nature, oregon, Photography

Best Camping in Oregon

Succour Creek State Park is an awesome destination for campers / hikers / instagrammers / nature lovers, it’s a bit remote though. Totally worth the drive, being a dry campground with access to the river it allows you to bring a dog. There are spots in the shade as well as ones in the sun. It’s close to Boise, Idaho which means access to the gas station and supermarket. See the pics, like, comment and share. All pictures taken with a phone.

Happy me under a sage bush behind a blade of grass
Savage style outdoor cooking
Conquering steep mountains
Views from the top, see the Sphinx
Best cook ever
Our campsite at the river
Climbing down was hot but quick
Car camping is a breeze

In conclusion I wanted to say it was one of the best camping experiences I have ever had. Variety of views and activities is absolutely amazing. you can go fishing, rock hounding, picture taking, hiking, dog watching, painting, cooking on the open fire. You could also just sit and meditate to never get bored with the view. Oregon has a lot more options which we’ll have to discover yet. I can’t wait!

  • How do you feel about camping? Where are your favorite spots? Do you go alone or with someone else? Do you cook on the open fire?
food, recipe

Taco Tuesday

Have you ever made tacos at home? How was the outcome? What do you drink with them? What’s the best sauce? You have to play Mariachi when you eat your tacos.

I tried to do it at home a few times, fish tacos are my favorite kind. I will share the ingredients with you in case you get inspired to make them for yourself and your loved ones. Sauce is also important, maybe even the most important if you ask me.

Ingredients for Best Fish Taco Sauce:

For the fish taco sauce, all you need is sour cream, mayo, lime juice, garlic powder and sriracha. The sriracha gives it a little kick of spice so you can add more or less based on your preference. This taco sauce is essentially a lime crema – the perfect blend of tanginess and heat (print the recipe below).

How to Make Fish Tacos:

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or silicone liner. In a small dish, stir together seasonings: 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of tilapia.

2. Lightly drizzle fish with olive oil and top each piece with a dot of butter. Baked at 375˚F for 20-25 min. If you want it to get a little browned around the edges, you can broil for 3-5 minutes at the end if desired.

3. Combine all the Taco sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup Mayo, 2 Tbsp lime juice (from 1 medium lime), 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Sriracha sauce, or to taste  in a medium bowl or a large measuring cup and whisk together until well blended. It’s really fun and feels like dining out to serve the sauce in a squeeze bottle like this one.

4. To serve the tacos, toast quickly toast the corn tortillas on a large dry skillet or griddle over medium/high heat.

5. To assemble: start with the fish then add remaining ingredients finishing off with a generous sprinkle of cotija cheese and finally that awesome taco sauce! Serve with a fresh lime wedge to squeeze extra lime juice over tacos. (from Natashaskitchen.com)

BEST DRINKS TO PAIR WITH TACOS:

  • Beer

Lager would be the usual go-to but Breddos has their own full-flavoured 5.4% version, Zirkus from Magic Rock, which they describe as a ‘tropical lager’. Absolutely delicious and perfect with the food.

  • Margaritas

You can’t beat the classic kind in my book. Spot on!

  • Mezcal

Hand in hand with the taco boom there has been an accompanying growth in the popularity of mezcal the more artisanal form of tequila. Both taquerias have extensive lists

  • Aguas frescas

I drank a tepache at El Pastor which is described as ‘lightly fermented pineapple juice with spices. Refreshing and not too sweet. Not necessarily alcohol-free but very low. Here’s how to make it at home.

  • Sauvignon Blanc (with fish)

Generally chimes in well with the citrussy vibe of Mexican food

  • Dry rosé

Better than a red IMHO. Breddos stocks the Domaine des Triennes rosé from Provence which I really like. ( Matchingfoodandwine.com )

Aguas Frescas

In Conclusion

For the best taco eating experience you have to share tacos with your good friends and people you love, it always make them taste better and last longer as your memories will not fade away quickly. Play good music and enjoy good food, life is too short anyway.

experience, travel

American Switzerland

I am going to tell you about Ouray, Colorado which is a magical place in the United States. It doesn’t speak four different languages for your convenience but it feels pretty amazing. One thing you need to know is that English is enough and you can easily do it on a budget.

Amphitheater Campground

First of all, you need to be ready to bring or rent a four wheel drive up there. You don’t want to get stuck in a tough situation and call emergency. The place is tiny but you want to explore the surroundings, it’s totally worth it. Box Canyon is something not to miss, very accessible and really impressive even for a short visit.

Box Canyon

Second , be prepared for a sudden weather change, wear comfortable shoes and have your water bottle with you. If you are a hiker, Perimeter Trail is something to enjoy here. Also be prepared for the place to be packed with people, wear a mask and be patient with herds of tourists. Off season is recommended honestly. The town of Ouray has many tourist attractions, the hot springs is one of them. Be ready to spend here at least 2-3 hours soaking and enjoying the vibe. Open year round, they will leave you happy and relaxed for the rest of the day. Fun experience, for sure!

Driving up Imogene Pass

Third, A Million Dollar Highway is a must see here, have your camera ready for some breath-taking views. You will probably need multiple stops on your way to Silverthorn. Allow yourself the whole day if you can, some people think it’s a scary road but I loved it a lot, steep and windy, but nothing like what I have seen before.

If you are ready for camping book Amphitheater Campground in advance, it’s a great location with multiple trails and epic views. No bear boxes just FYI. The camp host is super helpful and very sociable. We had some nice people there for neighbors. Great busy campground! Renting a cabin or finding a hotel you like could be another option. Book early though if you want to get a nice place at a good price.

Off the Perimeter Trail

Another thing to do here would ice mountain climbing, they have competitions every winter for those crazy dudes doing these kind of things, haha… I am definitely not one of them. I would be one of those wall-flowers painting in the corner or taking pictures of nature obsessively. For those photo addicts I have to leave a warning: It’s super easy to get lost here just trying to capture every single view and wildlife which is out of control. Having said that, I realize you need a good camera / phone to keep your memories. And maybe come back later for more unforgettable experiences you will find here.

beauty, culture, experience, travel, Uncategorized

Ukraine

ua

August 24 is Independence Day in Ukraine. It’s a big deal for Ukrainians since latest events have not been the greatest. Lots of people immigrated different places still dreaming to come back one day. Who knows maybe in the future things will be back to normal? Keep praying and hoping for the better.

If you ever want to travel somewhere nice and cheap go visit Ukraine. I miss it terribly! Kyiv is the best city I have ever lived, for me it’s the place where miracles happen and history is still alive. Explore and you will be surprised how much more there is to discover…

This country has a lot of problems and stuff but it feels real with four seasons, good and bad smells, street markets and all the pleasures of public transport. People are so direct, sometimes you wish they weren’t that way and women are so beautiful that it’s hard to keep up to par. Population is mostly poor, there is no middle class but it doesn’t seem that way.

Ukrainians love foreigners thinking that all of them are milliners. Foreign culture is considered to be better, a lot of loan words are used just because it’s cool. Traditional food is great, hospitality depends on the money paid and part of the country you are in. If you want to see the contrast go to Lviv where people speak Ukrainian and Odessa which is mostly Russian, fantastic tourist destinations with tons of things to enjoy. I wish I was there to be your guide…