-08T21:08:42.868-07:00"Barbarian Coffee Cake" <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2LeFA-sSptPAAUhHep5xYFKAvNAChrhzofwy6y0DmMl4MC3j28-kP9O8zi6cYkX3BwZU7XLmYaozpd3LcjZeYvcMSockP05U8heJcCI9Z9ioSLiQTdVRiRT91PnmEYfZCrSsMd6KGvlK8nqK66VaEYcv6HnAjur6_xShoKEKmwGp_Z0/s3264/EF0209DA-98E9-460A-9591-AFFF08D53A99.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7LW0qrUudBZRBuvFUbfolNjwCFFGmrzAqPksJgQu-xXheJmRMMJTx-WnyDMDMxH5GiYW2WW4w8-psT0DEpIlL4Ct44ZtJCjOux50VYRXbjilYvr7PTqFrcMtZIWmf5YGsCQJaaPB1EoUXgoK0_P42Q9sXaAAvMDTczbPGKUvZLJ-K7k/s3264/7DF5F178-94E9-4FF7-A6A1-F328D52A886F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW7LW0qrUudBZRBuvFUbfolNjwCFFGmrzAqPksJgQu-xXheJmRMMJTx-WnyDMDMxH5GiYW2WW4w8-psT0DEpIlL4Ct44ZtJCjOux50VYRXbjilYvr7PTqFrcMtZIWmf5YGsCQJaaPB1EoUXgoK0_P42Q9sXaAAvMDTczbPGKUvZLJ-K7k/w240-h320/7DF5F178-94E9-4FF7-A6A1-F328D52A886F.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div> <div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This recipe is based on my grandmother's Barvarian Coffee Cake recipe which had a LOT more sugar, fat and refined flour. I've veganized it and made it a vehicle for lots of fruit!</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />I doubled this recipe so that I could do apricot & plum - and put them in the same pan. I also added some pitted cherries because - why not? You can use any fruit -- you can put applesauce in the batter and put a (strained) can of pineapple or canned cherries on top. </span></h3><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Bowl 1 - Sift together</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1 c whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour</li><li>3/4 c almond flour </li><li>1/2 c white flour (optional if you are using whole wheat pastry flour0</li><li>1.5 tsp baking powder</li><li>1 tsp baking soda</li><li>pinch of salt</li></ul><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Bowl 2 - wet</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>1/2 c sugar (I used turbinado but sucanat would be good, too - I like the molasses flavor)</li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2LeFA-sSptPAAUhHep5xYFKAvNAChrhzofwy6y0DmMl4MC3j28-kP9O8zi6cYkX3BwZU7XLmYaozpd3LcjZeYvcMSockP05U8heJcCI9Z9ioSLiQTdVRiRT91PnmEYfZCrSsMd6KGvlK8nqK66VaEYcv6HnAjur6_xShoKEKmwGp_Z0/s3264/EF0209DA-98E9-460A-9591-AFFF08D53A99.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2LeFA-sSptPAAUhHep5xYFKAvNAChrhzofwy6y0DmMl4MC3j28-kP9O8zi6cYkX3BwZU7XLmYaozpd3LcjZeYvcMSockP05U8heJcCI9Z9ioSLiQTdVRiRT91PnmEYfZCrSsMd6KGvlK8nqK66VaEYcv6HnAjur6_xShoKEKmwGp_Z0/w150-h200/EF0209DA-98E9-460A-9591-AFFF08D53A99.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>~1 c fruit purée</li><li>1/2 c melted coconut oil or neutral oil / vegan butter</li><li>1 Tb almond extract</li><li>1 tsp vanillazest and juice of 1/2 lemon</li><li>water or plant based milk as needed</li></ul><p></p><p>Thoroughly blend each bowl then add wet to dry.</p><p><br />Plum was processed through the Vittorio food mill which results in a much messier process in the kitchen but plum skins don’t shred very well in the blender in my experience.</p><p>I processed the apricots in the blender to make the purée.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR8g6Y2pC0ml17RsScDax2fdWHD_zSTdhxhmZL-JA8F-BRl7f0RPRE4vx60ydc27C-mK82VmiDH6t6x2wqa07GIYDBzRJNbRky-2qCYUIF3IfhRAUBZt7swID4Sw4QihVheP3QaVJyQPrae7Gw6aLtCbpdNUHgg_W0L-dschrf-9Is5s/s3264/2D64FE0B-9344-45D5-B6C2-A879F48DE93B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR8g6Y2pC0ml17RsScDax2fdWHD_zSTdhxhmZL-JA8F-BRl7f0RPRE4vx60ydc27C-mK82VmiDH6t6x2wqa07GIYDBzRJNbRky-2qCYUIF3IfhRAUBZt7swID4Sw4QihVheP3QaVJyQPrae7Gw6aLtCbpdNUHgg_W0L-dschrf-9Is5s/w150-h200/2D64FE0B-9344-45D5-B6C2-A879F48DE93B.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div>The batter should be really thick but not so stiff that you can’t mix it so add liquid to loosen it up.<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurgtH2gA_KHbWHJ9-CDUVONQWtsAfdA82oPvny2tb4nrWzFe1-dUAV0TdYsE2Z9doXc388jyVin8FlXR9_4ze3S7zwVY6aSr3WHLFrX0IYUBVIRfR-udERIsG6zhaICMX-TuunZ12FelkmSbaYr5oHhLDetI45Y3fptdRT5NzsbgGa4g/s3264/BCD5AE44-CBF0-4F5A-9ED0-EACF0136C198.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurgtH2gA_KHbWHJ9-CDUVONQWtsAfdA82oPvny2tb4nrWzFe1-dUAV0TdYsE2Z9doXc388jyVin8FlXR9_4ze3S7zwVY6aSr3WHLFrX0IYUBVIRfR-udERIsG6zhaICMX-TuunZ12FelkmSbaYr5oHhLDetI45Y3fptdRT5NzsbgGa4g/w150-h200/BCD5AE44-CBF0-4F5A-9ED0-EACF0136C198.jpeg" width="150" /></a></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXcuG4lCC3fzEBjOd4pJNF48Zve65J9HAwsqPqYlTMBZyIKQOWShlchn0b2xk89LWVxiP3rhy_nShylcg-4mf1O95Dz9AKAFb8RZbfq04bBMPY_rPB-jtGmSFOSbnrI3-maRNuVAAmkOgNXq-pL0gydAWKAGIA4Ede4gDGBe1HWs-4mc/s3264/882B9752-DBE3-4C31-AAD0-56BEC0A431F5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXcuG4lCC3fzEBjOd4pJNF48Zve65J9HAwsqPqYlTMBZyIKQOWShlchn0b2xk89LWVxiP3rhy_nShylcg-4mf1O95Dz9AKAFb8RZbfq04bBMPY_rPB-jtGmSFOSbnrI3-maRNuVAAmkOgNXq-pL0gydAWKAGIA4Ede4gDGBe1HWs-4mc/w200-h150/882B9752-DBE3-4C31-AAD0-56BEC0A431F5.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div></div>As you can see I did apricot and plum. <br /><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><p>I used 2 part tart pans, so I don’t want the batter to be so thin that it’s going to leak out the bottom.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfdK9EawXIjm2D9sBRU_53DMFNj3RKzsO93wc3Vwx2d8Kr5LXOsOBU9DHHWIx47deZOMKZQ4k1A1Z0nCW8Z8RMSojroU9EGP73kGXQpSZpvJio70jCinY0afXG7nIzIGwtiEsen6Tgf0zoz2GYRR3RShDBZ_0zo_5o4uSM2_xm4AFtqM/s3264/A93E470D-D3F8-490F-85AF-B4BFF4ED9D35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfdK9EawXIjm2D9sBRU_53DMFNj3RKzsO93wc3Vwx2d8Kr5LXOsOBU9DHHWIx47deZOMKZQ4k1A1Z0nCW8Z8RMSojroU9EGP73kGXQpSZpvJio70jCinY0afXG7nIzIGwtiEsen6Tgf0zoz2GYRR3RShDBZ_0zo_5o4uSM2_xm4AFtqM/w150-h200/A93E470D-D3F8-490F-85AF-B4BFF4ED9D35.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">Bake at 350 for 30-40 min - wooden toothpick inserted near the center should come out clean. Glaze with melted jelly - In this case I used leftover apricot syrup from the process of making glacee apricots.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Be careful to not overfill your cake pan -- once the baking powder/soda start working, you may have a bit of spillover. Put a cookie sheet below your cake if you are concerned about overflow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><br /></div> <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-89818339396449216612022-05-29T22:12:00.001-07:002022-05-29T22:12:08.230-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismpocHu9PvH9HdmfVl0lLvH3asmZzyaoxavcMmeIJ1pkq-ISMaILaUTlgNSNpAQX4QpsRu1vBzslCocz7wFKQ7nz_pqX1PKVIZp9gsBkFN9CLbaxwKPKP57TlBLq95V5SUHLoYlWHXnIpPAmCFvgmKMPH5sp8LtXaQZn4Xp9dBNwLx4Y/s4032/May_28_avocadoes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismpocHu9PvH9HdmfVl0lLvH3asmZzyaoxavcMmeIJ1pkq-ISMaILaUTlgNSNpAQX4QpsRu1vBzslCocz7wFKQ7nz_pqX1PKVIZp9gsBkFN9CLbaxwKPKP57TlBLq95V5SUHLoYlWHXnIpPAmCFvgmKMPH5sp8LtXaQZn4Xp9dBNwLx4Y/w628-h472/May_28_avocadoes.jpeg" width="628" /></a></div><br /> Avocados in May! 51 harvested today -- and there are probably another dozen or so hiding in the glossy leaves of the avocado tree. <p></p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-26257527700977018912021-12-24T13:56:00.004-08:002021-12-24T13:56:28.097-08:00The Straight Poop on Cat Litter<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I have 6 adult cats -- here's our system:</span></p><ul class="_33MEMislY0GAlB78wL1_CR" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1a1a1b; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 4px 0px 4px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2 large <a class="_3t5uN8xUmg0TOwRCOGQEcU" href="https://smile.amazon.com/Natures-Miracle-Advanced-Hooded-Corner/dp/B004N1NAPY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=nature%27s+miracle+corner+litter+box&qid=1611903636&sr=8-1" rel="noopener nofollow ugc" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">"Nature's Miracle" corner litterboxes</a></span></p></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="_3t5uN8xUmg0TOwRCOGQEcU" href="https://www.petfood.express/products/sustainably-yours-multi-cat-plus-natural-cat-litter.html" rel="noopener nofollow ugc" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sustainably Yours litter from PetFood Express</span></a></p><ul class="_33MEMislY0GAlB78wL1_CR" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 4px 0px 4px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clumps SUPER hard</span></p></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Can be sifted with standard wire mesh sieve to get any small bits (<a class="_3t5uN8xUmg0TOwRCOGQEcU" href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRDZXXK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1" rel="noopener nofollow ugc" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">like this one</a> )</span></p></li></ul></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I scoop morning & night, and in between as needed. I do not dump unless there's really a lot of little bits in the litter that I can't sift out with the wire mess sifter. I clean the litterboxes monthly with hot boiling water and bleach.</span></p></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I use "biodegradable" bags (<a class="_3t5uN8xUmg0TOwRCOGQEcU" href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TFYT02G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1" rel="noopener nofollow ugc" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">box of 1000 bags</a>) and they go in the trash but I keep thinking about digging a hole to create a <a class="_3t5uN8xUmg0TOwRCOGQEcU" href="https://thebark.com/content/build-your-own-pet-waste-digester" rel="noopener nofollow ugc" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">pet waste digester in the backyard</a></span></p></li></ul><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1a1a1b; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.8em 0px 0.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the last 30 years as an adult living on my own - I have gone through MANY many kinds of cat litter.</span></p><ul class="_33MEMislY0GAlB78wL1_CR" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1a1a1b; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: outside; margin: 4px 0px 4px 8px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clay is bad - mountain top removal and all that</span></p></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Large pellets are a PITA and a mess, they fall apart</span></p></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Never flush unless you have a septic system; else the risk is that <a class="_3t5uN8xUmg0TOwRCOGQEcU" href="https://www.futurity.org/how-cat-poop-kills-california-sea-otters/" rel="noopener nofollow ugc" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">organisms from cat poop end up leaving water treatment plants where they go to rivers and oceans and KILL OTTERS.</a> You don't want to kill otters, right? Didn't think so.</span></p></li><li class="_3gqTEjt4x9UIIpWiro7YXz" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.4em 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="_1qeIAgB0cPwnLhDF9XSiJM" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Corn & Wheat have had variable results for me over the years - not clumping hard enough, powdery mess tracked everywhere, fermented smell that develops.</span></p></li></ul>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-6098285095155927212018-11-28T08:48:00.004-08:002022-07-08T21:19:01.971-07:00Butternut Squash on Bittersweet Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzmFp86d8IcQHA2fP5DCKotKCZ6kmZw7GHwULhiF3ZlsHBSmrXiuIlxxSjpnD4kHIhSInjhhiap4njvbTUo7B-vO98_yxLWbPu2QvELqW_sJqq42b9rnXkzXM4Bp4WVdqZmz0/s1600/IMG_2567.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzmFp86d8IcQHA2fP5DCKotKCZ6kmZw7GHwULhiF3ZlsHBSmrXiuIlxxSjpnD4kHIhSInjhhiap4njvbTUo7B-vO98_yxLWbPu2QvELqW_sJqq42b9rnXkzXM4Bp4WVdqZmz0/s320/IMG_2567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Made some ravioli - guest post up on <a href="https://bittersweetblog.com/2018/11/28/bundle-up-butternut/" target="_blank">Hannah's Bittersweet blog</a> - maybe I'll start blogging again here...<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Here’s a quick “no measure” recipe for a rustic ravioli dish that will make any occasion seem super special. You don’t need any special equipment — just a rolling pin though I prefer to use my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DBGQR1K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&ascsub&ref=aa_scomp&linkCode=ll1&tag=bitte-20&linkId=294aea230eaa28ead30d3c39f2475871&language=en_US" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; transition: all 0.2s ease 0s;">Kitchen Aid pasta roller attachment</a> to save time.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Pasta:</strong><br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />1-2 cups of fine semolina flour<br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />2 Tb extra virgin olive oil<br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />1 tsp salt<br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />water, as needed</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Filling:</strong><br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />1 butternut or kabocha squash, roasted and seeded<br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />chopped fresh herbs (your choice), quantity as needed<br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />pinch of salt<br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />pinch of nutmeg</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><b>DIRECTIONS – FILLING:</b><br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />To make the ravioli filling, Just mash the roasted butternut (or kabocha or pumpkin) and blend with the finely chopped herbs and spices. You don’t want this to be too fine a puree, you want to be able to drop it by the spoonful onto the pasta.