Black Iron Gang goes to the Cowboy Symposium

Our preparation for the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium Chuck Wagon Cook Off, started back in September. We had a few cookouts to give us ideas of what we would be doing. I for instant baked different types of bread, Sourdough and Yeast breads. Walter worked on his turnovers, not knowing what we were getting he made pecan turnovers. We both entered our practice food in the Eastern New Mexico State Fair. Walter received a 4th place for his pecan turnover, I received a 1st place for my sourdough bread.

We stated to load up the cargo trailer with my stuff then out to Walters so he could load his Dutch Ovens and things in it. With both our equipment loaded we filled the 14 ft. cargo trailer up.

We all left for Ruidoso around 10 am. anxious to get there and start setting up our camp. Well the winds did not co-operate we had gust to 60 mph. Not a good time to set up tents or wagon fly's

    

Staying out of the wind

Flags straight out, Cunningham wagon waiting for wind to stop so they could put up their fly.

Chained to a 1/2 ton pickup.

The big tent even needed anchoring.

We did eventually get our pantry tent and two range tents up.

We packed a lot of stuff

We had diner at the Grubelnik Ranch camp as they were the overall winners last year. We met some other competitors Susan and Russ Richins, Glenn Moreland; the Cunningham sisters. It was great to meet and talk to all these people.

Beans on the flat top.

Dale Grubelnik, and friends having a good chat.

Friday morning I cooked breakfast for our camp and anyone else who wanted to come and eat as I had plenty.

Eggs, Onions, peppers, potatoes, sausage.

Warming up the Tortias

Our fire boxes

Ready for Judging

We finally got camp set up after breakfast as the winds had died down a lot.

For supper Friday night we had some Ribs, Brisket,Pulled Pork, Pork Tenderloin

and Jalapeno poppers. We fed our crew the ground crew, a couple of wagons that were working late on their prep for Saturday and Hopper and Kate, he was the Black Smith we met in Lincoln at Billy the Kid Days.

Cream Cheese, Little Smokies
stuffed Jalapeno's

Cream Cheese & Green Chili
Stuffed Pork Loin

Our youngest Member of the
Black Iron Gang Robert Floyed

Saturday Morning was a whirlwind of bodies trying to get the food going so we could have it ready for judging and our 50 costumers that were eating on the wagon.

Robert and Walt making
Desert 

Everyone is busy

           

Garrett Floyd came up to help
on the wagon. Bill Hartman
Praying for success.

We got everything done on time to send to the judges. Then we served our costumers the best lunch they ever had on a chuck wagon. There were a lot of compliments on all the food. If it was not for all our crew, which grew from 6 to about 12. Thanks to Troy Floyd, Garrett, Floyd, Megan Heil, Jana Wooley, Mike Lowe and the Black Iron Gang : Bill Hartman, Bob Wooley; Gary Heil; Robert Floyd; Walt Lowe. 

After our paying customers left we brought out our friends food and served maybe another 50 + people. It was all good. 

Then it was time to clean up camp and start packing for the trip home. Most of us stayed back at camp while the awards ceremony was being conducted. Walt called and said we were awarded 5th place in the meat category. Which was a surprise, since we were competing against all the professional wagons ( people who travel all over for competition and catering gigs). We only do this once a year mainly for fun, so it is a surprise when we win something. Our goal has always have fun and put out a good meal for the paying customers, their praise is our reward. Placing is a bonus.

Overall I think we accomplished our goals as a team and had a good time doing it. When it gets serious then I will hang my irons up on another wagon( or mine once I get settled in Montana) that just wants to have a good time cooking.

After loading most of Sunday morning it was time to hit the trail until next time.

Empty camp site

                                                                  

Passing the Office

Heading East to home

I don't even know who won the darn thing so I will have to wait until it is posted on the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium web site.Until next year Cowboy Symposium, Happy Trails.