Wednesday, July 27 — See below for update!
Sunrise at Antero Pines Camp between Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado
The crew and I move camp today!
I don’t know if we will have internet at our new camp, wherever it may be. Bridget, Reggie, and I will be back here as soon as we can.
I invite you to join fellow blogorinos in the comment section!
Please welcome any new people and also answer any questions that may arise. Thank you.
Sunrise scene from Antero Pines Camp
Bye for now!
rvsue
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CLICK LINK TO SHOP AMAZON NOW!
~ ~ ~
UPDATE!
We found our new camp and it’s perfect!
The crew and I pulled into our campsite a short while ago. Right out our front door is a lovely, clear creek. I’m thrilled to have found this! It is one of the nicest camps ever! Perfect for keeping cool in the middle of summer!
Rather than wait until tomorrow to tell you about it, I’m writing this brief update.
You can tell from these photos that Bridget and Reggie love their new home.
Reggie goes into the creek, too.
He loves climbing on the rocks, hopping from one to another. Then he jumps off a rock into the water.
This is a dispersed camping area — It’s free!
Several sites are large with plenty of room for big rigs.
People will probably pour in here for the weekend.
I’m hopeful our campsite will remain pleasant and private because it’s at the very end of the camping area.
Also there’s a big sign at the entrance to the camping area that says no ATVs or dirt bikes allowed.
After I set up and have lunch, I’m taking my blue camp chair and the crew down to the creek again.
Tomorrow I’ll have photos and details to share in a new post.
I’m too giddy to write more right now. I’m so happy to have found this camp!
rvsue
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Beautiful photos Sue, have a safe trip finding a new camp and have a great week too, ,,,,,, Rusty n Piper
Oh my goodness Rusty – you’ve #1 at least four or five times this month!!
Read on down the comments, ,, I truly like this Samsung Galaxy Tab E tablet with touch screen, ,,, thank you Cynthia, Piper says hi too, ,,,,, Rusty n Piper
Yeahhhh Rusty and Piper!!! 1st place again!!!
Thanks,, retiredcajunlady n’ Louisiana, ,, do you still eat Cajon cooking? And do you speak Cajon, ,,,,, I like Cajun music next to Bluegrass, ahheeee! !!! 🙂
Yep, I do cook and eat all the Cajun foods. It is what I grew up eating, so old habits die hard! Gumbo, jambalaya, etouffee, courtbouillon (we pronounce it koo-be-yaw), red beans and rice…with sausage, po-boys, boudin, fried alligator tail, fried frog legs, …and tons of fresh seafood! I don’t really speak Cajun French, but I do know enough to understand some of it. I do like Zydeco music, but I more of an Eagles fan. Merci’ for answering my post and laissez les bon temps roulet!!
I’d love your red beans and rice recipe, but if you’re like my former neighbor who grew up making it, there is no recipe, it’s just done by learning! lol But if ya have a recipe I’d love to have it!
Beth currently in Prescott
Hey Beth, my email is ——- . Send me an email, and I will send you the recipe for how I cook them. I kind of follow a formula more than a recipe. Red beans actually freeze well. Just take them out the freezer, let them thaw naturally (never microwave), and warm by adding a tablespoon or two of water. Take care and I will get it to you as soon as I get your email.
I removed the email address since you printed the recipe for us here. Lots of crazies in the world. If you were to read the spam I get, you wouldn’t want your email address available here. — Sue
Red Beans and Rice Recipe:
1 ham bone or 3 smoked ham hocks
2 pounds dried red beans, rinsed well in a colander
12 cups water (though you will probably need a bit more–add a cup at a time when needed as to not make them watery)
4 strips of bacon cut into small pieces
1 pound smoked sausage, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices
2 cups chopped onions (I use red onions, but white or yellow or fine)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery
3 tablespoons chopped garlic (I use a garlic press and do 6-7 cloves)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
Cooked white or brown rice
Directions:
Add the beans and ham bone (or ham hocks), and enough water the contents in a large dutch oven (about 12 cups). Don’t use a cast iron pot or your beans will be black. Bring to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 1.5 hours. Check and stir every 15-20 minutes or so. Add more water if the mixture becomes dry and thick as the beans absorb the water. Beans are cooked uncovered without adding salt until the end, if needed.
