Eggs shine in below zero temps! (LOTS of pictures)

Nature Boy

<p />Back from a highly relaxing camping trip in the "almost heaven" mountains of West Virginia. We spent 3 relaxing nights up in the Allegheny Mountains on Gandy Creek, in East central WV. Two nights the temps hit 5 below, and one of those was windy, but we were prepared, and a good time was had by all. The large and medium eggs were burning the entire time. There was no official "lunch" or "dinner", I just kept hot food coming off continuously. The biggest hits were the Mrs. Smiths Apple Crumb Pie with whipped cream, and the cinnamon rolls in the morning.[p]Now, for the rest of the story in pictures.[p][p]The surrounding area is breathtakingly gorgeous....and much different than suburban Washington DC![p][p]While we did not have lamb, this one looked especially tasty.[p][p]We camped right along the mostly frozen Gandy Creek, which draines the highlands near Spruce Knob (the Highest point in WV)[p][p]Bringing the canopy we use at competitions was a great decision. The side panels were especially handy for blocking the cold wind. The eggs kept it slightly warmer than outside![p][p]Chicken was one of the things that helped keep us warm.[p][p]Possibly the biggest hit was pilsbury "Grands" cinnamon rolls on the cold mornings.[p][p]Maple sausages came off right after the cinnamon rolls vanished.[p][p]The ribs cooked for 4 hours while we four wheeled around on the snowy roads.[p][p]Charred some peppers for some chili (made with rib tips, and swamp venom chicken)[p][p]The chili warmed us to the bones.[p][p]The grilled Mexican cheese was amazing. Thanks for the inspiration MikeO. Not as gooey as provolone. Just soft inside.[p][p]Can you say "happy campers??"[p][p]Staying warm was a little work, but we were toasty.[p][p]All in all, a time to remember. And, like the Big Green Eggs, we were not phazed by the cold.[p]Hope everyone had a great weekend....now it's back to work![p]Warm beverages to yall.
Chris

Chef Wil

Nature Boy,
Really nice pics Chris, but....... like an earlier thread of "things that make you go HUH ???....what was the little blue and white ice chest used for? Keeping the grands warm I hope.........LOL

mad max beyond eggdome

Nature Boy,
great pics buddy. . ..looks like you guys had a great time, and the food looks oustanding!!. . .[p]hope it was all worth missing janet's boobie show live though. . .LOL

WooDoggies

[p]Great Shots!........ and y'all are crazy![p]
So why do they call you Nature Boy?

TRex

Nature Boy,[p]Great pics! What a beautiful landscape, and the best camping food I've ever seen. You've really got something going there. I usually can't stand cold temperatures, but something tells me I would have managed just fine on your camping trip.[p]TRex

BucsFanJim

Nature Boy,
Great pics! One question...who was the lucky one that had to tote the Eggs from the vehicle to the campsite? Hopefully you had a sled?

Boccie

Nature Boy,[p]Your a friggin' nut! I live here in West Virginia and even we don't camp in that weather! LOL[p]You guys are dedicated campers that's for sure![p]The area you stayed in is indeed beautiful. The mountain areas have wonderfull views.[p]The food you cooked looks great too. Wow, you kept it comin'[p]I still can't believe you camped in that... in tents too.[p]Bet you didnt go swimming :-)[p]Your still certified nuts. LOL!

Borders

Nature Boy,
Bro, you certainly earned your name. The pictures are inspirational for both cooking and camping. How can I work today? Thanks for posting.

QBabe

Nature Boy,[p]Wow, Chris that's some beautiful scenery you found to do your egging in...! With the right gear and attitude anything is possible. Nothing like a few days in the mountains to remind you of what's important....[p]Now, to the unpacking...hee, hee!
Tonia
:~)

JSlot

That looks like too good a time, Chris!! Thanks for sharing those pics!! Not fair showing those Grands cinnamon rolls to an Atkins dieter though![p]Frosty Ones!
Jim

Smokey

Nature Boy,[p]Great pictures! Looks like you GUYs (no women present) had a great time! Was there any alcahol involved? Last time I camped out in the snow we had some Blackberry Brandy I helped (at least we thought itr did).[p]Smokey

BlueSmoke

Nature Boy,[p]You are obviously having a dangerous, possibly illegal, amount of fun. At least you could try to look cold or grumpy or something. LOL[p]Ken

Borders

Nature Boy,
Can you hook us up with the warm mexican cheese concept? Looks great.

