Cades Cove / Camping / Loop Trail / Bears / Copycat Chili / Tornadoes

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Cades Cove / Camping / Loop Trail / Bears / Copycat Chili / Tornadoes

Рет қаралды 9,003

Күн бұрын

Birthdays, bears, butterflies, snakes, flash floods and tornadoes made this stop at Cades Cove one to remember. We still managed to have a relatively peaceful time here as we celebrated Maggie's 11th birthday doing all the things she loves to do.
A few things about this episode. 1st, just because the rules say you can run a generator from 9am until 8pm doesn't mean you have to... just saying. If you're the one in the camper two spots down from us, you owe us $30 for having to change to a more quiet spot. 😂
2nd, there's absolutely zero cell phone coverage here and it is a remote place. And in the spring each year this area is pounded with flash floods and tornadoes. Pay close attention to the weather here and stay safe.
3rd, in the spring (we were here the 2nd week of May) bears are everywhere... in the campground loops, on the roads and definitely along the Cades Cove Loop road/trail.
4th, we HIGHLY recommend bringing your bikes and riding on the day that is set aside each week for bikes and pedestrians only. It is a bucket list experience... one so good we had to go for a second time that day even though our batteries were drained and we were tired.
And finally, when you meet a cowboy, even if he's at Cades Cove in Tennessee... you have to say HOWDY!.. it's the law!
Texas Roadhouse Copycat Chili Recipe:
PREP TIME: 10 min
COOK TIME: 2 hr 30 min
SERVINGS: 10
INGREDIENTS
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 5 pounds beef stew meat
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 2 jalapeno peppers (seeded and sliced)
• 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon cumin
• 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 15 ounces diced fire roasted tomatoes (1 can)
• 30 ounces kidney beans (2 (15 oz cans), drained)
• 1 cup beef stock ((add more if you like a soupier chili))
• 2 Tablespoons Masa Harina
• 2 Tablespoons water
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Hamburger
PREPARATION STEPS
1. Season the beef. Season the beef with salt and pepper.
2. Brown the beef. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, stirring occasionally. DO NOT crowd the pan. You will likely have to brown the beef in batches.
3. Add the veggies. Stir in the onion and jalapenos and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Season. Add the garlic powder, cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Add the tomatoes and kidney beans. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, kidney beans, and stock.
6. Stew. Allow the chili to come to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
7. Thicken. Whisk together the masa harina and water to form a paste and stir it into the chili. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
8. Adjust the seasoning. Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
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〰️〰️ LINKS TO THINGS WE USE
〰️〰️ (to make it easier for you & help our channel)
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🚲 Bikes:
Lynn's Bike: bit.ly/4e2kVwH
Owen's Bike: Not available (Wolff Lyra ST)
Maggie's Toto Basket: amzn.to/4e4Sy0M
Our Bike Rack: amzn.to/4e3ytYO
Our Bike Cover: amzn.to/3XoArNF
Owen's eScooter: amzn.to/3V59Z8W
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🧑‍🍳 Cooking:
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🏕️ Outside:
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Bote Inflatable Tandem Kayak: amzn.to/3V9vcOS
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Пікірлер: 93

@jholcomb9532 Ай бұрын

Loved all the wildlife! Amazing butterflies. Many Happy Returns of the Day to Maggie Girl.

@sloanschwindt9718 Ай бұрын

This was a wonderful video! Enjoyed the bears, butterflies, snakes and Birthday Girl. Scary having that much rain and tornado warnings!

@David-jo4gt Ай бұрын

With the temp reaching 102 today, spring time in the mountains looks like heaven. Your photography paired with music was spot on. Thank you for all the hard work you and Lynn do. Please give Maggie a big Happy Birthday and a belly rub from us. Happy tails and safe travels.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Thanks David, we appreciate your support. Try to stay cool.

@lisabritt4284 Ай бұрын

Happy birthday Maggie you lil sweetie 🎉❤

@sherriweber7105 Ай бұрын

Happy birthday Maggie!

@angelabennett2941 Ай бұрын

Glad the tornados missed you! The bike rides looked really fun. Happy birthday to Maggie!

@christinaputney659 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday to Maggie!!

