Continued Camping News

I hope you all know that I was kidding about the hunters. I don't even think it is official hunting season yet, so they wouldn't be out anyhow. Now bowhunters, that's a different story. But, having worked with bowhunters and hunters alike, they usually camp out way out in the woods down a dirt road and then some to do their hunting. They don't hang out in a campground.

With that said, there is no true resolution to this problem. I am remaining optimistic about the possibility that the campground will be fairly empty; however, I do recommend that you arrive earlier than 2pm to reserve your spot. And, if you want to snag more than one spot for yourself and another guest, that's fine too. The spots are also fairly large, so people can squeeze. Isn't a wedding about sharing our lives together? Doesn't that extend to camping spots as well? The spots can even fit a medium-sized RV which fits more than one person.

I'm not too concerned, but if you are, you might want to establish a plan B. Just in case...you never know. I will try to go out on Friday to speak with the campground host to get a feel of how many people have been showing up on September weekends and if we couldn't strike up a deal about campsites. I can be persuasive when I want to be.

All in all, I just want y'all to have fun! Me too! And, bowhunters or not, I believe we will.

Bad News: Campground Overrun by Hunters

(If you are receiving this in an email, it is because you signed up for a campground.)

BLM called me this morning, and we will no longer have the campground all to ourselves. They have decided to keep the campground open to the public through September 30th.  They have also decided, that yes, we do need to pay the campground fee for each site: $10, plus $5 additional vehicle. This also means that the following scenarios are possible:

A) Hunters indeed will drive out on Friday or may have been there all week using the campground as their home base and venison slaughter house.

B) No one will get their carefully selected (by me) campsite and instead will have to sleep in their car in the parking lot.

C) The dancing, etc. will have to cease and desist at 10pm.

D) The place will be deserted except for the campground host, and things will work out.

E) There will be fisticuffs over camp spots Friday night between our lot and the hunters.

F) There will be fisticuffs over camp spots Saturday night amongst ourselves.

G) All of the above.

I'm sorry to have to tell you, but the only guarantee that you will indeed get a place to camp would be to get out there and stay the night Friday. I'm not sure how my wedding committee will handle this. I know that BLM doesn't let you "hold" sites by purchasing them...but I also know that certain members on my wedding committee can be quite convincing and might be able to sweet-talk the campground host.

I will keep you posted on the outcome of this potential wedding disaster. Again, if you are thinking of camping and haven't told me yet, now would be a good time, because who knows, optimism may take the day and you may get exactly the spot you want.

Repondez s'il vous plait

If you have a postcard sitting under a pile of junk next to your front door that you keep meaning to send, please do so. I am taking that as an RSVP not word of mouth that you might be coming. Also, I am keeping track of campers, because I want to make sure that those who do want to camp do have a space. Please refer to The Official Map page when deciding your "spot". If you told me in passing that you want a spot, chances are I may have forgotten. I'm a little "stressed" right now...ok, who am I kidding...my brain was never that good for details. So, if you don't see your name on that page, please email me cerigipson at gmail when you get a chance.


Thanks so much!

Camping Tally

As the adage goes, you snooze, you lose. I already have a taker for a riverside campsite. If you want a specific spot, now is the time to speak up. I'll keep a running tally at a static page. Act now! Space is limited!

(Can you tell that I wish it were summer already? Yes, I do have only one day left with 8th graders, and 5 days left of school.)

I have also marked out the spot of the dining area, welcome area, and ceremony area...just in case you get lost when you get there.

Good News - Camping for Everyone!

Apparently BLM is struggling with budgets issues just like the rest of us, and the good news for us is that the campground will be closed after Labor Day...yet...wait for it...here's the even better news, this means that BLM has graciously offered our party the ENTIRE campground to ourselves. That means my nightmares of bloodied deer carcasses hanging from trees left by hunters WILL NOT come true. That is unless one of our guests decides that we should eat venison.

So, here's the bottom line: if you want to camp, let me know. These sites are gonna go fast! Click here to pick your spot. Nathan and I are taking number 15.

The Location

Total cost: $100

A few years ago after a fall excursion to the coast, Nathan and I took a side trip to an old growth trail attached to Clay Creek Campground. I didn't know at the time that it would be the location of our own fall wedding. Of course, I must admit that in a back corner of my mind, I did comment silently that leaves falling on the bridge to the trail would be a beautiful spot for a wedding photo.

Today, myself, Nathan, and our fearless wedding planners (my mother, my aunt and uncle) took the hour drive out to see the site, count parking spaces, picnic tables, and figure out how to have a classy wedding at a campground with no electricity. Despite the intermittent rain, I still found it to be a beautiful spot in which to be married. (Thank goodness.)

We have reserved the two picnic shelters that are adjoined by a baseball field (more of a meadow really) that I think would be a perfect spot for bocce ball, croquet, and badminton. The site has its own horseshoes courts. And, if it does rain, the picnic shelters have enormous stone fireplaces to keep us toasty while we toast and play Scrabble.

There is a sandy beach with bleacher style seating that seems to be the obvious spot for the ceremony. There is even a waterfall playing in the background which means of course, we'll have to speak up. Yet, the river will have less of a flow by the fall and may not be as raucous. I like that I get to make an entrance down a staircase...yes, I do like a bit of drama.

I am excited that all agree (even through the rain) that it will be a lovely spot.