So, this weekend, I got this itch, you know? Had to get out, away from the usual grind. The weather looked decent, so I thought, why not try cooking something right by the lake? Sounded relaxing.
Getting Ready
Didn’t want anything complicated. Just simple stuff. Dug out my old portable camping stove, the one that’s kinda fussy sometimes. Grabbed a pan, some sausages, a couple of bread rolls, ketchup, you know, the basics. Threw in a folding chair and a small cooler with drinks. Didn’t need much else. Kept it real simple.
Packed the car Friday evening. Just tossed everything in the back. Felt good already, just knowing I was heading out early the next morning.
Out by the Water
Got up Saturday, grabbed a coffee, and just drove. Found this quiet spot by the lake I know. Not many people around, which was perfect. Unloaded my stuff. The air felt fresh, way better than the city.
Setting up was easy enough. Popped open the chair, got the cooler handy. Then came the stove. Like I said, it’s fussy. Took me a good ten minutes fiddling with the gas connection and the lighter. Wind wasn’t helping either, kept blowing out my matches. Finally got a flame going, phew.
The Cooking Part
Okay, cooking time. Put the pan on, little bit of oil. Tossed in the sausages. The sound of them sizzling, mixed with the lake sounds, was pretty nice, I gotta admit. Had to keep adjusting the flame ’cause the wind kept messing with it. One side got a bit more, uh, well-done than I planned. Blackened, really. Oh well.
Warmed the rolls slightly on the side of the pan. Nothing fancy. Just sausage in a bun, bit of ketchup.
Eating Lakeside
Sat there in my chair, eating my slightly burnt sausage sandwich, looking out over the water. Honestly? It tasted amazing. Maybe ’cause I was hungry, maybe ’cause I cooked it myself right there. The slightly burnt bits didn’t even matter much. Just being out there, hearing the water lap against the shore, that was the main thing. Simple food, simple setup, but it felt right.
Wrapping Up
Cleaned up my mess, packed everything back in the car. Made sure I didn’t leave any trash behind, obviously. The whole thing probably took a few hours, driving included. It wasn’t gourmet food, not by a long shot. But it was exactly what I needed. Just a simple meal cooked outdoors, by the lake. Sometimes the basic stuff is the best stuff. Definitely doing that again sometime soon, maybe I’ll remember a better lighter next time.