@toddlancaster5298 Ай бұрын

That looked like a gray rat snake. Love Cades Cove. One of my favorite places.

@karinwest919 Ай бұрын

yes, the shape of the head and the eyes will give it away!

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Thanks for the information. We need to get better at identifing snakes.

@pattyk8594 Ай бұрын

Love that you were able to bike cades cove with no cars for a day! Just beautiful! And happy birthday Maggie! You deserve that chicken sweet pea :o)

@sherriweber7105 Ай бұрын

I wanted to let you know I think it was so cute watching Maggie eat a pup cup for her birthday! Plus getting a bike ride and chicken. It’s well deserved for a dog as good as she is. My dog loves chicken. Hope Maggie enjoyed her birthday!

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

I hope Maggie enjoyed her Birthday, we tried to make it special for her. The things you do for your pup 🤣.

@karinwest919 Ай бұрын

what a wonderful experience in Cades Cove! oh, the memories you make! This vid is my fave so far!

@koalabear6722 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie! Bike ride was awesome. We did the hayride, lots of fun and we didn't have to drive, just look. Spring time can be very risky! We love the store in the campground. visit it every year. in the fall! Happy Camping!

@BillandJulia615 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie! 🎉 Your bike rides look amazing!

@sloanschwindt9718 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie! We have the same Blackstone griddle! Love it!

@larryvincent2098 Ай бұрын

Another great adventure!! Beautiful scenery, accept for the snake !! lol !!Happy Birthday Maggie 🎉!! Oh yea the bears ! Where the rain lol ….. Sounds of the birds , beautiful … Wow the butterflies!!! Always enjoy your channel!! BS & BK & BC !!!!!!!

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching and always taking the time to comment.

@grillinandchillinwithdeb Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie ❤Great video

@lindao1327 Ай бұрын

Thought I saw a black bear through the trees around 7.26! Great video guys. Happy Birthday sweet Maggie. ❤

@lindao1327 Ай бұрын

I looked again, but think it was a tree stump!

@janetfolkerts5827 Ай бұрын

Awesome views, yep, I think you hit the motherlode in seeing nature in it's finest ! As always, love your cooking presentations. BTW the chili looked great as well. Happy Tails to Maggie ! THANKS for sharing.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

You are so welcome and thank you for watching.

@patkincaid8061 Ай бұрын

Looks so nice and inviting. Beautiful place. I’ve been there once but looking forward to going again one day.

@skipmason8747 Ай бұрын

Cades Cove is my wife’s favorite place. She loves going there. We visit about once a month if we can.

@sandrap3047 Ай бұрын

I've always heard that Cades Cove was a beautiful place to bike ride when they are closed to cars. Now you have shown me just how beautiful it really is. The other ride was beautiful too. Love the wildlife minus the snake. I have one fear in life and it is snakes! I'll probably dream about that one in your video tonight! Thanks for that! :)

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

I have bad dreams too when I see a snake. So sorry!

@barbaracarlson7402 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie, you sure are a sweet girl. We toured Cade’s Cove some years ago and loved it but it would be awesome on bikes! We were in Texas earlier this spring and experienced some wicked storms.. Sure is scary any time but more so in an RV we feel. Really enjoying your trip in the Smokies, thanks for taking us along!

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

I agree it is so much more scary in an RV. Thanks so much for watching.

@Shopsktkolsc Ай бұрын

This video has inspired me to try cades cove again. I was trapped in my car for hours on that loop a few years ago and swore I would never visit again. Cycling seems to be the way to go. Great video and I agree that your music is perfect.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

The loop does get crazy backed up. We’ve tried that before and much prefer the experience with no cars. It’s so worth it.

@stanw909 Ай бұрын

I tried talking my kids into becoming meteorologists . I told them that they never have to be right and get paid anyway. Especially heer in Socal. BTW , From she to me put in one your songs. Beautiful song. Beautiful vocal and beautiful arrangement. Better hit her up for your royalties 😂..

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Good advice about becoming a meteorologists. I wish we could take credit for the song in Debbie’s video, it was beautiful, but not Owen.

