Cast Iron Cooking Tips

Tools you can use. “When you are cooking with a cast iron skillet, you want to have either a spider skillet with three legs to go over your coals,” Julie says, “or if you’re using a flat-bottomed skillet, make sure you have a nice round or square portable camping grate.”

Cast Iron Prep pays off. “Whether it’s a favorite easy chili recipe, pancakes or easy apple slump, just have your ingredients pre-chopped, individually bagged and ready to go ahead of time,” Julie recommends. “Then all you have to do is add and cook at camp.”

Don’t forget potholders. Cast iron gets hot. “Please use two heavy-duty oven mitts and when serving from the skillet, you can put a handle cover over the handle to prevent anyone else from burning themselves,” Julie says.

Cast iron clean up! “Cast iron pans come pre-seasoned now, so they are simple to maintain,” Julie says. “Just rinse out with hot water dry over the grill or fire, then with a hot mitt on, carefully rub with a little oil to soak into the pores. Moisturize your pans just like you would your skin. If you rub it with a little olive or grape seed after each use, you won’t need to do much more. If things start to stick, rub with more oil or cook bacon in the pan!”

No cast iron in the dishwasher! You may be tempted when you get home to stick your skillet in the dishwasher to get rid of tough smells but Julie has a better way, “If you have just cooked fish or onions in the pan and can’t get rid of the smell, scrub using a plastic scouring pad a little oil and sea salt or kosher salt, then rinse with hot water. This will take away any odor.” And it will preserve your cast iron’s seasoned surface.

1/2  pound dry, uncooked angel hair pasta
1/3  cup olive oil
3  cloves garlic, minced
3/4  cup chopped yellow onion
1/2  teaspoon smoked paprika
1  14.5-ounce can chopped tomatoes with juice
1/2  teaspoon saffron threads
4  cups chicken broth
1/2  pound medium prawns, deveined and peeled

Fideus de Gambas

Preheat your skillet to 350 degrees. (Julie’s rule of thumb for guessing approximate temperature: You should be able to hold your hand a few inches from the pan’s cooking surface for about 5 seconds if it’s about 350 degrees.) Break the noodles into 2- to 3-inch pieces. Heat the oil in a 10- to 12-inch cast iron skillet. Add the noodles and cook, stirring often, until they start to brown, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Then with a spoon, make a hole in the center and add the garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, and then add the onion, paprika, tomatoes with their juice, and saffron. Add the chicken broth, and bring to a boil, stirring often. Cover, placing coals over the top of your cast iron lid, and bake for 30 minutes. Stir in the prawns and bake for 5 minutes more. Serve hot or warm. Serving size is six.

The $250 inReach device couples with an Android phone to send and receive text messages from beyond cell phone range.

The expression “great outdoors” goes beyond mere words. It is a declaration in some cases of its vast size. That’s part of the appeal. But it’s often so big, in fact, that it’s easy to get lost or have problems a long way from civilization. Fortunately, you can find high-tech rescue aids that can bring the right people to the rescue when you really need it.

Because only 10 percent of the planet has active cell phone coverage, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to extend the reach of your mobile device no matter where on earth you are? Well, you’re in luck. The inReach is a new device from DeLorme (800-561-5105, www.delorme.com) that employs two-way satellite communication with global coverage. The $250 inReach device couples with an Android phone to send and receive text messages from beyond cell phone range. By itself, inReach can send pre-recorded messages, but paired with an Android phone, you can send custom text messages even if you are in a dead zone. It features two-way satellite messaging and interactive SOS, allowing you to confirm that your message was received. It also allows remote tracking, so people can find you, or just monitor your progress on a hike. Subscriptions begin at $9.95 per month.

The ACR Electronics ResQLink 406 GPS

Many campers and hikers carry PLBs (personal locator beacons) such as the ACR Electronics ResQLink 406 GPS (800-432-0227, www.acrelectronics.com) to send a distress message via satellite to a rescue agency. A PLB has only one function — to call in the helicopters and show them exactly where you are. With the ACR 406 unit, when the call for help is sent out, the distress signal is received by the global Cospas-Sarsat satellite system and is relayed to the local rescue agency nearest the device’s GPS coordinates. The ResQLink 406 retails for less than $300 at major outdoor retailers such as REI. No subscription is required, but you must register the device.

