Road Trippin'-Almond & Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Sometimes drifting off the beaten path will lead you to this...

Every summer my family would load our car, hitch up the pop-up and hit the road. It was a very long haul from our southeast Texas home to the mountainous destination of Colorado. We would leave our home in the wee hours of the morning and drive all day (usually having to turn back, it seemed something was always forgotten.)

Road Trip 2007 Coulter Bay, Wyoming

Our first stop was a campground just on the edge of the panhandle (that's right, we'd still be in Texas after a days worth of driving.) My sister and I would play Barbies, Eye-Spy, sing songs, and sleep (alot). We'd signal truck drivers to honk their horn and my sister would usually be the comedian and make faces at passersby or stick fishing worms up her nose to see if anyone would notice. Needless to say, we knew how to make the most of a cramped backseat.

My mom always packed snacks for us to eat, which was special because we were NEVER allowed to eat in he car. Looking back it seemed that she chose very carefully what was given to us, being that none would stain the upholstery of the seats. At most she'd have to vacuum out crumbs.

Making friends while fly fishing

The next day, we flatlanders were awestruck by how the majestic Rockies would greet us. It was such an exciting moment for my sister and I. We would set up camp along the Taylor River, near Almont, Colorado, and camp, hike, fish, drive the back roads, have "fire parties" (campfires), and roam the campgrounds like we owned the joint.

Our road trips made for a great summer and wonderful memories. I am anxious to start the tradition with my husband and son.

What is your favorite road trip memory?

Chewy Almond-Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Chewy Almond-Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Makes 12 bars

½ c. old-fashioned oats
½ c. dried cranberries
½ c. sliced almonds
¼ c. all natural peanut butter
¼ c. all natural almond butter
½ c. brown sugar
½ t. cinnamon
3 T. vegetable or canola oil
1 T. water
¼ t. salt
1 egg white

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees, line an 8 x 8 baking pan with two strips of parchment paper, allowing a 2 inch over hang for all sides.
2. In a large bowl combine oats, cranberries and almonds
3. Over low heat, combine almond and peanut butters, brown sugar, oil, salt, water and cinnamon in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
4. Whisk egg white into the cooled peanut butter mixture until combined.
5. Fold peanut butter mixture into oats mixture and combine until moistened.
6. Pour into prepared pan, spreading and smoothing mixture evenly
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, cool for 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pan and cool completely. Cut into 12 bars
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