In the meantime, fry bacon pieces until crisp. Remove bacon but keep drippings in a large frying pan. Saute’ sausage in bacon drippings. Remove and add to the bacon. You want that brown stuff in the bottom. Saute’ the onions, bell peppers, celery, cayenne, black pepper, garlic, and thyme in the drippings for about 5 minutes. Add the bay leaves and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off heat, add back the bacon and sausage, and set aside.
After and hour and half, add the vegetable, bacon, and sausage mixture to the beans and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 60-90 minutes more (may take a little longer–test a bean by smashing on the side of the pot for doneness). With the bacon and ham bone, you shouldn’t need salt. Use a spoon to taste and if salt is needed add 1 teaspoon. The mixture should be creamy and the beans soft and easy to smash on the side of the pot, and most of them will still be whole. Add more water if it becomes too thick. The finished product should be soupy, not watery. Take out ham bone, let cool for a bit, then remove ham using two forks. Most of the ham will have fallen off already, but some will need to be removed. Add all the ham into the pot of beans and discard the bone. Remove the bay leaves and serve over cooked white rice.
Here in Louisiana, we serve with cornbread and iced tea with red beans and rice. My mom always made a green salad (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and two boiled eggs that she chopped and sprinkled over) or cooked greens (spinach or collards). I liked the spinach best with beans and rice.
For meatless beans, just omit the bacon, sausage, and ham. Use a couple of tablespoons of oil to saute’ vegetables. Traditionally, the meat is added to red beans. White beans (navy peas) were cooked on Friday, so they were meatless. Fried fish, shrimp, or oysters are served with the beans on Fridays. Our area was and still is mostly Catholic, and whereas we can now eat meat on Friday, majority still do not. Without meat, you will need to add about 1-2 teaspoons of salt when you add the cooked veggies or they will be bland. Some kind of greens are served with beans and rice. Can be green salad, spinach (cooked or salad), collard or mustard greens.
Rusty, you do a good job of keeping the comments going for Sue. I know she appreciates your help when she is driving or has no signal. Belly rubs for Piper and prayers for you both.
Mer’ se Madame, ,, poli vou France e pur pur,,, a long time ago, I used to live in the Quarter and eat and sleep at 1209 Trumain, loved the days, food, music and of course the people especially the Ladies, ,,,,,,,, ;-)).
It is s great city! So much history and culture. I do love cafe au lait but never liked beignets. You are very lucky to have lived in the Quarter as it is so expensive now. Geauxxxx Saints!!!!!
Great looking recipe. I think I will modify for our pressure cooker as I have found my Insta Pot does beans really easy! So my thanks for your share.
Thanks retiredcajunlady – I have a friend from “naw leans” that makes her red beans and rice the same way and me too.
Ok Rusty – now we’ll have to keep official track on your way to breaking the RVSue and Crew world record of being first!
Thanks Renee, there will be times that I won’t be 1st, but as even @ 1 bar 4G lite I may be lost, ,,oh ya , like AZ Jim said yesterday, ,, if ya don’t hear from me say for a month, consider this ol boy is RIP,,,,, 😉
But this ol’ Dog ain’t even near that yet,, going on 67 and I have 33 more to go, , unless you know who comes and takes us all home First, ,,,, 🙂
Sounds funny to “hear” you say that. I’m 60, anxious for 62 so I can get the National Parks Pass $10 (lifetime) for free entrance and half price camping! My husband says that I shouldn’t be so anxious about getting to 62!
Well after 60 everything that broke when you were younger hurts like H—!,when the storms come, I tell ya, I can tell if it’s going to Snow or Rain and I been feeling them bones here east of Show Low, Arizona awhile now,,,,, but not as bad as those Winter ones,,,,, :-)2
Still a young-un. Ha ha!
Rusty..how do you do it?? Congrats on #1! Sue..you have made this blog not only informative but fun as well.Carry on..
Hi Beverly from ?,,, well I have a sound notification for Sue’s new post, each time it comes to my inbox it tweets like a Bird, so I know it’s Sue, and as soon it comes I click on the notification at the top of the screen and here I am, oh I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab E tablet with touch screen and it’s faster, even if I have 1 bar @ 4G lite,,,,,,,,, Rusty
And we just got back from our morning walk, ,,, the only way I might miss 1st is we might be driving or out of a signal, ,,, but if I hear that tweet tweet, I run or pull over,,,,,,,,
Idaho. Traveled for 13.5 years in a motorhome and finally bought a home.