The SPOT Satellite Messenger

The venerable SPOT Satellite Messenger (866-651-7768, www.findmespot.com) has evolved into a smaller and more powerful device that is capable of not only calling for rescue, but also sending preconfigured messages to folks back home. In addition, SPOT’s new Connect model now allows users to pair with an Android or Apple app via Bluetooth and transmit custom messages up to 41 characters per message (not just prerecorded ones). In addition, SPOT allows you a multitude of options: You can push the SOS button to call for rescue, or you can send a help message to personal contacts to alert them that you need a hand, but the situation isn’t life-threatening so you don’t need search and rescue. You can also send a checking in message so friends and family know you’re OK, or allow them to track your progress as you travel. MSRP is $169.99, and a variable rate subscription is required, depending on what services you want.

These devices make it easier than ever before to call for help if you get in trouble while camping, hiking, climbing or fishing far from civilization. They’re small enough to be carried in a pocket and powerful enough to initiate a rescue no matter where you are in the world.

Boars Den RV

What camping enthusiast hasn’t had to struggle with pitching a tent at one time or another? Add to that irksome task the threat of an impending storm, or just darkness falling, and you have a recipe for taking the fun out of almost any outdoor excursion.

The folks at Wild Boar have been there, done that. After years of hassling with a pop-up tent, scissor jacks and pull-out beds on various outings, they had an epiphany, and now offer the Boar’s Den. The concept wasn’t quite as startling as the discovery of the light bulb or penicillin, but it did solve a problem.

As the name implies, it’s basically a tent in a briefcase, the camping equivalent of a James Bond gadget (but without the smoke bomb, of course). Instead of containing spy gear, this large fiberglass hard shell case, mounted on the roof of a vehicle, quickly transforms into a penthouse campsite.

The Boar’s Den Simplicity

“Simplicity is the key,” points out Wild Boar’s president, Chris Duncan. “Thirty seconds and it’s up.” He’s not kidding. It took longer to open up a can of beans during dinner prep than it did to get the Boar’s Den open and ready for bedtime.

The Boars Den pop-up goes up in 30 seconds!

As you might surmise from the snowcapped mountains looming in the background, a freak storm had rolled through the night before, so we realized firsthand how quickly the weather changes in the deserts of southern Nevada. The speed of assembling this rooftop tent really came in handy, and if you know the prevailing winds in that part of the country, you know how nice it was that the hard shell portion of the Boar’s Den could be positioned as a windbreak.

“We tried making it out of plastic, but found that fiberglass was much more rigid,” explained Duncan. The fiberglass lid can handle some pretty high winds or hail, he adds. A key part of the design is a triangle-shaped tubular brace that flips up to provide a rigid internal structure and extra support for the shell. The Den’s lid is insulated with ¾-inch honeycomb material, lined with carpet as well, and allows for secure mounting of various accessories.

The basic unit sells for $1,895 and a deluxe model goes for as much as $2,495. The option list includes accessories such as 12V power outlets, an audio system, 10-inch LCD TV with DVD player, fold-down table, cup holders, iPod holder and stand, and low-draw LED lights (both interior and exterior, so you don’t have to hold a flashlight in your mouth while trying to set up camp in the dark).

Boars Den interior

No surprise, then, that there was a long line of interested parties (both seasoned campers and urbanites alike) at the product debut, waiting to climb up the ladder and check out the plush interior. Typical comments overheard at the show that came from my better half included, “Honey I would go camping in this.” After noting all the available amenities, most buyers said they would opt for the fully loaded version.

Adding to these conveniences are some other practical aspects. The tent fabric is ripstop nylon and the seams are factory taped to handle heavy weather. Large windows, vents and mesh furnish plenty of ventilation, and a two-speed fan helps push more air through the tent, as well.

