John told me he wanted to go camping and I nearly threw a fit. When Jack was small I felt that it was a good experience for him and it was. I went along, camping at National Parks, State Parks and a couple of RV parks when we briefly owned an RV, but that was a LONG time ago. My camping days are OVER. Camping is NOT a vacation for me. I have to do all the same things I do at home (cook, clean up and take a shower, for example) without the modern conveniences of electricity, running water or a gas line. And then there is sleeping in a tent…on the ground…with rocks digging into my flesh on a slowly deflating air mattress. Yeah, um, no thanks.

“This time it will be different,” he said. He had booked us into a cabin at Zion Mountain Ranch. “And,” he says, “there is a restaurant with what looks to be a very interesting menu with game meats.” We were really looking forward to a mixed grill for two that included rabbit and rattlesnake sausage, an elk chop and a bison filet mignon. A week before we went on our little trip, we called to make some changes to arrival and departure and were told that the resto had changed its menu and it was now “more accessible”. Great! Now it will be burgers and fries, we thought. My hopes for decent food – the main reason I was going – were dashed. In my head was a litany of meager offerings with no thought to how they were prepared because they knew they were the only game in town. Ok – so I will go. Hike Zion National Park during the day and enjoy this “cabin” at night, and grumble through the weekend. We packed snacks and of course beer.

Before checking into the Ranch, on our way into the park we stopped for pizza at a place called The Flying Monkey in Springdale. What a happy little accident THIS turned out to be! If you go there, have anything with the house made sausage – yes, it is that good. It was so good in fact, that we went back the next day and tried the sandwishes!* My hopes were raised a bit after that good lunch and I thought maybe everything would turn out ok.

But about Zion Mountain Ranch – it’s on the road outside the park on the way to Bryce Canyon and it is really lovely. There is a semi-wild herd of bison right there! They apparently have about 1000 acres to roam and when the fields are not in good shape the folks at the Lodge/Ranch feed them, so they were visiting every evening we were there. They are HUGE. The cabins were well appointed, the only downfall being there was no phone service AND crappy internet. I can do without one, but not without both when I have work I HAVE to do.

After hiking a bit during the day we were prepared to brave the resto with hopes that if it WAS just burgers and sandwishes, that at least they would be GOOD burgers and sandwishes. Hiking will raise your appetite in case you didn’t know and on the first night, the food tasted great, to the point that I was wondering if the food was THAT good or if I was really just that hungry. It was the food! We ate pretty much everything on the appetizer menu that night with a few beers to wash it all down – good beer, not crap beer – Hallelujah! Everything they serve is as locally sourced as possible, including, but not limited to produce and herbs grown in their greenhouse across the street! A locally made young cheddar was on the “Plank” (their charcuterie and cheese offering). Other than a slightly overcooked trout the second night, everything we had across the two days was fab! And our service from waiter Casey was equally wonderful. It was so good, that when I asked for a beverage not on the menu, it magically appeared by my elbow upon my return from the ladies’ room. The room itself was rustic as expected. If you have ever gone to Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch in Carmel, which is a converted dairy, you’ll get the idea of what the dining room looked like. All I can say is that I was pleasantly shocked and ever so grateful to be shocked.

So here’s the bottom line. If you are going to Zion and you don’t want to camp, this is the place to stay. The Lodge in the park is nice, but it is really geared for families and senior citizens and since we were neither on this trip, we didn’t want to stay there. Hey, while you are at it, get a National Park Membership so you can go to any National Park any time during the year. Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir, and I thank you!

While I would love to share images of the lovely food I ate while at Zion Mountain Ranch, the photos have magically disappeared from my camera. I am not amused! I must say, if this place wasn’t so far away, I would go back next week, take new pics and share them.

*not a misprint – I always say sandWISH

I am taking a break from cookie making to finish this post. Just so you know, I always thought Martha Stewart’s Cookies Book was the best volume for baking. I have a new favorite! The King Arthur Cookie Companion is now my new best friend! For YEARS I have been making checkerboard cookies the way Martha said, rolling and slicing strips of dough. Measuring and stacking to make sure they came out correctly. It always put my OCD on edge. King Arthur has a much simpler method complete with pics that has literally revolutionized the way I feel about the dreaded checkerboards! It’s so much easier that I am making MORE batches of them!

In approximately 2 weeks I will have almost 50 out of town guests arriving to help John and I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Because I try to be a good hostess, I want everyone to feel welcome and I want to spend as much time as possible with everyone. But what do I do with/for them when we can’t be together? Yes, I know Vegas is easy enough to find things to do on your own without a tour guide, but what SHOULD every visitor see/do if they only have a few days or maybe have never been here before? Does anyone know how interesting our “Old Vegas” downtown (which is really uptown) has become? Well, I’ve got it covered…I hope.

Google Maps is for more than looking at your house (or a friend’s) from the sky! You can make your OWN map of the things to see and do in any area. So that’s what I did! Because most of my guests are staying in the downtown area, I created a little map to point out what they should see and do while in the downtown area. Here is a partial list of things on the Strip they should check out:
• See the Fountains at the Bellagio – dancing waters to LOUD music – it’s free
• The Conservatory at the Bellagio always has a gorgeous seasonal display – free
• Check out the HUGE chandelier at the Cosmopolitan and have a cocktail at one of the bars surrounding and within it
• Yes, the volcano at the Mirage still operates! Free
• Wander the casinos and malls and check out the decorations – they are really stunning!
• Play the slots!
• See a Cirque du Soleil show – we only have about a half dozen to choose from
• Go Ice Skating at the Marquee Pool at the Cosmopolitan or the fake ice rink at the Venetian
• Madame Toussaud’s Wax Museum at the Venetian – kinda corny, but fun
• Ride the roller coaster at New York, New York
• Ride the Big Shot at the Stratosphere
• There is plenty of shopping
• If you MUST eat at a buffet go to The Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan
• Have Happy Hour Oysters at PJ Clarke’s at The Forum Shops
• And for goodness sake – eat something you have never tried before! Some of the best dining in the country is at your feet!

I am really looking forward to this particular Holiday Season. This will be the first time in 25 years that I am surrounded by most of my friends and family. If you are coming to visit, YIPPEE! If you couldn’t make that happen, you will be missed.

Food Memories this week include the first of the Holiday Parties at my home and Friends Sam & Jim’s home, fast food on the run (don’t judge) and working with Three Square on their FaVE program to teach kids about Fruits and Veggies (I learned about Passion Fruit this week!).

NO time for pics this week…Yeah, I know…I’m a slacker!

Until next week, go out and make your OWN Food Memories!