Cape Cod Rock Hopper

Drift Away Boat & Rockhopper's Beef Chili

     It was funny a couple of weeks ago as my son and I were visiting my Dad. He had to retell a story from the Cape that Dad likes to share with folks.
I've told you we had a friend by the name of Guy who used to take Dad and I Flounder fishing between Pleasant Bay and Chatham Harbor. Guy had an uncanny ability to know is way around the Harbor and Bay even when the fog was so thick you could not see 3 inches in from of you nose let alone 30 feet in front of a boat. And Guy somehow always knew were the flounder were hiding through instinct and a couple of calls to fishing friends the night before. Every time we would go, Dad would ask what we could bring and Guy would say, "Pastor you now just bring your boy and yourself and leave the rest to me." Dad would say, "Guy? are you sure,, what about lunch, we could at least do that.", No Pastor just yourselves, your on vacation, you leave the rest to me." So we would show up at his house and he would already have the boat hooked to the trailer and everything in the boat, including a large lunch pack.
    Well on one occasion we had  been fishing for most of the morning when Guy said it was probable 'bout time we stopped for something to eat and to let day regain a color to Dad's face besides a light shade of green. Dad never has done well sitting in boats that don't move quickly, keep them moving and he is fine, but stop the boat, sometimes I never knew greens came in so many colors over the years. Anyway we stopped, got out of the boat along with the picnic basket. Guy spread out a blanket for us to sit on, and the three of us sat down to lunch. All of a sudden I looked up and the boat was drifting away from the beach, as we had not secured it up high enough on the beach. As Dad was starting to notice also I had already jumped up and was going after the boat. Needless to say, a little wet but no worse for the ware I brought the boat back up on shore and this time made sure it was far enough up that it did not slip out again and planted the anchor well. Dad says that as I was going after the boat, Guy looked at Dad and said " Pastor, you know you're getting to old to go fishing when you can remember to take care of your own boat." To which they both laughed, (at that time we think Guy was either in his late 70's or early 80's).
    Guy is no longer with us, but he did share his Cape to my Dad and I and to many others. Guy was a gentle man with a lot of knowledge and wisdom and a love for the Cape that was unmatched by any other I knew, and he was never afraid or ashamed to talk to folks about how good the Cape had been to him.
Here is to you Guy for many a many a fishing trips you shared with Dad and I... Thank you... :-)

Recipe of the month is from my own box,, and is very simple but we come to enjoy, this can also be easily adapted for crock pot cooking.
    Rockhopper's Beef Chili

•     1 - 1 1/2  lbs        stew beef , cut into smaller bit size pieces
•     1           can        garbanzos beans or chickpeas
•     1           can          black beans
•     1           can          red beans
•     1           can          kidney beans
•     1           can          diced tomatoes (24 oz can)
•     3 - 4     cloves     garlic, crushed
•     1           Med.       onion, chopped
•     1 - 2     Tbsp       worcestershire sauce
•     1           Tbsp       Tabasco (original)
•     1           Tbsp       chili powder   
•     1           Tbsp       paprika
•     1            tsp         ground pepper
•     1            tsp         Old Bay Seasoning
•     1/2        tsp         cinnamon

    Heat a 6 - 8 qt pot, then pour about 2 - 3 tbsp. of olive oil in. (Remember hot pan/pot, cold oil). Brown your beef in the olive oil. Once browned add crushed garlic and onions and turn heat down. You don't want to brown the garlic just heat is nicely and stir among the beef for about 3 minutes. Next add the beans, tomatoes and spices. Mix well, cover and bring to a light boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Allow to cook till beans are done, or about 60 minutes, give or take. If you like your beans done a little more all to cook longer. Service with Shredded cheddar cheese.