Feast of History: A Night Around the Campfire…

If you had been a pioneer, your day would have started at 5 A.M. By seven, breakfast would have been eaten, the wagons would be packed and with the cry of “Wagons, Ho!” you would have rumbled off for another day on the trail. By noon, you might have traveled several miles and it would be time for lunch. Several more hours of travel after lunch found you ready to make camp before it got dark. The wagons would have been pulled into a circle for safety and everyone would pile out to survey the new spot for the night. Unless it was rainy, making camp also meant making a campfire and cooking dinner over the open flames. 

The pioneers went through this same routine over and over again for days until they reached their destination. There may be rivers to cross and amazing sights to see, but meals and chores had their part on the trail too. But the pioneers had the will and determination to survive. They were seeking freedom, land and better lives at the end of their journeys. Hope is a powerful motivator.

If we wanted to experience a little bit of what the pioneers went through, the best way to do that is to go camping! Modern day camping still has its conveniences, but it defintely lends itself to living more simply. And if you can’t go camping, the next best thing is to have a campfire and eat your evening meal around it! The evening campfire was a welcome and cozy part of the pioneer’s day where they could relax, unwind, laugh with each other, sing and talk before starting the next day’s journey.

And what to eat for dinner around this campfire? Here are some great ideas!

• Chuckwagon Beans (Chili)
• Beef Jerky
• Texas Hash
• Fried Fish
• Cornbread
• Soda Biscuits
• Hoecakes
• Fried Apples
• Baked Sweet Potatoes
• Fried Potato Cakes
• Cabbage Salad
• Lemon Pie
• Fruit Pie
• Hasty Pudding
• Coffee
• Fermented Ginger Beer

And for a little ambiance for your western, trail inspired campfire meal, here is a playlist with some amazing views of the wild beauty of the American West!