Summer Kick Off: Big Sur

For the past 4 years, we've taken off for Big Sur the day after the children's school year ends to mark the start of their summer vacation!   For 3 nights we camp along the Big Sur River, where the kids catch crawfish while mom and dad chill with a book.  The water, although a bit cold, is quite refreshing whether one is tubing it or not.  Camping really brings out the "kid factor" in our children.  They become even more free spirited, open to meeting new people and simply content to hang around the fire.  This year we invited family and a dear friend making this annual trip more special than usual.  I'm so grateful to be living near such a beautiful place where mountains, rivers and ocean converge.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer filled with lots of family, friends and new experiences. Take a look at some of my favorite images from the weekend:

Off The Counter: A Gourmet Camping Meal

While camping in Mendocino's  Russian Gulch a few weeks ago, we prepared a meal loosely based on Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa, a Portuguese salt cod dish.   Combining some of my favorite ingredients: olives, eggs and potatoes, this dish brings together the substantial savory flavors one craves while out in the fresh forest air.  By preparing a few of the key elements beforehand, one can enjoy this delicious recipe campside.  Ingredients and instructions below:

Ingredients:

Halibut, kalamata olives, capers, fingerling potatoes, hard boiled eggs, olive oil, parsley, lemon, salt and pepper.

Instructions:

Before leaving for your camping trip hard boil 3-5 eggs and 5-6 potatoes (do not overcook).  In a cast iron skillet,  season the fish with olive oil, salt, pepper and a bit of lemon.  Add the kalamata olives, capers and diced potatoes.  Cook over the fire until the fish becomes flaky and remove the pan from the heat.  Peel the hardboiled eggs, dice and add to the skillet.  Garnish with lots of parsley and drizzle with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Enjoy!

'Til Monday: Exploring Russian Gulch

At this time last weekend, we were camping in Mendocino at a spot called Russian Gulch.  Together with Alex's cousin and aunt we explored a small part of northern Cali's majestic seacoast.  This particular area is made uniquely beautiful by the Frederick W. Panhorst bridge, which frames the shoreline creating a dramatic introduction to a secluded beach.  Once there, our twin boys and Loki (our free spirited dog) ran amok, while Zoe's sole intent was to build a mini rock and seaweed village.  We did some kayaking around the rocky ledges among the giant seaweed and were rewarded with the most amazing views.  Moments such as these, i.e.:  away from home routines, disconnected from work and technology, are both craved and treasured by us as a family.  Here's to another weekend of exploration and escape. Hope you all have a great one, too!

Soon I'll share one of the amazing meals we prepared over the campfire at Russian Gulch.  Seriously, if you want to eat well while roughing it, camp out with us.

Many thanks to VK for sharing one of her most favorite camping spots with this wild bunch!

Scenes From Big Basin State Park

This past weekend we joined 4 other families for a camping adventure in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park.  Staying in the park's tent cabins made our late Friday night arrival a breeze.   No pitching of tents for us, instead we awoke to towering  red wood trees and an army of kids and canines ready to explore.  It was great to catch up with friends that we meet  almost 15 years ago when we first lived in SF.  For a couple of days we all enjoyed the ease of outdoor living:  our kids ventured from site to site, as we chatted, ate, drank and even hiked a bit.  Take a look at a few images from the weekend: