Bistro Newsletter

Bistro New Newsletter
August 25, 2023
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Thanks for all the support last weekend! I hear we were busy on Friday, and Saturday wasn’t overly quiet even for Dream Cruise. While the crew was holding down the fort (THANK YOU!), I was away camping and canoeing on the Pine River in the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Michael and I have been canoeing the Pine for over 20 years. Friday morning we pack up our gear, including our dog Brisket, and head north towards Coolwater Campground in Wellston near Cadillac. Michael oversees setting up camp while I set up the “kitchen”, keep an eye on our food stealing dog and continuously make sure Michael’s drink is full. This year he made a tasty batch of Sangria. Someone builds a fire, often games are brought out followed closely by the guitars and mandolin. Most of the guys on this trip are fantastic musicians and my favorite part of camping is listening and singing along to their music around the fire. I set out a nibble of cheese & tapenade and cooked a batch of Little Neck Clams & Shrimp in a simple wine sauce with a piece of crusty baguette. A few of the Pickled Hens ladies made the trip as well, and their food was outstanding. I saw everything from Grilled Polenta, Beef KBobs, Chicken Tacos, Pork Belly, Jalapeno Grits & Fresh Dill Pasta Salad. This group can cook over a fire!

Saturday morning after a light breakfast of my homemade Lox and some much-needed Pedialyte the bus picked up the 24 of us with our 5 dogs and took us to Walker bridge where we “get in”. The float time is about 4.5 hours, which ends up being closer to 6 or 7 hours on the water. It is a long day… lots of fun, but not for the wimpy. The Pine is a fast river with lots of logs, rocks and tricky situations. Michael and I made it through unscathed (this year). We paddle to our campground, unload our canoes and kayaks, walk 99 steps up to our site and settle in for the evening. Saturday night Michael & I enjoyed Ribeye Tacos with killer margaritas.​

Sunday morning, we tried to sleep in a little, enjoyed some champagne and I made Ham & Cheese Crepes. After spotting our cars we’re back on the river for a shorter paddle, a few sand dune climbs, lots of rock skipping, stick tosses for the dogs, rope swing and a few rescues before we “get out” at Peterson Bridge. A quick car ride back and it’s time for some red wine and the best DJB Burger grilled over the fire. I didn’t think our burger could get any better but boy was it ever tasty cooked over the campfire! One last sleep in our tent and we were back to reality on Monday.

We’re so lucky to live in Michigan with all its beauty. I’m not ready for summer to end! If you haven’t been up north lately, make a plan and get up there, it’s well worth the drive.

Cheers,
Sharon