Well, everyone survived (a good thing) the trip out hunting with the guys...including all the deer (not a good thing).
We ended up camping just a little east of mile marker 284 (I think) on SR 260 east of Camp Verde, toward Payson. The camp was only about 3/4 of a mile off the road at FS 6C (Divide Tank) and was a sweet spot with a nice flat area for the tent, a good spot for the tent trailer, and plenty of parking for the five trucks we ended up having up there.
Overall a pretty good trip, though as mentioned, no deer were taken. I was along strictly as 'cook-y' and just in case someone needed a little extra help packing out a monster buck...ha ha.
We had some good grub, and I will humbly take the credit for a good portion of that. Best meal overall I think was dinner Friday with T-Bones grilled over the coals then topped with some roasted rosemary-garlic oil, pan fried potatoes o'brian, and a peach-pineapple 'dump cake' out of the dutch oven. Breakfasts were supposed to be pretty decent also, but the two that I got around to cooking both ended up being fried meat (sausage one morning, bacon the next) with some potatoes, peppers & onions, then with some scrambled eggs poured over top, minimal heat, and lidded with foil. A little cheese melted on the top when the eggs are done. I guess it was OK, since there wasn't much left. Scott cracked out some killer smoked salmon (that he caught in Mex and smoked himself) for an afternoon snack.
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets, though those red skies should have made us all take note. This was the sunset Friday night. We ended up packing up a day early (Saturday evening) and sleeping the last night down the hill at Teri & Jim's (thanks again!!). We decided to get down the mountain when we heard the forecast calling for 35 mph winds, gusting to 50+, and snow down to 4500' (1500' below camp) by morning. It's amazing how quick a camp can be torn down and ready to roll when the thought of hot showers and cold beers are in the front of the mind.
This is a picture of us when we first hit the house...pretty scary bunch... Darrell (with the keys) had to drive home to Prescott and Scott (no drink) hadn't dug out the Jack yet. Actual names are (standing, left to right) Chandler M., Aaron H., me, Darrell C. & (kneeling, left to right) Bill D. & Scott M.
I took this picture through the cheapo spotting scope I bought. I had been glassing this slope for over an hour looking for deer, decided to munch a granola bar, bumped the scope while putting the wrapper away, and when I looked through the scope, this is what I saw. (Yes, I immediately checked to make sure I wasn't sitting on a snake, too.) I'd like to think I was really stealthy setting up, but by the way this elk was watching me, she knew exactly where I was.
Well, it's now almost 9 PM and I'm only about 1/2 way through the work I'm doing tonight (moving VMs at work...click...drag...wait...test...repeat about 10 time tonight) so I better get up and get some more caffeine.
Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwansa/whatever floats your boat.
