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I’m working through my list of bookmarks at work (having had a fatal crash of the system recently). So while I’m at it, here are a few links I find useful in the camping realm.

Primitive Arts

• Primitive Fire - Do you want to be able to make fires the hard way?
• Primitive Ways - Do you want to be able to make everything else?

Camping and Survival

• Basic and Wilderness Survival Equipment - A must-read.
• Doug Ritter’s Mini Survival Kit - Very useful guide to what you’ll need.
• Animated Knot-tying Tutorials - A great way to see how to make all the good knots correctly.
• Backpacker.com - Gear reviews, guides, and destinations.
• GORP.com - Gear reviews, guides, and destinations.
• Camping Forums - Camping discussion forum.

Gear

• Backpack Gear Test - Great assortment of gear reviews and long-term field results.
• Sevylor Trail Boat - Increase your “options” while out camping with this packable boat.
• The Campist - Camping gear blog.
• PH Designs - Design your own down gear.
• REI - Lots of good gear.

Knives

• Rat Cutlery - Great knives.
• On/Scene Tactical - custom kydex sheaths.
• - Make your own kydex and carbon fiber sheaths.
• The Cutlery Shoppe - I’ve been buying knives from these guys since I was in high school.
• Knife Outlet - Great assortment of Knives.

Of course, there’s Amazon. I really like the ability to read ratings and reviews on many of the items they offer. I also find suggestions via the user-created lists, and price-watch to find the best deals. I’ve got nothing but praise for the convenience Amazon offers, and I’ve bought quite a lot of camping gear from them (although I sometimes check things out in retail stores or YouTube to learn more detail). On that topic, a really excellent YouTube resource I’ve found is Nutnfancy: he does an excellent job reviewing gear (especially knives, and his multi-segment discussion of camping in the backcountry is superb). Give him a watch it’s well worth your time.

Feel free to leave comments with suggestions for more links, or with any feedback for the ones I’ve jotted down!

I’m down in Atlanta GA gearing up for the 8th annual Haunted Garage party at Aunt Cathy/Uncle Don’s. I spent the first part of the week in Evansville, IN with Uncle Craig. I took a nice drive with the top down the whole way from Lincoln last Saturday. Made really good time with the exception of stopped traffic twice in Kansas City.

I was Satan and Craig was Jesus for a costume party last Saturday night. I more or less unloaded my bags, then started putting on makeup and costume. Then out for a few cold ones and some conversation into the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday the family nearby headed down to Craig’s place to watch the Steelers. Colleen & Larry, Chuck & Debbie, Charlie, Ashley amp; Brandon, and Grandma all came. Steelers lost–looked almost like they were trying to (as many mistakes as there were). We munched down on some pizzas and some snack food and it was really nice catching up with everyone.

Sunday night Craig and I fired up Guitar Hero and played until we couldn’t anymore. What a blast. That continued with vigor into Monday and Tuesday. I pretty much have to get that game.

More on the trip later, but this story isn’t over yet!

1 lb Crab legs (whatever your preference, I like Dungeoness and King)
2 Halibut steaks - approximately 1lb.
1/2 pound bay scallops
1/2 pound shrimp - deveined/peeled.
1 package/6 Andouille sausage - sliced into medallions
10-16 oz salt pork

2 lbs okra - sliced, seeded
2 cups celery - chopped
1 bell pepper - chopped
3 tbsp - minced garlic
2 onions - chopped
1 leek - chopped
2 shallots - chopped
3 tomatoes - chopped, retain juice

6-8 cups chicken stock (or fish stock if you wish to make your own)
1 beer - I used Newcastle
1/2 cup olive oil

2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp powdered garlic
1-2 tbsp salt
4 bay leaves
dash Worcestershire sauce
few dashes pepper sauce
3 tsp file powder

Rice - cooked

Heat olive oil and garlic over medium heat. Slow cooking by adding liquids. Add vegetables, meats, and spices except file powder. Cook at least 1 hour, then remove the bay leaves and salt pork. Add file powder just prior to serving and stir well. Serve in bowls over rice.