.png)
An amazing weekend away glamping, in North Georgia and the fire did the cooking.
Glamping is the only way I will camp anymore. Okay, I guess I won’t be dramatic- if you have a gorgeous camper or a sweet tent you’ll pitch for me and there’s a bathroom onsite, I’ll go with you, but really why go any other way? Every detail was thought out at this gorgeous “glamp” site from the twinkle lights on the pavilion, wine bottle lined outdoor shower, s’more ingredients inside cute little ball jars, to hand delivered firewood from the owner. North Georgia Glamping (https://www.northgeorgiaglamping.com/) has it going on, and I would highly recommend them to experience the gorgeous landscapes In Ellijay, GA.
Just down the road from the “glamp” sites was a little barn with goats and chickens, so quaint and charming. Fun fact- Elatse’yi is an old Cherokee word that in a round about way translates to Ellijay, which is what I was going for in this picture, but now realizing there’s no goats nor chickens…promise, they were there.
You had me at wine bottle lined outdoor shower…
Spiderman was there too…this may be a theme in blog pictures going forward. Kind of like a where’s Waldo?
We ventured out into the city of Ellijay for several adventures, starting off with our very first kayaking experience on the Cartecay River with Ellijay River Outfitters (https://www.tubeellijay.com/). The experience with them was fantastic, they had everything you could need and got you situated with your kayak into the water with a guide and then picked you up by bus at the exit point and brought you right back to your car. I got a bit nervous as we were walking into the river behind the guide who’s t shirt said “Cartecay River- but you didn’t die did you?”. Then my son got nervous when we hit the first two bits of branches and nearly tipped the kayak, he was ready to turn back, but we didn’t die, did we? Here’s a video of a couple tubing down the Cartecay with Ellijay River Outfitters to give you an idea of the beautiful route on the river!
After all of that physical activity, it was time for drinks! First we went to the Cartecay River Brewing Co. (https://www.cartecayriverbrewing.com/) which had gorgeous river views from the outdoor patio, tasty beers, and several kids playing (at a distance of course) and enjoying the bugs and stray kitten. It also had a food truck with what looked to be phenomenal street tacos. We had enjoyed a large lunch at the glamp site before heading back out so we didn’t partake, though I think my mom still has regrets.
Next we took in the beautiful mountain views and tasted delicious wines at Ott Farms and Vineyard (https://www.ottfarmsandvineyard.com/), while my son played Kerplunk and rolled down the plush green hills. Anyone who knows me, knows I haven’t stopped complaining about having no beach nearby in Atlanta- I have to say when I’m up in the mountains and on the river, I forget about it. It truly is so beautiful and relaxing!
I definitely took advantage of the time away in the mountains to unplug and take a break from building my empire 😏, but we did pass by my brothers and sisters at the Ellijay Century 21 Results Office, so I had to give a shout out!
Okay, ya’ll (I’m allowed to say that now because I’m a Georgia resident) we are almost to the food, I promise! I just need to take a quick moment to talk about my love of fires. Since I was a teenager I have loved gathering with friends or family around a fire pit. It brings people together, it’s an excuse for a cocktail (and to burn things- no I’m not a pyro, well maybe a little), and it gives me a real sense of pride to build a successful fire. I also built my own stone fire pit in the backyard of my house in Virginia, pretty proud of that too. Anyhow, here’s a look at my fire on night one at the glamp site, and this was the stage for our meal.
The food on this trip was inspired by memories of previous camping trips I’ve taken with friends. The food was simple and delicious and we just used some foil and the fire. Beer brats were a favorite of mine and a friend of mine on our camping trips in Merritt Island, FL. So that’s where we’re starting, the brats. These pretty ladies are from my favorite grocery store Lidl, we just got one nearby and I am thrilled! Take them out of the package, wrap them in foil and set aside.
Next up is corn on the cob! This recipe is equally delicious on the grill. I know there’s a lot of ways to grill or roast corn, but this is my favorite and I find it to be the easiest. Soften the butter, mix it with your seasoning of choice, lie out the number of foil sheets you will need for the amount of corn you’re making (trust me, do this now before your hands are covered in butter), shuck your corn, slather it with seasoned butter, lie the buttered corn cob on the pre layed out foil sheet, sprinkle a bit more seasoning for good measure, and repeat. Wipe your seasoning bottle down, now that it’s covered in seasony butter and set foil wrapped corn aside.
Ah man, the memories from this one. My friends and I used to camp regularly at Ginnie Springs just outside of Gainesville, FL (Go Gators!). It was basically just a huge party where you tubed, camped, ate and drank. On one trip a friend came in hot with these little delights. You take the banana, cut down the center long ways without peeling, unwrap about 5 or so Rolos and then stuff those into your cut banana, wrap them in foil and set aside. Imagine one of these hot and gooey served on top of vanilla ice cream, ohhhh myyyyy!
Stick them all in the fire, cook, and eat (sprinting child optional). Really that is how simple it was. The corn takes about 20 minutes to soften, the brats were cooked so only took about 10 minutes to heat through and char, and the bananas were about 10-12 minutes just long enough to soften the banana and melt the Rolos. So just add each item into the fire accordingly. The fire pictured here is pretty low, but I tended it after the picture and the flames licked up a bit more. Of course, use caution when putting food into and pulling food out of the fire. Long fire tongs are recommended! Crack open your beer, put your feet up, and enjoy your feast!
Fire Side Feast
Roasted Brats
Ingredients:
Brats (as many as you need to feed your crowd)
Aluminum Foil
Directions:
Wrap brats in foil, place in or around fire turning at least once for 10 minutes or until heated through and charred to your liking.
Roasted Corn on the Cob
Ingredients:
Fresh corn on the cob (as many as you need to feed your crowd)
Butter (about 1/2 Tbsp per corn cob)
Seasoning
Aluminum Foil
Take butter out to soften, mix it with your seasoning of choice, lie out the number of foil sheets you will need for the amount of corn you’re making, shuck your corn, slather it with seasoned butter, lie the buttered corn cob on the pre layed out foil sheet, sprinkle a bit more seasoning, and repeat. Put in or around fire turning once or twice for 20 minutes or until softened and charred to your liking.
Fireside Chocolate Caramel Bananas
Ingredients:
Bananas (as many as you need to feed your crowd)
Rolos (about 5 per banana)
Aluminum Foil
Cut bananas down the center long ways without peeling, unwrap about 5 or so Rolos and then stuff those into your cut banana, wrap them in foil and then put in or around fire for 10-12 minutes or until bananas are softened and chocolate caramels have melted.
Thanks so much for joining me on this journey and I hope you find yourself enjoying nature and some of these fireside treats super soon! As always you can find my quick cooking videos on my Instagram or Facebook pages (link at the top and bottom of the page).
コメント