Smokin’ in the park at Viejas

Alpine, California

19 – 20 October 2007

We always look forward to the Smokin’ in the Park at Viejas Casino and Outlet Mall in Alpine, California.  It’s just a beautiful place with so much to do for everyone.  This was our 3^rd time at this event.  It was an anniversary of sorts for us, because Viejas was our very first event 2 years ago when we started the BBQ circuit.  Steve, Vince, Ted, and Ardith were in place at Viejas by early evening on Thursday, and Toni and Ron would follow on Friday morning.  It was great to see so many teams that we know and it’s always fun to just walk up and down the BBQ area to visit with all of the teams.  The Viejas personnel are constantly asking what they can do for the BBQers.  It is truly a first class venue!

This event is always a big family gathering with Pat, Craig, Michele, Erik, Ryan, Art, and Joanne joining us also.  There is shopping at the beautiful outlet mall which is landscaped with waterfalls and huge boulders.  Of course when you run out of things to do there is always the casino to keep us busy.

We stayed on Saturday eve and enjoyed the heater that Dan Cannon provided as we sat with other BBQ friends in the parking lot.  On Sunday morning, we left early only to head straight into the Santa Anna winds.  It was quite an eventful ride home to say the least.  Steve and Vince were driving 20 miles per hour down Interstate 15 just hoping to keep the truck and trailer on the road.  Ted and Ardith’s camper was swaying in the breeze also.  Eventually everyone made it home safe, but the winds and fires were the big story for the next 3 days.

We placed for the first time at Viejas with a 5^th in pull pork, 5^th in brisket, ribs 20^th, and chicken 24^th which all added up to an overall placing of 7^th  out of 37 teams.  We wish to congratulate all the teams that took the “walk” and wish to thank the CBBQA representatives Grant and Jeni Ford; it was great to see them again.  We are already looking forward to next year!