Trailer Park Campfires

It’s not the normal activity around a campfire, but it was still fun! It wasn’t exactly a “fight,” more of a bit of a bonding moment. It seems women and mothers just don’t understand how men can find it “fun” to have a good wrestle every so often.

C.’s 20 year old son K. visited us for a week, and we took him up to the trailer. I enjoy K.’s company – he’s a great kid and we’ve shared a few laughs together and both of us love the Toronto Maple Leafs even though we have little hope of seeing a Stanley Cup in the next few years. It’s disheartening to watch our beloved Leafs year after year.

Anyhow, K. and I were sitting around the campfire, talking about life, music and the wonderful fact that the Irish invented whiskey. There were very few people in the park and those that were there were a long way off. None of the close neighbours were at their trailers, so we really didn’t have to worry much about noise.  We didn’t even really make all that much noise, unless you count K. learning the Scott Clan battle cry and enjoying it. A few shouts of “A Bellendean” after a wee sip of whiskey.

At some point, there were some “fighting words” (all in fun of course), and the next thing we were having a wee wrestle on the ground.  Now, I’m about 195 lbs and have 15 over K. but…  back in the day, about 15 years ago when I was in good shape, I was 180. So the weight advantage shouldn’t really go to me. Plus, my tendons and muscles are not just as flexible as they used to be. In the end, it was probably a “no decision.” Both of us had dirty clotlhes.

We brushed ourselves off, laughed, shook hands, had another sip of whiskey with a shout of “A Bellendean!” and headed to bed.

It was a good campfire!

July 27, 2010

Last night, we did our first roast in the dutch oven over an open fire. We weren’t quite sure how it would turn out, but we really wanted to try. C. brought up some baby potatoes when she arrived Sunday night. There were baby carrots in the fridge.  And I’ve got the Lodge cast iron dutch oven which I’ve used quite often in a regular electric oven.

We went to town and got a nice looking blade roast that was on sale. After getting the fire going to make sure there would be some nice hot coals, I poured a couple of tablespoons in the bottom of the dutch oven.  On top of that, went the roast. The baby potatoes were washed and put inside the cast iron, all around the roast. Then came the baby carrots. Next, I cut up a small turnip (or rutabaga as they are sometimes called) and in went that. Finally, a chopped onion with some fresh ground pepper and the lid went on.

Some red hot coals were pulled out from where the fire was burning, and we set the Dutch oven on them.  Within 20 minutes, we could hear the sizzle and smell the cooking.

Normally, it would take a roast of this size to cook in the over 90 to 120 minutes at 350. But what was the temperature inside the Dutch oven?  Being the first time we’d ever done this, we weren’t sure what to do. After about 50 minutes, we both agreed we should probably check and see what was going on inside.

The bottom side of the roast seemed overdone. So did some of the vegetables. The top side of the roast however, was not cooked – a quick cut with a knife revealed lots of red blood.  Hardly even done rare.

So we scooped out the veggies into another pot, turned the roast over, and did it for another 15 or so minutes on the coals. In the end, we had a delicious dinner!

Next time, we’ll just try to remember what we did and then make some cooking time adjustments. Probably cook the roast a good half hour before adding the veggies instead of doing it all at once.

After dinner, it was a couple of games of Scrabble by the fire with the Coleman lantern.

July 24, 2010.

But I missed the wood delivery guy. A little embarrassed by that, but as I wrote last week, campfires can be a relaxing time when talking with friends and you don’t even notice the time fly by.  After talking with C. (she’s had to work), I was sitting at my firepit at about 1AM, thinking about hitting the hay so I could be up and at ‘em for the wood delivery.  But G. dropped by with his friend Chris and being a good host, turned on some Great Big Sea as G. asked. We talked and chatted and laughed and the next thing I knew it was 5AM!!

I crawled into bed after G. went on his way and when I awoke just after 10AM, discovered the wood had been delivered – dumped in the “driveway” of the site.  There was a bit of work ahead of me and had some bacon and eggs along with fried Irish wheaton bread. Have you ever had fried Irish Wheaton? It’s very delicious! The weather was not conducive to a day of stacking wood with pouring rain – but it had to get done. I wished I had a wheelbarrow too!

