Big Weekend (...and 1000 posts)

[Mike in Roseville]

Well here we are...1000 posts (and almost a year here in the WKC). @Mr.CPHo suggested a "family" picture to mark the milestone. I opted for some pictures of cooking for the family instead. 

First I'd like to take a minute to reflect back on how this year has changed my life. New baby, crazier schedules, new friendships, more grills, and a bunch of new avenues for smoking/grilling. Schedules have been really hectic with so much traveling, birthdays, etc. that I had one day circled on the calendar since March: Saturday, May 19th. A day where I could get away...and relax.

My brother reached out months back and said he wanted to go to our cabin before he moved to Utah in July. With so much stuff happening in May/June/July we were able to hash out a weekend that my dad, brother, and I could meet up and hang out. My dad's bday is the end of April; my brothers the end of May. So I billed it as a family birthday cookout weekend. Dad requested pork rib bones; brother asked for wings. It's been 3 years since I have been up to the cabin and almost as long as the last time my dad/brother/I have all been in the same place at the same time.

Unfortunately, with my wife's crazy schedule, I could only be there for just over a day. I would have loved to stay longer, but it wasn't going to happen this time.

Instead of driving up early Saturday morning, I drove up late Friday night and met my dad at the cabin where I chatted with him for a bit and decided to hit the hay. My brother arrived around 6:30AM after a full day of work and a 4.5 hour drive. The day was off and running...sort of. After an hour, my brother understandably decided to take a nap.

I helped dad unload his WSM and I put together the Patent Pending WW Texan I received from John (@jcnaz) for its maiden voyage (I know...finally!). Matt @inkaddictedchef1 kindly loaned me his 22 SNS and D'n'G if I so happened to need it. With the 3 racks of ribs, I actually opted to hang 2 the entire time and hang/wrap the other so my dad could taste the difference. The SNS came in handy for the 3rd rack to cook indirectly in foil on the 22" while the others finished in the WSM. My first time going low + slow with a SNS and it performed flawlessly.

The ribs were two different rub formulations that Brian @wessonjb and I have played around with the last few months. Absolutely, lights out! I also tried a funky method of hanging that I saw the other day (rotate the hanging ribs halfway to keep them from burning). It was successful! Dad and I preferred the hung/wrapped ribs, while my brother liked the ones that hung the whole time better.

When the ribs were done, I pulled the SNS and put in the vortex for some chicken wing action. Finally got a chance to showcase the wings @JordanW and I "dialed in" and will be cooking in Petaluma in July. Brother said the rub and sauce combination were killer. Skin didn't quite get as crispy as they normally do (and I'll admit I did notice a difference cooking at 5200 feet in elevation), but they were excellent.

We started the food later than I was originally planning, but...it was nice. I got a chance to shoot the breeze with my dad and actually sit while the WSM was coming to temp.

Another thing I wanted to do on this trip was plant some Giant Sequoia trees on the property as a celebration of our kids; the trees are 3 years/1 year old...just like the kids will be in June. My great grandfather built the 700 sq ft. cabin in 1948 as a summer retreat, it's been a family getaway on family land that I have always loved. We can just sit back and watch the trees (and kids) grow.

Because of the lack of cell reception up there, I didn't really keep my phone on me much. So I got some before pics, but many of the "completed" food pictures will have to stay firmly rooted in our minds. We grazed all day and sampled rather than having a "proper meal." I didn't take pics of the bacon cooking on the WSM or the sausages. I also didn't get a shot of the asparagus or corn cooking either with the SNS.

After breakfast the next morning, I headed back home. I'll be seeing my dad and brother individually a few more times over the coming months, but this was one of the last times for a while that all of us will be together.

It was great time!

Just wanted to share and say thanks everyone for a wonderful year! It's been fun chatting with and learning from many of you! Thanks for all of your help and I have had a great time reciprocating the generosity many of you have shown (and is the norm around here).

Cheers!

[Firemunkee]

Awesomeness all around!!

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[Mr.CPHo]

Really great story, Mike.  Sounds like you had a very special day dedicated to family and food.  Thanks for sharing.


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[Dc_smoke309]

Very cool!


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[YardBurner]

Boy that brings back some great memories.

As a kid we had 40 acres of mountain top in western Maryland with a rustic campsite.
Plans were to build a cabin just enjoy the whole experience.
State took it away using eminent domain and made it part of a state park. 
They took ALL of the individual properties in that area
unless you were full time residents and then they only gave a life lease.
Not sure they could get away with that today.

Still makes me sad.

[mhiszem]

Wow sounds like a great time had by all with a bunch of good food.


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[inkaddictedchef1]

Rad! Glad you got to use and enjoy the SNS and DNG sounds like the three of you had an enjoyable and memorable time together. Congrats on the first year and 1000th post!

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[Schaefd2]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

And that Maryland snippet left me feeling very sad.


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[Mike in Roseville]

Thanks everyone.

I really enjoyed the trip...so much. My dad kept saying "You did all of the cooking and dishes, and you felt like this was a vacation?"

Yes. It most certainly was.

Matt...
My brother first saw the SNS and was bashing it a little (giving me crap about setting up a two zone fire). He started singing a different tune when both the WSM and the low side of the kettle both read a steady 275. I'll admit it was my first time really giving the indirect side a fair shake...it performed very well. Toward the end of the night both he and my dad were really impressed with the Slow and Sear. Finally cooking on a WSM, my brother wants one now. I'm glad my dad finally feels a little more comfortable with his WSM to get it going more often.

A "slight" aside: some of the best best steaks I have ever had (I mean...ever) were cooked on a SJ that sat on that very deck. The SJ in the picture is an EI code. I was surprised it was "that new" and asked my dad...is that the same one that's always been here? He casually replied, "Mm-hmm." I knew that couldn't have been exactly correct, because we have been eating steaks off of it since I was really little. Later, when I explained, he expanded on it further, "well its been here for about 20 years...the other one was ruined by my buddy who came up here to use the cabin...he dropped something on it and bent it to hell... so I bought another one."

Ha! The truth comes out. But that's alright. Some of my best memories happened up there; great memories just go with the territory!

[Heyjude]

Congrats on surviving a full year of legitimate Weberitis..
That other stuff is important too.. Lol..

[addicted-to-smoke]

What a great share. Thanks for storying. Well, you know what I mean, Mike!

[YardBurner]

Thanks for storying.

That's the absolute perfect made up word for that post!
Just perfect.

[Cellar2ful]

A tradition of time spent at a family cabin (or campsite, lake or wherever) is priceless. Soon you will be taking your kids to the cabin making memories for them to cherish, giving them a chance at storying.  Congratulations on reaching 1000 posts.

[CatskillSmoker]

Happy 1000 Mike. Looks like a great weekend. Nice looking cooks.
Always nice to be at camp. Well deserved. Don't make it so long next time.
Bring the kids every year to see their trees grow.

[Big Dave]

Fantastic post!!! Thanks for sharing!!! My grandfather had a lake cabin he built in 1942. We spent summers at the lake. Your story brings back so many memories. My aunt and uncle now own the cabin. I need to go this summer it's been way to long. Thanks again!! 


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