Camping Recipes

CHUCK WAGONS OF THE WEST

EVER WONDER ABOUT THE HISTORY OF CHUCK WAGONS? Probably not, but I stumbled upon an article while looking for old campfire recipes and found it interesting. From what the article said, the first Chuck wagon was constructed by a rancher from Texas named Charles Goodnight in the year 1866. Not long after the Civil War, larger ranchers like Goodnight began organizing crews to round up the cattle that had escaped. The ranchers needed a more efficient way of feeding the men on the long cattle drives. The construction included: * A chuck box mounted on the back of the wagon. * A hinged door that folded down to serve as a work surface with drawers for utensils. * A second storage container, called the boot, used for the pots and pans. * A cowhide or canvas sling held wood and dried dung to fuel the cooking fires under the wagon. Goodnight's design became a cattle industry standard, and by the mid-1880s, chuck wagons were being built by both individual wagon wrights and big wagon-building companies. By the late 1880s railroads ended the need for cattle drives and chuck wagons because they moved the cattle by trains. MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS HERE! Many people all over the United States camp on Memorial Weekend and throughout the summer. and I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite camp fire recipes. If you camp, you have probably tried some of them. 1) EGG IN A HOLE Cut the middle out of whatever kind of bread you prefer place it on the grill or an iron skillet with a tab of butter in the middle add an egg after butter melts. cook the egg for as long as you prefer. note: some like syrup over the top. ALSO, if you cooked bacon to go with breakfast you could use bacon grease in place of butter. 2) CHILI Cook a pound of hamburger or your choice of meat in a large Iron Skillet. Saute onion, garlic, and peppers in with the meat. Open three cans of your choice of beans. open one can of diced tomatoes. open one can of enchilada sauce. Open one small can of tomato paste. Note: use whatever vegies you like in your chili. instead of can diced tomatoes use fresh. Add all cans to the meat and vegie mix. Add chili powder, salt and pepper to taste. My family eats the chili with corn totillas, sour cream, hot sauce and chives. 3) BEEF RIBS Rub the ribs with your favorite seasonings/tenderizers a day or even two ahead, or buy the ribs already seasoned at Costco. when preparing to cook wrap tightly in tin foil all the way around sides, bottom, and top. let the fire burn down to red hot coal- then place the ribs on thegrill or I use a iron flat grizzly man. let cook three or more hours under low heat. An hour before the ribs are ready wrap in tin foil potatoes and corn on the cob and place them within the coals to cook. I wish everyone of you a happy and safe Memorial Day and Weekend. Please, remember the men and women who fought bravely and paid the ultimate price for our Freedom.

The Fort in Morrison Colorado

 

 The Fort restaurant, in Morrison, Colorado, opened for business in February 1963. But the story of how it got there started a few years before. 

 In 1961,  Elizabeth Arnold decided she wanted to raise her children outside the city. As she was reading a book about Bents Fort, she got the idea to make it an "adobe castle".  They hired William Lumpkins, a top architect in adobe construction from Santa Fe, and using 80,000 mud and straw bricks, weighing 40 pounds each, the main building evolved. When the budget was surpassed, the idea for using part of the structure for a restaurant was suggested and The Fort restaurant opened for business.

   That same year the family adopted a black bear named Sissy. They raised their big furry pet, beloved by tourists, for 19 years until she died of old age. 

  Now an historic site, you can visit and eat at The Fort located in Morrison, Colorado and/or sign up for a one-hour tour to discover how this adobe building came to be. (Tours can be booked for groups of ten or more.)

   The food is, of course, historic as well, starting with Rocky Mountain Oysters, Buffalo Empanadas, Bison Eggs, and an array of Mountain Man boudins (sausages) made from Antelope, Rattlesnake, Rabbit, and buffalo.

   Also, a real delicacy, they have roasted Bison Marrow Bones. I'm not sure you'd find this on the menu any place else.  

   Main courses include buffalo served many styles, as well as beef, antelope, duck, elk, quail---with gluten free and vegetarian selections also available. 