Unknown

Nature Boy,
Great pictures! I live in N. Calif near the Sierra mountains and camp often. I had to save your pictures to show my buds what real camping is. Love the egg out there.

Tim M

<p />Nature Boy,[p]I know if I was going camping it would be great to have you along! But I sure prefer the warmer weather cook outs like this day in 2002 when you were down.[p]Tim

ToyCollector

Great pictures, and looks like great food as well.

Unknown

Yo Nature Boy,[p]I cook my ribs with the meat side up. Your pic shows them meat side down. Any reason for that? Do they cook more gooder that way? Do you flip them or something? Just wondering.[p]Brews dewd
Matt.[p]PS - I can't believe that no one has made a coment about the lack of women and the sheep nearby... ;-)

Unknown

Nature Boy,[p]Well, you're nuts. Nice pictures, but you are nuts. [p]Say more about the cheese and how you cooked that, please?[p]Thanks![p]Lee

drbbq

QSis,[p]He's not nuts. You just don't understand the powers of the egg. Just buy one already and get on the bandwagon. I know a dealer near you.
[/b]

Chuck

Nature Boy,[p]Great photos, thanks for sharing. I would love to hear more about the cheese and the chili. I have done MikeO's provolone before but would like to know more about the "Mexican" cheese you did. Welcome back.[p]Chuck

Nature Boy

Howdy Lee.
Good thing there weren't more nuts out there. Nothing like havin' the place to yourself![p]Okay, the cheese. Here is the story:
I don't have the label in front of me, but I picked it up in the Hispanic food cheese section. Caso Blanco or something like that. I thought it would be perfect to melt over some enchiladas I cooked a few weeks ago....but the freakin stuff didn't melt. I guess I can describe it as kind of a cakey cheese. I put it in the fridge, and figgered I would never use it, but all of the sudden got this idea to grill it up. I was thinking of when Mike O cooked some grilled Provo cheese at the eggfest last year. He grilled it hot, and just when it was about to drip, he would flip the gooey mess. He ended up with one nicely browned blob of cheese. Was a bit messy, but the flavor from the browning was awesome. [p]I basically cooked it over a hot established fire..the egg temp was around 400, and the cheese was right over the coals. Did about 4 or 5 minutes on all four sides. Never done anything like this before, but if you have any non-melting cheese like that, it is righteous.[p]You all getting pummeled with ice up there?
Cheers
Chris

Nature Boy

Howdy Matt
Dem ribs cooked 4 hours while we wuz 4-wheelin, and I just flipped 'em to check the backs, and to lay a line of sauce on der. I do think they cook more gooder when you are not watchin them though.
Baaaa....squeeal!
Beers back mang
Chris

Nature Boy

Howdy Chuck.
Thanks man! The cheese was easy peezy. I'll find the name of that cheese that don't melt!
Check my response to Qsis below for the lowdown.
Cheers
Chris

Nature Boy

Tim M,
Man, I wanna do that beach surf fishin Q party again too. What a blast. Let me know when the big feesh are runnin, and I'll swing down again.[p]LOL. Yeah the fellers didn't have too many complaints, though I messed up the butt.
Beers mang.
Chris

Nature Boy

<p />Howdy Doug,
The Sierras are amazing. Only been once.....this was in the Kings Canyon/Sequoia area, and probably my highest campsite at 11,500. Just phenominal. I guess this is kinda "real" camping too.....problem is, the food came from foil bags, and not big green eggs.[p]You are lucky to live where you do!
Cheers
Chris

Nature Boy

Borders,
Check my response to Qsis above. It really was good.
Chris

Nature Boy

BlueSmoke,
Possibly.
Hee!
Chris

Nature Boy

Smokey,
Cognac, Tequila and beers. Nice thing was, the cognac and tequila did not freeze.
Thanks!
Chris

Nature Boy

Boccie,
You should make the drive over past Elkins sometime. They are building a huge Interstate right through the heart of the Alegheny Highlands. I am kinda worried a little about it losing its total solitude, but it'll be much easier to get out there. [p]Naw....no swimming this time!
Cheers, and hi to Nikki
Chris

Nature Boy

BucsFanJim,
The truck was only about 80 feet away. Two of us humped the eggs! An egg sled wudda been nice!
Latah
Chris

Nature Boy

mad max beyond eggdome,
Tanks mang.
We got back about 4 on Sunday, so I was around for the entertainment.
Beers!
Chris