August 19-22, 2013

Humbug Mountain State Park, OR

Monday-We spent our day off like we usually do by doing chores in town beginning with the laundry followed by the library and finishing off with a quick trip into Ray’s Market for a few items.

Back home I began doing research on a few places I would like to go to when we leave here at the beginning of September. 

We had originally planned on camping at Crater Lake but a few people have suggested camping at Diamond Lake and just doing a day trip to nearby Crater Lake.  It might come down to where there is availability when we arrive.  Of course, I am keeping an eye on the fires in the areas we want to go so our plans may change again.

I also began doing research on places to stay in the area of Florida where we plan to winter. 

Tuesday-Lazy day off.  We met up with one of the other hosts and hiked one of the trails.  The rest of the day I sat outside taking advantage of the beautiful day while Monte worked on getting some of the sap off of our awning. 

Wednesday-Back to work.  Today we presented our salamander program.  After the beaver program, the salamander program is our most popular but today we only had 6 in attendance.   As part of the program we demonstrate how to create a beaded salamander.  The craft is a little difficult for very young children.  Of the three kids who attended today, only one was old enough to do the craft so the parents of the two other children actually made the salamander. 

Monte had caught a salamander for our first presentation a few weeks ago.  Today was the last day we would be doing the salamander program so he asked the small group to follow him to the nearby creek and let the kids pick out the spot to let the little guy go.  This impromptu move really enhanced the program.

Fire wood being delivered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 and placed in the woodshed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cart that we usually use that has a windshield was out of commission so we had to use this Gator.

 

 

 

 

It was a bit chilly with the wind blowing in our face as we “sped” along.  Sped is a little exaggeration as the fastest we could get the Gator to go was perhaps 5 MPH.

 

 

 

This is the Ranger Station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kits we use for the JR. Ranger Program are stored in the paint locker.

 

 

We had some overripe bananas so I made bread using my sister-in-law Margaret’s recipe.  As a Christmas gift a few years ago my brother and Margaret gathered recipes from family members and put together a really cute book complete with embellishments and pictures.

 

 

Monte getting ready to set his night traps.

Cute little visitor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday-It was chilly this morning and there weren’t that many kids in the campground so I didn’t think we would have much of a turnout for our knot program today. 

 

 

 

We started off with one girl and her mother.  Slowly other kids started showing up.  Monte, as usual, did a great job teaching the kids how to tie knots beginning with a mooring knot that he uses a story of a pirate to demonstrate the knot.

We planned on taking a hike after our program but it was very overcast and just too comfortable at home with the fireplace on so we were just lounged around all afternoon.  At 8PM, after fire sales, we took a walk down to the lower loop and visited with Norm and Cheryl in their rig for an hour or so.

One of the perks of our hosting here at Humbug and at Cape Blanco in June was meeting co-hosts who are wonderful people that we hope to keep in touch with.