It used to be, I loved devouring a big breakfast at Brittons or someplace in Grand Marais before heading out on the water - but in my last few trips I'd rather have something ready to go so we can wake up in the bunkhouse, quickly devour some baked goods, and get on our way ASAP. We've made this spot our "go-to" on the way up in either direction - wondering what others do for that first morn. Headed to Insula July 10, can't wait!! Tobies

I usually just have cereal and fruit in the motel room and hit the road early. It's quick, easy, and uncomplicated.

These days I am always starting from a bunkhouse. If I am planning CrossBay Lake, Missing Link or Brant I stay will Tuscarora folks and have their 7:00 AM french toast breakfast. When heading through Cache Bay into Quetico I stay at Way of the Wilderness, but leave before their cafe opens in the morning. I get bakery at the famous donut place in Grand Marais and stop to snack on the way to Cache Bay. I am usually the first one at Cache Bay with a 5AM start and always bring enough to share with the ranger.

Best way to insure your preferred timing is to take or buy pastries before your entry date.

When I stay in a bunkhouse I do fruit and pastry so I can be on the water as close to first light as possible.

I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have. You can find recipes for them on the web. I bake them up to two weeks ahead of leaving and drop them in the freezer until I leave. I usually bake 2 batches and depending on the size of the group they will last 3-5 days into the trip. Hot beverage, breakfast cookies, and dried fruit while we are packing is a quick way to get out of camp with minimal cooking and clean up involved.

Time to plan the menu for my trip!

Breakfast cookies with peanut butter, cornflakes and bacon? Now that's an idea I can get behind! Searching internet...if you are willing to share the recipe, or take a pic of it and post, that sounds like a winner!

I'm lucky. My parents moved back to Ely 5 years ago, so we have pancakes, eggs, and Zup's Breakfast Sausage at 5:30 AM sharp, so we can be at the entry point and on the water by 7:00.

I'm pretty flexible to what trip-mates want for breakfast - I can eat light or heavy and be happy. What I must have is good strong coffee!

If I'm in Ely and am shoving off in the morning it is Brittons for me!

as much as I'd like to just grab a pastry, donut or something quick with empty carbs, I need a decent breakfast to keep up my energy through the first few portages. I've found that the pastries wear off before I get to the first portage!
however, while out in the woods, a quick oatmeal or trail mix and peanut butter bagel does the trick, probably because I have a portage snack in my pocket for later!

Not oatmeal. I would rather eat sand.

scat: "Not oatmeal. I would rather eat sand."

I hate oatmeal as well (it's the consistency) and have tried it time and again over the years trying to make myself like it. I would rather eat some bars protein and etc plus some real fruit.

Coffee and oatmeal, cereal, or some sort of baked goods. While I enjoy a big breakfast from time to time, I tend to feel lazy afterward.

Michwall2: "I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have. You can find recipes for them on the web. I bake them up to two weeks ahead of leaving and drop them in the freezer until I leave. I usually bake 2 batches and depending on the size of the group they will last 3-5 days into the trip. Hot beverage, breakfast cookies, and dried fruit while we are packing is a quick way to get out of camp with minimal cooking and clean up involved.


Time to plan the menu for my trip!"

I have got to check these out... could you be a nice guy and post the recipe?

thanks

dr bob

Is this the recipe?

These look very doable...
gonna have to make a batch when the war dept. isn't lurking over me.

dr bob

nope...you have peanut butter in the recipe and no cheddar cheese

dr bob

Michwall2: "I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have. You can find recipes for them on the web. I bake them up to two weeks ahead of leaving and drop them in the freezer until I leave. I usually bake 2 batches and depending on the size of the group they will last 3-5 days into the trip. Hot beverage, breakfast cookies, and dried fruit while we are packing is a quick way to get out of camp with minimal cooking and clean up involved.


Time to plan the menu for my trip!"

Recipe would be great - pics a bonus

Grandma L: "

Michwall2: "I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have. You can find recipes for them on the web. I bake them up to two weeks ahead of leaving and drop them in the freezer until I leave. I usually bake 2 batches and depending on the size of the group they will last 3-5 days into the trip. Hot beverage, breakfast cookies, and dried fruit while we are packing is a quick way to get out of camp with minimal cooking and clean up involved.