Your #2nd, Congratulations, ,,,, Beverly
Congrats Rusty on being #1!!
😉
Your 3rd place Milliehubbard, ,,,,,,
Congratulations Milliehubbard, ,,,,,
Sue, that sunrise scene looks like a painting! Well done!!
I agree – love the painting effect1
I thought the same thing – it would be really gorgeous blown up and framed!
I agree. That really caught my eye!
Ladies: There is a very cool app called Waterlogue that is available for iphones and ipads. I think it’s less than $10. You can take any photo you have taken with your iphone or ipad and run it thru the app and it turns the photo into a watercolor, sort of impressionistic effect painting. I’ve taken them and had them enlarged and printed on nice paper and framed – they make beautiful artwork and gifts. My next project is to take a few of my favorite and use a paint-by-number app to actually paint the photos with acrylics.
That is so cool Cynthia, thanks for sharing about the art app! ,,,,,,,,, 😉
Congrats Rusty, first again!
That sunrise shot does look like a painting. Nice work!
😉
Way to go, Rusty
😉
Look at the times, 🙂
Comments, time, that’s how fast I am with a touch screen to get 1st, ,,,,, 🙂
Hope is not too late Rvsue and crew. Avoid route 110 leading to trailheads for two highest peaks in Colorado, Mt Elbert and Mt. Masive. Near Leadville. Plenty of camping for any size of RVs but madness of crowds is overwhelming. It all starts at 4 am. I couldn’t figure out why some people start hiking in the dark. I guess we all HYOH. There is no Walmart anywhere nearby anyway. One thing I learned wherever you camp in Colorado on weekends should expect company. You won’t be alone. Sad but summer is so short. Soon kids are going back to school.
Yup ~ I used to live in Leadville!
The reason they start so early is because they are going to climb one of the 14er mountain peaks and they have to get an early start so they can get to the top of the peak and back down fairly early in the day. 🙂
yes, before the lightning, hail, and thunder begin. A 14’er is no place to be in a thunderstorm!
I’ve been on vacation to UPSTATE New York….Cambridge to be exact, for our high school’s All Classes Reunion. Was able to read the blog but I hate to type on a Kindle…the only computer I had with me. The pictures on here have been incredible but then again, I expect nothing less from my sister.
Not to give away Susan’s age but her class was celebrating its 50th reunion and I was invited to their cook-out on Hedges Lake in her place. Susan, LOTS of your classmates asked about you and were so curious about your traveling life. I expect there will be several checking out this blog. Hope they will write also
So glad the blogerinos always step up when Susan isn’t on here. You are all such devoted fans and I love you for that.
Pauline, sounds like you are having a fun summer too!
Sue, your new camp looks amazing! I love being near water, the eater flowing over rocks can put me right to sleep! Being free…BONUS!
Rusty! WOW! You are really setting a record here for shoeing up first! HaHa!
Love your pictures, Sue. I do hope you find a wonderful spot to park…quiet and beautiful! Take care and have safe travels.
Wishing you smooth roads, light traffic and cool gentle breezes along the way and at your new campsite. I hope you, Bridget and Reggie enjoy the day and easily find something just right.
Hope you have a safe, short and uneventful trip to the new camp. Great pictures today. The first and last are my favorites.
Well if the Monsoon clouds comes like yesterday I’ll have to put the Wilson WiFi antenna down, the Lightning was real close, ,,, oh oh, I have a Clinker parking next to us,,,,,, by,,,,,, 🙁
First NEW campsite comment? 🙂 Looks very nice RvSue&Crew. The creek looks just the right size for the Crew. Looking forward to photos.
Wow, no wonder you’re giddy! What a great place and you found it quickly, considering what time you posted earlier. Thanks so much for updating us right away. Yippee for you and the crew!!!
It’s easy to get caught up in your happiness, enjoying your childlike glee is something I’ve come to expect. It’s a large part of why I find you and your blog so appealing. You just jump into fun things without fussing around with the perfect gear or labels.
See a creek- walk or climb down to it and enjoy it. Call what you do blogging about enjoying life more, not publishing a travelogue. Say you talked to someone, not engaged in a dialogue. It’s more than that to you wonderful things are enough, as is , without ruining the joy spontaneity brings to life. It’s the refreshing humility with which you present yourself.
In the world I live in if we want to see something we go to highest nearby place for a better view. Some people call that hiking, mountain climbing ,or exploring. We call it looking around. We don’t pen a missive, we write a note or letter.
