When things get busy, stressful and hectic…..go for a hike. This was footage from one year ago, we did a short loop hike in Lake Anna State Park on a mild winter day.
Filmed on Sony a6700
Tag: outdoors
Baking Bannock (winter holiday version)
Bannock is a popular food item for us to make on canoe and camping trips. It is a simple, warm and tasty bread that can be easily baked over an open fire / oven. From the recipes of the First Nations people to the Scottish, there are innumerable ways to prepare bannock. Some involve leavening agents and some don’t. Some people bake it and others fry it. Over the years, I’ve learned to keep it simple, light and fluffy.
Over the winter season of 2025, Richmond, Virginia received snowfall on January 5-6 (approx 3 inches) and then subsequently January 10-11 (another 3 inches), we decided to was the perfect chance to make some winter holiday bannock (with cranberries). The kids did not mind the extended holiday break. Let’s get started.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/4 cup of pecans
- 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries
- 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
- oil
- 1 cup of milk (can also use dry milk powder and water as a replacement)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Dry mix the flour, baking powder, pecans and brown sugar
- pour in the cup of milk and add the cranberries
- gently mix all of it together to disperse the milk evenly. (You don’t want to over mix it because this will punch out all of the gas)
- If you’re cooking with an oven, oil the cast iron skillet and get the oven temp to 350F. Place the contents into the skillet and bake until ready (usually approx 25min to 30min)
- If you’re cooking over an open fire, keep your skillet facing the fire, you can usually use a stick to prop it up. Based on the weather conditions, it will be done when it’s ready, the surface will become slightly brown and hardened.
- FINISHED
ENJOY
Enjoy! Hope everyone stays safe and healthy this winter!
Outdoor baking tip: (consider a reflector oven!)
If you spend a reasonable amount of time baking outdoors, you could consider getting a reflector oven. The reflector allows for a more even heat distribution and easier to control temperatures than an open fire. Svante Freden of Sweden, makes an excellent, lightweight, aluminum reflector oven for baking in the outdoors. https://www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com/reflector-oven-by-svante-freden.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqjuGjAky6FZN4tMEjufelaGKQlVISv6CPWfuRRWCOc3bn41gn-
Over the years, we’ve gotten alot of use out of our reflector oven from Svante Freden.
Winter hike at Lake Anna State Park – President’s Day.
2/19/2024: President’s Day 2024, my brother and I took this opportunity to take my two oldest kids to a new state park for them to explore: Lake Anna State Park in Spotsylvania, County. It was a very mild winter day with a high of 55F and full sun, we made the journey up northwest approximately 1.15 hours drive north of Richmond, Virginia. There are numerous ways to get there, but I think the easiest would be through 64 west. Some of the alternate routes may suggest the back roads however they can be very twisting and not very relaxing.
We were one of the first ones to arrive and the kids were excited as soon as we reached the visitors center. Their excitement peaked when we saw the sparkling, diamond reflection of the 13,000 acre lake. The park boasts more than 15 miles of trails. Upon arrival, the kids took the opportunity to play on the playground and empty beach. In the heart of winter, I always find the sight of an empty beach to be calming and reassuring. We decided to take on the short 1.4 mile Railroad Ford Trail which took us in a loop at one of the parks projections. It is a popular hike for children, with bridges, ponds, streams and little elevation climb.
As we approached the end of the trail, we gathered some kindling to brew some hot chocolate for the kids at one of the grills at the picnic station. I used the Eagle 1.5L Camping Kettle made in Norway, this little thing is fantastic.The kids left with smiles on their faces and all of the energy well spent. Overall, a success of a day. Happy President’s Day everyone. Please be safe and healthy out there. (Spring is almost here, start thinking of trees/flowers/plants that you wish to plant).
There are 42 state parks in Virginia. We’ve been to 9 of them. We’re getting there! All photos were taken on a Sony a6700.
WAY NORTH 