Summer 2013 - June 17 to June 28 Virginia

June 17th found us traveling to Reedsville, VA and discovered this seafood eatery. At Cockrall’s Creek Seafood we sat at an outdoor picnic table overlooking The Wicomico River which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

On the same day we came to the birthplace of Stephen Austin “The Father of Texas”. It is located in Wythe County, Virginia now known as Austinville, VA.

 

      

We left Max Meadows on June 24 and traveled to Fort A.P.Hill, which is close to Bowling Green, VA. We are able to stay in the Famcamps on military bases.

 

Not too far from Ft A P Hill is the birthplace of George Washington. It is located on the Northern Neck of Virginia near Colonial Beach, overlooking the Potomac River. We were here on June 26th

      

       The footprint of the house         This National Park has a working farm

 

A garden is behind the fence               Moving the oxen to a different field  

 

On June 28th were headed to Atlantic City and Ocean City, VA. We stayed overnight on the Eastern Shore.

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Crab & Shrimp, April 7, 2012

After making "real" Midwest pork tenderloin sandwiches, we froze half of a  pork tenderloin. Walt wanted to stuff that half with crabmeat and shrimp and grill it on the rotisserie. I worked on finding a recipe that fit and this is what we adapted:

Crabmeat & Shrimp StuffingYield - about 6 Cups

Ingredients

1/2 CUP EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
1 LARGE ONION (Chopped)
3 STALKS CELERY (Chopped)
1 TBSP FRESH GARLIC (Minced)
1/2 CUP DRY WHITE WINE
1/2 TSP WHITE PEPPER
1/2 TSP GROUND CAYENNE PEPPER
1 TSP THYME (used ground thyme)
1 TSP OREGANO LEAVES (used ground oregano)
2 TSP PENZEYS SPICES® 33RD & GALENA CHICKEN & PORK RUB
1 LB CRAB MEAT
1 LB SHRIMP, CHOPPED
2 CUPS BREAD CRUMBS
1 TBSP LEMON JUICE
2 LARGE EGGS (Beaten)
1/4 CUP FRESH PARSLEY (Chopped)

Method

In a large skillet and over medium heat, add olive oil, onions and celery; sauté until onions are clear (about 5- 7 minutes). Add garlic, wine and all of the seasonings, simmer until the sauce reduces by one third.
Remove from heat, gently fold in the crabmeat, shrimp and remaining ingredients; stuffing should be used immediately or refrigerated.

Based on a recipe from Aurora Caterings from the website: http://www.customcatering.net/Rec_Vege/stufcrab.html

Slice the pork tenderloin almost through. Stuff the pork tenderloin. Use skewers to hold the halves together, lace with heavy string (cord).

Place on the rotisserie, 20 minutes per pound and 170 degrees internal temperature.

After reaching 170 degrees internally, hold for at least 20 minutes and then slice in about 1” slices

The rest of the menu: Potatoes Au Gratin, Penne’s Baked Beans, Green Salads and Wine. Served outdoors at The Palms RV  in Aransas Pass, Texas to other Winter or Fulltime RVing Texans.

Minnesota Summer (part 2)

Alexandria, Minnesota is about 20 miles south of this RV Park. It’s the closest town for most shopping and has a good farmers market.

I enjoyed the the museum, which has exhibits showing Norse history and the discovery of the Kensington Runestone. There is a video with evidence of Viking Exploration of North America during 1362.

   

Couldn’t pass up the opportunity to photograph 28’ tall Big Ole

   

I looked out one morning this past week to this sight from my window

   

This rig was one of many that I saw in Minnesota. I think its enough of a challenge to pull one vehicle much less two.

Here’s another variation for camping, it’s a fish house, ice cabin, or fish trailer. Covered holes in the floor provide ice fishing in comfort. The body drops down or the wheels go up, depending on how you look at it, putting the trailer on the ground. Since I’m not from this far north these were new to me. (and I’m not hanging around to experience the ice fishing part, see you in Texas the first of November.)

The Great River Road from St Cloud to Little Falls was a great day trip.

     

  
The Mississippi sure got wider than it was at Itasca State Park.
Possibly even wider than normal with all the rain this year.
  
    
Unfortunately, I took this trip during the time the Minnesota
government was shut down, so some sites that were closed.
     
  
   
    
Part 3 of Minnesota Summer includes my trip on part of the
Otter Tail Trail (say that fast three times). One of the towns on this
trail has many interesting, large and whimsical steel structures. I
also experienced another Minnesota government closure.