Tag: classy trailer life

Wine and their little gadgets!

I remember our very first night ever in our Airstream.  We drove all of 15 minutes from our home.  We reserved spot #1, at Sea Clliff State Park.   We had the best site, the waves could be heard breaking on the beach, great view of the beach and about 20 feet to the beach.  We set everything up by the book, the rain began to fall, and we were so proud of ourselves!  We took the doggies for a short walk before dinner, set the beef stew simmering on the stove, opened the vents and went through a light rain.

As the rain increased in intensity we rushed back to our silver castle dry and toasty.  We began our first meal preparation and settle in for the night.  The stew’s aroma, the warmth of our coach and the music on the radio set us up for a romantic triumphant evening.  BUT we chose our bottle of wine and . . . .  NO BOTTLE OPENER!

So we ask what is the best bottle opener for our trailer?  THE ONE YOU HAVE! LOL,  well luckily about a half mile away and up a hill was a local liquor store that actually had not only a wine bottle opener but a great selection of wines.  Five years after our maiden voyage we have acquired a moderateAirstream photo and 090 collection of bottle openers.  Guess we like the ones we buy for home use too, then forget to put them back and there we are again, no opener.

 

Everything we need to open, filter, mix and store our libations!

Yep a filter was sent to us in a shipment from a wine club and we have learned to love it!  When we first saw it we did not know what it was.   We are such great wine lovers.

Airstream photo and 085

Airstream photo and 080This is fancy, it breaks the foil seal, can open wine with a flair and look good too!  Also it does not rust.

Airstream photo and 083This lovely little prince, the Venturi, has a big brother but this little guy helps the reds breath more quickly.

After we bought a utilitarian opener on our first night we now have our favs!  We did also learn some bottle neck widths are just a little different and the old non screw but “wiggle” ones work wonderfully.

 

Airstream photo and 117

Now let’s open a great bottle of Six Sigma Tempranillo and enjoy a glass.. . . . .Happy Travels

 

Momma Mia –

Napa Style did it again! Now you can have the same tubular spice experience with the stackable spice as the 12 spice travel spice tube but now a 9 spice assortment for Italian cooking! Yep now you have your choice. Same price as the larger one but only one spice is in the Italian choices that is not in the larger one. I still like this idea because you can make your own mixes too.

Idaho special for rubs and great new creations
Idaho special for rubs and great new creations
The major begining
The major beginning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theses can actually last for a long time if stored in a dark, cool, dry space!  They are so small and fit well in the smallest pantry.  Nice go to on the road and you can replenish them with fresh when back home.

Settlng to enjoy another restful dinner by the stream Ahhh
A setting to enjoy another restful dinner by the stream at Shaw’s Shady Acres

We were so thankful that our best friends introduced us to the most wonderful Farmer’s market to enhance our traveling kitchen.  The Calistoga Farmers Market  is always waiting for discovery by new friends.  The locals get to enjoy the freshest, most beautiful fish, veggies, flowers, fruits and cooked delicacies ever.    We were ready to create with our Mobile Herbs!

The fresh caught white fish was a delicacy with just a little olive oil, fresh thyme and a sprinkling of salt and pepper done in our simple cast iron pan.  hmmmm so tasty and flakey.  Italian green beans with garlic, butter and olive oil, the local peasant bread and Sauvignon Blanc from Six Sigma made the evening so much more.  Relaxing in the evening with friends and food is what life is all about.

The next evening the local market had organic rib eye steaks on sale!  Smoked Hickory flavored salt rubbed on the sides with a little olive oil, hot cast iron over the outside grill, fresh salad greens with sliced local green apples and goat cheese was mouth-watering!  Add a little Coppola’s table red and you have a meal to enjoy by the stream at the Shaw’s Shady Acres with our stowed treasures to complete the scene.   Traveling to eat and enjoy is a nice carrot to get us out the door!

 

What is luxury trailering?

What do you think of as luxury trailer travelling?  I thought about that a long time. I know where to go to find good food but it is how we live while we venture out;  ‘are we able to sleep cozy and warm, is there a beautiful little touch to have my morning coffee and toast seem as though we are in a B & B, or are we camping?

We get so caught up in the prep, stowing, time frame and destination we forget why we have such a nice trailer.  We decided on an Airstream to learn to enjoy the journey, explore the little  off the busy tourist trail places we missed as we served our country all over the world AND be very comfortable. We need to  have the means to make the adventure a cut above and EAT VERY WELL as we learn to savor the journey not just the destination. With this in mind. . . .  I love great foods, great wine, comfy cozy evenings and the knowledge we have the tools to take advantage of yummy things we come across as we “press on” in a fun way!  We are always on the hunt to bring these items to you and let you know how to get them.

I have changed my focus.  I will look for the items we can use on our travels that make it that much more luxurious yet are beautiful, lightweight and have multi-uses!  The easy part was choosing the Airstream!  It has clean lines and lots of well thought out storage spaces.  I will start with the empty coach and then add the “things” that will help us be able to relax and really feel pampered while we travel into the hidden surprises of our quests and adventures.

Hidden Galley TreasureT

Here is where we start!  This is the place to store the special ingredients that will enrich any foodie finds on the journey.  I have measured the diameter of the adjustable shelves and use a guide to see if bottles of yummy fit, store well so we can enhance dishes, beverages and ” ?” while entertaining ourselves and friends on the road less traveled.