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training
This morning, Lucy and I got back in the saddle, and did a run as part of my training for the Broad Street Race. Last week, because I was feeling mostly like a Mac Truck brutally sidelined me, we didn’t get in much running (I use this term loosely, because when it references what I do, it mostly means shuffling along and trying to remember to lift my knees and use proper form at a speed that slightly outpaces a fast walk).
We had a nice pace going (once Lucy has ceremoniously evacuated her bowels not once, but three times, resulting in equal hand weights for the first mile of lilac-smelling potty bags filled with … potty) and nearly hit four miles in forty minutes (which would have been excellent). When we crossed the 12 mile marker on the Wissahickon Ribbon trail, we slowed to a walk for cool-down purposes, as well as the fact that there was a quite a monstrous dog approaching, and the big guy didn’t look friendly.
And here I make my **Public Service Announcement** to the dog world.
Yes, I understand that you want to take your pup for a nice walk/job/amble through the woods on a beautiful morning such as today.
Yes, all dogs deserve to stretch their legs in the great outdoors.
Yes, I am sure that deep down, your growling, hair-raised, poised-for-attack dog is really a softy.
But when my over-eager puppy of nearly nine months begins to cower and her back-end starts to uncontrollably shake, it means she’s scared, and your brute of a dog is probably a little overwhelming.
Therefore, dog-owners. Rather than move to the side of the path and allow your dog to jump viciously toward mine with the mere restriction of what I can only imagine MUST be a leash with superpower (otherwise why would you have your attack dog on a public path with no other method of restraint?), perhaps you should err on the side of caution.
Either don’t bring your dog to a public path where he is bound to encounter other dogs, OR take precautionary measures to train, restrain and socialize your pup.
I know you love him. I love my baby girl, too. But you didn’t reprimand or attempt to control your dog as mine walked meekly by, ears flat and body quivering. Considering she’s full of kisses, love and excited wiggles, and despite my extreme bias, I have a hard time believing that her reaction wasn’t at least partially due to your dog’s … erm, enthusiastic? … greeting?
We’re safely home, and the Luce is curled up next her dad and I on the couch. She’s clearly not forever damaged. But I haven’t forgotten our encounter, and I will be on guard the next time we approach the snarling dog of this morning’s walk.
Until then, I’ll focus on my #broadstreet training. #runrunrun!
Valley Green
Philadelphia has one of the largest urban park systems in the country -collectively referred to as Fairmount Park- and the man and I are lucky enough to live very close to one of my favorite parks in the system, Wissahickon Valley Park.
Wissahickon Valley Park includes Forbidden Drive, Devil’s Pool, The Indian (a mysterious statue that I heard about for eight years before finally finding him today on our long Sunday hike) and a multitude of other great places, including the Valley Green Inn (which features Yappy Hour every Tuesday from 5-7pm … bring your pup and enjoy cocktails and snacks, for man and beast alike, on their heated outdoor deck ~ absolutely genius for people like the man and myself who have recently become three). There is even a section of park where Lucy can run free of her leash and meet up with doggie friends also enjoying their dog park-esque freedom in the woods.
Forbidden Drive is 5.42 miles long and features the only red covered bridge in any major city.
Spring is coming …
The Fingerspan bridge … 
modern weathering steel bridge (this girl crossed it quickly … I’m not the biggest fan of heights!) Lucy also needed a little persuading. It was cool walking over the bridge, though, because even though you are totally enclosed, you can see through the walls and the floor and you’re fairly high up, so the view down the stream is pretty gorgeous.
We hiked for about two and a half hours, finding The Indian with some help from fellow hikers. It was not what I expected, and it’s a steep switch back path from one side to reach him, but well worth it.
The legend of the statue of The Indian has many variations. I liked the idea that it was an anonymous Lenape Indian Chief watching his people move West as the Eastern lands became over-populated.
This is the view of the river from the foundation of the old Mill (in fact, the last working mill in Pennsylvania!).
As I type, the man and Lucy are working on getting the fire pit roaring outside. We are going to enjoy a relaxing Sunday evening. I hope you’re enjoying yours, too!
flash blizzard & strong drink
Yesterday afternoon, after spending the morning at Jefferson Hospital’s Heart Health Day, I packed a bag for Lucy, and the two of us headed south to my parents for a dinner of Haggis and Mashed Neeps.
The haggis had originally been purchased for Rabbie Burns Day a few weeks ago, but I’d finagled my darling parents into coming to my house to visit with my brother and his lady, so the haggis had gone uneaten. (Instead, we’d enjoyed Crab Stuffed Tilapia, boiled baby potatoes and green beans … yummers).
It sounded like a relaxing Saturday night, and as Lucy had never visited her Grandparents before, it was also an excellent socializing opportunity. And if I timed it properly, we’d be home in time for a blog post and a snuggle on the couch before heading to bed.
Into Lucy’s bag went dinner, her Dragon, her antler chew toy, a blanket, her kitchen bed (not to be confused with her bedroom bed), and some water from home. For safe measure, I also brought her big, blue collar (which she should have been wearing to prevent her from licking or scratching her incision, but she hated it so much I took it off). Better safe than sorry.
We hooked up “A Clash of Kings” and settled in for the drive. There were a few flurries in the sky, but all seemed okay. After we turned off the highway, I pulled over to fill up my gas tank (it’s SO much cheaper near my parents house).
And then the weather just … well … completely changed. The wind picked up, and Rooney Cooper was pushed around the road. The big, wet flakes that had earlier been dancing to the ground became an angry squall of blinding white. The temperature dropped nearly eight degrees in less than ten minutes, and we slowed to a crawl as we slid on the curving country roads.
It was a long twenty minutes to finish the drive. My mother called as we pulled into the driveway. My father had arrived home just a little bit before me (he’d been Lucy-sitting while I worked), and the driveway hadn’t had any snow on it. As I pulled in, and slid sideways a little, it was a slick sheet of ice and snow. As we tumbled inside the house and stamped snow from our feet (well, Lucy was ‘detained’ and politely allowed her Nonna to wipe off her paws), my mother said matter-of-factly, “Well, you’re not driving home tonight!”
We did have a great night. Lucy was very well behaved (despite not sleeping through the night), the Haggis and Mashed Neeps were delicious, and breakfast of fried eggs, sausage and English muffins with Marmalade was scrumptious. It’s always nice to go home and be spoiled a little bit.
The pup and I hit the road shortly after breakfast and were home before 1p, at which point I collapsed on the sofa and we had a nice little afternoon nap. I awoke with a deep craving for Bourbon Balls (a decadent dessert introduced to me by Minda). So I made some. It’s really the only logical thing to do when all the ingredients are in the cupboard. Now it’s time for the penultimate installment Downton Abbey (it’s extended!), some Bourbon Balls, and some cuddling with the pupster.
In case you’d like some Bourbon Balls, too ~ here’s how!
What you Need:
1 box Nilla Wafers (10.75oz)
1 lb shelled Walnuts or Pecans (Minda does half and half and it’s sublime)
1/2 c. Honey
1/2 c. Bourbon
1/4 c. White Rum
1/4 c. Brandy
Powdered Sugar
What to Do:
1. Combine Nilla Wafers and nuts in a food processor.
2. When fully chopped, add honey and alcohol. Mix together.
3. Roll into balls and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
4. Refrigerate. Enjoy at your leisure.
**If you have time, refrigerate the batter after mixing, and about an hour later, roll into balls. It will make the process much easier, and less messy.
healthy hearts
Yesterday, Zavino participated in Jefferson Hospital’s Fourth Annual Heart Health Day. It was our first time as a featured restaurant, and I went with our Executive Chef to help distribute samples of our heart healthy pasta salad (created specifically for the event). The event was held at King of Prussia mall, and Tim Spinner of Cantina Feliz and La Calaca Feliz (translated, it means the Happy Skeleton ~ the skeleton, I learned, is one of several characters in a very popular Mexican card game) did a cooking demonstration with former Eagle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter. (Despite not being an Eagles fan, I am a huge football fan, and Mr. Trotter was really funny, good -natured and generous in his attitude and demeanor thoughout the event). Watching the crowd’s faces as Chef Spinner pulled a huge octopus out of cambro and dropped him into a pot of hot water was priceless, as was watching Jeremiah Trotter’s face as he assisted in making and then tasting each dish.
The entire event reminded me that the food business can be pretty cool.
Since we handed out hundreds of menu cards generously printed by Jefferson Hospital, I thought it would only be fair to share Chef Carlos Aparicio’s Heart Healthy Whole Wheat Pasta with Grilled Veggies on my blog. So, here goes!