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><b>DIRECTIONS – PASTA:</b><br style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;" />1. Make the pasta – mix the dry ingredients and start adding the olive oil and mix well. Add cold or ice water in a thin stream, in small amounts, until the semolina starts getting a sandy texture. Check it periodically to see if you can clump it by smashing some inside the palm of your hand with your fist. If it is too tacky and wet — add more semolina (easy, right?). I prefer to use my stand mixer but you can do this by hand.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2. Use a flexible spatula to scrape out of the bowl onto a work surface. Work it with your hands to press, squeeze and smush it together into a ball that starts to really stick together. You want to develop the gluten. Get out the rolling pin and work it flat, fold it and repeat.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">You can continue to work it with the rolling pin or you can get it thin enough (about 1/4″ for the widest setting on your pasta roller) to start putting through the pasta roller. I start out at “0” on my KA attachment and after a couple passes, narrow it a few more times until I get to 4 or 5.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Get the pasta sheets as thin as you can without them being transparent, developing holes or tears when you try to stretch a bit (since you’ll be doing that to make the ravioli) but not so thick that you just have a super squishy dumpling.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">To shape the ravioli – you can do this with a water glass or biscuit cutter, a fancy ravioli cutter (I have individual cutters as well as a metal mold that is about as wide as the sheet of pasta.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Get a small bowl of water and maybe a brush to keep at hand. Once you roll out your sheet of pasta — put it on the form or lightly mark it with your cutter, then use a measuring spoon to scoop a small ball of your cool filling onto the center of that mark.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Dab a bit of water all around where the edge of the ravioli will be using the brush or your finger tips. Lay another sheet over top (or just fold a very long sheet) and then use your cutter (or rolling pin) to score the raviolis. Check to make sure the edges are sealed the first few times and then lay them out in a single layer on cutting board or cookie sheet to rest.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Freezing the ravioli before you cook them yields better results. You can drop them into boiling water and then scoop them out and cover them with sauce, but for this thanksgiving treat — we browned some of Miyoko’s vegan butter and crisped up the ravioli on both sides with some holy basil out of the garden, and then sprinkled with vegan parm.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">You can’t eat just one!</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #303030; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.75em; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Oh yeah – and – if you have more pasta than energy to make ravioli — you can slice the sheets up into linguine or fettuccine, or make farfalle (butterfly or bowtie pasta) just by cutting squares and pinch in the middle. In all cases — leave pasta on a cookie sheet to rest and freeze or dry. You can also tightly wrap leftover pasta ball with plastic wrap and refrigerate to roll out later.</em></p></div><div><em style="box-sizing: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></em></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-3658083504078873642018-11-11T10:30:00.002-08:002018-11-11T10:30:29.782-08:00Exploration: Reducing Refrigerator DependenceThe recent fires in Butte County have given me a lot of time to think, while hiding out from the smoke filled skies of the Bay Area. I read that PG&E had considered shutting down the power grid -- but did not, and conditions resulted in the massive wildfire that decimated the town of Paradise and the evacuation of over 50K people.<br />
<br />
One of the key considerations is the reliance on electricity and the challenges faced by less affluent households when the power goes out: they can't afford solar panels or generators to keep their food in the fridge. If you're not in a hospital or nursing facility, or dependent on electricity for some kind of healthcare related system -- your biggest risk is your week (or more) of food in the refrigerator and freezer.<br />
<br />
So, how can we reduce our dependence on the refrigerator? I found this interesting article about the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/10/the-huge-chill-why-are-american-refrigerators-so-big/280275/" target="_blank">history of refrigerators in the US</a> -- and it got me wondering whether I could cut back my use of the refrigerator to a point where I would not lose perishables in a power outage of longer than 2-3 days (or however long a refrigerator stays cold).<br />
<br />
This would require changing my shopping habits -- making purchases of fresh vegetables more frequently -- and not storing anything in the freezer. I would also have to stop stocking up on perishables like vegan cheeses, seitan and condiments. I've already experimented with using my Excalibur dehydrator to dry pesto and harissa -- and this year, I canned all my enchilada sauce (but not my tomato juice, for example). <br />
<br />
I'm going to start working toward reducing perishables in my freezer and fridge - and identifying foods that don't need to be kept in the fridge (does the hot sauce really need to be refrigerated?). <br />
<br />
If you have any experience with such an experiment -- I'd love to hear from you!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-11340953897971903132012-07-20T18:26:00.001-07:002012-07-21T08:56:29.467-07:00Plum Jelly Round-UpEarlier this year, tired of squirrel bandits on my bird feeders - I discovered that I could trap them in my Hav-A-Hart trap -- and relocated 3 of 5 squirrels to a park two miles away. The unexpected upside of this is that my neighbors finally got tree-ripened loquats and I had a LOT more plums on the tree in my backyard this year -- I harvested about 125 lbs in the two days before July 4th!<br />
<br />
I barely had room in my freezer and fridge to put all the juice and puree -- and this week I am making up jelly -- a lot of it!<br />
<br />
<b>Plum-Habanero</b><br />
16 c plum juice + 1 c lemon juice + 4 c sugar + 5Tb & 1tsp pectin +
5Tb & 1tsp calcium water + 3.75 oz habaneros (seeds cut out) =<br />
<ul>
<li>21- half pints plum habanero jelly</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Plum-Habanero-Lemongrass</b><br />
<ul>
<li>18 - half pints </li>
<li>15 - quarter pints</li>
</ul>
<b>Plum</b><br />
20 cups of plum juice + 5 c sugar + pectin/calcium water + 1 c lemon
juice =<br />
<ul>
<li>11 - 20 oz jars </li>
<li>13 - half pints</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Plum-Lemongrass</b><br />
24 cups of plum juice + 6 c sugar + pectin/calcium water + 1 1/4 c lemon juice + lemongrass = <br />
<ul>
<li>33 - half pints </li>
</ul>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-54061028877537131512012-07-16T08:17:00.000-07:002012-07-21T08:45:52.004-07:00Zucchini & Tomato SoupWhat else do you do with a giant zucchini - or two - but make a pot of soup (if you aren't making my Zucchin-Carrot Relish!) -- here are a couple recipes I have made recently, and since I put the information in on a web app - actually have the caloric data for it!<br />
<br />
I threw in 3-4 frozen cubes of home made basil-garlic-raw almond pesto - so made the almonds an optional ingredient here, as well as the olive oil. I also have a lot of roasted red padron puree in the freezer from last fall - one ice cube is roughly 1/4 c, I think, and I added that in - you could substitute Harissa paste (if you want heat), or chopped fresh red or green bell peppers. Or throw in any spicy chopped peppers!<br />
<br />
<b>INGREDIENTS:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>8 c zucchini, skin on, cut into large chunks (remove pithy parts and large seeds) (168 calories)</li>
<li>4 c crushed canned tomatoes (312 calories)</li>
<li>2 oz dried shitake mushrooms (200 calories) - or - 16 oz fresh button mushrooms, sliced</li>
<li>6 Carrots (150 calories)</li>
<li>1-2 c broccolini greens & florets (45 calories) </li>
<li>8 Garlic, Cloves, Fresh (35 calories)</li>
<li>1/2 c chopped basil leaves (4 calories)</li>
<li>2 c sweet/Vidalia onion, chopped or sliced to preference (128 calories) </li>
<li>2 T dried Thyme (or double fresh) (16 calories)</li>
<li>3 c cabbage, chopped (66 calories)</li>
<li>1/2 c green onion, chopped (9 calories)</li>
<li>8 c vegetable stock (160 calories)</li>
<li>2 packages Westsoy Chicken Style Seitan (770 calories) </li>
<li>1 bunch of chopped parsley (16 calories)</li>
</ul>
<i>Optional:</i><br />
<ul>
<li>1.5 T Red miso (the refrigerated kind) (45 calories)</li>
<li>3 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (120 calories)</li>
<li>3 Tb raw almonds, finely ground (102 calories)</li>
<li>1/4 roasted red padron puree (9 calories)</li>
</ul>
<b>DIRECTIONS:</b> <br />
<ol>
<li>Break up the dried mushrooms into quarters or smaller and place into a heat proof dish or pan; pour boiling water over the mushrooms and allow to steep while you assemble the rest of the soup.</li>
<li>Pour the stock into the pan - note - I used tomato juice from canning tomatoes last year -- which is just the water that was around the seeds. As I seed the tomatoes before putting them in the pot, I put all the seeds into a metal mesh strainer and then stir them around to get all that water out separately and save it for soups. In this case, about 5 cups of my vegetable stock was tomato water (not sauce!). If you like more tomatoey flavor, throw in another can or pint jar of crushed tomatoes -- they'll break down and give you plenty of flavor.</li>
<li>Add the Westsoy Chicken-Style Seitan - be sure to keep the broth in the container, it's tasty stuff - and tear up any extra large pieces of seitan with your fingers. </li>
<li>Add the carrots first - I slice them on the diagonal for nice big chunks, and put them into the stock first while it's heating up. Add in the rest of the veggies items as ready -- and add additional water to cover if needed.</li>
<li>Reserve for last (as in - just a few minutes before serving) any fresh herbs and the red miso paste (which you can dissolve with a small whisk separately before adding in).</li>
<li>Salt & pepper to taste -- and yes, this a HUGE pot of soup but you can eat as much as you want because the entire thing is a whopping 2300 calories -- 12 large servings at 191 calories each!</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-90890609221855862562012-07-01T08:48:00.000-07:002012-07-21T08:56:05.598-07:00Zucchini Vegetable Farro Soup (no onions/no garlic)I made this giant pot of soup and shared it with my family - the corn kernels mix in with the similarly sized farro and provide a nice counterpoint of flavor and texture. Tarragon & thyme provide the flavor - no onions or garlic in this soup, resulted in a soup that was sweet from the corn and carrots only.<br />
<br />
<b>INGREDIENTS:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>10 c zucchini, skin on, cut into large chunks (remove pithy parts and large seeds if using monster zukes) (210 calories)</li>
<li>6 carrots (150 calories)</li>
<li>4 c crushed canned tomatoes (312 calories)</li>
<li>2 c farro (400 calories)</li>
<li>4 c broccoli or other sturdy greens like collards (140 calories) </li>
<li>1 oz dried shitake mushrooms (100 calories) - or - 8 oz fresh button mushrooms, sliced</li>
<li>16 c vegetable stock (400 calories)</li>
<li>2 packages Westsoy Chicken Style Seitan (770 calories) </li>
<li>2 ears of corn, cut off the cob (147 calories)</li>
<li>3 Tb "Mellow" white miso (90 calories)</li>
<li>4 tsp red miso (45 calories)</li>
<li>Dried herbs to taste - I used lots of tarragon & thyme</li>
</ul>
<b>DIRECTIONS:</b> <br />
<ol>
<li>Break up the dried mushrooms into quarters or smaller, place in a heat proof dish or pan and cover with boiling water to steep while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. When they are soft, add the pieces and the water to the pot.</li>
<li>Pour the stock into a very large pot -- if you cut down the stock by half and use water instead, the soup will probably taste just as good! Use what you have on hand!</li>
<li>Add the carrots first - I cut them up into big chunks, and put them in the pot so that they cook up faster.</li>
<li>Be sure to add the stock from the seitan package - it's yummy! If you don't have this brand available where you live - substitute your favorite seitan or even some nice smoked tofu (yum!). </li>
<li>Add the miso paste last -- you will want to take some stock or hot water and dissolve it so that it mixes into the soup better.</li>
<li>Don't cut yourself cutting the fresh corn off the cob - after cutting off the niblets, be sure to scrape the cob with the back of your knife over the pot to get all the juice and flavor out of the corn cob (yum!).</li>
</ol>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-77513432110478684622012-06-07T09:35:00.003-07:002012-07-21T08:56:44.637-07:00Summer Strawberry Jicama Slaw<b>Summer Strawberry Jicama Slaw </b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">INGREDIENTS: </span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped small (not fine)</li>
