National Dutch Oven Gathering 2024
We arrived back home from the National Dutch Oven Gathering 2024 in Indiana. It was a fun filled week of cooking in our Dutch Ovens and trying new recipes to surprise our friends. We have made many new friends since our 1st NDOG in 2013 at DeGray Lake, Arkansas. The folks are laid back and easy going which keeps us looking forward to the next one.
What is also fun about the National Dutch Oven Gatherings are the areas where they are held. They are in areas rich in history and beautiful scenery adding to the joy of attending. The National Dutch Oven Gathering for 2024 was in Mitchell, Lawerence County, Indiana, famous for its limestone and astronauts. Check it out, you will be surprised.
We will keep this letter short and let you hop over to the photo album where you will be visually excited. We had 17 State Flags flying from 26 States.
Happy Cooking,
Dan Milam
Southeast Camper Dutch Oven Group
Southeast Camper Cabin Fever DOG 2024
WOW!
What a way to start off the new year, Fine Food, Friends, Family, and Fun were enjoyed by all, as we rendezvoused at Andrew Jackson State Park, Feb 3, for Cabin Fever Dutch Oven Gathering, our first gathering of 2024. Some, who will remain unnamed, were so excited that they even arrived 3 or 4 days early to blaze our trail.
We sometimes have called this February event the “Chili DOG” however, even though temperatures may have touched the freezing point at night, we were blessed with blue cloudless skies, warm sun, and thermometers reporting in the high 60’s during the day.
On Thursday night numerous Pie Irons decorated the fire pit, filled with every possible stuffing from grilled cheese to BBQ, to pizza and calzones, Sloppy Joe’s, and of course some “sweets”. The only complaint I heard was “hurry up and quit cooking… and put more wood on the fire”.
Friday night’s ‘Weary Travelers” dinner was a feast in itself as we gathered around the campfire again and gorged ourselves from tables lined with more Cast Iron Dutch Ovens that never emptied….. and that was only a preview of the sweet and savory delights to follow the next day.
Saturday morning by 8:00am the wagons rolled to the shelter area where smoking camp kitchens sprung to life. Aromas of all sorts wafted on the crisp morning air as many breakfast specialties were prepared, sausage, biscuits, breakfast burritos, apple dumplings, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and breads. Too many selections to see or sample.
We attracted the attention of many park visitors wanting to know who we were and what we were doing. Several of them excitedly indicated they would be back. Snacks and appetizers continued to flow well into the early afternoon including special deliveries of Toasted Mozzarella Sticks and Seasoned Potato Wedges, hand-prepared by our next generation chefs, Kindle, and Jacob. A couple of hours later, 24 Black Pots filled the tables for the Dutch Oven Gathering. It goes without saying that it was impossible to try every dish, but I will say that no one left hungry for lack of food.
We finished the day with a group photo, packed our wares, said our goodbyes, and began to plan the Southeast Camper Spring Dutch Oven Gathering in April.
Until then, Happy Trails
Dan Ewing
Southeast Camper