Hungry Folks on the Trail by Ron Mc Coy

By: Ron Mc Coy

Hungry Folks on the Trail By Ron McCoy

I wrote this in August last summer. So while the snow flies in the Midwest, I want you to reflect on this story. It was a barnburner here in Queen Creek Arizona last August. Got up at 5a.m. this morning and rode out from the barn here at Will Rogers Equestrian Ranch at 6 a.m. I rode my "goes anywhere, does anything" horse, Lefty for an hour and a half and was back at the barn by 7:30.

Temperatures were well over 100 degrees by then and my somewhat fried brain was signaling food. Trail riders everywhere, especially in Indiana, like food. We all know about Tony Regains specialty for breakfast that he calls "It" for no better name. I can visualize in my mind Scotty Eskridge wandering around the campground with a huge steak looking for a campfire to cook it on. Greg Hersberger and his riding buddy, Mike, always had coffee brewing and "food". Well I often cook up what I call "Cowboy Beef Stew" and I want to tell you about this.

Whoever invented the crock-pot should be given a medal as you just dump the stuff in it turn it on and ride off on a trail. When you come back its ready. Bruce and Jody Weldy will tell you that can't be, because Ron only rides for two hours at a time, tops. Well like to stir my Cowboy Beef Stew a lot and I like to get back to do that. My wife, Karen, always says, "Don’t take that lid off” and "Stop stirring the stew". Maybe I shouldn't stir it so much, but lets face it, stirring is half the fun.

The night before you go for a ride a lot of the ingredients can be prepared or laid out.
2 lb. Beef Chuck, cubed
1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
¼ Cup Flour
1 ½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Pepper (a little more is ok)
1 tsp. Paprika (you can skip this one if you don’t have any)
1 1/2 cups Beef Broth
4 Carrots sliced
2 onions, chopped (more or less depending on size)
1 Rib of Celery, chopped (more if you like celery)
3 Potatoes, diced

When you’re ready to start cooking, put the meat in the crock-pot first,
And then add the flour, salt, pepper and paprika. Stir this up good then add the rest of the ingredients. Now stir the whole mess real good. Cook on low 10 to 12 hours for long day riders or on high 4 to 6 hours for l/2 day riders. Stir before serving (this time it’s ok to stir). This should feed about 6 folks unless Greg Hersberger is around, then it won’t go nearly as far. Remember life is an adventure and so is this stew.

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