<li>1 cup jicama, julienned</li>
<li>1-2 limes</li>
<li>1/4 c finely minced mint leaves</li>
<li>salt, tiny pinch</li>
<li>champagne vinegar, 1 tsp</li>
<li>(optional) 1 small jalapeno pepper, finely minced</li>
<li>(optional) 3 Tb toasted pumpkin seeds</li>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">DIRECTIONS:</span></b> <br />
Toss
ingredients and serve at room temperature - the crispy sweet jicama
makes a delicious counterpoint to the sweeter and more tender berries,
with a little acid from lime/vinegar to punch it up, and complemented by
the mint & spicy jalapeno pepper.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">BONUS: </span></b>Turn this slaw into a salsa
by chopping up the strawberries & jicama into smaller bits and
adding half a chopped red onion and two pressed garlic cloves.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>SUBSTITUTIONS: </b></span>if you can't find jicama, substitute cabbage for a slaw, or cucumber (no seeds, please!) for the salsa or a chunky salad.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-85996305808979752042012-02-08T20:20:00.001-08:002012-02-08T20:23:28.669-08:00Pears, Persimmons & SourdoughWell, it's been a while! What can I say except that things got away from me. I visited family in November, my mother visited for 3 weeks in December, plus I had to deal with the 8 weeks long chest cold from hell. <br />
<br />
My chief culinary accomplishments of late fall and early winter include:<br />
<br />
<b>PEARS: </b>My friend George forwarded me a note from a community list along with a photo of a gorgeously laden and tempting looking pear tree. I harvested about 30+ lbs of small pears which seemed quite hard, along with my friend Veronika. The location was near Oakland's Chinatown, so while we were back there, some neighbors came by and also harvested some pears. V and I thought they were kind of firm but one lady bit into it and said they were good.<br />
<br />
The pears were small, a bit mealy and very hard. They had a yellow-green skin under a brown layer that scraped off with light application of fingernail or nylon scrubby pad. I washed all the pears and laid them out to ripen on trays. And waited. And waited. After 2 weeks, some of them just went mushy, so I did some research.<br />
<br />
What I discovered is that there are some old varieties of pears that are only for cooking - I think these pears were Kiefer pears. So, I poached some pears and they came out so amazingly delicious! I canned the rest of the pears in several batches - some with light syrup and some with light syrup and spices (clove, cinnamon, star anise). I'll be set for a while for canned pears, I promise some lovely pear photos.<br />
<br />
<b>PEAR VINEGAR: </b>As Marilee from Urban Legend Cellars said, "folks don't know how EASY it is to make vinegar!" I put a big pile of pear peelings and cores into a gallon glass jar with distilled water - and I keep adding water and aerating it. It's now growing a mother on top - just like kombucha or Bragg's apple cider vinegar! Soon I will get up the nerve to taste my pear vinegar. Expanded post with pictures coming soon.<br />
<br />
<b>GROUND CHERRY JELLY:</b> the ground cherries kept going long after everything else quit. The one Giant Ground Cherry plant I got from Annie's is still going out there - and I hope to promote those for the next season over the smaller kind. I made up 12 half pints of jelly but it didn't set as firmly as I want, so the jars are still on the kitchen windowsill waiting to be remade (or poured over pound cake and ice cream, tough call).<br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>PERSIMMONS:</b> In early November, I made my annual harvest of persimmons from Larissa & Geoff's 3 story high Hachiya persimmon tree. After I picked about 200 persimmons in early November, left them to ripen while I was gone for a week - and ripen they did! Then I and dried them all - with some pulp in the freezer as usual. I made two giant trays of persimmon bread pudding for Holly & Marina's wedding reception - it was very well received and there were no leftovers!<br />
<br />
<b>SOURDOUGH: </b>I took a Sour Flour class just a few days into the onset of the Horrible Chest Cold from Hell - and had mixed results with the starter (it eventually died). I plan to get some starter from a neighbor named Ana.<br />
<br />
<b>GARDEN - Veggies vs Flowers:</b> no, I did not manage to get my winter greens garden in properly this year again. However, I did manage to keep alive my digitalis purpura and put it in the ground, along with some jasmine and a 2-stick rose plant - so there will be lovely scented flowering things along the fence in my garden. The brugmansia that I got as a leafless wine barrel size root ball from Freecycle is flourishing in the side yard and sending up leaves and new growth, fingers x'd that I will have some lovely scented angel trumpets in the spring.<br />
<br />
The broccoli di cicco has gone feral and seems to be flowering continuously - an attack of little grey aphid-y things on the broccoli, mustard and broccoli rab volunteers makes them inedible but I am leaving the large stand of broccoli di cicco because it seems to be making the honeybees very happy. Once my other flowering plants start producing flowers, I will tear it out to make space for tomatoes.<br />
<br />
What I love about my neighborhood is that you get random curb scores - I got a paper grocery sack half full of rhizomes labeled "FREE!" Purple and light blue irises!" which are going into the ground along the house by my steps this week.<br />
<br />
<br />
Wow! And here I thought I hadn't done much - it turns out I've just been a lazy blogger! I promise to make it up to you, the one reader who still checks in on my blog occasionally (hi Aunt Sue!) and some backdated posts that I obviously owe are coming this week!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-67659393408281406512011-11-30T12:44:00.001-08:002011-11-30T12:44:49.039-08:00Dried Tomato DisappointmentLooking for tea today, I moved my quart jar of dried Principe Borghese tomatoes - 8 lbs fresh. Full of little worms covered in webbing (not moving around). *sigh* It only cost $5.60 for the tomatoes, but it took me a while to pick them and then wash, dry, slice and dehydrate them... I guess it's good I didn't eat them. Was it one bad tomato? Were there several? I'll never know. I wonder if I should have frozen the dried tomatoes after they cooled off (just put the whole jar in the freezer, right?)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-48424392810220873022011-11-03T09:19:00.000-07:002011-11-03T09:19:22.316-07:00REPOST: Backyard Crop & Preserves Swap<b>Backyard Crop and Preserved Food Swap <br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1320336570_0">THIS SATURDAY<br />
11-2 pm</span> @ <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1320336570_1">North Oakland</span> Farmers' Market<br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1320336570_2">5715 Market St, Oakland</span></b>co-sponsored by EBCA Swappers and<b> </b>Victory Garden Foundation<br />
<br />
This is a special Fall Harvest edition of our monthly Backyard Crop Swaps!<br />
<br />
Bring all your excesses from your fall harvest and swap them with your neighbors. <br />
Fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, etc. Anything you grow or raise yourself is fair game & totally swappable. <br />
<br />
This time we will also have "put up" items for swap as well. Bring a few jars of that jam you just made. How about pickles or pasta sauce? Turn your mass amounts of one thing in to a bunch of different things. <br />
<br />
Don't forget to tell your friends, family, & neighbors!<br />
<b><br />
</b>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-36502045882063065912011-11-02T21:16:00.000-07:002011-11-03T09:18:05.857-07:00Ground Cherries!I ended up with about a gallon of ground cherries - cooked them down and finished making the jelly. I had the same issue as last year - it doesn't seem to want to set very well, but finally set with a very soft jell - just perfect for eating out of the jar!<br />
<br />
<b>Ground Cherry Jelly</b><br />
12 - 8 oz jarsJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-85629780203796478982011-10-28T09:14:00.000-07:002011-10-28T09:14:30.802-07:00Pears!In the first week of October, a friend forwarded an e-mail to me with a photo attached of a pear tree about to break under its own weight. I made arrangements and arrived at the warehouse space near Jack London Square to investigate - the pears were different from other pears I have seen - dark brown on the outside, like a sunburn that scratches off, to a light green underneath. The pears were hard and either under-ripe or just not dessert pears - but there were a lot of them so I set to work harvesting.<br />
<br />
<br />
I poached two dozen of them the next day, and set rest out on trays in single layers to ripen - and a week later, still not ripe, I did some research and found an interesting article on <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Keys-to-the-Kieffer-Pear&id=2812930">Kieffer Pears</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
I think that the tree is possibly a Kieffer Pear - not so great for eating raw, but excellent for canning. The pears are usually ripe in October, just as hard as they were back in July, and the trees often grow so tall that most people can't pick all the fruit easily.<br />
<br />
However - the pears lack the sort of rusty stipple - but look more like Passe Crassane in the picture here: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.frenchgardening.com/tech.html?pid=1139483932219159"> http://www.frenchgardening.com/tech.html?pid=1139483932219159</a><br />
<br />
An interesting tip I picked up from these articles is that you should not store any of the pears too close to tomatoes or other fruit while you're letting them ripen - the esters will cause the softer fruits to speed up too much and get moldy (I realized this with some tomatoes that were on the table with the pears!).<br />
<br />
After about three weeks of ripening indoors - some of the pears turned into little squishy spore bombs, so I decided it was time. I decided to do a batch of canned pears in light syrup with vanilla and a batch of pickled pears (apple cider vinegar & spices). I still have 3 trays of pears with blemishes and am going to make some pear chutney - and then maybe I'll try my hand at chow-chow since I have some green tomatoes!<br />
<br />
<b>Canned Pears</b><br />
<ul><li>4 quarts & 1 pint canned pears, plain</li>
<li>8 qts & 3 pints canned pears, with vanilla</li>
<li>1 qt & 9 pints pickled pears</li>
</ul>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-16391134125264534732011-10-04T19:07:00.001-07:002011-10-04T19:07:20.426-07:00Goodbye, Garden!Goodbye, garden! We just didn't get warm enough and you were not the most disappointing garden - last year was pretty bad. At least I got a few more tomatoes than last year but I can't believe that even the zucchini weren't even half as productive compared to last year. <br />
<br />
Time to dump Kassenhoff and get on the ball with starting my own tomatoes in January since their tomato plants never seem to thrive or produce.<br />
<br />
After it's done raining, I'm pulling up the sorrel and useless feral arugula (with teeny leaves) and planting some cauliflower, broccoli, mustard, radishes, daikon and stuff... probably too late to sow seeds directly into the ground with this early rain.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-77212171069664937622011-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:002011-10-28T09:25:32.727-07:00Fall TomatoesAfter spending 4 hours at Mariquita's farms in Gilroy, exhausted from picking 160 lbs of tomatoes - I wasn't sure I'd have energy for much else. It took nearly a full week for me to process two big batches of marinara and one big batch of pottsville relish!<br />
<br />
The part that seems to take the most time is the same regardless of equipment - the foodmill. I use the food mill attachment on my Kitchen Aid, but I am pretty sure it took a lot longer using a chinois. I have to stop and take it apart to get all the skins out - but the chinois was a lot more physical labor.<br />
<br />
Since I often cook red wine into my pasta sauce, I decided to put it in the sauce while I was cooking it down. I made sure to add lemon juice to each quart this year and processed everything nice and hot for a good 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
<b>Tomato sauce</b><br />
<ul><li>27 qts</li>
</ul><b>Pottsville relish</b><br />
<ul><li>~2 gallons (forgot to count jars!)</li>
</ul><b>Tomato juice</b><br />
<ul><li> 4 qts, frozen</li>
</ul>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-2430986704057491042011-09-13T22:02:00.000-07:002011-11-10T22:07:15.298-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 16 - Round-up<b>Week 1 (2500 mi): </b><br />
<br />
1. August 19 - Oakland to SLC<br />
2. August 20 - SLC to Sidney NE <br />
<ul><li>City Cakes & Cafe (<a href="http://www.citycakescafe.com/">http://www.citycakescafe.com</a>)</li>
<li>Anong's Thai Cuisine in Rawlins (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=3756428376724009430">http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=3756428376724009430</a>)</li>
<li>A&G Surplus, Rawlins</li>
<li>Cabela's </li>
</ul>3. August 21 - Sidney NE to Des Moines IA<br />
<ul><li>Wave Pizza, Grand Island, NE <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pizza+grand+island+Nebraska&fb=1&gl=us&hq=pizza&hnear=0x87998644ec7765f7:0xa12d5b784951b17b,Grand+Island,+NE&cid=9953004828580824796">http://maps.google.com/maps/place?oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pizza+grand+island+Nebraska&fb=1&gl=us&hq=pizza&hnear=0x87998644ec7765f7:0xa12d5b784951b17b,Grand+Island,+NE&cid=9953004828580824796</a></li>
