I’m getting ready for our Shenandoah hike and trying to perfect some trail food techniques. The boys and I liked the pita pizzas, but we weren’t really crazy about the crispy outsides, so we decided to try an alternative to frying them up. We wrapped them in foil and placed them in a pot over a slow flame to try to bake them. Thankfully, the pot didn’t warp, which was a fear of mine, but we didn’t quite get the result we wanted, either. They turned out a little goopy, though I think the boys used too much pizza sauce. I’m going to try a modified steam-baking technique, and will try putting the stuffed pitas in a ZipLoc and then placing them in a pot with some simmering water. The idea is to save on cleanup, and to be able to make lots of these at once, since we have 10 people in our hiking group. I’ll let you know how it comes out.

Oh, and the cheese you mentioned in the podcast … that would be Reggiano (Rej-EE-ah-no). It’s actually Parmigiano Reggiano, the king of cheeses, the top of the line parmesan. Keeps well on the trail. My grandmother used to hoard that stuff like gold and we kids would gather around the kitchen table when she was cutting paper thin slices for us to have as a treat in the afternoon.

At the risk of being labeled an absolute Yankee, I just have to say that I sometimes feel sorry for you southern boys. It seems we have more ethnic food up here in the big northern cities. (and REAL bread!) If you’re middle-aged and live within a day’s drive of Ellis Island, likely you have grandparents who were “right off the boat”, and you grew up like I did, hearing and/or speaking a European language and eating all sort of amazing and varied foods. I’m second-generation Italian-American. It makes for an awesome food culture! Anyone who goes on the trail with me might feast on polenta, roasted peppers, and really fine cheese and some dried olives. A buono! (That means “Soooo good! Yum!”) I lived near Nashville for a time, and I really, really missed being able to find that sort of thing at every grocery store. And I won’t even get on my soapbox about REAL lunch meat and how to make a good sandwich.

Eat well! I’ll have to share some of my trail recipes with you guys soon, just in case you should ever actually get on a trail again.

Keep up the good work.

Mike

P.S. I like my marshmellows burnt.

I found your Podcast a couple of months ago and being a new hiker it has really been a great resource!

I don’t remember which Podcast I was listening to, but I heard you talking about carrying an umbrella in the rain.

This weekend we were volunteering up at the Len Foote Hike Inn and had to hike out in a torrential storm yesterday.

I had stashed a little umbrella and couldn’t believe how much it helped. Even though I had on plenty of rain gear and had a pack cover….my little umbrella kept this old gal’s glasses dry and put a buffer between my jacket hood and the relentless pounding of the rain.

I am learning so much good, practical infomation from you guys. Me and my 21 yr old son are making some great memories on the trails!

Thanks!
Terri

I also enjoy listening to the Southeastern Backpackers podcasts.

Thank you both for your efforts.

Keep us laughing.

By the way, on my blog, if you have a chance, check out Harry the dog and cigars. My contribution to the cigar smoking going on.

Keep up the good work Rylan and Golden. You have no idea how refreshing it is to virtually sit around the table with you guys as you’re talking backpacking, the outdoors and just about anything else that comes to mind.

Britt

Anyway, it’s just under 2.5 miles one way to work and I have been walking it pretty regularly since January. And I listen to podcasts for the most part while walking (so I won’t hear the car that is going to run me down). I know some people who drive along my commute to/from work must think I am slightly demented as I have been known to burst out laughing during podcasts. The S’mores one had me heading home so my 17 year old daughter could listen to it. Sounded like something she and her friends would do.

I love your podcasts, mainly because besides the good information I receive in it, it’s fun and it’s obvious you two enjoy what you are doing, which makes it a great show.

But a couple of questions. My walk to/from work is mainly sidewalk, with a couple of areas where I have to walk across the front of a business yard (or in the road and risk getting hit by a car). FThe first half is flat, but then I get to a subdivision and it is fairly hilly. I walk it in about 50 minutes one way. Is that a pretty good pace? I think it is, but then who knows.

Second, with summer coming on, I want a shoe that is more open, but will still offer support and cushioning from hot pavement. I have seen some sneaker/sandal looking type shoes? Any suggestions? And what about socks in the summer? I have been alternating so far between a pair of hiking boots and running shoes with my wool socks, but need to lighten up for the summer.

Keep you the great podcasts.

Judy

PS…I generally do my commute with about a 10-15 pound pack, depending on what I am carrying to/from work….like my coffee, tea, lunch, book, etc.

Ohhh I wanted to offer a suggestion on the Pear thing.

Asian Pears are a lot more sturdy than regular pears and eat like an apple.

Cheers

Matthew - alatrails.com