If we are offered another helping of something sweet , we say “Yes, please! ” Which is why I’m here at the moment… 🙂
Such a pretty camp. I can smell the fresh water in the creek. Enjoy your wade!
Wow! That looks like a great camp! Clearly the pups are loving it!
Sue, that looks fabulous, and I absolutely LOVE the sign. ENJOY!!
Well, you did find an idyllic spot to stay for a while. Absolutely gorgeous! Love, love, love the creek! I can imagine the gentle bubbling sounds as it moves over the rocks. Reggie-Man and HRH Bridget look right at home with the creek just steps from your PTV. I tell you, I would have to put on shorts and a T and go wading too. I am so glad you updated us to share the good news. I will pray y’all find peace and quiet there through the weekend…and maybe longer as it is such a pretty place. Take care and enjoy your time there.
Love the new site, Sue! It’s perfect.
Rusty, thanks for hosting while Sue is occupied. The fur kids like wading, I see. Does Reggio swim too?
Looks good. Can’t wait to hear more about this place!
I absolutely LOVE your new campsite. It looks perfect. The stream is shallow enough for the pups to be able to go in and enjoy it, I am sure you will too! 😉 I can’t wait to see more!
Goodness! That’s the kind of creek I’m looking to pan from (gold). No falling down a steep creek bank, or, hauling your concentrates up either. Five gal buckets full of paydirt weigh 80 lbs!
Sue and crew…..that is a perfect spot. You are a pro at finding the ever elusive perfect site…and free on top of that.
Stay safe and rock on my friend. Judy
Beautiful and Fantastic New Camp Sue,,,,,, I missed the latest update, we moved to just east of Show Low, Arizona, we’re camp here at Scott’s Reservoir till Monday and we have a great spot and 5 bars @ 4G lite without the use of the Wilson WiFi antenna, ,,,, looks like Reggie n’ the Bridge likes the cool Creek water, ,,, have a great week and give them babies of yours a huge hug from us, ,,,,,,,, Rusty n Piper
The new camp looks totally refreshing. Can’t wait to hear more. Love the pictures of the crew in the creek.
I have to say Colorado No Ka ‘oi.
Love the site….especially the creek!
Wonderful!
“Another lesson I’ve learned and continue to re-learn is to trust that another quiet camp is out there somewhere, not to be overly concerned about finding it, just keep rolling, looking, and trusting.”
A lesson well learned…and well earned. Awesome!
The creek right outside your door looks wonderful and cool. I love that both Reggie and Bridget are enjoying it. Can’t wait to hear and see more about this camping area.
When I saw Miss B standing in the stream with a pensive look on her face, she seemed to be thinking, “I bet my boy Spike would have been on his belly in this stream by now just enjoying this cool water.” Reggie is a cutie and I love him…but I still miss our best boy Spike.
Oh, what a beautiful campsite. LOVE THE CREEK!! Looks like a perfect spot for the crew also. So glad to see them enjoying the water. Like the Cat Lady from Baton Rouge, I thought of Spike also. He would have loved this spot.
Happy for you in your new camp.
Sending lots of love and big hugs.
Fun, fun, fun, Sue…happy you found a great spot!! Hoping for you that the noisy ones stay home this weekend!! Pray for some rain…heehee…
Hi, Elizabeth. Do you still bake, just with sugar and gluten-free substitutes? Earlier I mentioned this blog as a sweet place to come to. You, and the picture of you making treats for your family has often been part of that. I hope that hasn’t been among the things you’ve given up, and that you’re feeling well.
Hi Weather,
So nice to hear from you!! I usually read here but not all the comments anymore…too busy. Just with life I guess. I do bake still but not much (and yes with alternatives including no regular sugar). Mostly the breakfast cookie recipe that I adapted for the grandson!! The big discovery with them is that I used some coconut cream (you can get it in cans at Trader Joe’s here…not sure where elsewhere)…in place of some of the oil or shortening…it makes the taste twice as good. I also added a T. of ground flaxseeds to the mix…and grandson has calmed down so much!! He is in therapy, but I still think these cookies he is allowed to eat freely (chock full of nutrition) have helped!!