<li>more bad pizza in IA (cute hotel tho)<br />
</li>
</ul>4. August 22 - Des Moines IA to Mentor OH<br />
<ul><li>Sullivan's Grocery, Dixon IL</li>
</ul>5. August 23-24 - Mentor OH<br />
<ul><li>Tommy's on Coventry (<a href="http://www.tommyscoventry.com/">http://www.tommyscoventry.com/</a>)</li>
<li>Ferrara's, Mayfield Heights OH</li>
<li>Thai Orchid, Mentor (<a href="http://www.thaiorchidmentor.com/">http://www.thaiorchidmentor.com/</a>)<cite> </cite></li>
<li>High Thai'd Restaurant, Cleveland Hts (<a href="http://www.highthai.com/">http://www.highthai.com/</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul><b>Week 2 (1694 mi):<br />
</b>1. August 25 - Mentor OH to Toledo OH (149 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (<a href="http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ottawa/">http://www.fws.gov/midwest/ottawa/</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul>2. August 26 - Toledo OH to Elgin IL (325 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Indiana Dunes</li>
<li>Karyn's on Green (<a href="http://www.karynsongreen.com/">http://www.karynsongreen.com/</a>)</li>
<li>Burnridge Forest, Elgin IL (<a href="http://kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11">http://kaneforest.com/ForestPreserveView.aspx?ID=11</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul>3. August 27 - Elgin IL to Briggs Forest, Iowa (329 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Landmark Family Restaurant</li>
<li>Cedar Rock (<a href="http://www.stateparks.com/cedar_rock.html">http://www.stateparks.com/cedar_rock.html</a>)</li>
<li>Roots Market (<a href="http://www.rootsmarket.net/">http://www.rootsmarket.net/</a>)</li>
<li>Briggs Woods Campground, Independence Iowa (<a href="http://www.briggswoods.com/">http://www.briggswoods.com/</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul>4. August 28 - Independence IA to O'Neill NE (275 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Barn Quilts <a href="http://develop.hamiltoncountyiowa.com/html/barn_quilts.html">http://develop.hamiltoncountyiowa.com/html/barn_quilts.html</a> and <a href="http://www.barnquilts.com/">http://www.barnquilts.com/</a></li>
<li>Elms Motel, O'Neill NE (two thumbs up!)<br />
</li>
</ul>5. August 29 - O'Neill NE to Manderson SD (250 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Wounded Knee Monument</li>
</ul>6. August 30 - Manderson SD to Custer SP (226 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Earth Goods (<a href="http://earthgoodsnaturalfoods.com/">http://earthgoodsnaturalfoods.com/</a>)</li>
<li>Custer SP and Wildlife Loop (<a href="http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/default.aspx">http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/default.aspx</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Blue Bell Campground, Custer SP</li>
<li>Dakotamart, Custer SD</li>
</ul>7. August 31 - Custer SP to Rapid City (140 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Mt Rushmore</li>
<li>Cabela's</li>
<li>Crazy Horse Monument (<a href="http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/">http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul><b>Week 3 (1326 mi):<br />
</b>8. Sept 1 - Custer SP to Buffalo WY (300 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Custer Post Office</li>
<li>Wyoming Welcome Center on 90/14</li>
<li>Aladdin General Store</li>
<li>Devil's Tower National Monument (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm">http://www.nps.gov/deto/index.htm</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Blue Gables, Buffalo WY (<a href="http://www.bluegables.com/">http://www.bluegables.com/</a>)</li>
</ul>9. Sept 2 - Buffalo WY to Old Faithful (326 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Big Horn Powersports (<a href="http://www.bighornpowersports.com/">http://www.bighornpowersports.com/</a>), Sheridan WY</li>
<li>Mountain High Natural Grocery, Cody WY (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/mountain-high-health-foods-cody">http://www.yelp.com/biz/mountain-high-health-foods-cody</a>)</li>
<li>Old Faithful Snow Lodge (<a href="http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/old-faithful-snow-lodge-cabins-131.html">http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/old-faithful-snow-lodge-cabins-131.html</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Old Faithful, Yellowstone<br />
</li>
</ul>10. Sept 3 - Old Faithful to Mammothsite (55 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Old Faithful, Yellowstone</li>
<li>Yellowstone Geothermal features</li>
<li>Mammothsite</li>
</ul>11. Sept 4 - Mammothsite to Jackson (175 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Canyon</li>
<li>Yellowstone egress by Tetons</li>
<li>Lotus Cafe (<a href="http://tetonlotuscafe.com/">http://tetonlotuscafe.com</a>), Jackson WY</li>
</ul>12. Sept 5 (320 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Breakfast in Jackson @Lotus Cafe</li>
<li>Gas in Idaho Falls, meet up with KTM of Aspen group (<a href="http://rmrwinc.com/pages/home.html">http://rmrwinc.com/pages/home.html</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Craters of the Moon (<a href="http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm">http://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Galena Summit (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galena_Summit">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galena_Summit</a>)/Sawtooth Range (no camera batteries!)</li>
<li>Sawtooth-Idaho Scenic Byway (<a href="http://www.idahobyways.gov/byways/sawtooth.aspx">http://www.idahobyways.gov/byways/sawtooth.aspx</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Stanley (<a href="http://www.stanleycc.org/">http://www.stanleycc.org/</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Casino Campground/hot spring</li>
</ul>13. Sept 6<br />
<ul><li>Soak in hot spring (<a href="http://www.stanleycc.org/do/hot-springs/">http://www.stanleycc.org/do/hot-springs/</a>)</li>
<li>Back Eddy, Stanley ID (<a href="http://www.backeddysmarket.com/">http://www.backeddysmarket.com/</a>)</li>
<li>McCoy's Tackle & Gift Shop (<a href="http://www.mccoystackleshop.com/">http://www.mccoystackleshop.com/</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Papa Brunee's Pizza place, Stanley (the BEST well water I have ever tasted! I filled up my Camelback before leaving town!)<br />
</li>
<li>Laundry, Stanley</li>
<li>Riverwear (<a href="http://www.riverwear.com/">http://www.riverwear.com/</a>) for cool stickers!<br />
</li>
</ul><br />
14. Sept 7 (150 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Kirkham Hot Spring (<a href="http://www.idahohotsprings.com/destinations/kirkham/">http://www.idahohotsprings.com/destinations/kirkham/</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Big Twin Power Sports, Boise (<a href="http://www.bigtwincycles.com/">http://www.bigtwincycles.com/</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Shangri La Tea House & Cafe, Boise (<a href="http://www.shangri-latearoomandcafe.com/">http://www.shangri-latearoomandcafe.com/</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul><b>Week 4 (950 mi):<br />
</b>15. Sept 8 (275 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Shangri La Tea House & Cafe</li>
<li>Willowcreek Cafe, Vale (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/WillowcreekStoreCafe">http://www.facebook.com/WillowcreekStoreCafe</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>El Dorado Ditch Co Restaurant, Unity (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/eldorado-ditch-co-restaurant-unity">http://www.yelp.com/biz/eldorado-ditch-co-restaurant-unity</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Quilts & Beyond, Prairie City</li>
<li>John Day Quilt Show</li>
<li>Rory & Ryan - Burns, OR (<a href="http://www.burnsorhotel.com/">http://www.burnsorhotel.com/</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul>16. Sept 9<br />
<ul><li>Harney County Fair (<a href="http://www.co.harney.or.us/countyfair.html">http://www.co.harney.or.us/countyfair.html</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul>17. Sept 10 (325 mi)<br />
<ul><li>BLM Wild Horse Corrals (<a href="http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/wildhorse/corral.php">http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/wildhorse/corral.php</a>)<br />
</li>
<li>Manzanita Lake Cottages, Lassen National Volcanic Park (<a href="http://www.lassenrecreation.com/where_to_stay/index.php">http://www.lassenrecreation.com/where_to_stay/index.php</a>)<br />
</li>
</ul>18. Sept 11 (350 mi)<br />
<ul><li>Sierra Hot Springs (<a href="http://www.sierrahotsprings.org/">http://www.sierrahotsprings.org/</a>)</li>
</ul>###Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-61266562054077762312011-09-12T21:22:00.000-07:002011-11-10T21:25:13.098-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 15 - PackingI just don't know how to successfully pack for multi-week, multi climate trips - I ended up sending home the sleep sack that I bought and buying a warmer sleep sack - and then even ended up sleeping indoors more than expected because I brought a bivy instead of a tent.<br />
<br />
Packed up and leaving Ohio (2011-08-25)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6147727729/" title="IMG_0065 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0065" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6147727729_17529936bd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Just a day out from Cleveland in Indiana (2011-08-26) - note: I'm actually wearing my Camelback, but discovered that it actually tired out my shoulders wearing it all the time over my jacket.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6148310796/" title="SAM_0166 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0166" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6148310796_a6447c6edc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This is what it looked like in Wyoming (2011--09-01):<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6147930433/" title="IMG_0165 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0165" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6147930433_7c7749e28a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Wearing my new hi-vis jacket, above Prairie OR (2011-09-08):<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151373966/" title="SAM_0678 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0678" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6151373966_23b5026efc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This is just before getting home, in Lassen (2011-09-11):<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151550192/" title="SAM_0864 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0864" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6151550192_536ea4790a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
On my way from California to Ohio, I realized that just trying to put the big stuff sacks on the back was not going to work - I wanted a waterproof duffel so that I wouldn't have to worry about stuffing things into smaller sacks. I attached it with a 6' motorcycle tiedown (double duty - in case I needed it for actually tying down the motorcycle) and a bungee through the handle on each side to the luggage rack.<br />
<br />
I wasn't clever enough to take pictures of the contents - I am very impressed with the level of organization in some of these postings!<br />
<br />
Basically it was like this:<br />
<br />
Tank bag:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>bandanas x2</li>
<li>headlamp</li>
<li>maps</li>
<li>phone</li>
<li>gps</li>
<li>Solio charger</li>
<li>glasses/cases (I wear separate Rx glasses & sunglasses)</li>
<li>sunblock (which I never used)</li>
<li>hairbrush</li>
</ul><br />
Jacket pockets:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>phone</li>
<li>camera</li>
<li>wallet</li>
<li>lip balm, antacid, bandana, tissues</li>
</ul><br />
Camelback backpack:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>1.5 L water bladder</li>
<li>a couple paperback books</li>
<li>charger cables for phone & camera</li>
<li>extra layer (or stuff in the jacket liner)</li>
</ul><br />
Cabela's waterproof duffel:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>North Face Bivy</li>
<li>Sleeping bag</li>
<li>very small hammock</li>
<li>big agnes sleep pad</li>
<li>Keen sandals inside (cheapie flip flops clipped to the outside)</li>
<li>Clothing - probably took more than I should have but I didn't want to be doing laundry every two days!</li>
</ul><br />
Jandd cordura mountain bike panniers:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>toiletries</li>
<li>towel</li>
<li>swimsuit</li>
<li>rain pants</li>
<li>pack covers (for panniers & duffel - orange for visibility)</li>
<li>food - lots of udon noodles & cubes of veggie stock, tea, miso, couscous, gravy packets, dried veggies, Bumble Bars</li>
<li>spicewheel (from <a href="http://www.ratpak.com/">http://www.ratpak.com/</a>)</li>
<li>teeny stove & isopro fuel</li>
<li>nesting pair of pans, bowl, insulated stainless steel cup</li>
<li>Alite Monarch butterfly folding chair</li>
<li>tool kit</li>
<li>extra tube</li>
</ul><br />
I ended up making about 4 boxes back home to ship back tie downs, trinkets, gifts, broken glasses, sleeping bag, clothing & books I finished.<br />
<br />
Next time - I'm just bringing the regular tent, not the bivy - unless it is >60 degrees at night, I just get too cold sleeping outdoors in a hammock or bivy. The bivy was fine in Illinois but in Iowa with storms coming in - it got too cold and I was up putting on all my layers at 2:30am. <br />
