KarenMusserNortman
  • Home
  • Frannie Shoemaker Mysteries
  • The Time Travel Trailer Series
  • Mystery Sisters
  • Karen's Blog
  • Large Print and Audible
  • The Newsroom
  • Coming Events
  • Borrow My Books-KU
  • Camping (when it isn't murder)
  • Giveaways and Stuff
  • About the Author

Grueling Research

6/5/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Writers, like all artists, sometimes have to suffer for their craft. Several years ago, I started a campground mystery involving a barbecue contest. About a third of the way through, I hit a wall and it has been gathering virtual dust in the nether regions of my computer ever since. Years ago, we attended a number of barbecue contests with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who are certified judges for the Kansas City Barbecue Society. But due to numerous circumstances, after I started the book, I didn't get to another and plot lines dried up.

But this last weekend, an opportunity for inspiration presented itself. Ken and Harriet were tapped to judge a contest at the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatonna, Minnesota. Saturday included, besides barbecue, a blues fest and classic car show. Camping sites were available on the grounds. So plans were made. My friend Don and I would join the Halds and Ottaways for the weekend. Agatha would stay home this trip and we would take Don's fifth wheel instead. Friday was beautiful; low 70s and brilliant blue skies. Don and I arrived first and found that the 'sites' consisted of a grassy field with power and water hookups scattered willy-nilly. With the host's help, we managed to find a spot with space and hookups for two more units.
Picture
 It took some finessing when the others arrived to get campers and trucks parked and hooked up, but those are the challenges of 'roughing it.' Soon lawn chairs were out, beverages opened, and a heavy planning discussion held on supper. Although we each probably carried enough food for six weeks, it was decided to sacrifice a night of cooking and try out the food at the venue. There was a 'shuttle bus'--a contraption of park benches mounted on a wagon pulled by a garden tractor--but our timing wasn't right so we walked to the other side of the fairgrounds. The food venue offered varieties of BBQ-brisket, pulled pork, ribs, etc.-plus onion rings, cheese curds and other healthy sides. The only music available at the time was at the indoor beer garden, which required a cover charge, so we opted to return to our campers. The 'sites' did not include either a firepit or picnic table, and since we had all eaten more than our fill, it was an early night.

Picture
The weekend forecast for Owatonna included showers on Saturday and we were hoping they would be wrong. They weren't. The off-and-on rain caused the cancellation of the car rally and the outdoor music venues.  Fortunately for the judges, the contest judging would be inside. So, after Ken and Harriet left for their duties, the other four of us made a field trip to the large Cabela's located in Owatonna. Lots of outdoor scenery with no rain. While Don and Vince salivated over depth finders, boats, and other fishing gear, Letha and I checked out the clothing and decorative items. We returned to the fairgrounds and made another trip around the venue.

I am always fascinated by the various cooking rigs and team names. I may have been the only attendee, however, who was also keeping an eye out for good hiding places and murder weapons.  At least I hope so.  Saturday night supper required more self-sacrificing. During their judging duties, Ken and Harriet receive samples of chicken, brisket, ribs and pulled pork. They cut one bite of each as part of the judging and the rest goes into a cooler which they bring back to camp. So we must help them eat that and for our part provide the sides for a sumptuous meal.


Sunday morning, after a great breakfast from the Ottaways, we packed up , and dodging a few rainstorms, headed out. Halds and Ottaways continued to a county park near Mankato. Don and I returned to Des Moines to unload. I picked up my car, made a quick visit to see my great-granddaughters (and their parents, of course) and returned home. I needed to be back in order to ready Agatha for a Wednesday departure for Marble Beach State Park at Spirit Lake with the Midwest Glampers. I also have a Mystery Sisters book in progress that involves glamping. More grueling research.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Some random thoughts about writing, camping, and eating.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly