Ancient heritage is made modern. Most people think of hops as a bittering and aromatic ingredient in beer, but its original use was probably as a healing and preservative agent. Various sources document written evidence of hops for medicinal and other purposes at least by Roman times: Pliny the Elder (23-79 O.C.E.) describes hops as…
Considering New Mexico is the fifth largest state, perhaps it’s not surprising that certain corners of the Land of Enchantment remain far from the beaten path. However, that El Morro Valley remains one of them probably is, or at least should be. Turning south from I-40, NM-53 cuts through El Malpais National Monument, crosses the…
Hunting elk on New Mexico public land I walk briskly but cautiously, traversing the rugged desert mountain. I listen for the hair-raising sound of rattles as my boots land, knowing this mountain’s grassy slopes and scree piles hold their fair share of banded rock rattlesnakes. Although beautifully marked with grey and black bands, I don’t…
Unplug, get outdoors, and cook real food over a real fire this summer. I was first exposed to open-fire cooking at an early age. My father’s family waterskied and fished a number of Ohio’s lakes. I remember many fun-filled outings on Grandpa’s speedboat catching sunfish and bluegill from the dock at Indian Lake when I…