<br />
That is - for a real camping trip. I think I might just take Custer SP Blue Bell Campground host Vern's suggestion and look at overnights at state parks and KOAs with cheap cabins for the next multi week road trip - there's so much less overhead in unpacking, setting up, breaking down and packing for a longer trip that it seems like it would be more fun (and lighter) that way.<br />
<br />
Next time, I'll actually wear my sunblock on my face - or get some sort of UV block for my visor - I ended up with some solar radiation damage on my face between the bottom of my sunglasses where there is a gap above the bottom of the face opening.<br />
<br />
I'll also make sure I have actual waterproofing on my coat!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-79231390917765675362011-09-11T21:04:00.000-07:002011-11-10T21:06:42.574-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 14 - Lassen<b>Sunday (9/11)</b> morning, I awoke and realized that I had a lot more miles to put on to get home. I had a quick breakfast of tea and a now rancid Bumble bar (blech!) then headed off on Hwy 89 through Lassen. Amazing, gorgeous views but damned cameras die again!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151537606/" title="SAM_0827 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0827" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6151537606_19e351befa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150991039/" title="SAM_0828 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0828" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6150991039_dfef04d152.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150991761/" title="SAM_0830 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0830" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6150991761_632002f04c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151539568/" title="SAM_0832 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0832" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6151539568_ec0efc7dff.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
September is alpine spring in Lassen!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151539934/" title="SAM_0833 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0833" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6171/6151539934_6124842f34.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150994373/" title="SAM_0837 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0837" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6150994373_f337e9b6ed.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
The roads were gorgeous, amazing and fun - and there were not really any other cars on them!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151543770/" title="SAM_0844 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0844" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6151543770_a0ba4d8363.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
There was still quite a lot of snow up there:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150999625/" title="SAM_0853 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0853" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6150999625_34e060491d.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<br />
Can you see how clear that lake is?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151000773/" title="SAM_0857 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0857" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6151000773_6561268416.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151001049/" title="SAM_0858 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0858" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6151001049_28835c6b3f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
There's a name for this rock - it's leftover from a glacier or something:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151549550/" title="SAM_0862 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0862" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6151549550_6a1bfc6c6e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
Second to last picture before my camera died on me:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151550192/" title="SAM_0864 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0864" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6151550192_536ea4790a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
The rest of the drive down Hwy 89 was just stupendous - it's absolutely beautiful there. I did see a lot more highway patrol and sheriff cars than at any other place or time on my trip, so I was very careful not to enjoy the road too much. <br />
<br />
I arrived at Sierra Hot Springs for a soak - I was disappointed that the cafe was closed as I was counting on it for lunch. Overall, the pools did not impress me much either - the main pool was quite dirty. Some guests said that a load of folks from Burningman had been hanging out there all night (eww! nobody cleans the pool after large groups?) but that doesn't result in a heavy scummy layer of ick at the waterline and hairballs at the bottom. The sandy bottom of the hot pool was novel but also full of hair. I took a nice hot shower and got back on the bike, pinning it all the way down 80 til I got hit with a small rain squall and could not see. I powered through 200 miles, stopping once for gas, and got home to see my kitties, make dinner, sleep in my own bed!<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="400" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Manzanita+Lake,+Lassen+Volcanic+National+Park,+Shingletown,+CA&daddr=Sierra+Hot+Springs,+Campbell+Hot+Springs+Road,+Sierraville,+CA+to:North+Oakland,+california&hl=en&geocode=FeHvaQIdoGLD-CERkT16t87y7A%3BFQDhWwIdK6LT-CHfbtJsWNossw%3BFUzZQAIddkq2-CkD7aooi32FgDFnk3U11RW0cQ&aq=&sll=40.035275,-120.945475&sspn=1.179699,2.197266&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=39.147103,-121.256104&spn=3.407911,3.834229&z=7&output=embed" width="350"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Manzanita+Lake,+Lassen+Volcanic+National+Park,+Shingletown,+CA&daddr=Sierra+Hot+Springs,+Campbell+Hot+Springs+Road,+Sierraville,+CA+to:North+Oakland,+california&hl=en&geocode=FeHvaQIdoGLD-CERkT16t87y7A%3BFQDhWwIdK6LT-CHfbtJsWNossw%3BFUzZQAIddkq2-CkD7aooi32FgDFnk3U11RW0cQ&aq=&sll=40.035275,-120.945475&sspn=1.179699,2.197266&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=39.147103,-121.256104&spn=3.407911,3.834229&z=7" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-27460013438189189232011-09-10T21:30:00.000-07:002011-11-10T19:35:19.732-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 13 - Wild Horses & Hwy 395 South to California<b>Saturday (9/10)</b> morning, I found myself almost instantly at the BLM Wild Horse pens -- I had to find a turnout and make a u-turn to go back! The gate was open but the place appeared abandoned, except for hundreds of gorgeous horses in different pens.<br />
<br />
The first pen seemed to have the wildest bunch of horses - I suppose they get more exposure to people, cars and the rare motorcycle that way. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151518934/" title="SAM_0776 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0776" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6151518934_3c34d92bff.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151521368/" title="SAM_0783 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0783" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6151521368_f67c5d6ebf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
It was amazing to watch this first group of horses move around as a herd - it was like watching starlings or other birds moving around in big clouds. The horses shifted back and forth, quivered, waited anxiously - wondering whether something was going to happen, prepared to dart off, despite their confinement.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151520660/" title="SAM_0781 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0781" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6151520660_1cd932de1d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
It seemed like the babies all looked like the mommas!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150974025/" title="SAM_0782 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0782" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6150974025_df407eba97.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151528574/" title="SAM_0802 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0802" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6151528574_2a421663c5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151529330/" title="SAM_0804 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0804" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6151529330_f5da9dac9c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Other pens had slightly less jittery horses, some were getting to be downright friendly and came up to the fence to see if I had brought them any treats.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150975139/" title="SAM_0785 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0785" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6150975139_459893a926.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151525230/" title="SAM_0793 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0793" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6151525230_d478631777.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150980141/" title="SAM_0798 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0798" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6150980141_b76243f754.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One of the hands at the ranch told me that there was a special type of horse that was going to be auctioned off - but the rest could be had for $125 if you had a trailer and a place to keep a horse!<br />
<br />
Heading south on 395, the terrain changes to high desert with wide open, subtle landscapes and gorgeous skies. I guess a lot of people don't find it attractive but I quite enjoyed it and would not ever think of calling it ugly. Just when I was getting into a groove - along comes a really big lake - just one of those areas that photos don't do justice.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151534558/" title="SAM_0817 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0817" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6151534558_25337a7e9d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151534810/" title="SAM_0818 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0818" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6151534810_6a675a11e8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150988185/" title="SAM_0819 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0819" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6202/6150988185_0c58e782cc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
I stopped for gas in Lakeview - where the two teenagers on duty were very attentive, admired my Zombie hunting permit on my windscreen and sighed loudly that they were envious of my trip. Just past the shut-down downtown, I found a little Sunday lunch at a cafe with a great big motorcycle parked there. It was all pretty blue and chrome -- and the driver was just as shiny, so I sat at the counter and struck up conversation. Turns out Jason is from the East Bay but heading north! <br />
<br />
Admire Jason's pretty motorcycle here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151534154/" title="IMG_0299 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0299" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6151534154_980e20312a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150987275/" title="IMG_0300 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0300" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6150987275_b57abb8ea8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />
After eating my iceberg lettuce, toast and ...yeah, that's pretty much all they had that was vegan at this stop - I continued south, heading for Lassen. I was out of camp stove fuel, so I thought I'd be clever and try to find some on the way down - stopping several times at places that promised outdoors/outfitter/camping/fishing supplies. I was a bit concerned about being able to have dinner or breakfast since I didn't see a restaurant in Lassen.<br />
<br />
