Steve and I made our first corporate move after 3 months of marriage. Two years later, a promotion sent us back to my hometown. It was at this time that we met Bob and Suz. We hit it off immediately. Every weekend we were eating together and played Hearts into the night.

In the summer, they suggested that we go camping with them. They had a Coleman pop-up camper with a bed on each side. We would camp on private property. There was a small house on the property that was no longer inhabitable but the outhouse was kept in working order. A short ride down the gas line cut in their Jeep would get us to the river for swimming and fishing. I was not sure that ” roughing it ” was my thing but I will try most anything once.

Suz and I handled the food. You would be amazed at what you can cook on a 2 burner camp stove and a campfire. A bread called beer bread was popular at that time. Suz and I decided to give it a try at the camp. The dry ingredients went into a plastic bowl with a lid and I packed a loaf pan. There was always beer in the cooler. What about an oven you ask?

We built an oven. We found an old 5-gallon paint bucket, a small piece of metal grating, and a piece of sheet metal. The bucket was placed on its side on the edge of the campfire with the piece of grating inside for a flat surface. We mixed up the bread. Huckleberries had been found on a walk in the woods and those were tossed in as well. The loaf pan was placed on the grating. We then positioned the sheet metal to close the opening. We had no idea what the temperature would be so we waited. Other than one charred corner, it turned out perfectly. We ate it right out of the oven with some butter slathered on it. Our husbands were properly impressed by our ingenuity.

Turns out I did like roughing it a little. It was a secluded spot in the mountains and I loved the serenity of it. Lots of laughing happened there. Many memories were made. Suz and I are now widows. We share those memories and laugh again. She is now an expert bread maker but we still make beer bread.

Beer Bread

3 c. Self-rising flour

3 T. Sugar

12oz. can of beer

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Grease and flour a 9×5 loaf pan. Mix ingredients and place in the loaf pan. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 1 hour.

Robyn sitting on the stacked wood while the coals get hot enough for cooking beer bread.