sli74
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The Memorial Day Gourmet Hut Trip to Mizpah Hut was a success both for the fabulous company and the gorgeous weather. The temperatures were a maximum of 115 degrees warmer than the last Gourmet Hut trip. The temps dipped down to negative 35 on the February Carter Hut trip and soared to 81 degrees at the parking lot at the end of this trip.
As per usual protocol, the entire gang of fun-loving hikers gathered at the Mount Clinton parking lot at 9 am on Saturday morning. I of course was running 15 minutes late due to having an extra person to rush out the door in the morning (my sister, Vandana, was on this trip) and due to the increased police presence on the roads (couldn’t speed). Within minutes we had all said our hellos and introduced the new people and packed the groceries into our packs. The groceries were divided into 6 pound bags, except for the two 8 pound bags, which Little Bear and I carried. Most the group left the trailhead parking lot at about 10 am. Brian, Vandana (Skin and Bones – her new trailname) and I waited for the last 4 to show up and finally started up the trail at a few minutes before 11 am . . .
We stopped frequently to adjust Skin and Bones’ backpack to her body since the pack is usually set for my body. We enjoyed a hour long lunch break as we made our way slowly up to the Hut. We hiked under cloudy skies that spit rain every now and then. We made it to the Hut around 3 pm or soon there after. We were greeted with loud cheers since my arrival meant the rumbling tummies would soon be fed
A number of folks in the group had taken short trips, I will let the others fill in their stories. I also think MEB and kmac had hiked over Webster and Jackson with Little Sister.
Soon after settling into the bunk spots that Katie (bunchberry) and Kevin had so graciously reserved for us, I started the cooking choreography . . . there is no other way to describe the process of cooking for 21 people. With the help of a half dozen or more in our group who were organized by Katie as she worked hard to delegate the “jobs” of cutting, slicing, mincing, etc. I have never before had a delegator until Katie took on the job, BUT what a GREAT idea it was . . . thanks Katie . . .
While the meal was in final preparation stages, we snacked on chips and freah guacamole which turned out AMAZING, thanks mainly to June’s (of J&J) professional mincing abilities. I have never made such good guac without a electric food mincer. June, you have to show up for every gourmet trip. About 2 hours and 30 minutes later, the first of the 2 gourmet meals of the weekend was served. We had vegetable fajita filling, chicken enchilada filling and warm tortiallas to deliver those into our bellies. We ate under cute Mexican decorations that John and June carried up for ambiance. I was disappointed in the meal, as it didn’t come out the way it usually does . . . I had never cooked that meal for more than 10 people before . . . however, everyone was real good at faking their enthusiasm and eating the food and insisting that it was great.
After the feasting was over, an equally great group of half dozen of the gourmet hut crew cleaned and washed dishes. You guys are amazing . . . cleaning is the worst part of the whole thing as far as I am concerned. The rest of the night is a blur to me, all I remember is finally laying my head down and being asleep within seconds.
The next day we woke to CLEAR and SUNNY skies and temps so warm, we all hiked in shorts and shirts, even on the ridge. Brian, Vandana and I even spent 2 hours sitting on top of Pierce, eating and chatting. After pulling ourselves away from the comfort of the warm rocks, we hiked to Eisenhower, meeting all the other groups and individual hikers returning from their own dayhikes on the ridge. It was such a wonderfully beautiful day and it felt good to be up that high with all those views. I even got to meet the Wilderness Heals group who were on a training hike.
On our way, back . . . I finally began worrying about making it back in time to start and finish cooking the dinner and finally chose to leave Vandana in Brian’s capable care and rush back to the Hut to start the cooking “dance” . . . I was determined to redeem myself with this meal given my disappointment in the food the night before. Once again, after almost 3 hours of cooking, we served up a full course Indian meal of Mattar Paneer (green peas and cheese), Chana Saag Paneer ( chickpeas, spinach and cheese) served with basmathi rice and 2 different kinds of naan. This time the food met and exceeded my hopes. I was pleased !!!
However, these were once again first time efforts for these recipes for a group of 20+ and I ended up cooking enough for about 40 people. So, after we took firsts and seconds . . . we offered the rest up to the others in the Hut. A group of young 20-somethings were up and out of their seats to enjoy the rest of the food. They were a GREAT group who volunteered to wash our plates as a thank you for the food.
Most of us ate way too much and spent the rest of the evening lounging and making a weak attempt to learn to juggle from June. Most of the group hit the bunks early as we had all wore ourselves out enjoying the A++++ weather in the Southern Presidentials. I said goodbye to MEB and kmac as they had plans for an early descent so they could hike elsewhere the next day.
The next morning most of the rest of us woke to a breakfast of leftovers which Brian was wonderful enough to heat up and most everyone left relatively early to avoid the traffic on the way home. My group of non-VFTT friends (Arturo, Ruth, Carmit and Yves) and Brian, Vandana and myself all hung around until close to noon, saying our goodbyes to the great caretaker Dave. Hiking back down the temps hovering near 80, we couldn’t resist Gibbs Falls. All of us except Vandana took a dip under the falls. Brian and I even climbed up the side to look at the smaller falls above.
After spending more than an hour at Gibbs Falls we got back to the cars, changed and went to the Woodstock Inn for a late lunch/early dinner. There I ran into Chomp and VSA, who I haven’t seen in MONTHS . . . The weekend worked out so well that we didn’t even hit much traffic on the way back.
