On Friday afternoon, I drove (yes drove) up to 37 mile Elliot Hwy where we had a men's retreat. I had volunteered to cook so I went up early hauling all of the food, to sort out the kitchen and start dinner preparations. Fortunately, another gentleman who had just finished building a trailer mounted smoker volunteered to test it out on us. He had previously owned a restaurant and had the expertise and experience to make some fabulous ribs and pulled pork. It wasn't a large group only ~25 or so. Food preparation was pretty straightforward.
The camp was pretty quiet and even though it was only a short ways off of the only road to Prudhoe Bay, you could barely hear what little traffic there was on the road. This is the main room and at this time, most of the group was out trying to shred targets or out on their mountain bikes or four wheelers. These guys were playing some overly complicated board game. I preferred to sit and relax. Cell service is lost once you are about ten miles out of town, water is pumped out of the creek, wood heat and electricity is from a generator. A wonderful way to spend the weekend.
The snow didn't melt off of the road so it was a slow, slippery trip back to town as it was just below freezing. There was some evidence of a large tractor trailer rig sliding off the road at some time during the day. Traffic was also slowed by a barge looking thing being transported by truck. Slow as in 10mph when going up or down the hills.
Posted with Blogsy
The menu sounds great, I've never tried real smoke BBQ.
ReplyDeleteIt was really delicious. Cooking time was around nine hours. The smoke ring was a bit over a ¼" deep.
DeleteThat looks like wonderful fun. Another reason why I still don't hurry down south...
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the time away from it all. Scary driving situation, tho.
It was a great way to spend the weekend. The roads were pretty slick but it's this way every year around this time. After this mornings ride in to the university, it may be time to install the studs in the tires.
DeleteA men's retreat. What a fine idea. My hubby and his high school buddies do that every once in a while but they always go in early summer...
ReplyDeleteEveryone's usually too busy in the summer and prefer if it's after moose hunting season. October seems to be a reasonable time when many have some free time.
DeleteA nice weekend away for you. Good of you to volunteer to cook.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe you have snow when we have temps over 80. Boggles the mind. Good thing you are used to the climate.
Cooking for a group is pretty simple. When people signed up, we asked them for about allergies or food preferences and came up with none. I was accused of sneaking in a lot more vegetables than some were used to...
DeleteThe snow is looking like it's going to stick around. Temperatures are forecast for the low teens (°F) later on this week.
Everyone needs a quiet moment or two. This looks like it was a relaxing weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful, relaxing weekend even with the cooking.
DeleteJust looking at the photos is relaxing. I think ubiquitous internet makes it difficult to quiet the mind.
ReplyDeleteLots of places in Alaska without Internet. And many without water and electricity or other infrastructure that we often take for granted.
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