Time to plan the menu for my trip!"

Recipe would be great - pics a bonus"

+1 (or is it +2) Would love to try these out but there's a lot of variations out there on the internet and i didn't find one with that combo of ingredients.

Granola bar. I know it's boring, but I want to get going.

If we're staying at a bunk house or in the entry point parking lot and want an early start, it's usually granola bars - fruit - muffin from holiday- milk or a chilled Starbuck coffee.

scat: "Not oatmeal. I would rather eat sand."

OK, scat, you can have the sand, I won't fight you for it - I'll take the oatmeal :). I prefer muesli or granola though.

I have no favorites or patterns. Mostly depends on where I'm staying the night before and whatever is handy, or something I packed. Coffee is the only must have.

Coffee and a paddle.

found this recipe
BACON BREAKFAST COOKIES
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. peanut butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
2 Tb. applesauce
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 tsp. baking soda
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 c. cornflakes, slightly crushed
1/2 c. raisins, optional


Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, cream butter, peanut butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and applesauce. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Blend thoroughly. Stir in oatmeal, bacon, cornflakes and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoonsful 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Store in the refrigerator.

will make a batch of these when I get some time...

dr bob

These recipe ideas sound great! My group likes to eat at Brittons so that is what we do. I don't like to eat much before and would prefer the easy bar method so we can get going. I usually get french toast and bacon, it is the lightest meal that I can actually finish at Brittons!

My wife and I met working at Tobie's! Good memories. Those caramel rolls are worth stopping for.

I do like a protein-rich breakfast on day one so lunch can be on-the-go. It usually ends up being a microwave breakfast sandwich from a gas station, though. Lots of coffee and water as well.

We are lucky to live near the Gunflint Trail now, so a big breakfast at home is a real luxury and then hit the trail an hour later.

Our breakfast varies depending on the trip.

If we're at a bunkhouse that serves breakfast, we load up there. We rarely trip through Ely but if we do, Britton's it is. Other trips that start from a campground or bunkhouse without fresh breakfast, it is a combo of breakfast on the run and plenty of caffeine.

I need the big breakfast more than hubby so I make sure I've got protein, fruit and bready carbs of some sort. sometimes all combined in a homemade breakfast bar. sometimes dried fruit, bacon jerky and muffins all separately.

I'm eager to give the breakfast bacon cookies a try this year for one of our trips. Might try baking some this weekend to try at home.

Michwall2: "I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have.

Those sound fantastic!

Our NFS campground breakfast the morning before plunging into the wilderness seems to be working well. I fry up a pound of bacon and hard boil a dozen eggs at home the day before we leave and put them in a cooler with a 1/2 gallon of orange juice and a kringle or some other breakfast pastry. It's fast, filling, and gets us started off the right way for our usually early and long first days. All garbage is thrown out at the campground we stay at so it doesn't sit in the vehicle for a week at our EP. Leftovers are not common...

We stayed at a cabin in Tofte one trip, and made scrambled eggs, sausage and cinnamon rolls (canned) for breakfast, and that was the best pre-trip breakfast I've ever had - plenty of carbs and protein and fat... and no fiber to divert us to a latrine mid-day. Otherwise, we usually partake of whatever delights our hotel provides for the "included continental breakfast" which is usually waffles and bagels and fruit and cereal. Sometimes you'll find one with boiled eggs which makes it a little better.

I am a stooge for the Mountain House Breakfast Skillet. I could eat this at home.

DrBobDg: "

Michwall2: "I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have. You can find recipes for them on the web. I bake them up to two weeks ahead of leaving and drop them in the freezer until I leave. I usually bake 2 batches and depending on the size of the group they will last 3-5 days into the trip. Hot beverage, breakfast cookies, and dried fruit while we are packing is a quick way to get out of camp with minimal cooking and clean up involved.



Time to plan the menu for my trip!"