 

                                              The IMM in Vail, Co. 

 Years ago, I had the joyful opportunity of eating at the fort with the group to which we belonged, The Independent Mountain Men. We came dressed in period clothing, and had a magical evening, truly a step back in time. 

 The Fort Restaurant is keeping history alive. They have wonderful cultural events, live music, and murder mystery dinners.    

 https://www.thefort.com/the-history-of-the-fort/

My historical romance, Trapper's Moon,  

is a story close to my heart.  

Blurb: As a free trapper, mountain man Kade McCauley is wary of the Hudson Bay Company. Their form of vengeance against those who are not part of the company can be deadly. When he and his partner are attacked, he fights back, only to discover one of his shots struck an innocent. A woman who touches his soul, and he will do anything to keep her safe. 

   While searching for her Native American tribe, Blind Deer crosses paths with Kade—with near fatal results. Once she is patched up, she decides it is safer to travel with him than alone Their uneasy alliance turns to genuine caring, but Blind Deer's past gets in the way, and she must choose between her new love or her old obligations. 

   But nothing in life is carved in stone except the mountains, and those formidable peaks have been known to change the course of a man's life or a woman's.

              

   

My Mountain Man. 

  

My Stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Fantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

Blog   www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

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DO YOU LOVE ART? by Reggi Allder

How about western/cowboy art? I do. Before I changed my college major to writing, I studied art history. Of course, we learned about the classics. However, I was raised in a small town. Before, moving to a city, I grew up around Western art. It hung in the library, bank, and restaurant my family frequented.

My grandad had an old friend who was a cowboy in his younger days. Clyde had spent many days on the range with the cattle. He used to fascinate us with his stories and his rope tricks. At one point, he had been a rodeo champion, roping steers. But his claim to fame was his painting. A self-taught artist, he drew from his knowledge of the range. He painted what he knew, outdoor scenes with horses, cattle and watering holes. I remember my dad telling me that the mural I admired in the nearby hotel was done by our family friend. He never became a household name, still he gave enjoyment to all who saw his work. We are lucky to have one of his paintings. It is not named but was painted in the California Sierra Mountains.

In college, I searched out other more famous artist in the Western genre. In my research, I discovered Fredric Remington served as a war correspondent for the New York Journal in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Much of Remington's early writing was reportorial; he later produced short stories, eight anthologies of previously published magazine articles and two novels. I was only aware of his sculptures and later his paintings.

His works of art are in many museums; I saw Fredric Remington’s work in a museum in Los Angeles. I believe it was a sculpture called Bronco Buster. Reminton was born in Canton, New York in 1861. His museum is in Ogdensburg, New York. Though Remington is often remembered for his sculptures of cowboys and their horses, he did many painting of cowboys, Native Americans, and vaqueros. His work is still available today in prints and copied sculptures. Here are a few examples: Smoke Signals

and Vaquero and Morning on the Range.

Our Country Heart book 3 of the Sierra Creek Series has a vaquero, Manuel Gordon, a cowboy who has come back to his home town to start over after years on the rodeo circuit.

OUR COUNTRY HEART Sierra Creek Series Book 3 of 4. Five Stars: “The book was so good, I didn’t want it to end.” “A stand-alone book with great characters!” “If you love cowboys, small towns, second chances, and real-to-life characters, the Sierra Creek books are for you!” Revewed by NL “Perfect when you need a feel-good read.” Now in paperback too! ON AMAZON Have you ever made a mistake you would do anything to change? An actress from Los Angeles and an all-around champion cowboy return to the small town of Sierra Creek to right a wrong. Can they ignore the past and put aside their personal problems for the good of the town? Are they wrong to have confidence in their ability to work together? A man is in town to help reopen the lumber mill. Why is he determined to get in their way and cause trouble? This is one of four books that take place in the small town of Sierra Creek. The engaging characters in the other Sierra Creek books return for another heartwarming read. Find out how Amy, Vanna, Sophie, and their partners are doing. Amazon Page https://www.amazon.com/Reggi-Allder/e/B00G05PJRS If danger and romance is for you, try my first book in the Dangerous Series Dangerous Web

Please leave a comment and tell me your favorite kind of art, just click on comments.