For the Pesto:
2 c. fresh basil (picked leaves)
1 c. baby arugula
1/2 c. grated Parmesan-Reggiano
1/2 c. EVOO
1/3 c. Toasted Pine Nuts
3 medium sized Garlic cloves
1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
1. Place all ingredients in blender or food processor.
2. Blend for 2-3 minutes, adding a little extra olive oil if it’s too thick.
For the Pasta:
1 lb dry whole-wheat penne (or other pasta)
1 c. small chunks of sundried tomatoes (keep separate from all othere veggies to incorporate at the end for garnish)
1/2 c. small diced Asparagus
1/2 c. small diced Zucchini
1/2 c. small diced Yellow Squash
1/2 c. small diced Cauliflower
1 bunch Swiss Chard (washed and cut in small pieces)
10 leaves Basil Chiffonade (for garnish)
What to Do:
1. Cook pasta for about 10 minutes in boiling water. Drain & reserve.
2. In a big pot of boiling water, blanch all veggies except Swiss Chard. (Blanching = leaving veggies in water no more than 45 seconds). Remove from water.
3. In a stir fry pan, add EVOO and garlic (diced) over medium heat.
4. Saute all veggies (after being blanched) for about 2-3 minutes.
5. Add salt & black pepper to taste.
6. In a large bowl, combine pasta and veggies, adding pesto and basil chiffonade.
7. Garnish with small-diced sun-dried tomatoes (add extra pesto and pine nuts for extra creaminess & flavor).
Hunting Trip Eve
You know how there are those days, when you’re counting minutes (possibly seconds) until you can get home and put sweatpants on?
That was definitely my day today.
It’s the man’s last night before his Western adventure, so our apartment is a mess of hunting equipment, food, flashlights, blankets, and every possible odd or end that you could imagine needing to drive 30 hours across the country to hunt for two weeks.
Couple thoughts before I head into the kitchen to make some peach cobbler … oh, and dinner (lox and bagels, which is ironically appropriate considering today is Rosh Hashanah ~ altho’ the sun is down now, so technically, I believe the holiday is over ….? Chime in anyone!).
1. The kale is WAY better fresh than a day old, but still eminently edible.
2. I think that brownies are not my forte ~ I need Angie for brownies. But my batch from last night are good. Just not epic.
3. I haven’t tried the pumpkin roll, but it still looks good in the fridge. (!)
Also, the new season of TV is almost completely launched (save for some October debuts, such as Tim Allen’s ‘Last Man Standing’ ~). I’m surprised at what I liked and what I didn’t like. But my final word is, “The Good Wife” is still the best thing going on. Perhaps more on this later ~ for now, I’ve gotta eat some food!
Happy Thursday everyone. And Happy New Year!
for the glory of old state
The Penn State Alma Mater
by Fred Lewis Pattee
For the glory of old State,
For her founders strong and great,
For the future that we wait,
Raise the song, raise the song.
Sing our love and loyalty,
Sing our hopes that, bright and free,
Rest, O Mother dear, with thee,
All with thee, all with thee.
(Softly)
When we stood at childhood’s gate,
Shapeless in the hands of fate,
Thou didst mold us, dear old State,
Dear old State, dear old State.
(Louder)
May no act of ours bring shame
To one heart that loves thy name,
May our lives but swell thy fame,
Dear old State, dear old State.
The first semester of my first year of college, University President Graham Spanier launched a multi-million dollar fund-raising campaign, and during the launching ceremony, the Musical Theatre students performed. I’ve known the words to our alma mater ever since.
Fight on State!
(Official Fight Song of Penn State) Fight on State, Fight on State Strike your gait and win. Victory we predict for thee, We’re ever true to you, dear old White and Blue. Onward State, Onward State, Roar, Lions, Roar! We’ll hit that line, roll up the score Fight on the victory evermore, Fight on, on, on, on, on, Fight on, Penn State!
The fight song was my favorite as a kid. I wasn’t all that interested in football in my youth ~ my dad and brother were much more involved in what was going on on the field during the game … I was all about the Blue Band performing pre-game and during half time (such a little musical theatre geek was I!).
I grew up with the tradition of journeying to State College on Saturdays in the fall ~ we did it every year, regardless of where we lived. Sometimes it was hot. Sometimes it was cold. Sometimes it rained. It was always fun ~ it remains so to this day. It’s changed … obviously I care a lot more about the football than I used to (in 1994 a quarterback wearing #12 piqued my interest in the game ~ he led PSU to an undefeated season and a national title ~ and I’ve totally loved him ever since, whether he wore #12 on the Panthers, or #5 on the Giants, Raiders, Titans and Colts … he’s the only non-Steeler I completely adore). As we got older, my brother and I learned the fine art of tailgating from the best (check it out ~ Sports Illustrated ran a competition about the best tailgaters in the country …. the Buffalo Bills won for the NFL, and PSU won for college … in a head to head, we took it hands down). And now, it’s about seeing all those people who lived through the glory days, and revisiting it (albeit with better food, beer, and sleeping accommodations!).
