What's Happening!

The last 3 weeks have been fun. We've "Officially" started work and begun to understand the nuances of Chalk Creek. Joan works in the office and general store while I work outside in the campground. Our bosses Lars and Tamara have owned Chalk Creek for 2 years and have been steadily making improvements throughout. As the season ended last year they began remodeling the small office attached to a garage-turned-store and turned it into a single larger room. They replaced the garage doors with glass sliding doors; added upgraded shelving and new paint; built a new 2-station front desk; and begun looking for ways to become more self-sufficient. They have purchased their own ice machine and started bagging their own ice for sale. And they are collecting and aging wood that they will use as firewood for sale next season. The campground has 22 tent sites, 70+ RV sites and 5-6 overflow sites.

Lower Campground - Moon Rising Over Browns Canyon

Last weekend was Memorial Day holiday and the CG was booked full. We already had 10-12 campers prior to the weekend, 8 check-ins scheduled Thursday and 63 check-ins Friday. The 63 equates to 1 check-in every 6 minutes for 5 hours. Needless to say Friday was very busy. We met 2 young men from Europe who were bicycling from New York to San Francisco; and a couple from Australia who had borrowed their parents RV to travel while they were visiting the US; trainers and students from a white water rafting school in New Mexico (where the water levels are so low they had to travel here to find adequate white water); kayakers, bikers, hikers, ATV and 4-wheel off roaders, dirt bikers and 32 family members camping in the group site. Even a couple traveling on motorcycles with their young son riding in a side car. We joined in the Pot Luck dinner Thursday; played Candy Bar Bingo Saturday and helped with the Ducky Races on Sunday. Lots of fun. We've had campers sleeping in their car, 2-person tents and large group tents with separate cooking/eating rooms, small pop-up trailers, pull behind travel trailers from 12' - 30', 5th wheels up to 35', a 43' tag axle MH, even a jeep with a roof mounted tent.

On our days off we've taken a couple of off road trails and continued to explore the area. 2 of the roads through high mountain passes opened; Cottonwood and Independence Pass.

Looking west from Continental Divide

Cottonwood Pass - 12,126'

We drove up to Cottonwood Pass last week. The continental divide is at the top at 12,126' and the view is spectacular.








The temps changed from 75 in town to 46 at the top. And the snow had to be plowed to get the pass open.





We had the opportunity to visit the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and watch the Wounded Warrior Olympics. My sister's son-in-law Frank was competing in several events. We watched Archery where he was participating in Compound Bow. On the final flight with 3 arrows left Frank was 1 point behind. He shot a 29 (of a possible 30) to tie and force a 1 arrow shoot off for the Gold Medal. Closest to center X would win. Frank shot a dead center X and took Gold! Something really special about Frank.....he shoots with a older hunting bow while his competition shoots with competition built compound bows costing $5K and up. He also won Bronze in Pistol. Yeah! Go Army!

I've been able to join 2 different softball teams and the season starts next week. Yahoo! Wish me luck....I don't think I've run since the season ended last August in Oregon :-[

Stay Tuned. More to Come.