@raybetts3795 Ай бұрын

Hey y’all, loved the video. Happy Birthday to Maggie. Our Jake Dawg is thirteen and named after John Belushi’s character from the Blues Brothers movie. We’ve been to Cades Cove several times, always a great experience. Especially seeing wildlife. I’m pretty sure your snake was not a Copperhead. A Copperhead has markings that resemble a Hersheys Kiss. This was probably a water snake. But, good to be careful. Take care and travel safe. Don’t know if Owen knew the Carter Brothers but Danny Carter passed away today.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

We saw that Daddy Carter passed, we appreciate you letting us know, such a loss. We had a Jake Dawg too, before Maggie. Thanks for the information on the snake, we need to get better at identifying them.

@billparks2788 Ай бұрын

yes a red rat or corn snake, the under side looks like indian corn

@michaelcox6559 Ай бұрын

A belated birthday wishes to Maggie! Glad you guys are safe from those storms. We are on pei now and settling in. Have the rv here too so gonna look for some boondock spots this summer

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Sounds great. Hope it’s nice and cool there.

@davidstill7684 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie… Lots of great wildlife. I am jealous you got to ride Cades Cove. Did you stop at the church? Great video…. Love you guys! ❤

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

We did not stop at the church this time. It was a great ride. Miss you guys.

@chrisgriffiths509 Ай бұрын

Love cades cove. One of my favorite places. Nice video😊

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

It one of our favorites also.

@dmhenshaw Ай бұрын

Cades Cove is the best!

@dennysisk1100 Ай бұрын

Texas roadhouse 👍

@plove523 Ай бұрын

Cades Cove is one of my favorite places.

@jdmather5755 Ай бұрын

Switch bikes or batteries at the halfway point to even out energy use to propel Owen around the loop. 😮

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

You know when we got our Rad’s that was one of the reasons we got the same bike so we could trade out the batteries if this happened. But we could also swap out who rides what. Great idea.

@karenenglish4900 Ай бұрын

It was great you saw so many bear. More often than not, we don't see them. Nice bike days!! Happy Birthday Maggie!

@bevbender3587 Ай бұрын

What an adventure: bears and other wildlife, rain, flooding, tornadoes . Happy Birthday Maggie🎂🥳🎉

@richardburguillos3118 Ай бұрын

Ya just keep these amazing adventure videos coming… another beautiful location. Thanks for sharing. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!🎉❤🦴🦴🐾

@kiwirose4196 Ай бұрын

Another amazing video - I just loved the butterfly segment - so beautiful. Happy birthday sweet Maggie, you are just 6 months older than our Maya ❤️

@michaelbecnel63 Ай бұрын

Riding bikes thru Cades Cove looked very relaxing and yall hit the bear lottery....HBD Maggie. Happy Trails 🐕

@AndyB718 Ай бұрын

Chilli and i can't help but be reminded of the Blazing Saddles scene. 😂

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

I remember that scene… thanks for the memory.

@ladikmk Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie! You are one very lucky doggie - here's to many more wonderful Birthdays for a very special little fur-girl.

@judystreich7333 Ай бұрын

Maggie’s so special on a normal day, but her birthday about wore her out. Happy Birthday sweet girl, your fans love you little darling. Beautiful area to relax, hope our crazy weather calms down soon.

@timmartin4952 Ай бұрын

Love the Smokies and Cades Cove. Thanks for taking us there. Just told my better half, I’d like to bike the loop like you all did. That was great! We have driven it countless times. Belated Happy Birthday to Maggie! Thanks for the great videos and allowing us to come along!

@nancyskean6425 Ай бұрын

Happy birthday sweet pup Maggie! You have awesome parents! Glad you were all safe with the wild weather. Happy tails!

@joeyeubanks5965 Ай бұрын

Another beautiful, relaxing video. And such great music too.

@johnccman9547 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie and thanks for sharing the sites and adventure. Enjoy watching

@user-qn2wq7yj1l Ай бұрын

Love your videos!!! Happy Birthday sweet Maggie. She looks like such a love.

@leeb6758 Ай бұрын

Loved this one! Happy Birthday sweet Maggie!

@clarkcopenhaver1265 Ай бұрын

Every time we visit the Smoky's, we spend time in Cades Cove. Beautiful place......"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" Maggie.

@johnthomson5730 14 күн бұрын

Actually, that looks like a Pine Snake or maybe a Grey Rat Snake. Definitely not a Copper Head. By the way, totally agree about running the generator all hours. We have the two battery/gen delete in our Ekko, and so far we do not need a genny as long as we do not run the AC for too long. Of course, hope our Balmar does not go out (we have the 2024 Ekko). When we go back to the Smoky Mountain NP in October I purposely choose the genny free zones.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle 14 күн бұрын

Many have said Ret Snake in the comments. Didn't get close enough to ask him though. 😂👍. And generators... don't get me started. 🤣

@mikemanjo2458 Ай бұрын

Belated Happy Birthday to sweet Maggie!!!!! Y'all had a great trip despite the liquid sunshine. I'm thrilled that you saw and shared so many bears! We've never seen that many at one time. I had read about the mama with 4 cubs. I'm glad y'all actually saw them! Have a great week! Much love from SC, Jane ❤🙏

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

This was the most we’ve ever seen at one time, it was such a great time riding and seeing all the wildlife… one of our favorite thing. Thanks so much for watching.

@kevinsandells9933 Ай бұрын

Enjoyed the video. Happy belated Birthday Maggie

@ncwomanparker1708 Ай бұрын

🎉 Happy Birthday Maggie🎉

@sandras1524 Ай бұрын

❤

@rdrose61 Ай бұрын

Thanks... you did hit the bear lottery. We saw bears in the field as well but not as many as y'all. We encourage everyone we discuss GSMNP with to visit Cades Cove on bike on motorvehicle free Wednesdays. We too recently swapped our Blackstone griddle and our campstove for the Blackstone griddle campstove. A little tight on the griddle surface but 2 bulky items to store for 1 compact is great. Congrats Maggie...

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

The bike ride is so much better without all the cars, we highly recommend it too. Thanks for watching.

@maryjones908 Ай бұрын

Happy Birthday Maggie!

@bigjimslade6250 Ай бұрын

Just found your channel this week while in the Smokies & got back from Cades Cove yesterday. It’s a great place. You had better luck with bears than we did. We hope to go back soon & stay at the campground & do the Wednesday bike ride. And like you, we are no longer the 55+ resort campers that we once were.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Glad you found us, thanks for watching.

@RoadsofLife Ай бұрын

Woo Hoo! Happy Birthday Waggy Maggie Magpie!! You don't look a day over five! And you act like one happy puppy! Stay away from those snakes and bears... we want you around for at least another 11 years! 💗 And you two better keep safe too! Wear little bells and carry pepper spray! You mentioned your generator wouldn't last very long. Is it too small or is something wrong with it? And that brings up a question I've had for a while... Can you run your A/C without the generator in the EKKO or will it not last that long without it? Tried to figure that out from the Winnebago website, but couldn't find an answer. Didn't know about butterflies and... um... well, you know. I do know the best way to tell if it's black bear is if it is small and contains berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear will contain little bells and smells like pepper!🤣 Stay safe and be seeing you!

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

No generator was running for an hour and then shutting down with no warning.

@tonyraby1515 Ай бұрын

Red rat snake, not a Copperhead 😊

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Thanks for the information.

@thetravelingkites Ай бұрын

Happy birthday, Maggie! 🎉 Question for you: do you think there’s enough overhead clearance at Cades Cove for a 10’ tall class B?

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

Yes. We've been on the Cades Cove Loop in a Travato and a Revel.

@thetravelingkites Ай бұрын

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Thanks guys. Appreciate that.

@sherriweber7105 Ай бұрын

Lynn and Owen van you send me the recipe for the Roadhouse copycat chili? I would love to try to make it. We have a Roadhouse here too in Vegas but never been there. I love chili. If you don’t mind sending it. Thank you.

@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Ай бұрын

It's in the description of the video. Might be easier to get it from there. Email us if you need us to email to you.

@sherriweber7105 Ай бұрын

@@VANTREKKINGlifestyle Oh ok! Thank you! I would love to have yours too! Owen said in video that yours was better! I love chili!