PCB No Knead Artisan Bread

Posted on January 7, 2023 by blbarker2

Pam loved a good artisan loaf of bread with good flavor, texture and of course a good crust. I didn’t start making bread until after she died but, I really think she would have loved this bread. I morphed a no knead bread recipe I found on Pinterest. Here is the recipe and directions.

250 grams Organic All-Purpose Flour
100 grams White Whole Wheat Flour
50 grams Dark Rye Flour
1 Tablespoon Wheat Germ
1 Tablespoon Plain White Sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
3/4 teaspoons Active Yeast
1-1/4 Cups Water (home Temp)

Directions: Add all of the dry ingredients to a large plastic or glass mixing bowl (do not use metal), The either using your hands or a spatula add the water. I usually start with a spatula then finish with hands. The dough will be very sticky and will stick to your hands – I usually don’t handle it long. Just before I put back in the bowl I drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil to lightly coat the whole ball of dough. Once this is done cover the top and place it in a warm place for 12 – 18 hours, Preheat the oven with a Dutch oven inside to 450 degrees. I use a 7 quart Le Creuset Dutch oven.

While the oven is preheating take your dough and place it on a piece of floured parchment paper. I usually knead a couple of time where I tuck the edges under until I get the shape I’m looking for. When done make sure your seams are on the bottom. After the oven and Dutch oven have preheated carefully remove the very hot Dutch oven and place your dough, parchment and all into the Dutch oven put the top on and return to the oven. Set your timer for 25 minutes. After 5 minutes reduce the temperature to 400 degrees . After 25 minutes reduce the temperature to 350, remove the top and bake for another 10 minutes.

Meaher State Park – Alabama

Posted on January 6, 2023 by blbarker2

Trip dates: December 5 – 8, 2022 Site # 59

Located a short ten minute drive east of Mobile Alabama in Spanish Fort and tucked between Ducker Bay and Bay John sits the Meaher State Park. The campsites here are situated under a canopy of old growth pines that offer some shade and a breeze coming off the bay. There are 71 campsites, boat launch area and a separate canoe and kayak launch dock. Regardless if you are looking for a place to spend a night or relax for a whole month you should give this State Park some real consideration.

Gateway to the Delta – a 1/2 mile boardwalk over the water and marsh.

All of the RV campsites are paved and fairly level and come with water, electrical, sewer hook ups and a sturdy picnic table. They do not allow individual fire pits but, there are a couple fire pits scattered around the premises that can be used on a first come first served bases. There are several public restrooms and 1 very nice bathhouse. I didn’t see any bad campsite in the whole park. The odd numbered sites starting with 7,9 up to 35 are all closest to the water and have nice views, but because there are few trees around these sites there’s not much shade relief from the sun.

On one end of the park there is a Gateway to the Delta boardwalk that takes you out over the water and through some of the marsh. This boardwalk loops around and is about 1/2 of a mile long. Take your time here, especially early in the morning, because there is a lot wildlife to be seen. At the other end of the park there is a very nice fishing pier. The pier is 300 feet long then T’s into another 200′ foot section. If you like night fishing, no worries, the pier has lights.

This little trail was all washed out at the time I was there – enough alligator warning signs – I turned back!

Biking – not too many great paths or trails for biking or walking except for just around the camp sites. The WIFI signal strength was good – strong enough for me to catchup on a few of my favorite Apple shows. There were also several TV stations I could pickup with just my antenna.

Nothing like sitting around a campfire cooking s’mores and talking with friends – life is good!

The city of Spanish Fort has a population of a little over 10,000 and offers some since restaurants and shopping. The history of Spanish Fort dates back to 1712, when Jean-Baptiste Bienville of France founded the city of Mobile. Originally, Spanish Fort was the site of a trading post established by the French during their occupation of Mobile. Bienville goes on to found the city New Orleans and the Bienville Oysters were named for him.

Below is an annual average temperature for Spanish Fort use the slider on the bottom pick your best time to visit.


</code></pre>

Address: 5200 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort AL 36527 (251) 626-5529
Hours: 7AM to 3PM. Too many beautiful images of this park to post them all – below are a few of my favorites, enjoy!

Images from the Meaher State Park in Alabama.

Pamela Catherine Barker

Posted on November 11, 2022 by blbarker2

Pamela Catherine Barker, age 73, died peacefully at her home on Lake Oglethorpe surrounded by her husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law. Pam was a loving wife, mother and successful business woman. She was born on April 10, 1949 to Lee Hendrix and Catherine (Kitty) Toole Hendrix.

She was a 1971 graduate of Miami University of Oxford, Ohio and was proud to have been part of the April 15, 1970 protest of the Vietnam War. In her early years Pam loved motorcycles, owned a Moto Guzzi and didn’t hesitate to tell you it was Italian. After graduating with a degree in psychology she moved to Athens, Georgia and joined her father at the House of 10,000 Picture Frames (now Athens Art and Frame). She bought him out in 1985 and continued a successful, 52 year career as a business woman. She married Bruce Leeds Barker on October 6, 1984 and together they raised 2 children: Robinson (Robin) Leeds Barker (1986) and Margaret (Greta) Catherine Barker (1988). When her first child was born, Pam started what was to be a 9 year maternity leave to raise her children and loved every second of it. Pam sung with the Meridian Women’s Chorus in Athens for over a decade, served two terms on the board of Prevent Child Abuse Athens, and the Lyndon House Arts Foundation. In her free time Pam loved to walk, hike, ride bicycles, gardening and especially cook. Pam was always experimenting with vegetarian and vegan recipes. Pam was also a big supporter of local organic farmers and rarely missed a Saturday farmers market. She was also an avid reader and was known to devour several books over a weekend, especially biographies.

