Chad Chandler » Ice

Table Rock In The Snow

Chad — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:54:54 +0000

As regular reader know, the wife and I love the mountains. It seems like we’re up there at least two or three times a month just to get out of the house. We’ve decided to start hiking more as a way to be active in the colder months. We’ve discovered that winter is the best time to go hiking anyway. It’s a little cold, but there are very few people out, there are no bugs, and the vistas from the Smoky Mountaintops are unobstructed. Last weekend, we decided to rid ourselves of snowstorm-induced cabin fever by going on a day hike. We went to Table Rock State Park in South Carolina and hiked the two-mile Carrick Creek loop.

Normally, this would have been a very safe and easy stroll. But because of the lingering ice and mud, we had to be extra careful. Looking back, it was probably a little foolish to go hiking after an ice storm, but the views were great.

Click on the first image to enlarge. It may take a moment to load, then use your right arrow key to advance:

Calibrating An Instant-Read Thermometer

Chad — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:26:20 +0000

An instant-read thermometer is indispensable in the kitchen and at the grill. Unfortunately, they’re often wrong. I discovered that recently when I slightly overcooked a small rack of lamb. Something had knocked my thermometer out of alignment, causing it be be off by a whopping 12 degrees. Luckily, it only takes a minute to recalibrate.

Fill a glass about halfway full of ice and top it off with cold water. Let it sit for a minute or two. When it starts to condensate, stick the instant-read thermometer into the ice water, making sure the tip isn’t touching an ice cube. It should read about 32°. However much it’s off, that’s the amount by which you need to recalibrate. Grab the hexagonal nut behind the gauge with a pair of pliers and hold it steady. With your other hand, turn the face of the thermometer until you’ve made up the difference. That’s pretty easy, right?

Greenville On Ice

Chad — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:03:45 +0000

We had an ice storm this past weekend. It was very mild and by Sunday morning the streets were navigable enough to do some sightseeing. Here’s the Reedy River from the South Main Street bridge:

After we finished brunch, there were a lot of people walking around outside. I guess after being cooped up by the snow and freezing rain all day Saturday, everyone was ready to get out and stretch their legs.

These pictures were taken with my new cell phone. Not too bad, huh?