07-21 weekend update

Hi Everyone,
 
Last weekend was a productive weekend. It was also a scary and frustrating one.
 
Bob flew into Oakland Friday morning at around 8 AM. I worked a midnight shift Thursday so I drove right from work in SF to pick him up at the airport. We went to our house and finished packing, went to the Jack London Aquatic Center to say Hi to Peggy before leaving town and then headed out.
 
Traffic was pretty bad all the way until Reno. We stopped at several spots along the way to purchase supplies for the weekend so we found ourselves leaving Susanville for the property at about 9 PM. Because it was after dark and knowing the route and how many deer would be out and about, I drove slower than normal and we both kept our eyes peeled for deer. We saw a few but they were either off to the side or ran to the side as we approached.
 
And then the unexpected happened. Seven miles from the gate to the property, we crested a hill and started down. Unbeknown to us, there was a cow walking right along the side of the road. A cow that was totally black except for a white face. It was walking in the same direction that we were traveling. As we approached it, it turned its head to look at us and then bolted into the road. When it turned its head we saw it and I swerved to the left. Luckily, I swerved enough to avoid it going into my grill but I still hit it on the front right corner of the truck. Needless to say, the front of my truck is pretty messed up. But, after Bob and I spent a couple moments cussing and calming down, we looked at each other and realized that we were unhurt and the truck was still drivable. So, that was a good thing. It wasn't such a good thing for the cow.
 
After waiting for a hour for CHP to show up and close to another hour filling out paperwork and such, we drove the seven miles to the gate and headed to camp. We were not there more than a half hour before Paul, Trudy, Christopher and Clay showed up. Brandy, Elizabeth and Don had arrived before us and were asleep in their tent. We all set up our sleeping accommodations and then hung out for a while before going to sleep.
 
Over the weekend, we managed to get the kitchen cabin erected, put a floor in it and cut a door between it and the dining cabin. We got all of the irrigation systems refilled with water and did some maintenance on all of them. We got some batteries charged up. And we got new film and batteries into some of the trail cams. We also had a wonderful meal Saturday evening. We started out with cheese and crackers. Then we had a combination of Sirloin, Chicken, Dave's potatoes and corn on the cob. And of course, this wonderful meal was preceded and accompanied by libations of various flavors.
 
In my book, the major accomplishment of the weekend was getting the kitchen assembled. A lot of the building up there I have been able to do by myself. But assembling those cabins can't be done by one person. I am sooooooooooooo grateful for all of the assistance this weekend.
 
Bob and I had to leave early in order to get him to his plane on time. Thankfully, everybody else volunteered to stay later and shut down the camp. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you. This project would not be able to continue and get the results it is without the dedication and selflessness of our volunteers and board members.
 
Next weekend, we do it again. Phillip is going to come up and hopefully JD is also. We are going to lay down so linoleum in the kitchen and then install the propane stove that Paul found for the project. We are going to finish the bunk beds and lay down linoleum in the bunk houses and on the deck in-between.
 
Each and everyone else is welcomed to join us.
 
I have included some pictures at http://www.cooncampsprings.com/072107.html
 

Sounds like it's coming along nicely, BD!