It was a hot day plus parking was free so the beach and boat launch were very busy. Chinook salmon fishing opened early Saturday morning so the rangers were up at 4 AM juggling boaters who were jostling for parking. In the daylight Sunday morning, the park staff found the squirrel who caused the power outage for the water pump. He had a short memorial at the dumpster.
Saturday night was crazy on our side with the water off for 6 hours. One camper asked us how come we hadn't turned on the backup generators and when were the Porta Pottys going to arrive? We heard of at least one group who were demanding their fee refunded for not being able to shower. (Aren't we CAMPING?) I'm not sure how they thought that would be calculated. Ummm, a quarter of the fee for a 6 hour water shortage?? There were bathrooms in the North side they could use. Oh well, half the fun is people's reactions to adventure.
On the North side, party campers were up till nearly 2 AM. The hosts had to call the Ranger twice for a heart to heart before they got the message.
We had 79 campers leaving and 42 arriving so we kept busy for 8 hours. The GEM was back in service so we could carry our tools to the outer loops. As the temp got up over 80*, I was planning to get to the lake to cool off but by the time I got around to it, a thunder storm blew in. It was a mass exodus to vehicles.
The burn ban continues to be a source of sometimes, humorous, conversation. One guy came by to ask about the rules. He said he read about the ban "but he didn't believe it!" Plus he didn't bring any other method of cooking. Sonny loaned our small gas grill to a large family gathering who were planning on using charcoal (which is also banned) in the picnic shelter. Another family started their fire despite the ban. We went to their campsite as the "Campfire Cops" with the water jug. They claimed they put it out but when I checked, it was still glowing. It is amazing that people are so wedded to the campfire experience in the face of public safety. The wind can come up pretty quickly off the lake and send sparks.
Today, we only had 26 leaving and 14 coming in so we had time to go into Leavenworth for breakfast and groceries after putting up the Reserved signs. We took the top down on the Jeep to enjoy the blue sky and warm sunshine, though it was HOT when we stopped. The laundry mat is in Plain on the back road to Lake Wenatchee so I dropped Sonny off while I went to camp to put away the groceries. We had coffee treats after folding the laundry and got back to cleaning campsites around 3 PM.. There was a breeze that blew the dust from raking into sites around the ones we were cleaning. I tried not to be annoying but everything is so dry. We got out the "super soaker" water backpack and filled it up. Now, I'm really ready for anybody who fusses with me about the burn ban! (Photos later)
After dinner, we did litter patrol along the beach and boat launch. The sunset was pretty. It doesn't get any better than this!
 |
| Children's sculpture work on a tree stump |
 |
| "Moss with twigs and rocks" |
 |
| Children created this little dry river bed at their campsite. |
 |
| A thunderstorm comes over the mountains to Lake Wenatchee in the late afternoon. |
 |
| The sunset last night was such a pretty pink but the picture doesn't do it justice. |
 |
| Sonny keeping cool on the laundry mat porch |
 |
| Evening on the beach looking from the water's edge back to the bathhouse. |
 |
| Evening on the Wenatchee River. Large driftwood piece at the edge. |
 |
| Sunset behind the mountains. |
No comments:
Post a Comment