Whether you have a mega-bus RV, a trailer, camper, or tent, camping is a wonderful way to get away from it all and enjoy the outdoors as a family together. It really is a great exercise in family togetherness as you unplug most of life's distractions and focus on creating shelter and food, then enjoying the outdoors together. A few easy dinners recipes and you'll soon be gathered around a roaring fire enjoying each others' company.

I grew up camping with my family regularly. We pulled a camping trailer and loved the convenience to set up camp quickly and carry the basics with us. I still remember nights spent playing cards together and cooking over the grill. We learned to always be ready to leave early, because my father loved to leave the night or day before we planned. He would just get excited and want to go early. Pretty cute, huh?

Now that I have a family of my own I try to make it a memory for us as well. We live in Washington state and the state parks are wonderful. Our favorite, located on the north end of Whidbey Island is Deception Pass State Park. It is lovely with some waterfront spaces, and wonderful facilities. We love to go there. Again I like to prepare in advance the dinner for our first night.

I usually start a flank steak marinating before we leave and by the time we travel, arrive, setup camp and get the fire going, the steaks is marinated and the dinner is wonderful, tender, succulent, flavorful steak. If you have time before hand, it's great to parboil some small potatoes until they are almost done. Then at supper time, roll them in olive oil and salt and pepper and put them on skewers to grill up, deliciously, with crispy, grill marked skin. I usually plan a bagged salad to round out the meal and then go in for a grilled dessert.

Have you ever roasted bananas on the campfire? They're delicious. Wrap them in foil sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon. Heat until warmed through and serve with a spoon to be eaten straight from the foil.

For a great camping breakfast, consider packing some crescent rolls and jam. Wrap the rolls around a roasting stick, leaving an opening at the top (we'll fill that with jam later). Let each person toast their roll over the fire until golden brown outside and cooked through. Carefully take it off the stick or eat it off the stick if your brave. Fill the opening at the top with jam or jelly and eat while they're hot.

Campfire Grilled Flank Steak

We always plan this for the first night camping. It is marinating on the way and cooks in a flash once we get the fire going.

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 lb Flank steak

1/4 C Soy sauce

1/4 C Worcestershire sauce

1/4 C Water

2 Tb Rosemary - fresh, minced

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a zip lock bag and marinate overnight or all day. Grill 4 to 5 minutes per side or until desired degree of doneness. Cover and rest 10 minutes, then slice in thin slices across the grain in the bias.

Grilled Rosemary Potatoes

The potatoes are parboiled to give them a head start, then rolled in olive oil, salt and rosemary and finished on the grill. The skins are crispu and delicious.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb Red potatoes - small

2 Tb Olive oil

Sea salt

1 Tb Rosemary - fresh, minced

Instructions

In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the potatoes until just slightly under done. Drain, then drizzle with olive oil, salt and rosemary. Toss to coat. Thread on metal skewers is desired. Grill turning regularly, until crispy and done.