Pam had many friends but held a special place in her heart for her oldest friends: Alice, Rick, Lynn, Mona, Fred, Julia and Norm (when he was being good). Pam was preceded in death by her mother, Catherine (Toole) Hendrix; her father, Lee Hendrix; and her sister, Phyllis (Hendrix) Ransom. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Barker; son, Robinson Barker; daughter-in-law, Andrea (Winsor) Barker; daughter, Greta Barker; soon to be son-in-law, Nick Kenney; brother, Robert Hendrix; sister-in-law, Beth Hendrix; niece, Emmy Hendrix; sister, Ellen (Hendrix) Daniel; brother-in-law, John Daniel; brother-in-law, Don Ransom; niece; Briana Ransom; nephews, Tony and Taylor Ransom and her 2 beloved pets, Cleo and Aspen. In lieu of flowers Pam would appreciate donations made to her favorite organizations the Lyndon House Arts Foundation and Brightpaths (formerly Prevent Child Abuse Athens).

Bridge to Bridge – Century Ride

Posted on October 11, 2022 by blbarker2

The year was 2006, I had just turned 51 years old and that mid-life stuff was beginning to talking to me about what I have accomplished so far in life. I had a great wife, two outstanding kids and a successful business but, I needed a physical challenge. So, I signed up for the Bridge to Bridge century ride to the top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

I had a little harder time getting Pam on board with this ride but, she was my only support team member and I needed her. So I bribed her with a 3 night stay at the Richmond Hill Inn in Ashville. It took me almost 8 hours to finish so Pam earned her reward.

Me coming back through Lenore after completing roughly the first 45 miles.

The ride was in September and I had already been riding a lot in 2006 and I had all summer to get physically ready so I wasn’t too worried. This was the 18th running of this ride and it was well supported by the town business owners and volunteers. It was 6AM and dark outside when we started and first 45 miles were amazing. People lined the streets and were in their yards and driveways all cheering us on. For a brief moment I thought I was in France competing in the Tour de France. My legs felt strong and the energy from the cheering spectators gave me a strength I didn’t know I had. The terrain for the first 45 miles was easy, just some rolling hills. But, as you can see from the map below the ride was about to change drastically.

Elevation for gains for the Bridge to Bridge Century ride – 2006.

It was at about mile 60 was when I realized that I was way under prepared for this event – but, I’m not a quitter so I pressed on. When I got to rest / aid stop number 6 at the 11 miles to the Blue Parkway sign I stopped for a break and processed to get 3 cramps in each leg. They were so severe I couldn’t get back on my bike. At that point I decided if I saw Pam and our car I was going to call it quits. Several other people were getting picked up at that rest stop and I was in a lot of pain.

View from the car of the last little bit to the top of Grandfather Mountain.

I never was able to see or phone Pam so, I walked my bike until I worked out the cramps, then got back on pressed forward. I had to be careful because I could feel the cramps in the background and I didn’t want another full blown episode. The 25 miles from the 70 to 95 mark where incredibly beautiful. There where mountains, creeks, cliffs, and ravines and a lot of the trees were starting to turn color.

Picture of me proudly walking the last 1/4 of a mile – it was beyond steep.

I remember one of the volunteers at a rest stop looking up my name, which also lists the riders age, by my event number hanging from my bike. He said to me; “Bruce, you’re 51 years old – what in the world are you doing out here!”

This was a physical challenge I needed to prove to myself I could do – and did! I completed the whole 100 miles of Pure Hill. Pam was there waiting for me at the top. After finishing I loaded the bike on the car and we headed for Asheville. I was able to take a shower and get a little nap in before we event to a fabulous wine tasting dinner at Gabriel’s

Jekyll Island Campground

Posted on June 24, 2022 by blbarker2

Situated on the north end of the heavily developed Jekyll Island off Beachview Drive sits the Jekyll Island campground. The campsites are all nestled under huge, old live oak trees creating a shady almost mystical environment. The individual sites are fairly close together but that didn’t matter – everyone was so respectful I didn’t even notice my neighbors. The main roads around the campsites were paved and the others were hard packed dirt and gravel.

Entrance and check-in booth to Jekyll Island Campground

Check-in time is 2 PM and I was greeted by Harry and Barb, the hosts till April. Barb handled the paperwork and other details while Harry escorted us to our site in his golf cart. Setup was easy and the utilities were easy to access. Most of the sites were fairly level and I didn’t see any sites I wouldn’t want to stay in.

Beautiful big live oaks and Spanish moss shade the whole campsite.

The campground is located on the opposite end to the island from where the large conference center, hotels, shopping and restaurants are so it was quiet. There are 179 campsites – 167 with full hook-ups and 12 primitive sites. But plan to make your reservations early because this is a very popular campground and fills up fast – especially in the winter. The sites come with 30 and 50 amp electrical service as well as water, sewer and TV hook-ups. Each campsite also has a very sturdy picnic table. The whole campground is pet friendly and has 2 very clean bath houses with toilets and hot showers. There is also a general store on site for personal items, propane and firewood and an onsite laundry mat.

Biking – Jekyll Island has many beautiful miles of dedicated biking and walking trails. These trails run along the beaches, through the marshes, wooded areas and the historic district. No worries if you forgot your bikes because the campground offers bike rentals.

Pam, Karen and Bruce on a bike ride around the island – thanks Barry for taking this photo

Driftwood Beach – is just a short walk from the campground. There is a walking entrance in the back of the campground that leads you down a short dirt road to the main road which is just a few yards to the entrance to driftwood beach.