Backpacking and BBQ Sauce

While Del was growing up, he lived for his trips to the mountains. Beginning at a young age, he would go camping with his friends.

By themselves!

He also loved to go on days long backpacking trips in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. Even now, just about every Summer when we visit, Del takes a backpacking trip.

He loves to fish.
He is good at fishing.
Streams call his name as we drive by.
He keeps a pole in his car just in case there is ever down time, and a nice stream, with some dark, calm pools that may be nearby.

And now that I have three little boys, and a daughter that thinks she is a little boy half the time, I have to get into backpacking mode.

Wally is getting ready for his first big boy backpacking trip in Utah this Summer.

I am nervous. I admit it.

What if he wanders away? What is everyone is so engrossed in their fishing that they don't notice?

But I realize I have to let go at some point, and let him experience the world.

And I passionately believe that little boys NEED to be out in nature. There is something that fulfills them and their process of growing into a strong and good man that is found out in those woods.

There is a place for little boys to search their souls.

One day Wally was upset with me over something I would not give him permission to do. I heard the door open and close a few minutes after we were done talking, and watched as Wally headed across the lawn, jacket in hand, and into the thick of the woods next door.

He came back a little while later, eyes red, face puffy, and faced what he felt at first he couldn't accept.

He had found some sort of peace out there.

I think sometimes as a woman and a mother, I don't understand it as fully as I should.

So it looks like age nine is it. Del is taking Wally on a trip along with his brothers, brother in law, and their boys next month.

Wally is SOOOOO excited. But we have to toughen him up enough to hike carrying a pack, and walking uphill in the altitude of the Wyoming mountains. Probably not completely possible out here where we struggle to find even an uphill slope.

But we have made some efforts. Hopefully it is fun, and he can have some time in the mountains to develop his own little mind!

That goes for Del too!

It may not be a mountainous trail, but it sure is green!

We found a big mushroom on our hike.

And a big hole.

And then we found Grandma and Grandpa, who were in town, and waited for us at the lake by the trailhead.
We came home and had one of my favorite dinners.
BBQ chicken, homemade guacamole, rice with spinach, and sautéed veggies.

YUM!
We love these tortillas chips I found that have a lime flavor. The brand is Frontera.
The ingredients listed are corn, oil, salt and lime! Does not get shorter, or better!

If you have never made your own BBQ sauce, you really should!

There are a lot of recipes out there, some so easy you can quickly mix it up on the stove, dump it over the chicken and pop it in the oven, or over your grilled chicken.

The one I use on a regular basis is simple. For an example click here. Except I have never added molasses as the link recipe calls for.

But there is one that my parents make, that is hands down the best!!
Here they are! Mom, Dad, and the chicken!

It may seem a bit intense at first, but I promise it is far less overwhelming the second time you whip it up, and you can freeze half of it for another time!
Also making your own sauce is much healthier than the store bought brands, as you will see when flipping the bottle over, the ingredients usually list High Fructose Corn Syrup in the first three ingredients listed.

I cringe at those bottles.

Here is the recipe from my Mom.

Barbara Bush's BBQ Chicken

8 chicken breasts, halved, placed in plastic bag.

1 T cooking oil (I use olive oil because I don't use veggie oil, and it works fine.)
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
3 T. lemon juice
1 t. salt
1 close garlic or 1/8 t. garlic salt

Mix all these ingredients and pour over chicken in plastic bag.  Seal and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, turning often.

I always at least triple this marinade recipe for my chicken, and I usually don't marinate it for 24 hours. It still tastes good!

2 1/2 C. water
1/2 C. sugar (I usually do less, more like 1/4, and I also like brown sugar)
1/3 C. prepared mustard
1/2 t. black pepper
1/2 C. Worcestershire sauce
(because Worcestershire sauce has some non real food ingredients listed, it can be replaced with equal parts white vinegar) Or click here for a homemade Worcestershire Sauce recipe.
1 C. coarsely chopped onion
1/2 C. butter
1/4 C. cider vinegar
2 1/2 C. catsup ( I buy catsup that has only a few ingredients, tomatoes, vinegar, spices and so on. I buy it at Trader Joe's. Search around, you can find junk free catsup.)
6-8 T. lemon juice ( I use a good quality, organic brand in a glass bottle.)
1/2 t. red pepper

In a saucepan combine water, onion, sugar, butter, mustard, cider vinegar, and 1/2 t. pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir in catsup, Worcestershire sauce (or white vinegar), 6-8 T lemon juice, and red pepper.
Return to boiling, reduce heat.
Simmer, uncovered for 50-60 minutes or until reduced to about 4 cups.

Meanwhile, drain chicken. Discard marinade.
Grill chicken.
The last ten minutes of grilling, dip the chicken in the sauce, and grill again. Repeat several times.

Eat up!! It is a great way to embrace the Summer season!