I have got to check these out... could you be a nice guy and post the recipe?


thanks


dr bob"

1/2 lb bacon
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I have also used creamy with no problem)
1/2 cup Sugar
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
2 Tbsp Applesauce
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups cornflakes
1/2 cup raisins (i use craisins sometimes)

In medium skillet, fry bacon over medium heat until very crisp. Drain and cool on paper towels. Break into pieces no larger than 1/2 inch and set aside. (I cut the bacon into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces prior to frying. Makes nice crumbles that way.)

Pre-heat the oven to 350*. In medium mixing bowl, beat peanut butter, sugar, butter and applesauce until well incorporated. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Sift flour, baking soda into peanut butter mixture: beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated. Add bacon pieces, cornflakes and raisins: mix with your hands until combined. (Dough will be crumbly. This is OK). Form into walnut sized balls. place on ungreased cookie sheets, 1" apart. Bake for 15-18 min until browned. Cool on wire racks. Store cookies in airtight container in refrigerator until your trip. They may be frozen in tightly sealed container for up to 3 months.

I do all the mixing in a kitchen-aid mixer and it works great. (no hand mixing needed.)

scotttimm: "It used to be, I loved devouring a big breakfast at Brittons or someplace in Grand Marais before heading out on the water - but in my last few trips I'd rather have something ready to go so we can wake up in the bunkhouse, quickly devour some baked goods, and get on our way ASAP. We've made this spot our "go-to" on the way up in either direction - wondering what others do for that first morn. Headed to Insula July 10, can't wait!! Tobies "

Ditto on Tobies. Let’s just say that for my own personal safety and the health of my marriage, a stop at Tobies is required every time we head that direction :)

My trips usually start by leaving Minneapolis before 2am and being the first ones to pick up our permit at whichever outfitter/Forest service office is closest to our EP.
Therefore breakfast is generally gas station coffee and pastries somewhere north of Duluth, supplemented by the bag of trail mix I always pack in an accessible pocket to be snacked on all day.

On the rare occasion we've had the time we've stopped at Britton's, but the long drive and excitement at embarking on another trip to my very favorite place kill my appetite and I never finish my food.

Someday age and it's unavoidable effects will likely force my usual partners and I to stop the marathon entry days and stay in Ely or at a bunkhouse. Maybe a good night's sleep will calm my stomach and allow me to eat a good meal.

Breakfast cookies? Peanut butter, bacon, raisins! Sounds positively terrifying! ;-)

I'm with Amarillo Jim........I like to start my trips with a breakfast a trucker would be proud of and in fact if they have a "truckers special" that will probably hold me for the day.

scat: "Not oatmeal. I would rather eat sand."

+1 I don't eat wall paper paste.

mastertangler: "Breakfast cookies? Peanut butter, bacon, raisins! Sounds positively terrifying! ;-)


I'm with Amarillo Jim........I like to start my trips with a breakfast a trucker would be proud of and in fact if they have a "truckers special" that will probably hold me for the day. "

What's the beef? They have bacon and eggs. I suppose you could cut up beef jerky to use instead of bacon, if you are a steak and eggs kind of guy. The toast is just surrounding it all. If you are a Tony the Tiger kind of guy, you could make them with Frosted Flakes instead of corn flakes. Then they would be GGGGGRRRREEEEEEEAAAAAATTTTT!!!!

I am with you about the big breakfast to start a trip. But, when I am at Sawbill Campground or similar, I am not going to take 3 hours to drive to Tofte and back for a breakfast. And I don't relish standing around feeding the blood suckers in the morning trying to cook one when what I really want is a paddle in my hands and the wilderness gliding by.

You forgot the addition of peanut butter and raisins to the eggs and bacon. I must admit I would like to try a cookie just out of curiosities sake. Probably better than it sounds.

What would be especially groovy is a Cracker Barrel set up on the shore of Basswood. Sunrise Sampler baby! I order it and the waitresses always ask if I want the biscuits and gravy to. Duh, I know I'm not a huge guy but I'm not exactly small.......of course I want the biscuits and gravy too. Bring it on sweetheart!

