Big Bend and Chili!

We pulled into our lodging, Lajitas Golf Resort,

about two hours after we left Marfa--Lajitas is a wide

spot in the road about seven miles west of Terlingua Ghost Town

We came for CASI--Chili Appreciate Society International

Big chili cook-off--not cooking just hoping to taste

some good chili; volunteer and enjoy the festivities.

Lajitas is located in the bend of Texas, about a stone's

throw from Old Mexico--the Rio Grande flows through the

straits and narrows of the canyons--the skies are filled

with color and on our arrival the clouds covered the

vast majority of the sky.

The Rio Grande is all that separates Texas and Mexico

The grounds of the resort are lovely--paths to 

the lobby and restaurant take you through

views of great majesty.

This waterway was our view from our porch

as we were lodged in the old Cavalry barracks

At night we had Javelins visit to chow down on the

fallen Oak acorns--now, that was interesting to see!

All's quiet on our first day to arrive at Rancho CASI de los Chisos, 

where all activities will  commence over the five days of the 

event.  We are novices but welcomed with open arms--

want to volunteer?  Many opportunities exist here-

we signed up to work the 'store' or merchandise

booth--wow!  what fun!  

Representatives from sponsors set up to hand out

their wares--how about some hot sauce from Louisiana

Hot sauce, bottle cozies,  a drink with imported vodka, bloody mary

mix from another company, cornbread mix (who doesn't like

that with their chili??) and a local quilt guild selling

chances on their two quilts. 

Volunteers are needed to be judges--oh, yeah!

We arrive Friday morning too late to judge the Hot

wings contest--this judging is just first come--

the line was way too long for us to enter that;

BUT, the best thing--all the wings that didn't go into

the next round, are served to those waiting for the

next category!  Being patient pays off!

We waited in line to judge Salsas--you can only

judge one round--then back in line for the

non-traditional salsa--now, that was interesting.

Contests are held for camp stoves--the best painting

of regional scenery

We were registered to judge chili on Saturday--we

had waited all this time to see if our name would be on

the list--and yes, there we were!  Table O and P!!

Some veterans of the chili contest were not on

the list and very disappointed!  We line up at 11:30

and wait for the 274 chili cooks to enter with their

sample in hand

The cooks competing were stationed in the middle of the

grounds--there are certain requirements for chili--meat,

seasonings and tomato sauce--this is a RED chili

competition only!

We didn't walk through the cooks--but were notified no photos

allowed!  Competition is stiff and there should be no

hanky panky with cheating about whose chili is whose!

At high noon, cooks turn in their white quart container of

their very best chili and then the first group of judges (which

are us) are seated at our tables and the tasting begins!

Score 1-10--I tell you, there wasn't a bad chili in the bunch!

All received high scores from my pen!  Not spicy chili either--

clue--don't burn your judges mouth with spice--they won't

be able to taste either again!  

Drink "maids' come around offering water, beer, soda

for judges to clean their palate--the table also offers

cheese, celery, crackers--

Now, you're asking where did everyone sleep?  Most

were in RVs or tents and they pitched their spot right

in the area--

Krazy Flats hosted parties every night--guess that's

why they call it Krazy Flats!!

We met so many interesting folks from around the world--

most come every year to meet up with friends, to 

share their love of chili and just party!  

We grabbed our special CASI judging t-shirt,

walked to our car and reminisced about our time

at CASI as we headed through portion of Big Bend

and home--

man, that chili was good!