For those campers concerned about varmints crawling into their sleeping bag, the Den’s elevated location obviously keeps them at bay. For access, a telescoping ladder attached to the side of the rooftop tent allows for easy entry and egress. The lofty Den’s interior measures 58-by-84 inches with sitting headroom, so there’s snug sleeping room for two people. The memory foam mattress is stored inside the case and is quite comfortable. For long trips we would prefer a slightly denser foam mattress than the one we tested, but that’s mostly because we favor cushy accommodations.

The Den’s cargo rack on top allows you to open the unit without having to relocate your belongings.

The Den’s cargo rack on top allows you to open the unit without having to relocate your belongings. It will fit on most aftermarket rooftop rack systems, but Wild Boar offers its own setup (a Fastback Roof Rack, with the cargo basket removed in place of the Den), along with a range of other Jeep accessories. These include the Wild Boar Fastback hardtop (the most popular product in the company line), along with Wild Boar bumpers, winch housings, tow hooks, brush guards, sidesteps, air scoops and lighting systems.

The Boar’s Den Footprint

The Fastback hardtop, installed on the 2012 Jeep JK Sahara model shown here, earned a Chrysler Design of Excellence Award. Besides having a sporty, sloped shape, it’s constructed of extra-thick, reinforced fiberglass and is nearly double that of standard factory tops, Wild Boar claims. The advantage is reduced flex and vibration, and an optional hand-fitted lining further minimizes both sound and vibration for a quieter interior at speed.

Other features of the Fastback are UV-tinted safety glass, rear window wiper, defroster, gas-lift shocks, plus all the mounting hardware. The exterior is coated with a matte-texture, smudge-resistant finish. Painted versions in factory colors are optional. An unfinished model is also available.

To ensure a secure, solid fit, each top is pre-fitted to a Wrangler’s mounting points at the Wild Boar factory, and all components and hardware are preassembled before shipping. As shown in a sequence of photos on the company website, it simply slides into place over your vehicle’s tailgate, no drilling or custom fabrication required. And this unit is designed to be compatible with all brands of body-mounted cargo rack systems.

The Fastback is available in several configurations for ’07 and later models, ranging from a Solid One-Piece Top (JK & JKU) to an open-air T-Top (JKU only), from Single Sunroof (JK & JKU) and double Sunroof Tops (JKU only).

Other Wild Boar upgrades include the company’s Front Bumper and Brushguard, along with a 1200-pound capacity winch, the Wild Boar Rigid Amber 10-inch light bar and SoundOff Rock lights mounted at the corners of the bumper. A cowling scoop for interior airflow and the company’s Brow Grill with attitude also allow better air dynamics.

To make room for taller tires (Toyo 35×12.50-17 Open Country MTs on bead-lock Raceline rims), the fiberglass fenders are raised, allowing for 35-inch rubber at full suspension articulation, but without requiring any modification to the suspension.

What else is on the horizon from Wild Boar? A four-person Boar’s Den is being developed with additional weather protection. And the company is also working on an enclosed ATV trailer with a Boar’s Den on top.

Pan Fried Trout

“If you are fishing nearby, there’s nothing better than bringing along a little lemon, olive oil and fresh herbs, and cooking your own pan-fried trout right in the skillet,” Julie said. Here’s a recipe she likes.
1 large or 2 small fresh trout, cleaned and filleted
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning fish
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning fish
¼ cup flour
6 tablespoons butter, divided
Juice of one lemon
1 tablespoon capers

Season the trout fillets with salt and pepper. Mix together the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly coat the fish with the flour mixture. Heat three tablespoons of butter in skillet over medium-high heat on a grill, or grate, over a medium-heat fire. Place the fillets flesh side down in the skillet and cook for 5 minutes. Turn over and cook for another 3-to-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in the skillet over medium heat. Stir in the lemon juice and capers. Pour the sauce over the trout and serve. Makes two servings.

West Beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo by Jeff Manuszak.