Here’s to the first big game of the year ~ burgers, beer, friends, football and fall.
WE ARE!!!!
PENN STATE.
when it rains …
It pours.
And it also floods, as it has all day in Northeastern Pennsylvania. And my street. I still completely stand behind my statement (made when I was relatively unaffected by the weather and safely in South Carolina during the onset of Irene) ~ don’t mess with Mother Nature, because she’s a singular force.
HOWEVER ~
This Saturday is one of the biggest home games in my history of attending Penn State Football games, and if for some reason -because Mother Nature is cranky and the Susquehanna is copiously flooding her banks- I can’t get to State College to tailgate and scream myself hoarse at the game, I am going to be supremely disappointed.
Washed out Road ~ most people turned around
Actually, there’s no way anything is stopping us from getting to PSU. We may tailgate in rain, and swampy mud. But if you’ve ever tailgated at Penn State, you know that’s what makes it half the fun.
Dear Mother Nature,
I know 2012 is approaching, and all this weather drama is really allowing some people to go off the deep end. I completely understand that sometimes you just need to flex your muscles and take no prisoners.
But … if for some reason you are feeling less hostile in the next 24 – 48 hours, please consider receding these crazy flood waters and allowing us, the measly little peons of Earth, the ability to at least get across the Susquehanna and into Happy Valley.
I would be deeply grateful.
Peace & Love.
gwyn
Hills Creek Camping Expedition
All Set Up!
When we finally got home yesterday (ugh, traffic) after our long weekend camping (I survived!), we had the great pleasure of having to pitch the tent and canopy again in our yard, so that it could dry out. When Mother Nature is feeling tempestuous, that can be a very tricky task.
Luckily, we hosed out the truck, the coolers and cleaned out the car and storage bins while the canvas dried ~ sort of ~ and we got the tent down, folded and rolled up with only a hint of dampness before the next huge raindrops began to drop.
Trunk's Full!
Fire pit!
All in all, it was a pretty successful weekend. I managed to sleep in a tent not near a house for two nights, I showered in a public restroom (complete with other users and a lovely little tree frog in my shower stall) and cook a full meal. Plus, I fried some eggs for breakfast (despite John encouraging me to make scrambled eggs, because they’re a ‘fail safe’ when camping).
Capt. Grill Master!
I’d like to add that while the whole showering thing wasn’t my fav, I did swim on multiple competitive teams, which almost always meant group showers, and I did theatre for a long time, which pretty much necessitated group changing rooms. So it’s not that I’m particularly shy about those kinds of things. It’s more about the cleanliness, and the other people who used the shower without any kind of cleaning in between. My tendency toward OCD and germaphobia is rearing it’s ugly head. That kind of stuff can really skeeve me out if I think about it too much ….
But campground showers aside, it was a pretty relaxing retreat ~ plus, we got to spend some QT with John’s side of the family, including his aunt & uncle and their respective spouses (some of my favs). Plus (**bonus!***) we made some new friends with the folks camping next door ~ which John explained is part of the culture of camping (we all learn new things every day … I thought camping was for quiet relaxation surrounded by the “comforts” *ahem* of nature. Apparently, I was mistaken).
Our Agenda ~
Saturday
Mid-Afternoon … We journeyed to WalMart (which seems to be the only store of significance in John’s hometown) to get groceries, ice, and other camping “necessities” ~ which for us included a set of Coleman tin camping plates (great deal for 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 coffee mugs, and 4 sets of silverware) and a new 120 qt. cooler. Funny story ~ we got to the car with all our loot, and realized we had to go buy a new cooler because all our swag was never gonna fit in our original cooler. So now, we have a normal sized cooler, with wheels and pull handle, and a gargantuan cooler that John will take out West for his hunting trip in October. That’s a lot of cooler space!
The sexy new cooler
Late Afternoon … We arrived at our campsite, #77, and we started to set up. Not knowing what to do, I wandered around aimlessly while John set about getting the tent up, and organizing the firewood. He finally gave me the task of organizing the contents of our coolers (I believe to keep me out of his way, since I was most likely slowing him down).
John setting up the tent
Evening … I undertook the task of cooking my very ambitious first camping meal. My menu included marinated steaks, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, and boiled baby new potatoes. I did accomplish the meal. There were aspects that weren’t very pretty. Sidenote: Did you know that when the sun goes down, and you’re outside, the amount of visibility that you have rapidly decreases? If not, it’s a true story. All of a sudden, I was trying to cook the mushrooms and asparagus in near darkness. Needless to say, some of them got a little crispy …. lucky for me, it added flavor that was good, rather than turning 50% of the meal into charcoaled yuckiness.
Steak Marinade
Soy sauce
Ground Ginger
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
** I’d love to tell you quantities, but I don’t know. I cover the steak with soy sauce, and then I sprinkled the ground ginger on both sides, rubbing it into the steak and the soy sauce. I do the same thing with the pepper. (You don’t need to add more salt because the soy sauce is salty enough). Then I put some saran wrap over the dish I’ve poured the marinade into, and let them sit for about 30-45 minutes, flip the steaks, and let them marinate for another 30-45 minutes on the other side.
What I used for the rest of the meal ~
Asparagus
Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil, Garlic Powder; trimmed stringy ends; cooked in saucepan over medium high heat until sizzling
Mushrooms
Garlic Powder, Drizzle of Olive Oil, Salt & Pepper, drizzle of water; cook in saucepan over medium heat until they reduce down ~ taste and season as necessary
Portobellos are my favorite!
All Prepped
Potatoes
Boiled in Water, Drained, Sprinkled with Salt, Pepper & Dried Parsley
My set up
My weapons!
Late Night … Spent round the campfire, learning all about Snapper Turtles (**more on this later!) from our new camping friends/neighbors.
Sunday
Morning … We cooked a nice breakfast, and bid adieu to our new camping friends/neighbors. We discussed the plan for the day. Top of our priority list = cooking during daylight hours in the evening.
Mid-Day … We decided to take a nice long hike around the campgrounds, and the adjacent lake. John regaled me with stories from his youth, of his daredevil bicycling skills and his adventures climbing out onto a huge tree limb that dangled above the water and beaver dam (“Probably not the best idea, in retrospect,” he added, somewhat under his breath, with a sneaky smile and a twinkling eye).
Afternoon … We sent out text invitations (are there any other kind?!) to his family to come over and enjoy the afternoon weather (more mild than Saturday’s uncharacteristic 95 degrees in the shade). Slowly, everyone began to trickle in. We spent the majority of the afternoon sipping “Iced Tea” (State Park code for beer) and shooting the breeze. For dinner, John did up burgers and kielbasa, I made some guacamole, and we enjoy deviled eggs and potato salad courtesy of John’s mama.
Evening … A heated cornhole competition blazed! Everyone won, because we kept rotating teams, and it eventually got called due to darkness. We retired to the firepit.
Late Night …. This is where it gets a little iffy on whether or not I’m sold on camping. The rain had threatened to arrive all day, but held off … there were a few showers throughout the early evening, but we did okay until everyone packed up and headed out, and it was just the man and I. We crossed hill & dale to visit the shower house before bed (I’m neurotic, okay? I have to wash my face, brush my teeth and take my contacts out every night. It’s just who I am!) and when we exited, the heavens had opened, and down the water poured. And poured. And poured. We gave up waiting it out, and sloshed back to our canopy. We wrapped everything up and then made a mad dash to the tent. Which, thank you God (I really appreciated this!) was dry. And remained so throughout the night.
Misty Rain (Prior to downpour)
In John's Rain Coat
Unfortunately for us, the rain didn’t stop all morning, so in 58 degree rainy and windy weather, we tore down our campsite, packed it all up in the truck, and after a brief stop at John’s parents, we hit the road. And traffic, for the next five and half hours. Urgh.
I was so tired last night, I don’t even remember falling asleep. Hence the neglect of getting this post up.
Things I learned while camping ~
1. Footwear is key.
2. Wrap your food properly, or you’ll be throwing away a lot of groceries.
3. Sleeping in a tent can be relaxing, but it also makes you appreciate your bed so much more.
4. Camping is fun. Camping in the rain is not. Breaking down camp in the rain is downright yucky. So ~ check the weather constantly. It’ll be to your benefit.
5. There’s something to be said for taking away all the distractions of modern life, and just getting people together with some good food and beverage.
6. Pack with forethought. Throwing everything together in a hodgepodge fashion will only make camping feel frustrating (especially for OCD tendancy people like me).
7. Bring bug spray. Drink tonic water. Do whatever voodoo you believe in to keep the bugs from biting. Because man, oh man, they will.
