The campers had a great time at Prairie Flower campground, at a private loop with our own pavilion, despite the forecast for heat. I am not sure why the weather forecasters sensationalize using a heat index, without taking into account the wind, but it was very tolerable. Think wind chill meets heat index. We pivoted to alternative activities that make it a great weekend. We christened ourselves the "Hardcore Campers".
Julie Gilmore joined us Thursday evening for one night of tent camping. Friday morning, we all went for a bike ride starting from Madrid trailhead heading west, crossing the photogenic High Trestle Bridge, and on to Woodward where a commemorative boulder was being painted. The motivated bikers went on west to complete a 40-mile ride: Wendall Sents, Dean Schmidt and Cathy Winch. The rest of us pedaled back to the Flat Tire Lounge for drinks & food, and we picked up Suresh Ganu and Pat Ribble, on the trail, who joined us. Friday evening, we had appetizers under the pavilion and happy hour too! Thanks to Jane Sents for organizing the group socializing and bringing the fun drink light up ice cubes.
Saturday, we had a great group breakfast, featuring Kathy Takes' fresh ground sausage, and Wendall whipping up scrambled eggs. No one left hungry! Then we headed for Big Creek Beach, some driving, some biking to the beach. Keven & Edie Lubben biked on their tandem (where it is an alternative E-Bike in that Edie is the motor & battery), Cathy, Dean and Chris Kalmar opted for another bike ride. We had a great time on the beach floating in the ocean-like waves using Kathy's paddleboard as a makeshift floaty.
Kathy’s daughter Kari Wheeler and her family also arrived and enjoyed the water fun. We actually felt cold once coming out of the water! There were not many people on the beach-and there were two large shaded pavilions that really were nice. Later that evening, we celebrated the Summer Solstice with happy hour and appetizers under our private pavilion. Suresh & Pat came out for a visit. Mary Jean Blaisdell was learning new bird songs. Larry and Teresa Smith had some stories and all were in a great, carefree mood.
I do want to give an honorable mention to four others who biked on Saturday... Tim and Tina Gull, Dave and Bev Brown. Ask them about their day--looks like they had fun!
Sunday morning, the campers had another group breakfast, with Kathy making the bacon to order (from the locker she works at), and Wendall scrambling some farm fresh eggs. What a nice way to wrap up a memorable weekend. All agreed we want to do this again, at the same group camping spot. Perhaps another Summer Solstice event!