Lake Michigan splashes its mighty waters on shorelines across four states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and, of course, Michigan. A visit to this great lake offers big-game fishing, swimming, boating and camping, all among breathtaking scenery sprinkled with lighthouses, lush foliage and sparkling fresh water. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is nestled within a crook of Lake Michigan and is declared this week’s National Park Getaway by the National Park Service.

In 1926, Indiana Dunes State Park opened to the public as a small park pushing for National Park inclusion. By 1966, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was established with only 8,330 acres of land and water. Since the 1960s, four bills were passed to expand the park increasing its size to more than 15,000 acres.

Located in northwestern Indiana, along Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore sees nearly 2 million travelers each year. Undoubtedly, these visitors come to see more than 1,100 native plant species, enjoy lakeside sand dunes, take advantage of 45 miles of trails, 15 miles of sandy beach, and, of course, the view of Lake Michigan.

Bird watchers should bring proper binoculars and cameras for a glimpse of more than 352 bird species that soar across and meander through the park. Hikers, bikers, walkers and runners are already taking advantage of the expansive trails. The beach is open, however, currently the water temperature is nearing only the mid-50s and swimming is not advised. The approaching summer weather will blanket the beach with sun-soakers and swimmers, while the lake will offer fishing. Kayakers have already been taking advantage of Lake Michigan’s glimmering waters. Lockers are available at the park for stowing away valuables while enjoying water recreation.

Central Beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo by National Park Service.

With so much biological diversity, it’s no wonder Indiana Dunes Lakeshore sees 46 different mammals, 18 species of amphibians, 23 species of reptiles and 71 species of fish. Whether you’re an animal lover, have kids who love checking out animals or you’re looking to be engulfed in nature, the park offers more than enough opportunity to see a little of everything.

The size and opportunities at the park are a lot to pack into one day but campgrounds are available at the park for a flat site fee of $15. The park offers both tent and dry camping for RVs. For more information check out the website www.nps.gov/indu or call 219-926-7561.

American Avocet

Summer is when many of us head for the water, and that likely means beaches and big lakes with large stretches of shoreline and the likelihood of spending time in the presence of any number and variety of shorebirds. Shorebirds are the waders of the avian world, birds that do not swim like ducks and geese, but are still closely associated with water. Shorebirds feed in the shallows or moist areas at the edges of wetlands, often probing the water for small insects and crustaceans.

From a biological standpoint, the term “shorebird” technically refers to birds belonging to the order, Charadriiformes, which includes plovers, sandpipers, oystercatchers, gulls, stilts and other similar species — the birds you commonly see along coastal beaches and marshes. They are also abundant on shallow inland lakes and wetlands.

Shorebirds are fascinating to birders for a variety of reasons. Some of these birds are strikingly beautiful. The American avocet, a wading bird with slender bluish legs, bold black and white markings on the body and golden-buff plumage on the head and neck is considered by some birders to be the beauty queen of American birds.

UNIQUELY ADAPTED

Long Billed Curlew

Other shorebirds have unique or specialized adaptations that set them apart. Long-billed curlews nest in wetlands and grasslands in the northwestern and north-central United States and southern Canada, migrating to southern coastal areas in the winter. They have exceptionally long, downward-curving bills. The bill of a curlew may exceed 8 inches in length, making it the longest bill of any shorebird in North America; and relative to its size, the curlew has one of the longest bills of any bird in the United States. Curlews use this lengthy probe as a tool for catching insects in tall grass.

Shorebirds also intrigue birders as an identification challenge. While novice birders easily identify many of these birds, distinguishing between certain types of sandpipers and gulls can tax the skill of even the most astute ornithologists. Coupled with the delight of an identification challenge, the travels of these birds are also intriguing. Western sandpipers that measure a mere 6 inches from their bill to tail tips make an incredible migration. These small sandpipers nest on the far reaches of North America on the northern coast of Alaska. In the fall they migrate to the southern coastlines of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in places such as Florida, Texas and California. Other shorebirds push the migration envelope even further. Lesser golden-plovers nest on the barren lands of the high arctic and may winter as far south as southern South America, traveling across two continents on their annual migrations.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Killdeer

Habitat monitors are interested in shorebirds for other reasons. Because they often feed on aquatic organisms and insects, environmental disasters such as oil spills or pollution discharge can quickly affect local shorebird populations. Shorebirds can be impacted by habitat or population problems with their food sources. For example, in 2003 horseshoe crabs experienced a dramatic decline in spawning in Delaware Bay. This prompted red knots, a small shorebird, to alter their migration patterns. Disruptions to normal shorebird activity or declines in the population of certain species may indicate local, regional or even global conditions that negatively affect their habitat.