Ancestors and Author's Notes by Zina Abbott

One reason I love writing for the Prairie Roses Collection series is that it is about wagon trains, and I have ancestors who crossed the country on wagon trains. All of my ancestors who came to the United States did so from northern Europe. All arrived between 1850 and the mid-1880s. Not all were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when they journeyed in covered wagons along the Mormon Trail or came partway by rail. However, all of them had the Great Salt Lake Valley and surrounding regions as their destinations.

 

Although I do not write about my ancestors or focus on Mormons in my books, they were on the Great Plains from 1847 on, and many others came across them. I did throw in a few tidbits in some of my covered wagon books, and the latest was no exception. It started with my dedication:

 

This book is dedicated to my great-great grandparents, William England and Eliza Seamons England, two of my pioneer ancestors, both of whom were raised in England. They left Florence, Nebraska on July 1, 1861 and arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley on September 13, 1861 in the Joseph Horne and Homer Duncan wagon train company.

None of the written histories of this couple indicate they traveled on a down-and-back church train—one of the first operated under the direction of the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, from a recent lesson book made available by the International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, I learned that the first down-and-back church trains left Florence, Nebraska, on July 1, 1861. The last of twelve left on July 17, 1861, four days before the first major battle of the American Civil War. These trains were mostly filled by church members who were recent immigrants from many nations in Europe who arrived on three ships that sailed from England in the spring of 1861. Others, like my England ancestors, who had been in the United States longer (William four years, Eliza one year), or who traveled to Florence from the East that year, also joined these first trains.

Both Joseph Horne and Homer Duncan were among the first men called by the church to organize, outfit, and captain a down-and-back wagon train from Florence, Nebraska, to Great Salt Lake City, Utah Territory in 1861.

 What prompted me to choose this particular couple for the dedication in Sue?

As a member of International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, I taught a lesson last year about down-and-back wagon trains. In all my years of learning about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the best of my recollection, I had never heard of them. I decided to check the histories I have on file of my ancestors to see if any traveled in such a wagon train. None of them specifically stated they did. However, there were enough clues in the histories of William and Eliza Seamons to indicate they crossed the Great Plains in a down-and-back wagon train.

 

Laramie Plains in late June

For Sue, which is set in 1867-68, the group she travels with are able to journey part of the way on the Union Pacific Railroad. I set the story so they arrived in Laramie City in June 1868, which made it an end-of-track station. From there, they must travel the Overland Stage Route to Fort Bridger. Since there were seven people and four freight wagons, for safety, the leader wanted to travel with another wagon train. The only one the Laramie City station manager knew of was the Mormon Train—wagons and drivers from the Salt Lake Valley area who arrived several days earlier and waited for the new immigrants from Europe to arrive on the train. They had a head start over the group with which Sue traveled by almost two days.

And thus, the plot moves forward from there.

This from my author’s notes at the back of my book (Keep in mind, because of the way Amazon works Kindle Unlimited, many readers never see a book dedication unless they scroll back from the opening page to find it):

Between 1861 to 1866, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operated down-and-back wagon trains, which included food, to help church members complete the journey from eastern Nebraska to Great Salt Lake City, especially those who arrived impoverished because they had sold everything in Europe to migrate to the United States. Members from all over Utah Territory were called and tasked with driving church-owned wagons and livestock, along with necessary supplies, east along the Mormon Trail. Once these immigrants reached Florence, Nebraska—now a suburb of Omaha—they were connected with a church-operated wagon train for the balance of their journey. Not long after the Union Pacific Railroad laid its first forty miles of track from Omaha, Nebraska, west by the end of 1865, the down-and-back wagon trains ended. The church continued to assist immigrants who had joined the church to travel from the end-of-track stations to where they were requested to settle.

I extended the years the down-and-back church wagon trains were in operation for the purpose of my story.