THANK YOU to the entire group for making the trip such a success. The people are what make these trips and I am so very lucky to have such AMAZING friends. Brian was his usual FABULOUS self and you guys were all such fun that the most important thing that happened is my sister has agreed to come hiking more often, but only as long as there are such fun people around. Until next time . . .
sli74
As per usual protocol, the entire gang of fun-loving hikers gathered at the Mount Clinton parking lot at 9 am on Saturday morning. I of course was running 15 minutes late due to having an extra person to rush out the door in the morning (my sister, Vandana, was on this trip) and due to the increased police presence on the roads (couldn’t speed). Within minutes we had all said our hellos and introduced the new people and packed the groceries into our packs. The groceries were divided into 6 pound bags, except for the two 8 pound bags, which Little Bear and I carried. Most the group left the trailhead parking lot at about 10 am. Brian, Vandana (Skin and Bones – her new trailname) and I waited for the last 4 to show up and finally started up the trail at a few minutes before 11 am . . .
We stopped frequently to adjust Skin and Bones’ backpack to her body since the pack is usually set for my body. We enjoyed a hour long lunch break as we made our way slowly up to the Hut. We hiked under cloudy skies that spit rain every now and then. We made it to the Hut around 3 pm or soon there after. We were greeted with loud cheers since my arrival meant the rumbling tummies would soon be fed
A number of folks in the group had taken short trips, I will let the others fill in their stories. I also think MEB and kmac had hiked over Webster and Jackson with Little Sister.
Soon after settling into the bunk spots that Katie (bunchberry) and Kevin had so graciously reserved for us, I started the cooking choreography . . . there is no other way to describe the process of cooking for 21 people. With the help of a half dozen or more in our group who were organized by Katie as she worked hard to delegate the “jobs” of cutting, slicing, mincing, etc. I have never before had a delegator until Katie took on the job, BUT what a GREAT idea it was . . . thanks Katie . . .
While the meal was in final preparation stages, we snacked on chips and freah guacamole which turned out AMAZING, thanks mainly to June’s (of J&J) professional mincing abilities. I have never made such good guac without a electric food mincer. June, you have to show up for every gourmet trip. About 2 hours and 30 minutes later, the first of the 2 gourmet meals of the weekend was served. We had vegetable fajita filling, chicken enchilada filling and warm tortiallas to deliver those into our bellies. We ate under cute Mexican decorations that John and June carried up for ambiance. I was disappointed in the meal, as it didn’t come out the way it usually does . . . I had never cooked that meal for more than 10 people before . . . however, everyone was real good at faking their enthusiasm and eating the food and insisting that it was great.
After the feasting was over, an equally great group of half dozen of the gourmet hut crew cleaned and washed dishes. You guys are amazing . . . cleaning is the worst part of the whole thing as far as I am concerned. The rest of the night is a blur to me, all I remember is finally laying my head down and being asleep within seconds.
The next day we woke to CLEAR and SUNNY skies and temps so warm, we all hiked in shorts and shirts, even on the ridge. Brian, Vandana and I even spent 2 hours sitting on top of Pierce, eating and chatting. After pulling ourselves away from the comfort of the warm rocks, we hiked to Eisenhower, meeting all the other groups and individual hikers returning from their own dayhikes on the ridge. It was such a wonderfully beautiful day and it felt good to be up that high with all those views. I even got to meet the Wilderness Heals group who were on a training hike.
On our way, back . . . I finally began worrying about making it back in time to start and finish cooking the dinner and finally chose to leave Vandana in Brian’s capable care and rush back to the Hut to start the cooking “dance” . . . I was determined to redeem myself with this meal given my disappointment in the food the night before. Once again, after almost 3 hours of cooking, we served up a full course Indian meal of Mattar Paneer (green peas and cheese), Chana Saag Paneer ( chickpeas, spinach and cheese) served with basmathi rice and 2 different kinds of naan. This time the food met and exceeded my hopes. I was pleased !!!
However, these were once again first time efforts for these recipes for a group of 20+ and I ended up cooking enough for about 40 people. So, after we took firsts and seconds . . . we offered the rest up to the others in the Hut. A group of young 20-somethings were up and out of their seats to enjoy the rest of the food. They were a GREAT group who volunteered to wash our plates as a thank you for the food.
Most of us ate way too much and spent the rest of the evening lounging and making a weak attempt to learn to juggle from June. Most of the group hit the bunks early as we had all wore ourselves out enjoying the A++++ weather in the Southern Presidentials. I said goodbye to MEB and kmac as they had plans for an early descent so they could hike elsewhere the next day.
The next morning most of the rest of us woke to a breakfast of leftovers which Brian was wonderful enough to heat up and most everyone left relatively early to avoid the traffic on the way home. My group of non-VFTT friends (Arturo, Ruth, Carmit and Yves) and Brian, Vandana and myself all hung around until close to noon, saying our goodbyes to the great caretaker Dave. Hiking back down the temps hovering near 80, we couldn’t resist Gibbs Falls. All of us except Vandana took a dip under the falls. Brian and I even climbed up the side to look at the smaller falls above.
After spending more than an hour at Gibbs Falls we got back to the cars, changed and went to the Woodstock Inn for a late lunch/early dinner. There I ran into Chomp and VSA, who I haven’t seen in MONTHS . . . The weekend worked out so well that we didn’t even hit much traffic on the way back.
THANK YOU to the entire group for making the trip such a success. The people are what make these trips and I am so very lucky to have such AMAZING friends. Brian was his usual FABULOUS self and you guys were all such fun that the most important thing that happened is my sister has agreed to come hiking more often, but only as long as there are such fun people around. Until next time . . .
sli74
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