Rest of Break

So, we had our second Christmas together and it was quite nice. It started out with some families and Father Bob enjoying Wigilia and then heading out to midnight mass. We got back and I elected to stay up and finish dishes as Stella got some sleep so she could wake up in the morning. We got up and opened gifts and had breakfast (not cold cereal, we had cinnamon buns). It was a rather camping Christmas for us, we both got gear for our upcoming trip. We watched up and then went to another couple's home for dinner with them and father followed by playing Wii.

This brings us to 4 advent dinners, 1 we survived November party, 1 court of honor/scout party, 1 Los Posada, 1 Wigilia, 1 Christmas dinner and 1 Catholic Young Adult dinner in December. (so many parties)

Well today was a quite bum around town day, but we will need to pack for our trip. Tomorrow we will clean out the car and finish getting the house in order. Then Monday we drive out to the Grand Canyon. Looking at our route we will be stopping in the Petrified Forest for our lunch break. Tuesday we will head down to the canyon floor and Wednesday we will head back up. Thursday we will return and hit Mass and casino night at the parish. So it is just a short trip, but we get to get away.

Then on Jan begins. And to start the year there will be sleeping in. And of course I will need to re-season the cast iron. 2 Jan will be the OA banquet down in El Paso. And the 4th work starts up again. So that is the plan for the rest of break. I'm sure there will be pictures posted eventually.

Oh, and Stella has determined that the AK-47 is pretty.

Wigilia Menu

So then...for Wigilia

We will start with crackers, an Irish Cheddar, a brie and some crab dip.

We will then move to a lovely potato soup followed by a spinach salad.

The main dish will be flounder with platskis, perogis, and green bean casserole.

Dessert will be up in the air

Wassailling

1. Here we come a wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a wandering
So fair to be seen.

Chorus
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail too,
And God bless you and send you a happy New Year.
And God send you a happy New Year.

2. Our wassail cup is made
Of the rosemary tree,
And so is your beer
Of the best barley. Chorus

3. We are not daily beggars
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbours' children
Whom you have seen before. Chorus

4. Good Master and good Mistress,
As you sit by the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Are wandering in the mire. Chorus

5. We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;¹
We want some of your small change
To line it well within. Chorus

6. Call up the Butler of this house,
Put on his golden ring;
Let him bring us a glass of beer,
And the better we shall sing. Chorus

7. Bring us out a table,
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a mouldy cheese,
And some of your Christmas loaf. Chorus

8. God bless the Master of this house,
Likewise the Mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go. Chorus

Thanksgiving Dinner

We will start off with a butternut squash soup

Then a Spinach and Prickly Pear salad with a prickly pear dressing before the main course...

of roast Turkey, green bean cassorole, yams, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and gravy

a pumpkin bread will be served as well

we will finish up with a pumpkin pie for desert

We will have cider and the wine for the evening will be a Tularosa Vineyards Gewürztraminer

The Hike

So then, we went into the Gila Wilderness. We saw the cliff dwellings, which you are allowed to walk through which is pretty cool. Of course the real fun was packing into the Gila. We hiked in through the middle fork route. It was 6 miles from the trail head to the mouth of little bear canyon, which is where we made camp for the night. It was really cool, at points the trail was over grown. There were about 36 river crossings for those 6 miles. The river was cool, not overly cold and the crossings ranged from a few inches to about knee deep. So we ended up hiking with wet soggy boots. It wasn't too bad, it was warm so the cold water didn't feel too bad.

At the mouth of Little Bear Canyon we set up our camp, it started to sprinkle and there was some thunder. After a short break the weather let up a bit and we set out to the hot springs. It was 2 miles out and it took a bit and 14 more river crossings but we got to Jordan Hot Springs. It was more like warm bath water than a hot spring, but it was still nice to relax a bit. But you can't dunk your head, cause there are ameobas that will cause menegitis. So after a bit of a soak we headed home and made it back to the camp. Since we had a bit of a fire ring we had a bit of a fire and had dinner.

The next morning we got up had breakfast and set out through the canyon. It was 4 miles back to the road and then 3/4 of a mile back to were we parked. We got back to the car and visited a few more people that were camping in the area. Then we headed home and just made it in time for mass.

So then for starters we were testing out the new water filter. We got an MSR Miniworks and it is great. It takes a bit of effort to pump and I think that about a gallon is all that I want to pump at one given time. But the water tastes really great. So I would definetly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a filter. Also I was trying out backpacking in a kilt. It really worked out well. It was nice, so again, if you haven't tried it out, give it a shot. Lastly Stella tryed out her new therma-rest. She really enjoyed it, said it was comfy, so all around things were good.

Back

ok, i survived the Gila. the route we took in had 50 river crossings. I'll see about putting up some pics. And since i'm tired i'll post more on it later.

Tomorrow

So then...tomorrow my next packing trip is tomorrow. I will be trying out the new water filter. Also....wait for it...wait for it...will try out backpacking in a kilt! prepare to be amazed! More to come.