Hubby and I are struggling with the diabetes so am not baking for us these days. Eating fresh fruit and veggies more, of the season. We likely will have to add insulin shots to our pills. ARGH…so fun getting old. Walking now 2 miles a day in hopes of helping weight go off. Not too exciting…
Hope things are going well with you!! I think of you often in your sweet location too. Would be nice to find something like that to move to for us too…enjoy it twice for me too!!
Aw-w, baking for your grandson, how wonderful of you. I’m so glad you answered me , and to know my picture you is current 🙂 I think you’re right about the cookies helping. Coconut oil is believed to be extremely healthy for our brain and nerve systems. I haven’t tried coconut cream, but do use the oil and milk.
You’re list of things to take care of yourself and hubby will hopefully have a good effect. I’ll add my prayer to the list , and go enjoy for us both.
Aw so sweet of you Weather…thanks so much for your good wishes!! And prayer of course!!
That creek is just what I had in mind in my last post!
Oh, gosh! I’m so glad I just clicked back here for no particular reason. An update! Yay! that looks like the PERFECT campsite. No ATVs or dirtbikes? Heaven! Love the stream. I’d have to stay there up to the limit! So happy for you! I hope you’re cooling your toes right now!
Nice camp, Sue! It’s great to be near water on these warm days. Looks like the kind of place to plop your camp chair in the stream, find a good book and enjoy the day!
Have fun.
What an absolutely GORGEOUS camp! Looking at the those lovely photos, I can just feel the cool water of the creek caressing my toes, while I relax on the soft grass. Just dreamy!
Hi, Kerry… This is a campsite that suits us perfectly. To be able to walk out one’s door, go down a short bank, and step into a clear creek… That’s heaven for me!
Well it looks like you have found another sweet site for you and the pups to stay at for a bit. Hope it is as quiet as you would like and people heed the signs to keep it that way. The picture of Bridget looking left made me think she was looking for Spike but then when I saw the the following shot I thought that maybe she was keeping an eye on Reggie which is kind of one of her jobs as well as making sure you three get home the right way.
How nice was it that Pauline was asked to your class cook-out in your place. She was not too far from here and hopefully had a little less humidity than home. Bet you do hear from some class mates after they take a look at your blog.
Rusty did a bang up job of interacting with folks in the comments. Don’t know why but thought he was a shy fella. Can tell he feels better, a good thing. Have you ever had any water from these creeks you sometimes camp next to? Know I might be tempted but not knowing where it originated from would probably hesitate. Enjoy the new place. Be Well,
JazzLover
Hi, JazzLover,
My sister has been instrumental in the start-up and growth of our school’s alumni association. She’s an amazing person. From her home in Mississippi, she inspired people from all over to remember their high school days in upstate NY and to participate in reunions every year, yes, every year! It’s a small town school and now they have BBQs, a golf scramble, parades, scholarships, photo shoots, raffles, class parties, tours of the town, gathering of history of the town, and much more. I do believe it wouldn’t have happened without Pauline’s effervescent, people-personality! She is as outgoing as I am not. Ha!
So for her to go to a party in my place is typical Pauline! I love her so much.
Rusty isn’t shy. He’s a loner like me. People often confuse lonerism with shyness. Shy people have difficulty being around people. Loners prefer not to be around people. Big difference!
I never drink straight from a stream. Those days are gone. Stream water must be purified first.
Happy Saturday, Jazzlover!
Wow, it sounds like Pauline is a very organized, goal oriented person as putting together a reunion is no small feat. Actually getting people to attend every year can be hard when you always have some scattered around the country. The list of events you mentioned is pretty impressive and take a good deal of cooperation to pull off. My reunions were nothing like what you have described or I might have gone to more. You have to be very proud of her. Guess I did confuse shyness and lonerism when thinking about Rusty, thanks for clarifying it for me. What you said about stream water needing to be purified is sadly true. Your pictures just made it look so inviting. They have something called a Life Straw personal water filter that campers and hikers can use that is said to filter all bacteria and parasites from streams and ponds for up to 260 some gallons of water. It has good reviews. But you always have the water situation taken care of. Thanks for all the work you do putting your blog together and taking us along. Hope your weekend has been peaceful.
JazzLover
You’re welcome…
Pauline doesn’t put together the reunions each year, others do the “brass tacks” work. What Pauline has done is create an alumni association, keeping it vibrant with newsletters, her annual attendance, online announcements, and overall exuberance for her high school and hometown. Pauline is a one-person pep rally with feet. 🙂 She’s the glue that holds the association together and the inspiration for others to support and participate.