It has been quite a while since I have posted anything on here, and some time since I just sat down and trolled through the threads. I was jolted back into it a couple weeks ago by fellow member TT Ace, who contacted me out of the blue via forum email. He reached out and said that he and his Mrs. were heading to St. Thomas for a week long vacation and wondered if we wanted to get together. May sound strange in some circles, but smokers tend to attract smokers. Ever been somewhere and heard someone talk about smoking and NOT go talk to them? See!
Anyways, he sent the email and offered to share some of his homemade Chili Rubs and a few other treats. Naturally I respond to bribes quite well and my reply to him was that anyone willing to bring treats should get a day on St. John with a personal tour guide. We made the arrangements and then met up at 8am on Saturday. If anyone reading this has ever done the "blind date" (so to speak) meet up with a fellow smoker then you know there is already a common thread and chances are you'll get along just fine. We did! Bill and Sue are a great couple and we set off to what was a full day together. Dropped off the "goodies" he brought at my place (cheese and Canadian bacon needed to be in the fridge, 3 types of Chili Rub, some smoked "chex" mix and almonds - wow!
The day consisted of a snorkel trip and as promised, I was able to deliver a bunch of Sea Turtle encounters for them both. Toured the island via my POS vehicle (which is all part of the "Island" experience. Went out to a pretty OK place to eat on the east end of St. John and a look down island at the British Virgin Islands...to a local garden center for some fresh mixed greens...then back home to round out the day.
Of course...since we smoke and grill we had to fired one up. My wife worked and wasn't able to join us on the snorkel or tour, but was home when we arrived and we sat around shooting the shizzle, enjoying smoked cheese and a few rum drinks...then planned for dinner.
As a good host, I was more than glad to offer up a 3-pound fresh caught (the week before) Caribbean Lobster tail...plus a few very large chicken breasts on the grill seasoned with that amazing Green Chili Rub of Bill's. Fresh baked Kale "chips", some "Butt Beans" (do a search on my posts for that one), and even some fresh brownies for dessert. Good times, interesting stories and great food.
Moral of the story - this forum offers many things...and recipes and ideas are just a few of them. Thanks SMF, and now I'm hooked on Bill's chili rubs (Chef JJ knows what I'm talkin' about). The meeting also sparked a renewal to the forum. Not sure how much posting I'll do but I sure do grill and smoke alot and have not slacked off on that. Cheers from the "U.S." Virgin island of St. John!
Anyways, he sent the email and offered to share some of his homemade Chili Rubs and a few other treats. Naturally I respond to bribes quite well and my reply to him was that anyone willing to bring treats should get a day on St. John with a personal tour guide. We made the arrangements and then met up at 8am on Saturday. If anyone reading this has ever done the "blind date" (so to speak) meet up with a fellow smoker then you know there is already a common thread and chances are you'll get along just fine. We did! Bill and Sue are a great couple and we set off to what was a full day together. Dropped off the "goodies" he brought at my place (cheese and Canadian bacon needed to be in the fridge, 3 types of Chili Rub, some smoked "chex" mix and almonds - wow!
The day consisted of a snorkel trip and as promised, I was able to deliver a bunch of Sea Turtle encounters for them both. Toured the island via my POS vehicle (which is all part of the "Island" experience. Went out to a pretty OK place to eat on the east end of St. John and a look down island at the British Virgin Islands...to a local garden center for some fresh mixed greens...then back home to round out the day.
Of course...since we smoke and grill we had to fired one up. My wife worked and wasn't able to join us on the snorkel or tour, but was home when we arrived and we sat around shooting the shizzle, enjoying smoked cheese and a few rum drinks...then planned for dinner.
As a good host, I was more than glad to offer up a 3-pound fresh caught (the week before) Caribbean Lobster tail...plus a few very large chicken breasts on the grill seasoned with that amazing Green Chili Rub of Bill's. Fresh baked Kale "chips", some "Butt Beans" (do a search on my posts for that one), and even some fresh brownies for dessert. Good times, interesting stories and great food.
Moral of the story - this forum offers many things...and recipes and ideas are just a few of them. Thanks SMF, and now I'm hooked on Bill's chili rubs (Chef JJ knows what I'm talkin' about). The meeting also sparked a renewal to the forum. Not sure how much posting I'll do but I sure do grill and smoke alot and have not slacked off on that. Cheers from the "U.S." Virgin island of St. John!