8. Camp with people you like. It’s an up close & personal experience.
9. Don’t wear make -up (which I didn’t) … but remember that if you’re not wearing it, there’s no need to pack it.
10. Bring shower flip flops (this could be a sub-category of #1).
On a fun note, Philadelphia was under a deluge of rain all day, so for dinner tonight I did I twist of grilled cheese and tomato soup. I also made Birds’ Nest (a Trader Joe’s snack that may qualify as my #1 favorite). They haven’t been available for about a year, so when Minda called to say she’d found some, I immediately asked (very politely) for two. And we enjoyed a really nice bottle of vino.
I won’t lie. I used canned Tomato Soup (made with milk rather than water). I also used Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. I shaved some slices of sharp white cheddar and Havarti cheese, and put it across the end of the crescent dough before rolling. If you love cheese (like this lady does!) pack it in there. I thought I put enough, but it turns out, I didn’t. However, the cheesy crescent rolls were still excellent for dunking!
His and Hers
Sometimes the only think that hits the spot is soup … and doughy bread. The man and I had spent the day getting doused with rain from all angles (me moreso, because my j.o.b. requires walking around the downtown area … by 11 am I was soaked through and never really dried out).
Mmmmmm....
Progessing through the construction of cheese-filled crescent rolls ….
As a little hint. I followed the crescent roll baking instructions, but because I was simultaneously making Bird’s Nests, I put them on the bottom rack. This was a big no-no. The bottoms got a wee bit (umm… perhaps more than a wee bit?) charred. So I would suggest putting them on the top rack ~ that will allow them to cook fully without burning. I flipped mine over when I realized the error of my way, and we enjoyed them nonetheless. But as a heads up to anyone who (like me) doesn’t think of these things … it does actually matter where you put something in the oven!
Bird's Nests
If you’ve never had these little bundles of goodness, I suggest you run —not walk — run to your nearest Trader Joe’s, and pick some up immediately (before they disappear again for years!). Made with kale, carrot and onion dunked in tempura batter, you’d never know while eating them that vegetables were even involved! Delicious.
They take about 20 minutes to crispen up in the oven (10 on each side at 350 degrees … after heating the oven to 400 and then dropping it down). I have to pace myself, or I inhale them in no time!
Comfort Food!
Trust me, we were STUFFED when we were done. We didn’t even have any of the cheesecake that was in the fridge. Absolutely no room!
he finally convinced me …
To go camping.
We’re getting our gear together now (who knew you needed SO. MUCH. STUFF!), and then there’s a fantasy draft so I’m not sure when I’ll get back on the computer ….
Just wanted to let everyone out there know that this weekend is probably going to be full of … well, erm … learning experiences for me.
And I have complete confidence that they will all be good ones!
A Day at Cabela’s
I love the statue out front
Many months ago (we couldn’t quite remember if it was a year ago, or a year and half) John took me to Cabela’s for the first time. I was utterly blown away. It was SO much more than a store. I felt like a small child experiencing something so totally outside of my knowledge and experience ~ big wide eyes, jaw dropped … I couldn’t quite take it all in.
I mean, to begin with, I did not think so many taxidermied animals could all be in one place.
Elk is so regal, and compared to deer (whitetail or mule) it’s gi-normous. My favorite mounts (or as I like to call them, “Dead Heads,” are Elk and Caribou … aka Reindeer … beautiful). 
I heart moose
Next, have you ever seen the amount of gadgets & gizmos made for fishing, hunting and camping? I mean, the stuff is ridic! No joke.
Today we went back to get John stocked up on some necessities for his upcoming hunting trip out west. Cabela’s was no less impressive. Some pics of our three hours wandering around the store. Even for a non-hunting, non-camping gal, I think it’s a really fun place, and if you have the opportunity, you should check it out.
I went on safari back in 2008, and the display of African game at Cabela’s is also pretty impressive.
The Hefalump and moi
Cats!
Kudu
Simba stalking his prey
And don’t worry … there’s a tunnel full of fish, too!
Entering the Fish Tunnel! (I make a lot of weird faces)
John checkin' out the frozen fishies
And just when you think there are no more deer … you find the entire wing called “Deer Country.”
Wall of Record-Breaking Racks
I didn’t get a pic of the polar bears (I was a picture taking maniac everywhere else, tho!) but I did get a picture of these guys … brrrrr, cold!
And to round things out, a quote from President Theodore Roosevelt ….
Now, I’m not a hunter. But I thoroughly enjoyed Cabelas.
D5 Creation