The many sides of Saddle Up are a feast for the senses. You might hear cowboys strumming guitars and singing songs. You might smell the strong aroma of cowboy coffee in an old enamel coffee pot. You might touch leather or sit on a bale of straw. You might be offered a bite to eat from the chuckwagon kitchen. There is something for everyone. With nine chuckwagons in attendance, it's a lot to take in! Each chuckwagon is a traveling museum ranging in price averaging over $20,000 once fully outfitted. Most date back to the late 1880s and were made by Studebaker. Historical items include an array of cooking gear from the late 19th century. Items like a mounted Parker Coffee grinder to heavy bone saws and meat cleavers decorate the side of chuck boxes. Giant 14 to 16-inch cast iron Dutch ovens and huge skillets rest over coals as large coffee kettles and bean pots hang from the fire spit or sit on horseshoe trivets. The displays also include a variety of cowboy personal gear, saddles, bedrolls, tents, farrier equipment, and tools. Every item needed to complete a trail drive is carried on the wagon, including extra wood stored underneath in a hide or canvas called the "possum belly". Wagon judges inspect each wagon following strict guidelines established with the American Chuck Wagon Association. Every wagon represents authentic 1880 cooking as the cookies did during the trail drives. Period correct pieces and vintage items can be found at each chuck wagon and each owner enjoys sharing the heritage as they answer questions about their wagon and its history. Well this wraps up my Saddle Up Postcards folks. Thanks for stopping by each day to join in the fun of my first adventure for 2016. Next on the calendar will be the first camping trip of the season as Splash and I travel down at Cheraw State Park to gather with 15 of our camp Dutch oven buddies for the SC DOG. Happy trails y'all.
Elaine Lazzaro
2/23/2016 03:07:42 pm
Studebaker? Unbelievable. What an interesting look into the chuck wagon and the life of these folks. Comments are closed.
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