Workshop to build a reflector oven

When I first started searching for a reflector oven, I wanted to purchase one.  Every company I found…it turned out they weren’t making them anymore, until I found a company that made non-folding beautiful ones that were way out of my price range.  Refusing to be defeated, I began searching for folding reflector oven plans.  That search didn’t go much better, and left me frustrated too.

Finally, I had a set of plans that appeared to be for an actual working folding reflector oven.  The next step was materials.  That was a bit disappointing.  It seems that metal sheeting isn’t exactly a hot item in home improvement supplies.  The best I can do locally is with a roll of wide aluminium flashing…with a hefty price tag to go with it.  Granted, it will make many ovens, but I don’t want many ovens.  I want one functioning reflector oven that I can cook a small turkey in.  That’s all.

In addition to this blog, we also maintain a website for Get Ready GO, at www.get-ready-go.com and we also have a physical Meet Up group (www.meetup.com) called Get Ready Go that is our “non-profit social organization” branch.   We have an amazing amount of interest in terms of “folding reflector oven” which indicates that I’m not the only one who wants one.  So, the logical thing to do is to have a workshop!

Get Ready GO will be hosting a workshop on Saturday, August 27th, at 10 a.m.  It’s a super inexpensive way to learn how to make your own reflector oven with some help (and tools!) to do the job.  It’s only $20 material fee per person, open to members and their guests only, and everyone must be an adult.  There will even be lunch!  MeetUp.com is free for membership, and anyone can join Get Ready Go too.

The meet up is being held in the Pascagoula, Mississippi area, convenient for anyone living anywhere between New Orleans, LA and Pensacola, FL or as far north as Hattiesburg, MS.  Reservations must be made (and paid for) before August 13th, and there will be no refunds for cancellations after August 13th, although a “make up” date will be offered to anyone who is unable to attend the day of the workshop.  A minimum of four attendees (besides the 3 hosts) is required, and if the minimum is not met, we’ll refund any fees paid.

Just to make it even more fun, if the fire ban in the area is lifted, we’ll bake lunch in a reflector oven just to show how well they work!  Besides, it would give me a great excuse to see if a turkey really will fit in one, wouldn’t it?

Previous entry about folding reflector oven is found here.

First bike n hike gear & chow

I thought it might be interesting to list some of the gear being used for our maiden voyage into the world of recreational biking.  It might also help see the evolution of gear over the coming months.

GM & I both have Next bicycles, starting out at least as mountain bikes.  These were purchased from Walmart, and cost about $88 each last year when we bought them.  I’ve noticed the prices have gone up considerably, but the quality hasn’t, by the way.  Mine is a powder blue one designated as a “woman’s” bike, but it does not have a step through design.  From the side, it looks like any men’s bike.  GM has a maroon one, and his is largely unmodified.

To start with, mine has a Bell gel seat.  I’m not impressed with the seat, but I haven’t replaced it yet.  It’s better than the original anyhow.  GM’s seat is the original.  He claims its better than the racing saddle he had on his previous road bike.  I have also replaced handlebars with Nirve Kandy bar in black.  Outside of that, the bike is pretty much as it was.

Then comes the accessories.  I have an easy on/off basket in black that I purchased a month or so ago from the bike shop in Gautier, MS.  That’s where I’ll carry my  wallet, goodies and the camera bag, as well as water for Red, spare leash, her dish, and the cell phone.  Our tool kit and pump will ride on GM’s bike, as usual.  I also have a bar mount for a video/still camera.  I hope to video my perspective on the trip.  I also have a rear view mirror, although I’m not certain I will need it mounted for this trip.  There is also a set of lights for one bike–we don’t have a set for two yet.

GM’s bike is simpler, he has a Schwinn rack that mounts on the seat post.  That’s what will carry a small cooler with cold drinks.  Our lunches will either ride in our backpacks (we’re riding with small packs or a waist pack) or in the basket on my bike.  Spare tubes will go in GM’s pack too.  We’ll be carrying the only spares probably–a pair of 26″ ones that fit our bikes.  Hopefully, they won’t be needed.

For food, we’ve gone eclectic.  Most of it, we won’t carry.  We’ll have some snacks–granola bars, fruit cups, dried fruit, corn nuts–and drinks, mostly water, although we may carry one or two of our alternative favorites such as a sports or energy drink…or my favorite-Hansen’s Blueberry Pomegranate something or another that comes in the smaller sized can.  We’ll start out with bottled water, as well as an aluminum water bottle and a canteen.

Clothing will also be pretty simple.  Comfortable shoes, socks, jeans, t-shirts, and a jacket or poncho, depending on the forecast.  I’ll also wear my old ball cap, although I’m not sure GM will wear a hat.  I guess my years on the desert makes me more inclined to the ball cap!  We will likely both have sunglasses as well.  We will carry Mississippi essentials too–bug repellent and hydrocortisone cream for when they brave the repellent!  At least one of us in the group will carry a standard first aid kit as well–the likelihood of a “booboo” is pretty high when one of the party is an active 2+ yr old.

I’ll check out the other gear from other riders as well.  I’m sure some new items will be among the chosen gear that goes along on this trip, so maybe we’ll even manage to review a few things!