But usually I like oatmeal. Old fashioned and plenty of it. Throw in a few raisins and some cinnamon and I'm set for at least 1/2 the day. Yum! Same breakfast for every trip and mostly at home as well. Sticks to your ribs, is good and is good for you.

billconner: "

scat: "Not oatmeal. I would rather eat sand."

+1 I don't eat wall paper paste."

It is my unsolicited opinion that it is unfortunate that you gentlemen have never had the experience of tasting properly prepared old-fashioned oatmeal, which does not resemble in any way either sand or wallpaper paste. Not talking here about the kind that comes in a "packet". :-)

Not to beat a dead horse, but quite honestly I would rather eat a beaten, dead horse than a whole bowl of oatmeal. I know what it is. It always reminds of the high school play Oliver when he asks for more gruel. That mental picture is the trigger. My partner and his girlfriend did the food on our June trip. They had planned for oatmeal in the morning and creamy peanut butter for lunch every day. Neither of which I am very fond of. And I’m not a picky eater. He brought a family sized jar of creamy peanut butter. And some kind of wheat pancake mix with freeze dried syrup powder. He forgot the butter. Not great, but better than oatmeal. And you can save the freeze dried apples to put in the oatmeal. Nasty. I always brought the pancake mix you put a cup of water in it, shake it up, presto, real pancakes. With blueberries, butter in packets and syrup. Now that is gettin it done. Worked for a lot of trips. Next trip I am having more input into the menu again. I can’t eat creamy peanut butter every day either. I need my crackers and Brie cheese. Fortunately we ate a lot of fish this trip, so I wasn’t forced to eat things I didn’t want to. Two scoops of oatmeal and I’m done with it. The rest is being fed to the chipmunks. And keep your freeze dried apple slices for the next moon mission. I’m trying to enjoy my breakfast.

Michwall2: "

DrBobDg: "

Michwall2: "I bake my own "breakfast cookies". (bacon, corn flakes, peanut butter, raisins) I have a recipe from a camping cookbook I have. You can find recipes for them on the web. I bake them up to two weeks ahead of leaving and drop them in the freezer until I leave. I usually bake 2 batches and depending on the size of the group they will last 3-5 days into the trip. Hot beverage, breakfast cookies, and dried fruit while we are packing is a quick way to get out of camp with minimal cooking and clean up involved.



Time to plan the menu for my trip!"

I have got to check these out... could you be a nice guy and post the recipe?



thanks



dr bob"

1/2 lb bacon
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter (I have also used creamy with no problem)
1/2 cup Sugar
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
2 Tbsp Applesauce
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups cornflakes
1/2 cup raisins (i use craisins sometimes)


In medium skillet, fry bacon over medium heat until very crisp. Drain and cool on paper towels. Break into pieces no larger than 1/2 inch and set aside. (I cut the bacon into 1/4" to 1/2" pieces prior to frying. Makes nice crumbles that way.)


Pre-heat the oven to 350*. In medium mixing bowl, beat peanut butter, sugar, butter and applesauce until well incorporated. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Sift flour, baking soda into peanut butter mixture: beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated. Add bacon pieces, cornflakes and raisins: mix with your hands until combined. (Dough will be crumbly. This is OK). Form into walnut sized balls. place on ungreased cookie sheets, 1" apart. Bake for 15-18 min until browned. Cool on wire racks. Store cookies in airtight container in refrigerator until your trip. They may be frozen in tightly sealed container for up to 3 months.


I do all the mixing in a kitchen-aid mixer and it works great. (no hand mixing needed.)"

Thanks
Being on the lazy side... I could see just using those bacon bits as well.

dr bob

We often drive up after work and put right in and just spend the first night on the first lake, especially shoulder season travel, but if it's busy season we camp at a us Forrest service site close to the put in and it's the lamest breakfast of the trip, muffins we brought from home, bottles of cold press coffee cold, and some beef jerky or a turkey snack stick. We do better in camp, but generally even then we get up early and go, so homemade nutty granola and a mocha protein shake. Once we're in the new camp we make coffee and a nice lunch.