Jul
2018

Our Scamp Camper

categories: Scamp

We have some exciting news to share. We bought a Scamp camper.

Shawnee National Forest – Pine Hills Campground

It’s a tiny fiberglass camper, lightweight and just 13 feet long. Last summer up at Whitewater Lake in Wisconsin, we saw a Scamp parked in a driveway. I immediately fell in love with these tiny little campers. After casually browsing used Scamps for sale over the winter, we purchased one this spring. Our family has taken several camping trips with the Scamp, and the kids are really enjoying their little bunk beds.

Thomas Woods – Marengo Ridge Conservation Area in Marengo, IL

Our Scamp is a 2018 model, though these trailers have been around since 1975. Ours sleeps 4. Billy and I share the almost full size bed and the kids sleep in the bunk beds.

Our bed in the Scamp

Our Scamp has a kitchenette with a stove and sink, but no bathroom. We prefer to use the facilities at the campsites instead. It’s filled with lots of cabinets and a little closet for storage. It has heat, which was great on our first camping trip in May when it got down to the 40’s at night. It doesn’t have air conditioning, but the powerful fan and large screen door have kept us cool.

We’re still planning on tent camping, since we love hike-in sites, but we appreciate that the Scamp will allow us to extend our family’s camping season from early spring to late fall. We also like having the Scamp for when we camp in places like the Smokies, where bears might wander through our campsite.

I appreciate all the emails I received during my lengthy hiatus from blogging. I hope everyone is having a great time camping this summer, and I always enjoy hearing about your favorite places to camp.


May
2015

5 Pie Iron Pizzas

categories: Camping Recipes

Summer is unofficially here! Later this summer we’ll be camping with another family. They have two kids, so I thought it would be fun to make pie iron pizzas.

pie iron pizza
{ Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt }

The classic pie iron pizza includes buttered white bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. I decided I wanted to mix it up a little. While searching for ideas, I found some great variations on a classic pizza pudgie pie.

Pie Iron Pizza Bar

pie iron pizza bar{ Love Sarah Schneider }

This pizza bar was part of an awe-inspiring camp-themed birthday party. I bet the kids enjoyed picking their own pizza toppings.

Pie Iron Caprese Pizza

pie iron caprese{ Runs with Spatula }

I’ve featured Caprese Skewers in the past, and mozzarella, fresh basil & tomato (sauce) work just as well on a pie iron pizza.

Pie Iron Calzones

pie iron calzone{ Mustard Seeds }

Aren’t all pie iron pizzas really just calzones? This recipe uses refrigerated pizza dough as the crust.

Ben - Parks & Rec

Pie Iron Frozen Pizza

It doesn’t get any easier than this: Defrost a small frozen pizza, fold it and cook it in your pie iron.

Find more pie iron pizza recipes on my Pie Iron Pizza Pinterest board.


May
2015

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas

categories: Camping Recipes

Quesadillas are one of my favorite things to make in our pie irons. Tortillas work really well in the pie iron, forming a pocket to hold ingredients without sticking. On our recent camping trip we made Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas. At home, pre-cook peppers and onions in a skillet with a little fajita seasoning. 

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas At camp, put the cooked vegetables and cheese between two flour tortillas in a lightly oiled pie iron. Tear off the edges of the tortilla after you close the pie iron. Then heat over the campfire until the cheese melts and the tortilla is lightly toasted. 

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas Top with salsa and guacamole and enjoy!

Pie Iron Fajita Quesadillas

Makes 6, Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 bell peppers (some combination of red, yellow, orange or green)
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fajita seasoning, to taste
  • cooking spray
  • 12 flour tortillas
  • 6 slices cheddar
  • salsa
  • guacamole

Supplies

  • pie iron
  • butter knife

Directions

At Home

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers & onions and sauté until onions are translucent. Add fajita seasoning to taste and cook for an extra 2 minutes. Let cool and store in refrigerator or cooler.

At Camp

  1. Spray pie iron with cooking spray. Place a tortilla in one side of the pie iron.
  2. Fill tortilla with cheddar slice and fajita mixture.
  3. Top with another tortilla and close pie iron. Tear off the edges of the tortillas.
  4. Heat pie iron over fire, turning occasionally, until the tortilla is toasted and the cheese is melted.
  5. Release quesadilla from pie iron, using butter knife if necessary. Serve with salsa and guacamole.