Beef Jerky

Here is our first batch of beef jerky.  I sliced 2 1/2 lbs of steak 1/4" thick, cut across the grain, with all the fat removed.  Then marinaded it in a mixture of  seven different spices along with soy and Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke for 24 hours.  Dehydrated it for ten hours.  WaaLaa. I need to empty these four trays and let the next batch dehydrate over night.

Mesa Top Trail

We hiked Mesa Top Trail this morning and came across 5 deer foraging for breakfast.  It always makes my heart smile when I see wildlife on a hike.  We hiked for nearly two hours, stopping to enjoy the scenery, which wasn't much until we sighted the deer.  However, these short hikes with the packs are not intended for pleasure, but to build endurance.

 Now about food.   I cooked a spice rubbed pork loin roast, then made it into pulled pork,
and dehydrated it for 8 hours. Finally vacuum sealing it for storage.  It's going to taste wonderful with Red Beans and Rice and sweet corn at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Hmmmm.  Just had a thought.  I wonder if
I could make and freeze-dry  my yummy cornbread. I'll get back to you on that, after I look into it.

Ribbon Falls

This is Bob praying at Ribbon Falls:)  We were hoping we could do a day hike from Bright Angel Campground on the second day to Ribbon Falls, but it's just too far away;  it would be 12.5 miles  round trip.  Coming from the North Rim, it's on the way, but coming from the South, it's 6.3 miles up hill to get there.  Such a beautiful place.

The good news is, there are MANY beautiful places in the Grand Canyon.  I've been pouring over my books and information that I have accumulated since we've started backpacking in the GC.  Just reading it all again is making me anxious.  I can't wait to be there.  Can you see the Rainbow at the bottom of the waterfall in the second picture?

Starbucks to the rescue

Okay people, those who need their Java fix in the morning, are going to be soooo happy with my recent find.  I figured in the last couple of years someone must have come out with a better coffee for camping.  Enter Starbucks Via Ready Brew.  It's an Italian Roast, 100% Natural Roasted Instant & Microground  Arabica Coffee, with no chemicals or additives.  It actually tastes like fresh brewed coffee.

North Table Loop

Today Bob & I practiced with our packs on.  He was carrying 35 lbs and I had 23 lbs.  We hiked a new area they recently created in Golden,  North Loop Trail.  You can just barely see downtown Denver starting to spring up, to the right of Bob, in the distance.

When we reached the top we overlooked Coors Brewery, the largest in the United States.

 

As every good deed deserves a reward, we celebrated at Wynkoop Brewery  with a chili flavored  beer and a reuben sandwich.

Under Armour

This is a front and back view of the tops I hike in during the day down in the Canyon.  They are made by Under Armour, and have a built in bra.  I've worn these down there before and they are very comfortable.  The one on the left, back view,  is pale yellow with orange piping on the bottom edge, and the other is lime green with leaf green edging.  I wash the one I wore that day before I go to bed and let it dry on the shrubs 'til morning.

Practice makes perfect

Hey fellow hikers, the good news is that I didn't feel bad this morning, nothing hurt or was sore. So starting out under weight is the key. I think you would be better off doing a 3 mile hike three times a week with a 20 lb pack  instead of doing an 8 hour walk one day a week.

The clock is ticking

I did a 4 mile hike today with my backpack on.  It was a small hike on the Ralston Trail near my house, so there wasn't any real elevation gain or loss; nothing more than 10'.  My hiking shoes weigh 3 lbs, and I had the pack carrying 20 lbs.  I need to get used to the weight of the pack pulling on the shoulder straps.  I felt it in my hips mostly as I walked, and it's always an adjustment getting used to leaning forward slightly when you have a full pack on.  I attached my hiking poles to the back of the pack, and my camera case to one of the front straps.  Now I need to start adding weight to the pack.  As you can see, I did have some pretty views while I practiced.  This is a reminder that we need to prepare.  Don't let the first time you walk with a full pack be the day we start down.

Dehydrating

I just dehydrated six ears of Sweet Corn.  First I needed to blanch the corn for a few minutes, cool them down and remove the kernels from the cob. I  separated the kernels onto six drying racks.  After 11 hours,  Six ears of corn yields 4 Cups of dehydrated kernels.

hiking

Grand Canyon Hiker girl....Gotta love it,  that's me:))   I wear this shirt with pride.  Looking forward to the fourth back packing trip down to the bottom of the canyon and back.  An older lady stopped me in the store today and asked if I rode the donkey down to the bottom.  I said absolutely not, I've heard that is harder on your body than actually doing the hike yourself.

Fairshare Mug

We just bought 2 GSI Collapsible Fairshare Mugs. The reviews on this were great.  It collapses to a 1.7" disc; the handle folds flat or extends to lock in two positions for eating or drinking; and there is a locking lid, but it's not for storing liquids.  Next is our folding dinnerware by Orikaso .  This is a bowl and plate.  I use the plate for a cutting board as well.