I arrived at Manzanita Lake just in time to get a walk-in cabin, buy isopro fuel, beer and a few vegetables before they closed the store at 5 or 6 or whatever it was. I got a cute little cabin, unloaded my gear, set up my hammock on the porch and proceeded to enjoy a cold beer, chocolate and my book for an hour or so before exploring the campground and the little chilly lake.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151536646/" title="SAM_0824 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0824" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6151536646_8c676cd55d.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151536334/" title="SAM_0823 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0823" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6151536334_36900b0a3f.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150988751/" title="SAM_0821 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0821" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6150988751_a8aeef8c1b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I had a hot shower, then returned to my cabin to make dinner (more udon noodles with curry and veg), drink beer and hang out with my neighbors at their fire, tell ghost stories to their children and acquire the brightest green laser pointer ever from the camp host.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="435" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Rory+%26+Ryan+Inn,+Hines,+OR&daddr=lakeview,+or+to:Manzanita+Lake,+Lassen+Volcanic+National+Park,+Shingletown,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FaYUmAId58Dm-CGZ6HEvkAEFpA%3BFeS_gwIdQKvT-CkNlL0n1pPJVDFpO5Q4Xsmoiw%3BFeHvaQIdoGLD-CERkT16t87y7A&aq=0&sll=40.784701,-120.52002&sspn=2.333228,4.394531&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.016652,-120.344238&spn=3.550264,4.020996&z=7&output=embed" width="365"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Rory+%26+Ryan+Inn,+Hines,+OR&daddr=lakeview,+or+to:Manzanita+Lake,+Lassen+Volcanic+National+Park,+Shingletown,+CA&hl=en&geocode=FaYUmAId58Dm-CGZ6HEvkAEFpA%3BFeS_gwIdQKvT-CkNlL0n1pPJVDFpO5Q4Xsmoiw%3BFeHvaQIdoGLD-CERkT16t87y7A&aq=0&sll=40.784701,-120.52002&sspn=2.333228,4.394531&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=42.016652,-120.344238&spn=3.550264,4.020996&z=7" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-75536209087094938182011-09-09T23:00:00.000-07:002011-11-10T18:57:54.773-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 12 - Rodeo & County Fair<b>Friday (9/9)</b>, after making my intentions to stay another night official to the management, I made breakfast and then spent a couple luxurious hours reading in the hot tub all by myself. The only other occupant in the pool house was a moth that I rescued from the pool - and who disappeared after his wings dried off. It was very relaxing.<br />
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Finally, I got dressed and headed to the fair - taking little other than my camera, wallet and recommendation to try the special donut holes made by the local Lyons club - you got it - "Lyon's balls." <br />
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First, I checked out the exhibits - there was a lot of random crap there, I have to say. While there were some good photos - there were SO MANY photos - and just about everyone got a ribbon. There were crafts but there was also a huge amount of ephemera - like a pair of mason jars purporting to date to 1916 - with a blue ribbon for first place, and old books dating back to 1910 -- seriously? I am looking into this for local county fairs so I can get some ribbons for random antique or odd items.<br />
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There were some quilts - but they were all one one rack and not displayed very well:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151517250/" title="SAM_0751 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6151517250_b15f13fec8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0751"></a><br />
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There were also plenty of hand-sewn items - some rather odd entries but I'll leave it to your imagination.<br />
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The produce was more interesting and fun - though you can probably only look at about 12 giant zucchini before you wonder how pithy they are inside and whether they are worth eating. I think the giant cabbages were probably excellent though.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151517650/" title="SAM_0752 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6151517650_fc09b9c579.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0752"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151508702/" title="SAM_0755 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6151508702_17504fac77.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0755"></a><br />
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The preserves were very interesting and lots of fun to see the patterns and types of things folks made. Not a single entry for ground cherry jelly!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151510960/" title="SAM_0762 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6151510960_c6054b9105.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0762"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150964371/" title="SAM_0764 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6150964371_9fd67aa959.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0764"></a><br />
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Someone made zucchini pickles like I do!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151512264/" title="SAM_0766 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6151512264_711c397a51.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0766"></a><br />
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This area had a high number of anti-abortion billboards, and this was only one of a couple anti-abortion displays in the exhibition halls:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151513222/" title="SAM_0769 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/6151513222_9840643901.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="SAM_0769"></a><br />
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Finally, I went to the grandstand where they started some of the rodeo contests for roping and barrel racing - the little kids on horses were so much fun! I had a couple beers and made conversation with some local folks. Someone recommended that I check out the BLM wild horse pens just past town on my way out. There were a LOT of Clarks participating in the day's events!<br />
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The guys had a hard time catching this horse:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150968879/" title="IMG_0294 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6150968879_f48a5b33d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0294"></a><br />
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The race started, and the horses hadn't even gone all the way around when one horse got pushed by another into a wall, threw his rider, then freaked out and caught his leg on the fence - apparently breaking his leg all the way through. The rider did not get up and was carted off in an ambulance, the horse was sedated and taken away in a trailer, probably to his doom. It was at that point that I decided it was time to take a break and head back to make dinner and watch things not involving death and hospitalization.<br />
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The evening rodeo performance was mostly steer roping and steer riding - it was very amusing and I kept rooting for the steers! Again - lots of Clarks present. I made friends with a 3 and 4 year old who were sitting behind me and utterly fascinated with my yellow high vis jacket. I shared some of my pictures with them and they were so cute that when the rodeo ended - I said it was nice to meet them and you know what they said? "Thank you for showing us your pictures!" Mom had not even coached them - I can't even get a prompt thank you for a gift from certain younger relatives - and here these little gentlemen were thanking me for showing them pictures of groundhogs and burros! <br />
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I have firmly decided that cowboy hats only look good on cowboys under the age of 11 or so. <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150969213/" title="IMG_0298 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6150969213_6ac2338f24.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0298"></a>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-6460815501558040702011-09-08T23:11:00.000-07:002011-11-10T17:15:21.375-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 11 - Eastern Oregon<b>Thursday (9/8)</b> morning, stomach still bothering me, I packed up and headed out. On my way to the motorcycle, I spied a preying mantis on the ground - looking like he was having a pretty hard morning:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150810559/" title="IMG_0242 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0242" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6150810559_d0c5464420.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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For breakfast, I headed back to Shangri La and took up the loveseat, enjoyed a nice tofu scramble and ordered a falafel sandwich to go for lunch later. I also found myself powerless to resist the charms of a certain necklace in the jewelry case (made by the owner's husband!). Next stop was at Co-Op in Boise for antacids, drinks & snacks. This was probably one of the best grocery stores I have been to on this trip - it was full of high quality products and piles of local produce (including golden chanterelles from Eastern Oregon!). At a red light, another motorcyclist waves at me and comes up to introduce himself as a fellow ADV Rider who had seen my request for recommendations for motorcycles with tires in stock.<br />
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As I head out of Boise, I am sad to note that one of the freeway overcrossings has a big sign for "Black Cat Road" - but there aren't any nearby offramps and I don't want to do a 15 mile detour to get a picture of the sign. The terrain becomes more agricultural and I can smell spinach and onions at the same time, like a big Greek salad!<br />
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My plan for the next several days is to stop before I think I need to - and hydrate more. My stomach is still a bit off - so I stop at a store that promises alcohol, tobacco, firearms, pawn and cold drinks for a rest stop.<br />
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After that, I go from nice rolling farm land onto Hwy 26 where the farmland is flat and hot. Lots of big big ag completely lacking places to stop to eat my sandwich. Finally, I stop at Willow Creek Cafe in Vale, OR where I get permission to eat my sandwich, order tea and find myself regaled with macabre tales of true crime and dumbassery in a charming cafe where the walls are covered with these amazing Log Cabin quilts that have rounded edges and curves (with Log Cabin?) made by Bev, the owner. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150825221/" title="SAM_0649 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0649" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6150825221_f336271aa2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151373240/" title="SAM_0650 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0650" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6151373240_f7c270d36b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Once the tales of true crime (some dentist killed his wife by strangling her with a piano wire or something) are exhausted, talk turns to travel and "what are you doing on that motorcycle?" The farmer and his daughter (who appears to be about my age) talk about her brief time in Portland - which he thought was quite dangerous, and then he proceeds to tell me about his trip to Oakland with a load of onions, casually dropping in the word "Negroes" (which he pronounces as "NIG-rows"). We discuss my route and the three of them agree that there is absolutely nothing redeeming to see on my route - it's just not nice - and I'd be better off taking the shorter route. <br />
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After warning me how dangerous it is in eastern Oregon and that there are bad people who might cause me harm, the other two guests leave. Now that I have her to myself, I get Bev to lead me on a grand tour of her quilts, she graciously answers my questions and gives me her two instruction books so I can learn to make such awesome quilts myself!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150824461/" title="SAM_0647 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0647" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6150824461_2e8fd5991a.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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At a stop for gas a few miles away, an old farmer in a cowboy hat exits the store as I am removing my helmet, and looks quite astonished, remarking "Why a lady motor-sickle rider!" <br />
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I've rather run out of responses - since he's right on both counts and his lack of exposure to women on motorcycles is pretty funny since I don't think he'd react like that to a woman on some big ag combine or something. <br />
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Hwy 26 features more buttes, rolling hills, antelope and antelope. It's actually quite pretty and nice, with lots of variation along the long straightaways. There's no traffic and I'm still not seeing any law enforcement - wishing I had a street bike to go ZOOM! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151478004/" title="SAM_0656 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0656" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6156/6151478004_8768944d36.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150930613/" title="SAM_0657 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0657" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6150930613_83f1e5a14f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150931181/" title="SAM_0659 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0659" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6150931181_a2c0f083d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150931677/" title="SAM_0661 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0661" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6150931677_0a12cdd686.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150931949/" title="SAM_0662 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0662" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6150931949_5b20e8670f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150932317/" title="SAM_0663 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0663" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6150932317_36847d1cf7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151480282/" title="SAM_0664 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0664" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6151480282_dbd64e5662.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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My next stop is at the El Dorado Restaurant in Unity where I drink iced tea and chat with owner, Kathy. After hearing my story about the quilts at Willow Creek, she suggests that I visit a quilt shop in Prarie City owned by her friends. I pop into the local post office to mail home my new quilt books - afraid they'll get wet by the dark clouds ahead and not willing to unpack the entire duffel - and notice a bunch of cute kitties across the street! Then, I get introductions by a woman named Memory to all her cute kitties.<br />
