Smoked BBQ Cauliflower

▶️ Play Smoked BBQ Cauliflower

One head cauliflower was first smoked for just over an hour in the Pit Barrel Junior. The cauliflower had been dipped into a sauce. That was a mixture of about 8 ounces of TBQ Honey barbecue sauce, a couple of ounces of Sriracha, a  splash of Worcestershire sauce, about 2 ounces of melted butter, and a bit of a local hot sauce.

After the cauliflower was done smoking and was pretty close to probe tender, call it al dente, we sprinkled a bit of cornstarch on it to help crisp it up while cooking over the fire in the Breeo fire pit. The cauliflower was cooked in the rest of the sauce.  

Marinaded Pork Chops on a Warm Snowy Aftetnpon

> [![Play video Grilled Asian-Isoured Marinaded Pork Chops ](

▶️ Play Asian inspired marinated grilled pork chops

These pork chops were  over a live fire in the Breeo Fire Pit. They were marinated for about five hours in a marinade of orange juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper where I to do them again, and I certainly will, I would reduce the soy sauce a little bit because it was just a touch too salty. After each flip, the pork chops were based it again the basting sauce was a reduced form of the marinade the pork chops were cooked to an internal temperature of about 142°F. There would be some carryover which would raise the temperature to a bit over the 145° refresh hold of course, if you are nervous, cook them to a higher temperature.

Marinade  (enough for 2 pounds of pork):

1 cup orange juice

1/3-1/2 cup soy sauce

1 Tbs sesame oil (maybe use more next time)

2 Tsp garlic powder

1 Tsp freshly cracked pepper

Marinate the pork for 4 to 6 hours.

Circulating Golden Gate Mountain

We will circumnavigate Golden Gate Mountain by following the David Yetman trail from Golden Gate Pass trailhead, then the Coyote trail (Ivyhink that’s the name), the Kinney trail, and complete the circuit on trail and Gates Pass road.

--January 10, 2026 at 10:36 AM.

Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, CalTopo map 

This wasn’t our initial plan but once we realized what a challenge we had endured climbing over and down Golden Gate Pass we decided to make a change. It probably ended up being longer and in its way challenging too. However, it almost certainly was less stressful. 

▶️ Play All Around Golden gate Mountain

A fly-over video glimpse of the 6.26 miles-long hike. 

Out and Back on the David Yetman Trail

Out and Back on Part of the David Yetman Trail

▶️ Play Out and Back on the David Yetman Trail

Tucson Mountain Park has a surprisingly large network of trails. We have been here many times before we decided to revisit a part of the David Yetman Trail. We would hike from the Camino de Oeste trailhead as far as we felt good about and then retrace our steps back. We picked this hike because overall we thought it would be a gentle hike not requiring me to work my left shoulder: well we were mostly right.

The remains of the Bowen house. We have visited this place many times but this is the first time we have seen standing water.

--January 9, 2026 at 10:51 AM.

Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, CalTopo map

Mom spotted this ocotillo. I don’t recall ever seeing it getting ready to bloom like this.

-- January 9, 2026 at 13:34 PM.

Maps are centered on the photo: Google map, Apple map, CalTopo map

A watery Desert Loop Hike in Catalina a State Park, Arizona

A 3-mile hikes with the side trip to Montrose Pools. We have done this loop numerous times. Last year we didn’t see any water. This time I think we may have seen the greatest awater. With air temperatures barely touching the mid-50s we certainly felt our chilly wet feet as we passed through the rushing stream. It was a wonderful hike and the stream crossings add to its memorability.

▶️ Play Catalina State Park: A Watery Hike in the Desert