In this day and age, we are so taxed to support causes and feel empathy for important things like saving Dafur, helping fight AIDS, supporting the Red Cross and don't forget New Orleans. Looking back we humans have always reached out to help our neighbors, rebuild our towns and fight to fix injustice when we see it. I stopped worrying about the volume of misery in the world a long time ago as it is not going to be ever be fixed and go away. No amount of singing songs of brotherly love will fix things and you have to apply it first locally to be effective. This is why I like Farestart, PNW Blues in the Schools and the Washington National Park Fund.

So with that out of the way I finally got my first weekend of family camping in and we headed up to one of my favorite places at MORA at Ohanapecosh campground. BUT, I was not prepared for the drive around as HWY123 was closed and it required a drive around to Packwood that added 2 hours to the drive up and back and that was a serious hassle compared to the highway being open!

The flood damage is severe in the campground and the Ohanapecosh river looked to have run a good 20 feet up the banks and it took out many of the old growth Western Red Cedars, huge Hemlocks and created a number of log jams. My kids and I walked the river and it was something to see after all these years of going up there and seeing the changes the Nov '06 floods caused. The Seattle Times did an excellent article on the issues this weekend.

Awesome new batch of my Memphis Styled BBQ sauce. I have updates a number of things to improve the product... 

• Larger 16 Ounce Bottle
• Bolder flavor. I have wanted to start to only produce one "great" BBQ sauce and eliminate the diference between Regular and the Hot, Five Alarm Style. This new recipe adds zesty heat but does not overwhelm.
• Thicker consistency. This sauce coats nicely and provides a bolder feel in the mouth.
• Priced at only $6.95!

You can order the new sauce at Larouex Foods.