 

 

Sue, Book 55 in the Prairie Roses Collection, is now available for sale as an ebook and with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. To find the book description and purchase options,

Please CLICK HERE

Small Town Festivals by Rhonda Lee Carver

 

As spring arrives, the season brings with it a sense of renewal and growth...

There's something nostalgic about small-town festivals.  Every town has one, or two, that townsfolk can't wait to attend.

In my small town, we have a festival, the Feast of the Flowering Moon. Held on Memorial Day weekend, the event features Native American music, dancing, rows of crafters, exhibits, and demonstrations by mountain men and women showcasing their skills. It was created to celebrate the rich Native American heritage of the area.

As kids, my friends and I would gather on the streets where the festival was in full swing. If you've ever heard the term "cruising", well, we cruised the festival on foot. From start to finish, we'd hang out, meet old friends and new friends, and catch up on teenage drama. One of my favorite things was the lemonade shake-ups. Not dissing those delicious concoctions in any way, but they were a mix of fresh-squeezed lemons, sugar, and a bit of water, served ice cold because it was always scorching hot on the streets. Where can a person go wrong? And the food... there's nothing quite like eating everything in sight--more sugar--and not having a single thought for calorie intake. Those were the days!

Although becoming an adult brings about changes, the demonstrations, dancing, and music remain highlights for many. Finding myself back on the streets alongside a lively crowd, it feels a lot like stepping into a time machine and going back to the days of being a carefree kid, hanging out with friends, and simply being.

I have a release coming up, May 27. Check it out, and Pre-Order! Click here to Pre-Order!

He’s a protector. She’s anything but a damsel in distress. Together, they are fire on fire.

Mercy Sams is a career-focused ethical hacker with a five-year plan, but she has one weakness. Jag. He turns her logical brain into mush.

She made a little oopsy and ticked off the wrong person--only to end up nearly getting herself killed. Jag comes to the rescue, and they must face the history they have together.

She threatens to crack the code to his heart, while he struggles with internal demons.

Jag, a retired SEAL, is starting a new chapter in Shades Cove. He looks forward to a peaceful life working on a ranch and the security company his buddy started. When he takes feisty Mercy under his wing, the universe shows him no mercy. She has a hair stuck where it doesn’t belong, and Jag becomes the target of her distress. But then the connection becomes strong, and emotions begin to simmer.

It turns out that Shades Cove isn’t safe for Mercy. Danger finds her in the small town. Can Jag protect her? The journey from the ranch to the bedroom is paved with good intentions.

Revisit all the characters you love from Book 1, Shades of Steel.

Book 2, Shades of Mercy.

There will be no mercy for Jag.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2BSH2X1

Sneak Peek:

She was supposed to be focusing on what the men were saying, after all, it dealt with her. Yet, she had brain fog. Jag fog. She pressed her hand against her belly and tried to calm the butterflies there.

How was it possible that Jag looked better with age?

And that she could still want him when she hated him just as much?

It would be foolish to allow her fantasies to become reality for a second time.

Jag was not the man for her. He was nothing but an anti-committal, egotistical player.

The last thing she needed, or wanted, was a man who loved his job and nothing else. Hell, he is his job.

Yet, he was undeniably gorgeous. Sexy. And any time he was near, she wanted to peel away his layers and get to the good stuff.

She could want him for another thirteen years, and he’d still never give her the things she wanted from a man: stability and affection.

She wanted to be someone’s all.

“Mercy?”

She pulled herself out of her thoughts and narrowed her gaze to her brother. “What?”

“I said, do you agree to the terms?” he asked.

She wanted to be stubborn and demand that he take her home, but they were past that point. So, she gave a curt, “Sure.”

“Great. Don’t worry, Mateo. She’ll be fine. I’ll guard her with my life.” Jag said, meeting Mercy’s gaze for a mere fleeting moment.

How would this work? How could she be near him? She was a pathetic, crushing thirty-two-year-old. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself, but it always seemed like she made a fumbling mess when he looked at her with the most amazing green eyes.

It's countdown to party time! Love giveaways? Games? Cowboys?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665

ONLY 99 cents! Book 1, Shades of Steel!

