Magic Stove

Every once in a while, I run into some obscure destination on the web that is appropriate for posting here. This is obviously one of those destinations. Cabinet Magazine has a cool article on the history of the camp stove, including this 1850 model Soyer's Magic Stove. Reportedly, the Marquis of Normanby, was an eccentric aristocrat who used the stove to cook a dinner atop a pyramid in Egypt over 160 years ago. Unfortunately, the account does not indicate the menu.

Serrano = Mountain People

We just got back from two nights at Serrano, next to Big Bear Lake. Serrano is the Native American name for the mountain people who lived here and it is one of our favorite places because the pine shaded sites are level and spacious, plus there are lots of activities like hiking to the Big Bear Discovery Center, the Stanfield Marsh, and cool little shops nearby.

While there isn't a store in Serrano, a short walk away is the camp store for the Lighthouse Trailer Resort. That campground doesn't have the best reviews, but the store is the cleanest I've ever seen at a family-run campground.

This trip wasn't just a Father's Day outing, but a family trip with Sherry's family. You can tell by the smiles, we all had a terrific time.

Off the subject of camping, the Norco High yearbook came out with a couple photos of Andy's skills on the court. As Andy would say, "Cool Beans." I think that means he approves.

With Our Thoughts and Prayers

AP NEWS: Flash floods swamped campgrounds along a pair of southwestern Arkansas rivers early Friday, killing 16 people and leaving anguished families pleading with emergency workers for help in finding dozens of missing people. The Albert Pike Recreation Area, a 54-unit campground in the Ouachita National Forest, was packed with vacationing families. Two dozen people were hospitalized and another 60 were rescued from the steep Ouachita Mountains valley. At least 40 from the area are still missing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and those still missing. Please consider a donation to the American Red Cross.