More campground reviews including Nimrod Lake Corps of Engineers park and more camping test kitchen reviews!
Pizza Log
Hopeful Dog is hopeful that he will get a bite of the pizza log.
Hopeful Dog is hopeful that he will get a bite of the pizza log.
This was a foil dinner type of recipe that I found online and decided to attempt since my goal for this trip was “Low Effort.” This recipe was one that you prepared in advance so it was ready to cook with no additional preparation needed. I got the recipe here: http://happymoneysaver.com/10-easy-and-cheap-camping-meals/.
The end result didn’t turn out pretty but it was very tasty and thoroughly cooked. We made a few mistakes in preparing this. I did not spray the foil with cooking spray before I wrapped it up. It stuck like crazy and as you can see, it came apart as we unwrapped it. We are going to try this one again with a couple of modifications (including the aforementioned cooking spray). I will remember to get the pepperonis next time. That was a bummer but the hamburger filling was still tasty. The cheese mixture was mozzarella and Parmesan but I wondered if a little ricotta might also be nice. I’m also thinking of making it round and cooking it inside a big dutch over like a monster calzone. I’ll let you know how the next attempt comes out.
Accessible Camping Review: Petit Jean State Park
This was our first visit to Petit Jean State Park. The weather was dreary and we enjoyed quite a thunderstorm on the second night of our visit but the park was still packed with campers and visitors throughout the weekend.
Facilities:
Petit Jean was the first park created when Arkansas devised its state park system in 1923 but visitors to the mountain had first suggested it as park site around 1907. Most of the facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933 until 1941. The park includes a lodge (Mather Lodge) as well as 33 cabins. It also has 129 different campsites including four yurts.
A yurt. Specifically, yurt one.
Prices vary depending on the type of campsite with the yurts being the most expensive ($55 per night as of 3/17). Large pull through campsites near the lake include 50 amp electricity , water, and sewer connections and this area includes two excellent accessible campsites with level terrain and easy, level access to the restroom and shower facility.
The campsites included tent pads, paved walkways with even surfaces. The fireplace is raised which is typical for most accessible campsites.
We camped in the “Class B” camping area. It offers a view of the woods with lots of pine and hardwood trees. These campsites have 30 amp electricity and water but no sewer connections. There are a large number of these campsites and restroom/showers were scattered at intervals around the sites. This area had one site dedicated to accessible camping needs. It was not level, did not provide the elevated fireplace or the paved walkways of the campsites in the other area. The only obvious reason for it to be considered accessible was it’s proximity (directly across the road) to the bathhouse.
It is adjacent to the bathhouse but it could be a problem for a person who has difficulty walking.
On this trip, we did not request an accessible campsite and were given a lovely site just a short distance away from the restrooms. The site was relatively level but a few stumps and tree roots proved to be troublesome obstacles.
Campsites in this area of the campground are spaced far enough apart that you don’t feel like you are encroaching on your neighbor and that was one of the many pleasant things about our stay. There was a steady stream of kids riding bicycles and skateboards up and down the road but we were back from the road far enough not to feel like we were in the middle of traffic at all.
Things to do:
This park has a little of everything including a swimming pool. A lake for fishing and paddle boating (but no swimming) and miles of hiking trails that vary in difficulty from easy to strenuous. (More on this in a moment) In addition to facilities in the park, nearby are an antique car museum and a petting zoo and the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is a conference facility which is a part of the University of Arkansas System.
Accessible hiking
When it comes to hiking, Petit Jean has a trail for everyone. The park features long (5+ miles) trails as well as trails considered strenuous and recommended only for those who are very fit. Moderate trails offer a variety of options for the typical visitor but there are trails that are friendly even for persons with limited mobility or who require a wheelchair or scooter.
The CCC Hike & Bike Trail is a paved trail for pedestrians, wheelchair and scooter users, and bicyclists. Motorcycles and other motorized vehicles are prohibited. This trail stretches from the main camping area to the lodge with numerous stops of interest along the way.
The Cedar Falls Overlook Trail is another trail that is accessible to most all visitors. It is a walkway that leads down a hillside to a view of the Cedar Falls. In addition to gorgeous views, it provides an up close look at various interesting plants, trees, and rock formations.
And the view of the falls is worth the trip.
