Enjoying Amazing Scenery While Driving Through the Colorado Mountains

On September 17, 2020September 17, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Colorado1 Comment

The mountains of Colorado are certainly quite stunning and there are lots of destinations to head to where you can be surrounded by incredible views. As the saying goes, it isn’t always about the destination, but about the journey as well and that is certainly true when the journey includes a drive through Colorado’s high country. There are some areas that aren’t particularly that interesting, but for much of it there are literally beautiful scenes around every corner.

During our drive to Telluride not that long ago, we captured as much of the drive as we could. It was a long drive, so we didn’t stop to take photographs, so all of these images were taken through the windows of our car as we made our way through the different mountain ranges until we finally reached our destination. Along the way, there were mountain peaks, national forests, as well as lakes and rivers. Seeing the rafters navigating the white water of the river certainly reminded us of our times rafting here in Colorado.

The scenery of Colorado really starts with the Front Range and then heads west towards Utah as the drive eastward towards Kansas is certainly nothing to look forward to. Whenever driving through Colorado’s high country, it is important to be sure to be aware of weather conditions from rain and snow as well as potential fires that might be in the region. Fortunately we had beautiful weather during our drive, which made the scenery that much more enjoyable.

Even in July, You’ll Find Snow on the Peaks

We Truly Enjoy Driving Through the Mountains

Green Chili with Pork Recipe

On September 16, 2020September 16, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn RecipesLeave a comment

One of the things that you find throughout the southwest is green chili. You often find it as a topping for Mexican food, but this particular recipe is an actual meal and not meant to be a condiment. Cooking it low and slow allows the meat to become tender and absorb even more of the flavor of the peppers. We happened to have grown jalapenos over the summer, so we had several on hand, although they were a little smaller than normal. This is a great meal for cooler weather that is easy to make and will warm you up on the inside. If you like it a little spicier, you can simply add more peppers or leave more of the seeds in.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 lbs Boneless Pork Shoulder – cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 Small Red Onion – chopped
2 Small Jalapenos – halved, one seeded and one with seeds left in
4 to 5 Tomatillos – husked, cleaned, and cut in half
3 cloves Garlic
1/4 cup Cilantro Leaves
3 tbsp Canola Oil
3 cups Chicken Stock
Juice of 1 Lime
Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss the onion, tomatillos, jalapenos, and garlic with 1 tablespoon of the oil, salt, and pepper. Heat an oven to 400 degrees and place the vegetables on a foil lined sheet pan and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once after about 15 to 20 minutes. When the vegetables have finished roasting, transfer them to a food processor and add the cilantro and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Heat the remaining oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and add the pork. Cook until browned on all sides, about 5 to 8 minutes and use a slotted spoon to remove the pork from the skillet. Combine the pork, green chili sauce, and chicken stock in slow-cooker and cook over low heat for 3 to 4 hours. Transfer to individual bowls and serve.

Individual Serving of Green Chili with Pork

The Ancient Agora of Athens, Greece

On September 15, 2020September 15, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Greece7 Comments

Obviously the highlight of any visit to Athens, Greece, probably starts with the Acropolis, but there is so much more to see in this wonderful city. For us, our second favorite location was the Ancient Agora of Athens with the Temple of Hephaestus. The agora was a gathering place for the people of ancient Greece and contains many different structures. It is truly a fascinating place to walk and imagine yourself discussing philosophy or the benefits of a democratic society. When you go to the Acropolis, you can buy a bundled ticket that includes other attractions, including the agora, which makes it well worth the extra money as it will save you money in the long run.

The Temple of Hephaestus, which sits high upon a hill looking over the agora, is one of the best preserved ancient temples in all of Greece. One of the reasons that it is so well preserved is that it had been in continual use for more than two thousand years, even serving as a Greek Orthodox church until the early 1800’s. Hephaestus was the god of metal working, craftsmanship, and fire, perhaps a fitting choice for it to have remained in almost its original condition.

There are so many fascinating ruins to see as you walk through the agora including several statues such as the remaining torso of a statue of Roman Emperor Hadrian. The ancient roads can still be detected as you walk among the ancient ruins. There is also the Museum of the Agora on the grounds, which displays some interesting pieces that have been unearthed during the excavation of the site.

Some people may feel that they have had their fill of ancient ruins and temples after visiting the Acropolis, but we feel that it is well worth taking the time to visit the other sights that Athens has to offer. At least during our visit, there were less tourists at places like the agora and it made walking among those ruins that much more enjoyable. We found the Ancient Agora of Athens to be an almost magical place with so much history and so many artifacts that it can a little overwhelming.