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Simba - king of the orange kittens!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150827215/" title="IMG_0249 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0249" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6150827215_5a86b1f6f8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Uggers<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151473440/" title="IMG_0250 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0250" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6151473440_33127ea1a5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Kitties put on a show for me!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150926375/" title="IMG_0255 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0255" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6150926375_19d4812028.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Hiding!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150926989/" title="IMG_0258 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0258" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6150926989_cb7858332a.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151474820/" title="IMG_0259 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0259" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6151474820_8c05c9f479.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Baby Blue Eyes (all the cuter being crossed!)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151474996/" title="IMG_0261 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0261" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6151474996_e78f824598.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Momma's got TWO extra toes!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150929551/" title="IMG_0278 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0278" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6150929551_2db3d2e806.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Babies at play<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150929925/" title="IMG_0282 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0282" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6150929925_70356437e2.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Leaving Unity:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150932967/" title="SAM_0665 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0665" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6150932967_0617c4b850.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I have to confess that I thought the folks at Willow Creek Cafe were just having one over on me - I continued to see gorgeous scenery going into Prairie City and was glad that I pointed my wheels toward a place on the map with the words "forest" and "Malheur" - bringing to my mind the image of some forested mountains, desolate and beautiful - and so far, not disappointing. Even before I got to Unity, the skies were pink from the sun going through the haze of smoke blowing over from Central Oregon forest fires is making the sky pink - and there were also giant piles of clouds that look to threaten rain never produce anything on my route.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150933355/" title="SAM_0666 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0666" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6150933355_d37b0ddcb8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150933729/" title="SAM_0667 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0667" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6150933729_92f09b70d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Just above Prairie City, I stopped to admire the views and a giant Conestoga Wagon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151482002/" title="SAM_0669 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0669" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6151482002_a136261932.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150936081/" title="SAM_0674 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0674" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6150936081_d8725422dc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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My new jacket sure stands out in this weather!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150937053/" title="SAM_0677 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0677" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6150937053_724dc9f27d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Prairie City was as quaint as can be and I found my way to the quilt shop just in time to meet Viola who lead me to the John Day fairgrounds to get a sneak preview of the quilt show and buy a quilt kit so I can make gorgeous stars like those in this quilt:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151492228/" title="SAM_0700 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0700" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6151492228_d534fcd7d9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I won't overwhelm with too many quilt photos - you can see them all here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/sets/72157627555096609/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/sets/72157627555096609/</a><br />
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I think this was my favorite one:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151497416/" title="SAM_0716 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0716" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6151497416_e9bc9923c7.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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After many warnings about deer, I left the kind folks at the John Day County Fair Grounds, bought gas at Clark & Canyon City Blvd and got on my way.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151485256/" title="IMG_0286 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0286" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/6151485256_c26e02a0f5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Going through the Malheur Forest was gorgeous -- just all amazing - forests, prairie, mountains buttes -- I was just bummed that it was already getting dark. I did not see a single deer.<br />
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When I arrived in Burns, I soon discovered that the first few hotels were sold out! Apparently, this is because of the county fair and rodeo. I end up at Rory & Ryan's based on a a review by Super Suz and got a discount on the efficiency apartment unit with a kitchen. As soon as the pretty concierge informed me that both her brothers were going to be at the Friday night rodeo - I decided to stick around. I'd never been to a rodeo before!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Holiday+Inn+Express,+South+Vista+Avenue,+Boise,+ID&daddr=Shangri-La+Tea+Room+%26+Cafe,+West+Overland+Road,+Boise,+ID+to:Co-Op+grocery,+boise+id+to:4712+John+Day+Highway,+Vale,+OR+97918-5063+%28Willow+Creek+Store%29+to:el+dorado+ditch+co,+unity+or+to:Quilts+N%27+Beyond,+Prairie+City,+OR+to:john+day+fair+grounds,+john+day+or+to:Rory+%26+Ryan+Inn,+Hines,+OR&hl=en&geocode=Fbf0mAIdNbYS-SEyxB81QpTBWg%3BFawimQIdnOAS-SF3buBNOJrS8ykxYGl3afiuVDFJwWl7SPO8FA%3BFdmgmQIdmvQS-SHv1VCtNg_HTA%3BFdohoQIdbigB-SHsfQzOB9xw8SnTrL62uV6lVDG03zvp9ymoUQ%3BFZwNpgId9LD0-CG8OcWm-HoccSmx0fWhrtW6VDHtpbeXzJt0TA%3BFRtzpgIdWKLs-CEgOEQnoTsY2Clh7hTXThi7VDGCnyC2wXWMzg%3BFSDLpQIdAPTo-CHlj79uw2NsUQ%3BFaYUmAId58Dm-CGZ6HEvkAEFpA&aq=1&sll=44.08038,-117.57257&sspn=2.213702,4.394531&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=44.079693,-117.564697&spn=2.762281,4.669189&z=7&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Holiday+Inn+Express,+South+Vista+Avenue,+Boise,+ID&daddr=Shangri-La+Tea+Room+%26+Cafe,+West+Overland+Road,+Boise,+ID+to:Co-Op+grocery,+boise+id+to:4712+John+Day+Highway,+Vale,+OR+97918-5063+%28Willow+Creek+Store%29+to:el+dorado+ditch+co,+unity+or+to:Quilts+N%27+Beyond,+Prairie+City,+OR+to:john+day+fair+grounds,+john+day+or+to:Rory+%26+Ryan+Inn,+Hines,+OR&hl=en&geocode=Fbf0mAIdNbYS-SEyxB81QpTBWg%3BFawimQIdnOAS-SF3buBNOJrS8ykxYGl3afiuVDFJwWl7SPO8FA%3BFdmgmQIdmvQS-SHv1VCtNg_HTA%3BFdohoQIdbigB-SHsfQzOB9xw8SnTrL62uV6lVDG03zvp9ymoUQ%3BFZwNpgId9LD0-CG8OcWm-HoccSmx0fWhrtW6VDHtpbeXzJt0TA%3BFRtzpgIdWKLs-CEgOEQnoTsY2Clh7hTXThi7VDGCnyC2wXWMzg%3BFSDLpQIdAPTo-CHlj79uw2NsUQ%3BFaYUmAId58Dm-CGZ6HEvkAEFpA&aq=1&sll=44.08038,-117.57257&sspn=2.213702,4.394531&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=44.079693,-117.564697&spn=2.762281,4.669189&z=7" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454419.post-78853533272015220262011-09-07T23:30:00.000-07:002011-11-10T15:19:43.487-08:00Jenn's Big Summer Adventure: Part 10 - Idaho, Ho!<b>Monday (9/5) </b>- after packing up, I headed to breakfast at Lotus Cafe and ordered for vegan reuben sandwich to go - when I was nearly done with my breakfast, I reminded the server about the rueben and got it packed up and put it on my pack.<br />
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I had fun drive over the pass - it's quite pretty and quite a quick little ride with nice broad sweepers and plenty of places to pass the slow moving Harleys. My first stop was in Idaho Falls for fuel where I met with a whole bunch of guys with KTMs on trailers and in the backs of trucks. They were not part of some special KTM event, but they were all from KTM of Aspen and also going to Stanley to camp. <br />
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The guys introduced themselves as Tino, Spencer, Mike, Dave & Joe. Tino & Spencer told me about their chosen campground and invited me to camp with them. I took them up on their offer and went into the grocery store to get some beer and other stuff to throw into Tino's cooler. We compared routes - they were planning to stay onward when I veered left at Arco to go find Craters of the Moon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151350080/" title="IMG_0225 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0225" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6151350080_c180c96997.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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The terrain changed from rolling agricultural land with antelopes to flat desert/prairie plains as I approached "Atomic City." There were some big buttes in the middle of nowhere - and big dark clouds to my left but no rain, more windiness but it was tolerable. I got to Arco and found a little picnic bench on the side of the main road for my lunch. Sadly, I opened it up and discovered that Lotus Cafe had packed up a pastrami rather than the requested vegan rueben (grr), so handed it off to Tino for his cooler when they caught up with me.<br />
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I waved off the KTM of Aspen guys on as they head to Stanley the more direct route, and I had a chat with an Canadian ADVRider member who was doing Continental Divide (or returning home from it) - but totally am blanking on his name.<br />
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Finally, I head off to Craters of the Moon and notice that I seem to be going right into the dark storm clouds approaching me on the road. The wind really picks up and almost sweeps me off the road! This was the first time that I considered actually turning around to try to outrun the wind or a storm - I had to plant both feet on the ground and was short of anything that would look like a wind break. Then I crept along and realized that Craters of the Moon park was actually 20 feet away just past the tiny rise - so I proceeded. <br />
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As I was pulling out my maps in the parking lot, a woman and her family came up to tell me how worried they were - they were behind me and said that the last gust of wind was really scary from where they were, they were certain I was going to end up with the rubber side up. Her teenage son forgot this concern when he saw me take off my helmet and said "You're a WOMAN??" and continued to exercise his foot/mouth prerogative with various pronouncements about the badassery of being on a motorcycle and traveling "like that" and the conditions. <br />
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Needless to say - the weather conditions did not make for exciting photography, and both camera batteries died, but I did get some nice photos.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150805675/" title="SAM_0625 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0625" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6150805675_01179984c7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151354136/" title="SAM_0626 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0626" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6151354136_2e35d785c4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151354674/" title="SAM_0627 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0627" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6151354674_af5cf61bcb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Lava fields for as far as the eye can see - looks like broken chocolate (not chocolate you dropped on the floor, but chocolate you were heating up and which had too much water in it and gets all weird and lumpy). This photo was not shot in black and white!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151357024/" title="SAM_0634 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0634" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6151357024_e83a418ba1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Nice clouds, eh?<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150803119/" title="IMG_0232 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0232" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6150803119_f0734cc478.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Finally, I leave the park and head up to Stanley - via a whole bunch of dumb little towns and low speed limits - get over the Galena pass to Sawtooth Wilderness - ridiculously beautiful!<br />
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This is where I am really seriously disappointed - my batteries all died and there wasn't enough sun for my little Solio charger. I have NO photos. This area approaching and on the other side of the Galena Summit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galena_Summit) was so amazingly beautiful - I just found myself smiling like a loon, laughing and giggling at the incredible, overwhelming gorgeousness of it all. <br />
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Passing through Stanley, I knew I was close and easily found Casino Campground where I was to meet up with Tino & his camp mates. Tino was still at the camp to show me the way - and I realized that I had passed the whole group at the hot spring on the side of the road on my way in. We went for a soak in the hot spring by the river, then returned to camp to make our dinners, stoke a roaring big fire, drink beer and have a raucous good time.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Alpine+Motel,+South+Jean+Street,+Jackson,+WY&daddr=Idaho+Falls,+ID+to:Arco,+ID+to:Craters+of+the+Moon+National+Wilderness+Area,+Arco,+ID+to:Stanley,+ID+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=Fe5ulwIdXvxl-SGbKZNzFjem2ykbq1V2QxpTUzHavOgrV6tDKg%3BFUOhlwIdVH9S-Sm1EpVzTllUUzHJSUwJ_MkRIw%3BFVnXmQIdxCw_-SndU9yRi_lVUzFJLOxEYKoQiw%3BFT0ZlgIdydY7-Sl1msWcjWyqVDF9QxZ3oIDUXw%3BFVuxogIdTjAm-SmbY_1ZVfaoVDGLkQr7osTIuQ%3BFdRQowId2m8n-Q&aq=1&sll=44.251901,-114.848714&sspn=0.017245,0.034332&vpsrc=6&mra=dme&mrsp=5&sz=15&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=43.628123,-112.862549&spn=2.385665,5.493164&z=7&output=embed" width="500"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Alpine+Motel,+South+Jean+Street,+Jackson,+WY&daddr=Idaho+Falls,+ID+to:Arco,+ID+to:Craters+of+the+Moon+National+Wilderness+Area,+Arco,+ID+to:Stanley,+ID+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&geocode=Fe5ulwIdXvxl-SGbKZNzFjem2ykbq1V2QxpTUzHavOgrV6tDKg%3BFUOhlwIdVH9S-Sm1EpVzTllUUzHJSUwJ_MkRIw%3BFVnXmQIdxCw_-SndU9yRi_lVUzFJLOxEYKoQiw%3BFT0ZlgIdydY7-Sl1msWcjWyqVDF9QxZ3oIDUXw%3BFVuxogIdTjAm-SmbY_1ZVfaoVDGLkQr7osTIuQ%3BFdRQowId2m8n-Q&aq=1&sll=44.251901,-114.848714&sspn=0.017245,0.034332&vpsrc=6&mra=dme&mrsp=5&sz=15&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=43.628123,-112.862549&spn=2.385665,5.493164&z=7" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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<b>Tuesday (9/6) </b>morning couldn't arrive any sooner - my new sleeping bag was not enough for sleeping outdoors without a tent or additional blankets and I was ready for a return to the hot spring!<br />
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With all the beer dranking the previous night, Tino and Joe were a bit hung over. Since Mike was working on Dave's bike, four of us head to the hot spring and hang out for a lot longer than we intended, laughing at Joe's plumber stories. <br />
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Though I would really want to join them on the trails - everyone agreed that my rear tire did not look robust enough to go off road. With the extra weight of my gear PLUS my fat ass, it was wearing smooth. I think the rough grading going up Galena Summit and some of the roads in Wyoming helped - in addition to riding long periods of time heating up the tires.<br />
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So, when we return, the guys have to get into gear to catch up with Mike & Dave - my plans were to I hang at camp, soak in hot springs and relax while they go off to enjoy the trails. I head into Stanley for laundry, charge up my devices and find lunch at the pizza joint next door. Stanley has the most awesome views of the mountains - huge wide dirt streets where folks kick up their heels at weekly dances with live music in the summers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151357586/" title="IMG_0235 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0235" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6151357586_a0ffc3786a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6150809537/" title="IMG_0236 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0236" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6150809537_cea9d9567a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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While I waited for my machines, I checked out local shops. At "Back Eddy," I had a nice chat with Noelle, picked up a pretty silver chain with turquoise pendant and a recommendation for Kirkham Hot Springs. <br />
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On my way back to camp, I picked up ice for coolers, soft drinks and cool Sawtooth Recreational Area stickers for everyone. I saw more dark clouds and returned to camp in time to grab everyone's open duffel bags of clothes, bedding and other camp gear to put under cover as a storm passes over. Just as I got Tino's EZ-Up canopy assembled and was opening my bottle of wine, Mike returns towing Dave -- which was awesome because I've heard about that technique but have never seen it before! I greeted each returning rider with a cold Pellegrino limonata. Mike worked on Dave's motorcycle and I helped the guys gather wood for the fire. Dinner was a bit more subdued this evening. <br />
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<b>Wednesday (9/7)</b> morning, I packed up while the guys got ready to hit the trail. Mike and I talked a bit about my route - and I was starting to feel nervous about my rear tire. Plus - I was having a stomachache. I had a bit of a flare-up of queasiness the previous morning and then again after lunch - but felt fine after my udon noodles and broth after dinner. This morning, though, my stomach just started hurting and didn't stop. <br />
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So, I cruised down Hwy 21 - trying to enjoy the ride, despite stomachache and apprehension about the rear tire but there was a little matter of the air being completely grey with smoke from a nearby forestfire PLUS ongoing roadwork with the additional disgusting smell of asphalt and traffic stops (hot asphalt + hot sun = no fun!). One of the construction flaggers said she had a horrible migraine the previous day from the combination of heat, forest fire smoke and asphalt smells. <br />
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I finally did make it to Kirkham - thinking that I would miss it, but it was right on the side of the road! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151362422/" title="SAM_0645 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0645" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6151362422_dff9c549da.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151357412/" title="SAM_0646 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0646" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6151357412_ba57becca6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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This was probably one of the best hot springs I have ever visited - gorgeous, pools of all different temperatures and right on the river. A man who had visited a couple times earlier in the year said that as the summer progressed and the river got lower, there were more pools. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151359460/" title="SAM_0637 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0637" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6151359460_63295e667f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The water was incredibly clear - with sandy bottomed pools and large boulders for backrests:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151359150/" title="SAM_0636 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0636" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6151359150_23e2e2d41f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The gorgeous river:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151361028/" title="SAM_0641 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0641" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6151361028_c5408572ca.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151361348/" title="SAM_0642 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0642" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6151361348_ed02491f3d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennconspiracy/6151361744/" title="SAM_0643 by jennconspiracy, on Flickr"><img alt="SAM_0643" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6151361744_a85ba0a386.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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As I got closer to Boise and descended the mountains, the ambient temperature start going up. My stomachache wasn't going away and it was already quite late in the afternoon. Neither maps or iPhone helped me out much in trying to figure out "where do I go next?" upon arriving in Boise - so I looked for the first port in a storm. What I thought was the office of a storage unit franchise turned out to be the extremely well appointed offices of a local contractor/architect. <br />
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One of the partners was a very friendly man who set me up with some cold water and I posted around trying to find a place that had a rear tire for me. I discovered Big Twin had three tire options for me - and one of the contractor's employees had arrived on his motorcycle, and offered to sherpa me to Big Twin. 4:30 pm found me cooling off in Big Twin, drinking copious amounts of water while I waited for the tire change and repair of the broken rear left turn signal. I also ended up buying a new jacket and Big Twin's Kevin offered to shop home my other jacket (which I packed up in a box to make myself useful). <br />
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Exhausted - I didn't look too far and ended up at a super spendy Holiday Inn, showered and headed to Shangri La for dinner, Boise's only vegetarian cafe. My stomach still hurt - eating food did not help (as it does for ulcers) and I went to the ER at St Luke's. The only good that came out of it was that they determined that my appendix, pancreas and gallbladder were all fine, the doctor "discovered" that I had no spleen (though it was the first thing I mentioned in my intake interview) and I was given an Rx for ulcer medication. I don't have ulcers, I think it was possibly food poisoning but am pretty sad about the wasted two hours and hundreds of dollars at St Luke's, though I did get to meet the lovely doctor who said "You can call me Brad." <br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Stanley,+ID+to:Kirkham+Hot+Springs+Campground,+ID+to:Big+Twin,+South+Orchard+Street,+Boise,+ID+to:Holiday+Inn+Express,+South+Vista+Avenue,+Boise,+ID+to:Shangri-La+Tea+Room+%26+Cafe,+West+Overland+Road,+Boise,+ID+to:St+Luke%27s+Hospital:+Cherny+W+Bruce+MD,+East+Idaho+Street,+Boise,+ID+to:Holiday+Inn+Express,+South+Vista+Avenue,+Boise,+ID&hl=en&geocode=FdRQowId2m8n-Q%3BFVuxogIdTjAm-SmbY_1ZVfaoVDGLkQr7osTIuQ%3BFc99oAIdnfQc-SHnKdY0bSduOg%3BFR7tmAIdokYS-SFIzt47nU7Kaym3-nq0wVeuVDEnjaWCojla2g%3BFbf0mAIdNbYS-SEyxB81QpTBWg%3BFawimQIdnOAS-SF3buBNOJrS8ykxYGl3afiuVDFJwWl7SPO8FA%3BFYV4mQIddQUT-SGl_OBT3z6mBSlfNGvL_fiuVDELay5gYS5v4g%3BFbf0mAIdNbYS-SEyxB81QpTBWg&aq=0&sll=44.237745,-114.896385&sspn=0.068996,0.137329&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=43.961191,-115.548706&spn=1.38391,2.334595&z=8&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Stanley,+ID+to:Kirkham+Hot+Springs+Campground,+ID+to:Big+Twin,+South+Orchard+Street,+Boise,+ID+to:Holiday+Inn+Express,+South+Vista+Avenue,+Boise,+ID+to:Shangri-La+Tea+Room+%26+Cafe,+West+Overland+Road,+Boise,+ID+to:St+Luke%27s+Hospital:+Cherny+W+Bruce+MD,+East+Idaho+Street,+Boise,+ID+to:Holiday+Inn+Express,+South+Vista+Avenue,+Boise,+ID&hl=en&geocode=FdRQowId2m8n-Q%3BFVuxogIdTjAm-SmbY_1ZVfaoVDGLkQr7osTIuQ%3BFc99oAIdnfQc-SHnKdY0bSduOg%3BFR7tmAIdokYS-SFIzt47nU7Kaym3-nq0wVeuVDEnjaWCojla2g%3BFbf0mAIdNbYS-SEyxB81QpTBWg%3BFawimQIdnOAS-SF3buBNOJrS8ykxYGl3afiuVDFJwWl7SPO8FA%3BFYV4mQIddQUT-SGl_OBT3z6mBSlfNGvL_fiuVDELay5gYS5v4g%3BFbf0mAIdNbYS-SEyxB81QpTBWg&aq=0&sll=44.237745,-114.896385&sspn=0.068996,0.137329&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=43.961191,-115.548706&spn=1.38391,2.334595&z=8" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.com0