But here for 99 cents!

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

 

 Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Buffalo Bill Cody is a name that is synonymous with the image of the Wild West. Cody preserved the west and took it out into the world. His Wild West Show visited all over America and Europe. Traveling with cowboys, Native Americans, sharpshooters, and even buffalo, he told the stories of the frontier way of life. Ever the showman, much of it was embellished but entertaining non the less.

I’ve visited many Buffalo Bill museums over the years, but I have to say my favorite is the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody. I’ve enjoyed seeing it change and evolve over the years. Grandma took me there for the first time back in the late eighties and it’s grown so much since then.

The museum is located in the heart of Cody, Wyoming, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a museum complex that offers an extraordinary look at the history, art, cultures, and nature of the American West. Established in 1917 to honor the life and legacy of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, it has grown into a sprawling, state-of-the-art facility comprising five interconnected museums and a research library, all under one roof.

 

1. Buffalo Bill Museum

This museum tells the life story of Buffalo Bill Cody—the showman, scout, soldier, and entrepreneur who became a global symbol of the American frontier. Here you’ll find:

• Artifacts from his Wild West shows
• Original posters, photographs, and costumes
• Personal belongings and letters
• Exhibits exploring myth vs. reality in his legendary persona

It also dives into the founding of Cody, Wyoming, and how Buffalo Bill helped bring irrigation, the railroad, and tourism to the region.

Living in Wyoming my entire life, I still learn a lot I never knew about each time I visit the museum.

2. Whitney Western Art Museum

This museum features one of the most significant collections of Western art in the U.S., including works by:

• Frederic Remington
• Charles M. Russell
• Albert Bierstadt
• Thomas Moran

The collection spans historic and contemporary works, showcasing the evolution of how the West has been represented in visual art.

A side suggestion, visit the Charles M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montanna. It's a great museum dedicated to the man and his work.

3. Plains Indian Museum

This deeply moving and beautifully curated museum honors the cultures, histories, and contemporary lives of Plains Indian peoples. Notable features include:

• Traditional regalia and beadwork
• Oral history listening stations
• Interactive displays and contemporary Native art
• Thoughtful insights into spirituality, warfare, family life, and resistance

It is created in collaboration with Native advisors and communities, offering an authentic, respectful representation.

The Native American's was a huge part of the Wild West shows. Even Sitting Bull toured with Cody for a while.

4. Draper Natural History Museum

Unlike traditional natural history museums, Draper presents an immersive, multi-sensory experience focused on the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. You’ll walk a spiraling trail from alpine peaks to the plains, learning about:

• Wildlife and geology of the region
• Realistic dioramas and animal soundscapes
• Conservation efforts and human impact on the environment

It’s an excellent choice for nature lovers and young learners alike.

5. Cody Firearms Museum

Home to over 10,000 firearms, this is the largest collection of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Highlights include:

• Historic guns from the American Revolution to modern-day
• Firearms used in Hollywood Westerns
• Weapons of war, hunting, and sport
• Gun-making technology and craftsmanship displays

The museum doesn’t just celebrate firearms—it also addresses their cultural impact, legal context, and technological evolution.

The firearm section is HUGE!!! It takes a long time to get through, but it's interesting to see how they have evolved through the years.

 

McCracken Research Library

For scholars and serious researchers, the McCracken Library offers a vast collection of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and archives focused on the American West, Buffalo Bill, and Native history.

 

 

Location:
720 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414

centerofthewest.org

 Open all year long.

Though the iconic Pony Express rider is said to not be a specific rider, many believe it was molded after William F. Cody.


A visit to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is more than a walk through history. The museum is a deep dive into the spirit, struggle, and artistry that shaped the American frontier. Whether you're retracing the footsteps of Buffalo Bill, admiring masterful Western paintings, you’ll come away with a richer understanding of the West.

It is a fascinating place and I can't recommend it enough. Plan on spending a full day there. Maybe even two days. 

Of course, a stop at the Irma hotel for dinner is a must as well.