June 23rd we drove to River Bend Campground about 10 miles east of Sweet Home, OR for the vintage trailer rally going on there. We specifically wanted to be there for the open house in order to help decide what type of trailer we want to find for ourselves. We knew we wanted a vintage trailer because of the reasonable prices and neat styling. I was astonished at how friendly everyone was to us who were very obviously trailer noobs. I took way too many pictures and I still didn't get nearly all the trailers in attendance. Here are the pictures I did get with a few comments on particular models I liked or remembered specifically.
This was probably my favorite of the "affordable" trailers. I wish I could remember the make.
Shasta! Love the colors
At first I thought the magazine rack was a custom job but soon found out it was original to Shasta trailers
I loved this moped. I know absolutely nothing about it.
CT90 - I used to have one of these
Aristocrat Lo Liner - I love these trailers but my head hit the ceiling even at the highest point
1947 Boles Aero
I adored this Aladdin trailer
This was another adorable trailer that Laurie loved especially
This was probably my favorite "dream" trailer. The inside was just immaculate and unique.
The interior was stunning on this one
I saw more than one suitcase model campground
Not much on the outside but we both loved the interior of this trailer
We picked up this little toy Shasta trailer as a souvenir
There is a very isolated little cemetery outside of Lafayette, OR, that is really only accessible by bicycle because the gate is almost always locked and there is no space for parking. I haven't ridden there recently because it requires riding on some rather busy roads with very little shoulder. May 6, I decided it was time to go a different direction and brave the busy roads. It was a beautiful sunny day. The lilacs were at their peak and the daisies were blooming like crazy all over the place.
I really like how this picture turned out
You can't really tell from this picture, but this barn is a VERY bright red and is a landmark along Hwy 47
First boat greenhouse I've seen LOL
Very pastoral
I didn't quite capture the beauty of this driveway
This has been a very wet January for us in Oregon so when I saw that this Saturday would be partly sunny with a high of 52°F, I got excited about taking a nice long bike ride. I have had the urge to go see the "forgotten" Bellevue cemetery otherwise known as the United Brethren cemetery as seen on Google maps. Saturday morning came but the temperature didn't want to rise above 38° and a heavy fog didn't seem to want to lift. Sometime after noon, the sun broke out but still the temperature hovered at 38°. Finally, at 2:30 I decided to go riding despite the lingering cold.
Dressed in my warmest cycling clothes including my new ear covers and gloves, I set out for Bellevue cemetery. I decided to take Peavine road which is a more scenic and much more hilly route to take, but I was feeling good. I noticed quite a large number of cyclists out. They must have been thinking the same thing I was. The Yougberg Hill Vineyard marks the peak of the route I took.
It is just about 14 miles to the entrance of the cemetery from my front door. Looking at the sign can you see why it took my 3 tries before I actually found this place? It also helped to find the right road - darn you Google maps!!
Here is a view of the cemetery from the road. It is the small bit of shrubbery to the left of the grove of trees. It's a little nerve-racking to ride on that muddy road with my skinny little tires while my feet are locked to the pedals especially while trying to go up the hill. Finally, I just got off the bike and walked it up. Laurie thinks the grove of trees is creepy and worries that zombies are going to suddenly run out of it.
Here are a few miscellaneous pictures of the cemetery...
Finally, here is a little video I made of the ride. The video highlight for me was when I was quietly eating a snack while sitting in the cemetery and suddenly a boat load of crows went crazy right over me. I pulled out the camera and caught a bit of it. Laurie says that was a very bad omen 8)
Monday, January 16, 2012
New and Improved Prune Cream Pie
This was an idea I had after enjoying a very nice pumpkin pie recipe Laurie made that had a delicious walnut crumble topping. I thought it would be perfect for the prune pie and I believe I was right cause it turned out great. However, don't look at my lame pie crust making abilities. I normally have been using stewed prunes for this recipe but as my mom pointed out, it doesn't have to be.
(Taken from a 1952 Betty Crocker Cookbook)
Delicious and homey-tasting.
This prize-winning recipe was sent to us by a prize home-maker, Mrs. W.
K. Robbins of Baytown, Texas.
Make Pastry for One-Crust Pie of desired size. Line pie pan.
Filling for 9” Pie
Beat Slightly…
3 eggs
Mix together and blend in thoroughly…
4 tbsp Flour
1 cup sugar
½ tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Stir in…
3/4 cup milk (1 cup in original recipe)
1 tsp vanilla
1.75 cups unsweetened stewed or sliced prunes (1.5 cups in original recipe)
Pour into pastry-lined pie pan (see pie crust recipe below.) Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350°F until filling is firm enough to support the walnut crumble. While baking make the crumble as follows...
Walnut Crumble Topping
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon cinnamon
In a small bowl, combine
brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter or
margarine until the mixture is crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Sprinkle mixture
evenly over the pie after baking for 30 min.
Bake pie for approximately another 30 minutes or until a knife inserted
one inch from the edge comes out clean.
Pie Crust Recipe
Ingredients:
1.25 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cube cold butter
~4 tbsp cold water
Instructions:
Mix flour and salt
Slice up butter and add to flour mixture
Using pastry cutter, cut butter into pea sizes pieces
Add a portion of the water and mix/mash using fork
Add just enough water to form a ball out of the dough