Overall Impression:
Petit Jean State Park has a lot to offer everyone. The two fully accessible campsites were awesome. I would recommend this campground with two caveats. First, it is extremely popular and this can mean it’s difficult to get a reservation. With only two truly accessible sites, people who require these facilities may find them difficult to book. Both were occupied on Friday and Saturday nights while we were there. Second, if you are a summer camper, you are apt to find this park overwhelming on weekends in June, July, and August. We thought it seemed really busy during a weekend when many kids were out of school on spring break and were surprised to learn from an employee that this was a relatively slow weekend. If crowds aren’t your thing or you are looking to really get away, this might not be your park.
Accessible Camping Review: Lake Fort Smith State Park
In mid-February, we visited Lake Fort Smith State Park in Mountainburg Arkansas.
This is an old park that was completely rebuilt after the expansion and merger of Lake Fort Smith and Lake Sheppard Springs (Fort Smith’s primary municipal water supply) left the old park submerged. The new park opened in 2008 and utilized architecture designed to mirror the appearance of the old WPA structures of the original state park.
We are tent campers so we booked a Class B site with electric and water adjacent. Because a couple of the people on this trip have mobility issues, we specifically requested an accessible campsite. The site was level with concrete sidewalks and cooking areas that allow campers who rely on wheelchairs or scooters to easily access the tent pad, picnic table, fire pit, and grill. My favorite feature at this site was the raised fire pit.
The basic structure is the same but it is normally placed directly on the ground whereas this fire pit was elevated to make it easier to use for people with limited mobility. We were under a burn ban for the entire time we were camping on this trip so the raised platform turned out to be a great place to do Dutch Oven cooking with charcoal briquettes.
Facilities:
I observed that all facilities as well as waste receptacles and recycling bins were monitored on a regular basis throughout our stay. Toilet and shower facilities were clean, modern, and fully accessible.
While a few other campsites were relatively flat like ours, some were terraced with multiple levels. These are really neat but the number of steps scattered through the campsite would make the site a barrier for just about any type of mobility problem. If you’re making a reservation, you might want to contact them directly to inquire about specific campsites.
Cool Thing:
Pretty much anywhere you go, you’ll see something new and different that is really useful, attractive, or otherwise remarkable. On this trip, it was the accessible drinking fountain. Not only was it very user friendly for humans, it was also great for our four legged friends. The doggie drinking fountain was a new one on me but I hope we see a lot more of them.
Drawbacks:
Site 22 is fully accessible campsite and also the closest site to the bath house in the Class B camping area. However, close is a relative term and it was still a good walk from our campsite. This photo (below left) was taken from our campsite. The bath house is barely visible. For people with impaired mobility, this could quickly become tiring. The distance was compounded by the incline leading to the entrance (shown in the photo below right).
Overall Impression:
We were pleased with the campsite despite it’s uphill climb. The area was peaceful and quiet. I would definitely camp there again. Because it’s less than an hour from home for us, it’s a great back up option when we just really want to get outdoors.
Black Forest Dump Cake
For our February camping trip, we explored Dutch Oven recipes. This is another recipe I found at the Dutch Oven Dude’s website: http://www.dutchovendude.com/recipes/black_forest_cobbler-198.php
We followed the recipe using Shasta Cherry Cola and adding a chocolate bar and some chopped walnuts. The whole thing baked in a 16 inch Dutch Oven for about 35 minutes. We served it with whipped topping (from a can). It was a hit with all the diners and the next morning, a camper across from us commented that they could smell our chocolate cake the night before! I have baked dump cakes in Dutch Ovens before but never used the can of soda before. It baked into a very light and very fluffy cake and I would recommend this recipe. It’s a great dessert that could have easily served 10 people. We had leftovers.
Dutch Oven Lasagna
On a recent trip we focused on Dutch Oven cooking and attempted a couple of recipes that we found online. This is a review of Dutch Oven Lasagna. This recipe was found on
http://www.dutchovendude.com/recipes/lasagna-2385.php
The recipe was plenty of food for 6 people and earned rave reviews from all diners. We baked it in a 16 inch Dutch oven lined with foil. It baked for one hour with charcoal briquettes on top and underneath the oven. We cooked the ground beef at home and kept it in the ice chest till ready to use. This made preparation quick and easy. The only change I would make the next time would be to add a little more liquid to the meat/sauce mixture because the final product was just a little dry. Otherwise, it was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone.
Accessible Arkansas 