If you haven't been to Rip Rap Falls, it's a must go. There are a couple of ways to get to it, one being a longer hike down from the Skyline Drive, the other is quicker and easier from a parking area on Black Bear Lane at the base of the mountain. But, nobody likes hiking on an empty stomach, so I made skillet sausage and potatoes.
My chosen route was that of ease and leisure, plus there is a pretty sweet campsite I stay at (but I can't give away all my secrets). If you choose to go the easy route just plug Black Bear Lane, Crimora, Virginia in your GPS and hit the road. Once you get to Black Bear Lane follow it 1.4 miles down until you get to the parking area (ignore the numerous no trespassing signs along the road as they are there for private land, once you get to the parking area the signs stop). Once you get to the parking area you have the option to park there or follow a road that goes across the creek and park even closer to the trail, but four wheel drive is recommended, especially if the water level is up. Since I have four wheel drive, I chose to park a little closer.
Once you're on the trail it a pretty straight and easy hike, with two water crossings. From this parking area it's only about a mile hike.
Now, I didn't make it back here until an hour or so til dark so I went straight back to my site, set up camp, got a fire started and was ready to start cooking. When I was almost ready to start cooking I definitely got hungry because a copperhead slithered by and almost scared the s**t out of me. So, now with my meal, campfire sausage and potatoes.
First, had to cut on some tunes, my choice for the evening was George Thorogood. Then, I had to slice and dice the potatoes as well as all my extras (onion, tomato, and jalapeno).
Once it was all sliced, I wrapped it in aluminum foil with olive oil and salt and pepper (be sure to double or triple wrap it or else you will lose some liquid and the foil is more susceptible to tear, I learned the hard way). When it was all wrapped up I set it in some coals that I had separated from the main fire.
Next, it was time to start the sausage. I used Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage because I wanted the extra spice to blend with the potato melody. I like sausage because it is simple and easy but makes for a very filling meal. I greased a smaller skillet than I usually use, but I like because it's lightweight, one like you get at a Mexican restaurant when you order fajitas. Found a nice rock to balance it on and let it get good and hot until I put the sausage on it.
The sausage didn't take long to cook, once it was was all browned and about a quarter of it had some char it was time to pull it off the heat.
Then, came the important part to bring it all together. I pulled the potatoes off the heat which had been cooking for about 15 minutes, opened up the foil, and poured the sausage in, along with all the grease.
I closed it all back up and set it back on some coals to let it all finish mixing together. After about five minutes, I couldn't wait anymore. I took it off, opened it up, and scraped it into my skillet. Just like that, a classic meal that's as filling as it is delicious.
Of course, what's a meal without a beer. I went with Rolling Rock, cheap, refreshing and fitting to the meal.
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