We arrived in Tucson and immediately reviewed the local exploits of my culinary hero, Adam Richman. The twelve patty OMG burger at Lindy's seemed over the top but the President's Platter at Mi Nidito Cafe ( http://www.minidito.net/) seemed just right. Created for a vist by former President Clinton, it includes a chile relleno, enchilada, tamale, tostada and a taco. I finished it easily but knew that it was a non-challenge event for Adam. .
The next morning we revisited the Sonoran Desert Museum (http://www.desertmuseum.org/) which runs a beautiful program that does a great job of educating visitors about the Sonoran Desert. The only downside is that it opens its doors at 8:30 am. The lighting at this time is very harsh for photography. This is frustrating but nevertheless the raptor flight is an excellent presentation by the museum which features free flying raptors which fly over the crowds looking for portions of raw meat placed around the area by assisitants. The program is very popular and never fails to please the large crowds which attend. They hold two programs- one at 10 and one at 2. Unfortunately the harsh lighting and the leg strappings on the captive raptors make the photographs somewhat unattractive for most uses.
After the raptor program the heat began to become oppressive. Our Michigan weather had not prepared us for the record setting 94 degree heat which assaulted us in the afternoon. We decided to stop at El Guero Canelo (http://www.elguerocanelo.com/) for the second Man vs Food feature- the Sonoran Hot Dog. This has been described as a chili dog on steroids. A hot dog wrapped in bacon is placed in a bolillo roll. Mayo, mustard, ketchup is added along with pinto beans, cheese, chopped tomatoes, chopped onions, and sliced jalapenos. There is no better hot dog!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Bosque del Apache, New Mexico
Having completed the amaranth havest in Michigan, Edie and I headed for New Mexico and Arizona. Our primary mission consisted of some volunteer work for Wycliff Bible Translators based north of Tucson, but also hoping to do some photography. We spent the first night in Tulsa, Okalahoma. The second travel day found us bucking the strongest headwings I have ever experienced while traveling by auto. Winds were averaging 40-50 mph with gusts recorded over 90. Edie likened it to traveling by aircraft in heavy turbulence. We arrived in Socorro, New Mexico in time for the evening meal. We checked into our hotel and headed for The Stage Door Grill, only to find that it had closed. Our second choice was the Socorro Springs Brewery Company (http://www.socorrosprings.com/), which unlike a lot of Socorro restaurants boasts a 11 year record. Edie ordered the creamy pesto pasta with grilled salmon while I had the grilled red pepper salmon. Both were excellent. Since the brewery featured a beer which was described as having authentic Dutch origins (Heynankamp Dutch Lager) we ordered their sampler of 5 beers which they had on tap. I might be biased but I think the Heynankamp held it own among the other beers although I never did find out how the Dutch influence migrated to this area of the world.
The following morning I arrived at Bosque an hour before sunrise. Bosque is primarily a winter destination for birders and very few Sandhill Cranes and even fewer Snow Geese had arrived yet. I took a few pre-dawn shots and headed for the Wigeon pond on the campus of New Mexico Tech. The pond here offers some of the most cooperative ducks anywhere. Since it borders a gulf course the ducks are use to heavy traffic and allow close proximity.
Female Wigeon wingflap
Male Wigeon
The following morning I arrived at Bosque an hour before sunrise. Bosque is primarily a winter destination for birders and very few Sandhill Cranes and even fewer Snow Geese had arrived yet. I took a few pre-dawn shots and headed for the Wigeon pond on the campus of New Mexico Tech. The pond here offers some of the most cooperative ducks anywhere. Since it borders a gulf course the ducks are use to heavy traffic and allow close proximity.
Bosque Sunrise
Male Wigeon
Female Wigeon wingflap
Male Wigeon
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Amaranth Project
American Goldfinch feeding on amaranth seed heads
Early this spring I volunteered to grow a half acre of amaranth for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (http://www.crwrc.org/). Although the project was definitely not a roadtrip it did take precedence and altered my travel plans as I adjusted to a farming schedule.
Amaranth Seedling
Amaranth is an ancient crop which was widely grown by the Aztecs in the 1400's but soon was forgotten and only grown in limited amounts at scattered locations. Research starting in the 1970's rekindled an interest in the crop when its hardiness and useful nutritional qualities were rediscovered. High protein levels along with the amino acid lysine made it a healthy addition to the deficient diets commonly found in poorer nations. Because of this the CRWRC has worked hard to introduce this plant and educate people in Africa, Mexico, and Asia.
The plant turned out to be extremely hardy once it sprouts. It tolerates high temperatures and requires much less water than corn and other widely grown plants. In Kenya the seedheads are white or yellow but the American variety is a beautiful bright red which, as it matured, attracted passerbys who would slowly drive down our driveway trying to figure out what kind of crop we were growing.
On October 10 the crop was harvested. Approximately 100 people from Fairway Christian Reformed Church of Jenison, Servant's Church in Grand Rapids, representatives from CRWRC, and the VanOrman clan experienced a typical African style harvest of the amaranth.
Seed heads drying on tarps before threshing
Cutting the seed heads
Threshing
A mill designed by Calvin College Engineering students for use in Kenya was used to separate the threshed seed.
CRWRC representatives from Kenya, Uganda, and Asia
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