Book Review: Dutch Oven - Cast-Iron Cooking Over an Open Fire by Carsten Bothe

I love cooking over the campfire. I've adapted so many household recipes that I've seriously considered writing my own book. I don't usually use my Dutch oven, but I have one. Sadly, it looked like this previous to this review (not too bad, really, but it needed some love):

Obviously, I didn't have a clue as to how to take care of it. I was treating it like a household skillet. It takes more than cold water and a small wipe down with oil every once in a blue moon to take care of something that you use over the open fire (and burn things in constantly). I have had such a sad experience with my Dutch oven that I've punished it by sentencing it to near solitary confinement in the darkness of the back of the cabinet. (It is kept company by my unused Foreman grill.) I would occasionally take it camping and burn biscuits and applesauce-gingerbread cake. I've successfully baked biscuits (from a can) maybe once.

Happy Birthday Atticus!!!

!

Photo Courtesy of:
Tom Ryan

Today, Atticus M. Finch turns a whopping 10 years old. Who is Atticus M. Finch? Atticus M. Finch is an amazing Miniature Schnauzer who's probably hiked more miles than we have and through way more ardent conditions than we could ever imagine. We've had the pleasure of getting to know Atticus and his mate Tom Ryan through our outdoor blogging exploits. Late last year, Tom's book, "Following Atticus", made a grand debut on bookshelves. Previous to that we were fortunate enough to win an advanced readers copy and were sent on a virtual adventure as we followed Atticus and Tom and learned more about their lives as well as Atticus's precursor Max while reading "Following Atticus".

If you remember correctly, we reviewed the book late last year and if you love adventure or stories with spirit, then you will love "Following Atticus". To celebrate Atticus's 10th birthday, Tom and Atticus would very much appreciate everyone purchasing a copy of their book. It is Tom's birthday wish for Atticus to hit the NY Times best seller's list. If they do so, then they will donate $1,000 to the Jimmy Fund and a $1,000 to Angell Animal Medical Center, two organizations that both Tom and Atticus believe in and support full-heartedly. If you ask us, that's the greatest birthday gift anyone could ask for.

Photo Courtesy of
Tom Ryan

If you've been meaning to buy the book, for yourself or as a gift, take some time today or this week and get a copy. All the big stores should have it (i.e. Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc.) and yes the e-book counts as well. We think that Tom and Atticus should have already been on the NY Times best seller list, and they've been close, so let's put them over the hump and get them on the list. I couldn't think of another pair that deserves it as much as Tom and Atticus.

Oh, and don't forget to keep up with Tom and Atticus' adventure over on their blog and Facebook page.

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

FGR - 10/28/2011 - Who's Ready to Win Some Stuff?

Seriously, who's ready to win some stuff? There's a few great giveaways going on in the outdoor blog-o-realm so let's get right down to business shall we? First up over at Live Free and Hike New Hampshire, our buddy Karl has two copies of Following Atticus to give away to two lucky readers. It looks like these are hard back copies and they would make for a great gift for someone, or better yet a wonderful edition to your own personal library. You have until Nov. 11 before Karl picks the two lucky winners so get over to his blog for all the entry details.

Next up, Trail Sherpa has launched it's first gear review, offered by none other than our lead sherpa Tim Miner. He's reviewed the Geigerig Hydration System and in so doing has decided to celebrate the first gear review post on Trail Sherpa by giving away a Geigerig 1600 day pack with inline filter. How awesome is that? Pretty dang sweet if you ask me. Like the first giveaway mentioned, there are multiple entries available for this one, but you only have until Nov 3rd to get them in so head over to the review post and get entered now.

Book Review: Following Atticus by Tom Ryan

Robin and I have been very fortunate in our outdoor blogging exploits. We've won some sweet gear, been on some wonderful hikes, seen some awe inspiring places, and above all else, have met some really great people along the the way. One person in particular that we have had the pleasure of getting acquainted with and knowing more and more is Tom Ryan and his four-legged companion, Atticus M. Finch. For our Tennessee fans and readers, as well as any of our fans and readers, if you've been living under a rock or somehow missed our postings on Facebook and Twitter about Tom and Atticus, then let us take the opportunity to tell you why you should get and read their book, "Following Atticus".

Tom Ryan is a master wordsmith. An ex-newspaper man from Newburyport, Mass. Tom has an uncanny knack for writing in a way that makes you feel as if you were there with him in his recently published book "Following Atticus." Considering that I can only dream to be half the writer Tom is, I can't begin to convey how wonderful this book is. I think Tom's words speak for themselves. But let me warn you, this is not just a book about a dog. It's not just a book about adventure. The mystery is never rectified. But you will be left with a heart-warming sensation - a newly acquired approach to the way you view life - and probably even the lives of the pets you love.

To be quite honest, for me to try and describe the book wouldn't do it much justice. It really does speak for itself and you'll just have to read it to see. However, I guarantee once you have read it, you'll be glad you did, for it will fill you with so much joy and inspiration.

This book definitely has it all. It will send you on a roller coaster ride of emotions in just a couple of chapters and back again. The relationship shared by Tom and Atticus, and between the two of them and everyone and everything they encounter together along the way is something not to look lightly upon, for this is the way I believe we should all live our lives.


Seriously, go buy the book. Then go home, put on your pj's, grab a mug of cocoa, and lose yourself in the White Mountains, the bond between man and beast, and the world they share from their eyes. Better yet, hike to a mountain or a forest glen and read it. If you don't fall in love with these two "characters" then maybe I'm missing something. You can order a copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or from various other merchants. Also be sure to check out their blog: The Adventures of Tom and Atticus. You can also keep up with the duo on Facebook and Twitter for that matter. If you're still not convinced, check out the trailer for their book below:

Happy Trails,
Tim and Robin

P.S. To Tom and Atticus: Thank you guys for sharing your adventures with us. It's always refreshing to see you two facing the impossible and showing us all that it's really not as bad as it seems. In reading the book, I see so many similarities in my life in so many ways that you have described in yours, Tom. It's actually kind of heartwarming. Continue the good work and keep up the good fight you two. We look forward to the next adventure.

Gear Giveaway Roundup 7/8/2011

Howdy Folks and welcome to another edition of "What can I win this week?" I know you are all asking yourselves that question right now, and I can say that this week there are a few good things out there worth trying for. So let's get right to it shall we?

Today, Tom and Atticus will be giving away a collar from Lupine Collars and Leads. All you have to do is comment on their Facebook wall how you came up with your dog's or cat's name. At some time today they will pick the winner at random. Don't delay, you don't want to miss out on this opportunity for your four-legged friend.

The Evening Post

Tonight we're spending time on the deck in the cool night air while the exhaust fan we have set up in the largest window pulls most of the hot air from the day out of the house. Our a/c is shot for the moment, and today's high temps reached nearly 85 degrees. It was 82 in the house around 9:30 this evening; an unbearable temperature in my opinion. But as the temps begin to dip outside, our fan pulls the cool night air into the house making it comfortable for sleepy time.










We spend a lot of evenings on the deck, fighting off the creepy crawlies and avoiding stepping on the caterpillars that seem to have an on/off switch. At some point in the evening, they just stop where they are at, never moving, flinching, or seeming to care that you nearly spilled their guts with the heel of your shoe. Sometimes we even find them hanging in place, as if they were in a half-reach stage when someone flipped their switch.

It smells like honeysuckle this time of year. The backyard is in full bloom; although it's hard to see any of that in the darkness. I turned on the halogens to keep the bugs off us, and they lit the rhododendron up quite nicely. And the evening forest is full of chatter - raccoons, crickets, frogs, and the occasional cat fight. There's also the beating of wings and the slamming of velvety bodies - kamikaze moths literally dying for one small moment at that halogen heaven.

Tim is reading Clover a bit out of our Advance Reader copy of Following Atticus that we are so thankful to have received. I don't know what it is, but that book has already made me cry more times than Bridges of Madison County. We'll just blame it on the pregnancy hormones. It is so beautifully written, and so heartwarming. I can't wait to finish it and write a review for all of you in hopes that you'll want a copy when it's released in September.

Until next time, happy evenings!
Robin & Tim

More Outdoor Gear Give-a-ways/Contests

There's a few more outdoor gear and outdoor related give-a-ways going on in the blogosphere. Here are the few we've managed to catch wind of.

Image Courtesy of
Tom and Atticus

Tom & Atticus of the Adventures of Tom & Atticus are giving away three more copies of the Advanced Reader of their book "Following Atticus". All you need to do is like their Facebook page. Once they reach 500 they'll give away 3 copies of the Advanced Reader. Be sure to check out Tom and Atticus, Atticus is one cool pooch.





The next give-a-away is a Mountainsmith Tour Lumbar Pack over at My Life Outdoors. Steven is giving away the pack in partnership with yourLume.com. You can get up to four entries in this give-away. Just head over to Steven's blog and check out how. Steven will pick the winner on the 24th, Easter Sunday.



Next up is the give-a-way over at the Adventure Blog. The Adventure Junkie has also teamed up with yourLume.com to give-a-way a GoLite Men's Litespeed Backpack and a  Sierra Designs Verde 20 sleeping bag. Just head on over to the Adventure Blog for more details on how to enter for either of these sweet pieces of outdoor gear. Don't worry it's all peaches 'n' cake. You have until April 22nd to get in on this one.

So that's all we've got for now. Don't forget though, Brian Green of Brian's Backpacking Blog still has is give-a-away for the Kupilka Set open until the end of the month so it's not too late to get in on that one. 

Good luck,
Tim and Robin