Director's Blurb

 

While I never seem to tire of exploring new places or new activities right here in the great state of Nevada, I do have to admit, that the occasional venture further afield can really help to keep the passionate fire burning within that drives me to never quit learning and never quit finding new ways to grow outdoors.  Over the recent Independence Day Holiday, my fiance and I made some what of a last minute decision to make one of these trips.  We opted for the exotic destination of Moab, Utah.  Well, exotic in terms of scenery anyway.  The 50 shades of red sandstone cliffs, pillars, arches, deep river canyons and mesas are an other-worldly contrast to the pale basin and range of Summer in northern Nevada.  We mixed up our itinerary with some short walks through world famous Arches National Park, a long day hike deep into Canyonlands, a night camping on the river, another on the mesa top, a couple of thunderstorms and tasting some local eats in Moab.  On the way home, we kept things lively with a random side trip to the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, quite the unexpected gem!  When I have these kinds of experiences, it really makes me think about how there is no way one person could ever see everything there is to see in the world, or even this country.  That doesn't mean that I won't always have the ambition to try however.  I hope you all have these types of passions inside of you as well, and that they take you outdoors from time to time.  And no matter where your exploring leads to...

Have fun out there.

Featured  NOSer
Jessica Villarreal - Early Childhood Camp Counselor


Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I have two siblings. Lacy who is two years older than me and Megan who is four years younger than me, I am the middle child!
If you were a crayon what color would you be?
I would probably be a super sparkly purple or electric blue color!
Who is your favorite super hero?
I would have to say my mom is my favorite super hero. She can do anything!
Where were you born?
I was born right here in good ole Winnemucca, Nevada!
 

Riverview Park, Winnemucca Nevada
Picture Courtesy of: http://www.winnemuccacity.org/Parks.cfm

If you look on Wikipedia you will find that a Dutch oven is a thick-walled (usually cast iron) cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. Dutch ovens have been used as cooking vessels for hundreds of years. They are called “casserole dishes” in English speaking countries other than the USA, and cocottes in French, they are similar to both the Japanese tetsunabe and the Sač, a traditional Balkan cast-iron oven, and are related to the South African Potjie and the Australian Bedourie oven. The multiple names that Dutch ovens are referred to by,  and the numerous places the Dutch oven is shown to be used in is a testimony to its supreme versatility. For centuries Dutch ovens have been used for all sorts of cooking. You see people cook things as common as a pot roast in one, but the versatility of a Dutch oven allows one to cook even a desert. The origin of the name “Dutch oven” is commonly debated, but most Internet sources would lead us to believe that In 1704 a man named Abraham Darby traveled from England to Holland to inspect a Dutch casting process where brass vessels were put in dry sand molds, when he returned to England Darby experimented with the process and eventually patented a casting process using a better type of molding sand. He also created a process of baking the mold to improve casting smoothness. The thought is that the name originated from the group whose technique he modified, this group being the Dutch.
Because of their versatility Dutch Ovens have always been fairly expensive. They were so commonly used and lasted so long that in the 18th and 19th century it was not at all uncommon to find that they had been left for ones descendants in a person’s will. For example, Mary Ball Washington (mother of President George Washington) stated in her will, that one-half of her "iron kitchen furniture" should go to her grandson, Fielding Lewis, and the other half to Betty Carter, who was her granddaughter. Several Dutch ovens were among Mary’s “iron kitchen furniture.” The Washington’s were not the only famous people to use Dutch ovens, it is said that Dutch ovens were among all the things Lewis and Clark packed around for their expedition.

There is a lot of information about Dutch ovens on the web; http://www.googobits.com/articles/p9-904-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-dutch-ovens-and-dutch-oven-do-cooking.html seems to be one of the most comprehensive with information on Dutch ovens, which may be helpful to anyone considering signing up for our 4th annual Buckaroo Dutch oven cook off! Our Buckaroo Dutch Oven Cook Off will be held on August 25; cooking begins at 8 AM. Public tasting is a suggested donation of $10, which gets you all the utensils you’ll need and five tickets to vote for the People’s Choice Award, this begins at 1 PM. Cooks are needed! So call NOS at 623-5656 to register! Please register before August 15.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_oven
http://www.chuckwagonsupply.com/history.htm
http://www.googobits.com/articles/p9-904-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-dutch-ovens-and-dutch-oven-do-cooking.html
 
 

ROCK OUT WITH ROCK CANDY
Homemade candy is not only yummy but also rewarding.  What better
way  to celebrate the accomplishment of an experiment than a sweet
treat?This summer, NOS encourages you to put on your science caps
and “rock out” in the kitchen.  It might take longer, but patience has never
tasted so sweet.

Here’s what you’ll need:

* Measuring cup and spoon
* Large sauce pan
* Long wooden spoon
* Clean glass jar (a tall, strong one)
* Clean piece of cotton string
* Popsicle stick, pencil, or wooden skewer
* Paper clip
* 1 cup water 
* 2 cups of granulated sugar
* A few drops of your favourite candy flavoring (optional)
* A few drops of food coloring (optional)

Got all your supplies?

FANTASTIC!  Now, let the GREAT experiment begin!

Step 1: Tie the piece of string around the middle of the stick or
pencil. The string should be a little shorter than the jar.

Step 2: Get the string damp with a little water and roll it in the
sugar. Put the paper clip on the end of the string. Place the stick
over the top of the glass jar. The string should be hanging down
inside the jar, but shouldn't be touching the bottom.

Step 3: Cook the candy mixture.
a. Boil the water.
b. Stir in the two cups of sugar, stir until sugar is dissolved.
c. Remove the pan from the heat, add flavor and/or food coloring, (if
using).
d. Pour hot mixture into the jar.

Step 4: Put the jar in an out of the way spot where it won't be
disturbed. The crystals will start growing on the string in a couple
of hours.

Let the crystals grow for 3-10 days. The longer they grow, the larger
they'll be.

HINT** Letting them grow longer will result in bigger crystals.

Step 5: Remove the string from the jar, and eat your candy!

HINT** Store leftovers in an airtight container.

(http://www.momswhothink.com/kids-crafts/how-to-make-rock-candy.html)

Good luck, have fun and ENJOY  this SWEET SUMMER TREAT!

 

NOS Family Campout


Looking for a great way to have fun in the great outdoors this summer?  Look no further.  Nevada Outdoor School is hosting our annual NOS
Family Campout in Water Canyon July 28^th-29^th.  Meet us up in the canyon on Saturday at 4:00pm.  Activities will include family games, campfire skits/songs, a fun hands-on Astronomy presentation from Uncle Bert, and a guided hike along the Interpretive Trail.  Dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday morning will be provided. 
Don’t have camping supplies?  No worries, NOS has equipment available to rent.
For more information about this SUPER FUN event or to sign up, please contact Annie Boyd at 775-623-5656 or e-mail her at: annie.boyd@nevadaoutdoorschool.com
Please RSVP by July 25^th.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!