From killdeers to black-necked stilts, yellowlegs to sandpipers, shorebirds are fascinating to observe and identify. They’re found nearly everywhere you travel in the United States. The more we know about shorebirds, the better we can understand and care for their world, and ours.

Great American Backyard Campout is part of National Wildlife Federation’s “Be Out There” movement, which is designed to provide tools that inspire parents and children to spend time in the outdoors.

“The partnership between Coleman and National Wildlife Federation immediately felt like a natural fit for both of our organizations,” said Robert Marcovitch, president and CEO of Coleman.“We share a common goal of inviting families to engage with the outdoors, while providing them with the resources and equipment that enhances the outdoor experience.”

To make backyard camping even simpler, Coleman and its retail partners are working together to provide campers with high-quality, easy-to-use gear, like the award-winning Instant Tent, which can be pitched in less than a minute.

“Coleman stands for more than outdoor products – we are about the genuine connections and the memories made while families and friends enjoy themselves in the outdoors,” said David Allen, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Coleman. “Getting together in the outdoors is a great way for families to bond and it remains a positive, healthy and financially accessible escape from our busy day-to-day lifestyles.”

“National Wildlife Federation is pleased to have Coleman partner with Great American Backyard Campout. With their support, we can engage more parents with this family- friendly outdoor activity to create healthy,happy children, ” said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, Vice President of Strategic Alliances for National Wildlife Federation.

To learn more about Coleman and Great American Backyard Campout, visit ColemanBackyardCampout.com or facebook.com/colemanusa.

Aquarium Director of Education and Volunteer Services, Kerry Carlin-Morgan explains the significance of the exhibit, “Visitors to The Sea & Me will delve into the ocean on our submarine, haul in a catch on our fishing boat, dig in the sand for seashore treasures and sea, hear and touch some really cool animals. For grown-ups, one of the great pleasures in life can still be play.” Carlin-Morgan confesses that while the exhibit is designed for kids, it is enjoyable for all, “How wonderful it is to do the things you loved when you were younger with your own children and grandchildren. Get in there and have some fun, too!”

The Sea & Me features a Submarine Sea Lab, Fishing Gallery, play area, touch pool and marine displays of animals. Sure to bring a full day of excitement, the Submarine Sea Lab features interactive displays and a mini-submarine with a working periscope, simulated ocean views and modern technology – giving the kiddos something to flip, pull, twist and turn. The Fishing Gallery is sure to marvel your little anglers with a miniature fishing boat including a wheelhouse and fishing gear. The Sea & Me exhibit also includes information about seafood: where it comes from and how it’s caught. A place for younger children, the “Create Your Own Ocean Experience” is a free-play area where kids can interact with one another and check out discovery boxes filled with play shark jaws, whale baleen, ocean-themed books and marine animal costumes the kids can try on.

For more information call 541-867-3474 or visit www.aquarium.org.

Wisconsin's Round Lake Logging Dam Interpretive Trails are a simple, small network of trails that touch centuries of human life in the area.

Twenty-five minutes east of my hometown, Park Falls, Wis., Round Lake is part of the Pike Lake chain of lakes that would be a jam-packed tourist trap if it weren’t for the geographic isolation of Wisconsin’s rural Northwoods. Instead, the park is a humble little park with no buildings or services aside from signage, a foot bridge over the creek and walking trails. Even so, it’s a fascinating place with a story that encompasses thousands of years of Native American tribes, European immigration and industrialization of the early 1900s, bygone Wisconsin logging culture and, on this fine day, some tidbits about my own family’s past.