Finally, I got a good pile of it all nicely stacked along the fence. I was pretty happy with it but didn’t want to go any higher and decided to start another stack along another perimeter of the site.

The rain didn’t stop, and I felt like an overloaded sponge – my clothes and hair dripping wet with rain and sweat mixed together.

Finally, all the wood had been stacked. Time to put the tarp over the one large pile to keep more raining from drowning it.

If you look closely at the photo of the wood on the left above, you might notice that the “fence” on the right hand side, which was previously attached to a tree with nails and screws, had let loose. As a result, it was pushing out against the wood. I didn’t think it would be much of a big deal seeing as these pieces of wood are 16″ long. I should have known better.

As I reached up to cover the wood with the tarp, I hollered in fear.

The stack of wood began to fall on me. I ended up on my butt in the fire pit with wood all around. When the wood began to fall, I didn’t think I was a dead man – but I did have fears that I was going to end up with a broken leg, ribs or arms or something. In the end, I just had a few minor bumps and a sore right leg.  After wondering if anyone had seen the incident, and assured that no one was laughing at me (it must have looked hilarious), I got up from the wet fire pit, dusted myself off (or rather, rubbed in the dust and ashes to my soaked clothing), and started restacking wood.  All over again. I was already sore and tired and wasn’t sure if I’d have the energy, but I got it done.

Eventually, the rain stopped! After changing out of the soggy clothes, I gathered up some dry kindling and was able to build a fire with some of the new wood, and it was a very accomplished feeling to sit there, looking at my fire with stacked wood around me, contemplating life.

July 17, 2010

Last evening, C. and I drove back up to the trailer and planned to stay for a couple of nights.  Shortly after we got our campfire going, G. poked his head over the fence to say “hello,” and we invited him to enjoy the cracking fire we had got going. We had met G. previously but didn’t have much time to talk other than make some introductions but were looking forward to getting to know him and his family better. He’s from Newfoundland and has that typical Newfie Irish personality – friendly and funny – and enjoys a relaxing adult drink around the fire pit.

We had such an awesome time that we all ended up staying up until the morning hours! When the sun came up, we were still sitting around the campfire and enjoying each other’s company. C was the first to “retire” – at about 8AM. G. and I finally parted from the campfire at about 10AM and I slept like a baby until about 3 in the afternoon. On the one hand, I had missed most of the day but on the other hand, it was made up by the fact that we had such a great time around the firepit and we made a new friend.

Campfires are an awesome way to make the introductions of new folk and get to know them better.  It’s relaxing and laid back, but of course, you have to bare in mind that others are sleeping nearby!

I know in my home country of Northern Ireland, right now there are bon fires going on.  Ah, the 11th night of July – and sad to say, many of those who are participating have never experienced the ability to celebrate much else with bonfires other than celebrations of events that ocurred over 300 years ago.  But I do understand… and have some feelings and pride myself.

I just hope it is a good “11th night” – safe, not too rowdy, and somewhere deep down those celebrating will also realize the ideals of the times – freedom and tolerance. I’ve got my little bonfire going, and am thinking of family and friends back home … and thinking of my little big country – and am grateful for what occurred in 1690 – with the idea that it was meant.. and folks died for liberty and freedom… for all.

And that includes freedom of association – I can be proud of my heritage, and recognize others are proud of theirs, but what is is what is. No one can tell me here.. not a Prod, nor a Mic, who my friends should be.

My wee bonfire is one that symbolizes freedom of all individuals,  to think, test, examine, and be friends with whom I choose, not based on prejudicial nonsense.

Happy 11th night to all!

I received a phone call on my cell phone about 10:30 AM.

“Hi there, it’s Adam K. I’m here with a load of wood for you. Where’s your site?”

I end up walking out to the trailer park public parking area and meet Adam, looking forward to my bush cord of wood being delivered.  But.. Adam is driving a pick up truck and that’s no bush cord!

Well, to give Adam credit, he tells me that he was on his way from his farm the day before with the wood in a dump trailer – when the tongue of the trailer broke ten minutes away from the farm.  But rather than disappoint me with no wood, he thought he’d get me almost a third of it – the amount he could put in the back of the pickup truck – so that at least I’d have some firewood.

I have to give him credit. A lot of credit. It is an hour and a half drive to where I am from where Adam is from – and it would have been easy for him to save on his fuel costs to postpone the delivery – but he decided to get me a partial delivery.  And I’ve paid him a partial amount on the full amount we agreed to.

Adam even helped me stalk the wood – and my almost 8 year old son David was a big help too!

It’s good looking wood. Can’t wait to try it out in the campfire asap!

If you are in southwestern Ontario and are looking for firewood – give Adam or Walter a call – 519-301-5001 or email Adam-K@live.com. Tell them the camping trailer man sent you!

As I wrote earlier, the delivery of the bush cord of firewood is due tomorrow (Thursday, July 8, 2010).  But I whad several bags of the more expensive stuff that I had purchased before making arrangements for the wood delivery.  Ah, we decided we may as well have a warm and long campfire knowing we don’t really have to conserve what we have – we can enjoy it all night long if we wanted to.

And indeed we did! I discovered that there might not be anything more amorous than a campfire, knowing no one else is around, being in love, and staying up to the wee hours of the morning, laughing, holding hands, some teasing, and a few dares going on.

Yes, I’ve seen and looked at the stars many a night and enjoy them. But I saw them in a completely different light last night…. ah, it was a beautiful – and fun – night! Perhaps the best campfire I’ve ever had.

I am still smiling, C. is still smiling, and soon we are off to pick up my almost 8 year old son David after getting some supplies and groceries for the next few days. Sadly, C. needs to leave for a couple of days, but I’ll have some time with David which I’ll also value.

I’m getting tired of buying a small bag of firewood for over 8 bucks a bag, and have been hoping to get the phone number of a local guy that will deliver firewood to me. One of my trailer park neighbours told me that this local guy will deliver two bush cords of softwood for about 300.00.  Problem is – it’s pretty soft and not exactly what I want. On one of our bike trips, C. and I saw a flyer for someone that will deliver a full bush cord (32″ X 4′ X 12′) of hardwood – maple and ash for $380.00.  A little more than what I wanted to spend, but at this point, I just want to get some here.  Not having it is costing me to much to as I buy from the bags from the local gas station ten minutes away.

I called the number on the flyer and it turns out the guy is on holidays, but he had his son give me a call. And he is going to bring me a bush cord on Thursday for $350.00. Apparently he’s an hour and a half away, but they are willing to deliver it to me for that price of $350.00.

I am looking forward to having firewood on site, and not having to worry about buying it before I come out if I’ve been away for a few days. In fact, I can’t wait!! It’s been a few years since I stacked wood – sometime ago, I owned a house that was entirely heated with a wood stove. One of the things I enjoyed and looked forward to was the day the 3 bush cords would be delivered in late October for the winter season. Stacking it up in the garage was good hard work that I loved – and then getting out the heavy maul to split some of it as needed. No better stress reliever than that!

It is one of those beautiful weekends that you remember for a long time.  During the day, the sun is shining and it’s hot enough to wear practically nothing and get a good tan. In the evening, the temperature cools off to enjoy the campfire and when it comes time to sleep, it’s comfortably cool.

C. and I picked up my son on Friday and he had an awesome time roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over our fire. We stayed up quite late enjoying the atmosphere of the flames dancing around on the split logs. The wee fellow decided he was tired and thought he should head to bed as his little yawns became more frequent. He was tucked in with Teddy Bear, and C. and I enjoyed a few hours longer, looking at the bright stars in the sky as the fire crackled after a few more logs were thrown on.

Saturday was hot, sunny and gorgeous! David decided that he loved the swimming pool and would have been in it all day if he could.  But in the afternoon we had to make a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some supplies and also some sunblock. Personally, I think the whole “cover your entire body with sunblock factor” of whatever huge number they have these days is a bit overblown. Sunshine is good for you! But I didn’t want the wee fellow to burn his shoulders but some brown colour is good.

After a good application of sunblock on David (I don’t use the stuff – never have), it was back to the pool until closing time.

Saturday evening saw another great campfire; this time with some toe-tapping Irish music in the background. We couldn’t help ourselves and finally the three of us got up and did jigs around the fire – and laughed and sang. We probably looked ridiculous – and out of step to the beat in our camp clothes – shorts and sandals, but we had fun and a grand time. Some of David’s favorite songs include “The Unicorn” and “The Drunken Sailor” to which he has known the lyrics since he was about 3 years old.  It was good to hear him singing along with the CD.

rainbow flames campfire

When we were out shopping, I noticed the store sold “Rainbow Fire,” a small packet which contains copper sulphate and sodium chloride.  Sodium chloride of course is table salt, while copper sulfate has a variety of applications including as a tree root killer, a fungicide, herbicide and pesticide. If you light off fireworks and see vivid blue colours, that is likely because of the copper sulfate in the fireworks. Throwing the packet of “Rainbow Fire” into the campfire results in a variety of colourful flames after about five minutes.  This has a “oooh” and “really cool” factor for kids as the different colours of green and blue flames mix in with the orange and reds. Not sure if you can see it clearly in the photo to the side.

I threw one of the packages into the fire and David thought the visual effects were exactly what I thought he would: “Really cool!”

You can likely get the same thing by purchasing and mixing up your own table salt and copper sulfate – probably for a lot less although the packets only cost about a buck. That is, if you’re into jazzing up your campfire with different colour flames.

It was a great evening with the cool flames and all the jigs we danced. To onlookers if there were any, it probably looked like some pagan festival going on, but we had a lot of fun. I was also able to impress David and C. with my spoon playing talents – just something I picked up years ago from my “auld man” when we used to listen to the likes of The Irish Rovers and The Clancy Brothers when I was younger.

Looking forward to more great campfires this summer!

I’m sitting at “home,” and right now, the campfire is blazing. It’s about 1AM, and the wee fellow, my son, who will be 8 fairly soon is sleeping. I’m by the fire, enjoying my solitude so much that I thought I’d tell you all about it while I can.  In the morning, the wee fella wants to go swimming, ride his bike, eat lots of bacon for breakfast, and generally enjoy Father’s Day with me out in what is forecast to be a perfect sunny day, about 23C or the mid 70′s F.

On Friday, C. came up and we drove out to the trailer. I was expecting a mess of green stuff that would need cut down after all the rain, but it wasn’t bad at all. I’ll do the “mowing” tomorrow. We picked up some groceries and some adult beverages – I managed to get a couple of wonderful rib steaks for the barbeque, and we were set.  Did I tell you the kind of barbie I have? Ah, remind me to give it a review soon! I love it!

We had our own lovely campfire together after steak and baked potatoes for dinner. Went through another 7.50 bag of wood – I am very much needing to speak to one of the local firewood agents in the next town to see if I can get a full chord of wood deliered here. Camping for a living in the summer might almost be as expensive in firewood as heating a small home in the winter with a wood stove!

Today (Saturday), we drove to where my “wee fellow” lives and picked him up. Brought him back to the trailer. C. had to leave so it’s just been D. and  I all evening. Roasted hotdogs and marshmallows time along with some awesome father and son time.  I decided that because it was Father’s Day, that didn’t mean I should be expecting the gift.  I bought the wee man something I hope and believe, he will treasure and take care of.  I presented it to him this evening. It’s a small single blade Buck Knife. I think he is old enough and wise enough to have his own small knife, and tomorrow we’ll go over some knife safety basics. He’s not to ever take it out of his pocket just to show his friends, or anything except when I’m around.  He knows and understands that.

C. was very happy to see that I really did order a flag of Nova Scotia along with my Ulster Red Hand. Now we’re trying to figure out the best place to put down a flag pole. Probably we’ll need two flag poles – but that’s fine.  There are enough Newfoundland flags here that Ulster and Nova Scotia definitely need to be represented!

Speaking of Newfoundland however, D. met one of the neighbours, and he has become fast best friends with Kerry. D.’s mother took him out for a ten day trip to Newfoundland, and Kerry was quite happy and surprised to find out they had visited Rocky Harbour, where Kerry had grown up.  But I had a little “argument” with Kerry the Newfoundlander.  He thought I had been playing music a couple of weeks ago that was “Newfie music.”  Not a chance! It was Irish music!

Ah, but I do love and enjoy Newfoundlanders.  They are practically cousins.

Another log on the fire, and I’ll be hitting the sack.