G'Day everyone!  While I've been peeking at this wonderful forum for a while, I finally decided to join up and make a post or two!  Little Kopit, Furphyslinger and a few others may recognize me from another forum and I suppose I should tell you right from the git-go that I'm the owner of the RVing Outpost in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, USA.  Just so you all know, I checked with Derek before posting to ensure it was OK to mention our store.   Don't worry!  I don't plan on spamming the forum!  I'm hoping that I may be able to offer some insight into Dutch Oven (or Camp Oven, as you Aussie's call it) cooking the way we do it here in the USA.    

For a bit of background -- I had never used cast iron until I met my husband.  He had about 4 or 5 skillets that he kept hanging on the wall in our house.  They were seasoned beautifully and I fell in love with them.  They're nothing special -- no markings or if there are, they're "Made in Taiwan."  However, they're smooth as glass and clean so easily that I've come to the conclusion that as long as you know what you're doing and care for your cast iron properly, it will reward you for many years to come.   

Since those first pans, I've added to our collection, and use my cast iron as "decorations" as well as cooking in them!   I now have 2-1/2 walls in our kitchen with cast iron that is "decoration" but also use them all the time! 

Here's a couple pics of the cast iron I have at home:







I also have five Dutch (or Camp) ovens of my own that I use at home as well as when we go camping!  Course, lucky me, I have access to all kinds of GREAT cast iron whenever I need it!   

I'm looking forward to getting to know folks here!

Julie

Maybe I should explain my avatar and signature . . . the avatar is a picture of our "camper."   The truck is a 2003 Chevy Crew Cab (4 doors to fit us and our three kids -- Aaron-16; Erica-13; and Abby-10) Duramax (diesel) with an Allison Transmission.   It is a short bed (6-1/2 foot), so that it fits in the garage.  I have a Husky 16K slider hitch in the bed to pull the camper with.  The camper is a 5th wheel Cedar Creek 32BHBS (33-1/2 feet long).  It is a bunk house model and has two slide-outs -- one in the living/dining area and one in the bedroom (the part above the bed of the truck).   When we ordered the 5th wheel, we had it painted to match my truck, so it looks really AWESOME going down the road!      And YES, before you even say or think it, we are spoiled!    

I'm not sure what you folks all know about campers or RVs in the states, so if I'm giving too much information, please forgive me!   

I do almost ALL the driving when we go somewhere -- but that's only because the truck is MINE!     (My husband, Greg, has a small SUV.)   I'm so used to my truck as it's what I drive every day, so I don't mind driving when we have the camper attached.    I do ALL the backing into campsites (I'm just better at it than he is!).

As for my signature, the map of the US is all the states I've visited.   My parents traveled when I was growing up, and I was fortunate enough to visit 48 states by the time I was 16 years old and I've YET to fly anywhere!    The picture of the chicken is FRED.  He's our first rooster and just too pretty!    We have lots of pets here in the middle of nowhere in North Central Wisconsin, including a wonderful German Shepherd (Maddie), three cats (Murphy, Mitzi and Micky); 20-some chickens (including Fred), two geese (Larry and Rufus -- although Larry should be Loretta or some such thing) and three goats -- Bambi, Spud and Rudy.   

Hope that helps to explain a little more of who we are, and what the pictures mean! 

Sorry it's a bit long-winded! 

Julie

Muzz -- thank you!   

I can't help but wonder when I see your name!   My maiden name was Muzynoski, and one of the nicknames we had was "Muzz" or "Muzy"!   

I mentioned once to Furphy that my parents almost moved to Australia in the 60's.  Apparently there was some sort of "homesteading" thing happening, where if you moved and lived in a certain area for a certain length of time, the land was free.  They were seriously considering moving, until my dad got a job as a police officer with the Milwaukee, Wisconsin police department.    If he hadn't gotten that job, I'd most likely be posting from Oz!       

Julie

Now, this is funny, me welcoming you to COCIA Julie, but I've been here awhile and I'm mouthy over here because I ask about Oz.

I can see I shall have to update my signature so that my places been maps are there and yours won't be only.

I've 'known' Julie since early 2004 when I first got into forums.  That was before she started talking about the store.  About now 3 years ago I travelled from Newfoundland to Iowa to get my truck camper.  Coming back I actually passed quite close to Julie.  She had invited me to come stay a night, but I thought she was really way up north in the state right up near the border, say near Boundary Waters, so I didn't try any further.

On that trip I tried to find an RV supply store, family run, typical of the US I grew up in.  Nothing, Nada,  0.......  I had to put up with Camping World.  & believe me the one I found, had nothing on RVing Outpost.   

So, welcome to COCIA Julie (from Canada)

Hello Mrs. Mick (Julie)
And much welcome from me here downunder.
Your skillet collection looks really good, I saw an original old one recently in a "bric a bac" shop for $75.
The problem was, the bloke behind the counter knew exactly what is was. Not a skillet (well sort of) but made to put the caul of a sheep on to render out the fat. Instead of bars it has little points which support the caul whilst letting the fat run out underneath, through a small spout then into a container. Usually a number 3 prune tin!
So if you spot one with that description, I could be in the market (assuming for sale!)
The 5th. wheeler movement is groing in strength down here, but if you want to see the outback of the country something slightly smaller is more appropriate.
This is our rig, cant even take a pic. without Peggy wanting to know what is going on!
Cheers and Welcome.    mikel