A large lake with a creek that flows out to the greater area’s interconnected river system, Round Lake was an epicenter of timber logging in the late 1800s and early 1900s. My own great-grandfather Jack Morrison was a lumberjack in this area, and they all did things the hard way: felling trees with axes and two-man saws, manhandling the great logs with cant hooks and hauling them with clydesdales. He met and married my great-grandma, Stella, who was a cook out at the logging camp.

Restored in 1995 to the way it was built in the 1870s, felled logs used to rush through these gates after spring meltwater collected in the lake.

Here at Round Lake, hardworking lumberjacks cut trees and hauled logs on ice-covered roads for storage on the frozen surface of the lake, which was dammed where a stream flows out on its western side. As the spring melt progressed, the lake swelled drastically. When the time was right and the ice was out, they would open the sluices (water channels controlled by a gate) of the wooden Round Lake Logging Dam that sent the water and cache of logs rushing down the stream in a wild flood. So-called “river rats” rode atop the logs as they surged downstream, keeping them moving to prevent dangerous log jams on their way to mills to the west. It was incredibly dangerous work.

As the 1800s ended, Wisconsin’s forests were largely stripped of the huge, old-growth forests and left barren in many places. Seeing the consequences of rapid industrialization everywhere they looked, Americans began to call for increased conservation – a large part of the drive that created state and national forests, public parks and nature preserves.

This park had some of the tallest pine trees I've seen anywhere - apparently the efforts of kids like my mom back in the 1970s paid off on a healthy forest.

Even after decades of large-scale logging, northern Wisconsin was still beautiful, and settlers moved in to take advantage of the isolation, concentration of lakes, peaceful surroundings and budding industry in the area. Otto C. Doering, a wealthy businessman from Chicago, brought his family to the area to camp in 1902 and, by 1915, had purchased 2,946 acres along the shores of Round Lake to build an Adirondack-style vacation retreat for his family. At its peak, the Doering Tract included a kitchen, dining lodge, caretaker’s house, barns, storage buildings and a tennis court – all built with logs and stone.

The Doerings eventually sold their land to the USDA Forest Service in the 1960s, and the many buildings were sold and dismantled to return Round Lake to its previous, natural state. Walking the trails, my mom pointed out overgrown stone foundations still clinging to life in a few spots around the lake.

Beyond one foundation, with remnants of a circular stone turret still evident, we came upon the wooden logging dam that was originally built somewhere around 1876. In 1995, through private donations (including my parents!) and assistance from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests, the Friends of the Round Lake Logging Dam, the Price County Historical Society and numerous volunteers, the dam was restored to its original condition. It was a huge project that dismantled, recorded and re-used as many of the original timbers as possible. Today, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only surviving logging dam in the Upper Midwest. Park signs and handouts do a great job of explaining the area’s many intersecting histories, and made for a fascinating day hike. For a great read about early logging history in Wisconsin, check out “Caulked Boots & Cant Hooks.”

Before heading back to Minneapolis, I stopped at my friend Cliff's cabin where we picked wild leeks that carpet Wisconsin's forest floor every spring. They were delicious cooked up with potatoes.

My mom, Terri, knew about this area from her job as part of the Youth Conservation Corps in 1975 when she was 17 years old. The YCC, which is still working to repair weathered national parks, crumbling historic buildings and build trails, as well as combating invasive plant species, helped build and brush out the hiking trails, prune the trees and turn the Doering Tract into a lasting park for generations to explore. For the record, the trees have grown up very nicely – including some of the largest white pine trees I’ve ever seen, Wisconsin’s version of the Redwood.

Hearing about my mom’s enjoyable childhood work and nearby family vacations nearby gave me a sense of connection I would’ve never expected when I was eating my morning cereal. Even though I grew up close by, I had never crawled around on the Round Lake Logging Dam or walked the surrounding trails. Now I feel a family bond to this area that stretches across four generations of my family. Even better, it was rare quality time with my mom where she did most of the talking and I, very happily, just walked, enjoyed the sights and listened.

— Tom Kaiser