On Saturday, Aug 17, 2013, a young man from Paris, France stopped in late afternoon to ask for directions to Monument Valley.  He had started his travels from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was due to meet up with friends in San Francisco, California on August 24, 2013.  His goals were Monument Valley, The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas before getting to San Francisco.  I offered him two options, the straight route to Monument Valley via Route 191 and 163; or another scenic route via Routes 191, 95, 261 which would take him through the 3 miles of switchbacks known as the Moki Dugway, past Goosenecks National Park, into the Valley of the Gods before getting him back onto Route 163 and towards Monument Valley.  After showing him photos of the latter option, he was smiling and thanking me up and down for the option that would give him the most adventure.

Then he asked me a curious question; he had seen on television a commercial for “this tea that was made in a jar, but cooked outside”?  Oh, Sun Tea!  I explained to him exactly what it was all about, how to make it, and since he would be traveling through Blanding that he could stop at either Alco or Family Dollar and find what he needed.  Except for the fresh herbs though, Blue Mountain Foods in Monticello might have some, or Clark’s Market in Blanding, but I wasn’t truly sure.    Anyway, he was thrilled as could be and thanked me very much when I told him not to put any sweetener in the jar while the tea steeped (he liked honey in his tea) as the heat from the sun cooking the tea would cause fermentation and bacteria growth.

This young man was my last visitor for the day, but I would have to say that he made my day as much as I made his.

~  Mary Cokenour ~

 

 

Sun Tea

Get a clear, 2 gallon, glass jar with a sealable lid and wash it thoroughly.  Fill the jar 3/4 of the way up with water (bottled is preferable, but use tap if that’s all you have). Take 10 teas bags (Lipton is ok and regular or decaf depending on what you like), tied together and place inside the jar.

Now, get 8 sprigs (6-8 inches long) of lemon balm, or whatever herb you like such as a type of mint. Rinse the sprigs with water
to get off dirt and place inside the jar. Seal the jar and place outside in a sunny spot, let sit for 24 hours. Bring inside and remove the tea bags, herbal sprigs and strain the liquid. Use a ladle to pour tea into a glass, add ice and enjoy.

The lemon balm flavors the tea so wonderfully, you don’t have to add any sugar; it’s so good the way it is.

 

sun tea