July 21, 2025
I put last night to rest with a fire. This campground does not sell fire wood but allows people to collect dead wood for fires.
I carry while touring an eight inch saw to cut wood for fires and to clear, if needed, downed trees off the trail while riding.
This morning we drove to the Nature Center in this park to hike some of the many trails. When we closed up the car and walked to the trail we saw a sign posting No Bicycles, No Pets on the trails. Before leaving our site I was speaking to the Camp Host for places to hike. He knows we hike with Moe and suggested that we hike the Nature Center. So out on to the trails we go. Throwing caution to the wind and breaking the rules added excitement to our adventure. Moe enjoyed the outing without worry.
On our return from the hike, hungry and thirsty, I see two pieces of firewood left behind by a fire ring. Stop, I shout. Nancy brakes to a sudden stop asking “What’s the matter?” When I pointed to the two pieces of wood she was far less enthusiastic about the find than I was and reluctantly backed the car closer to the site.
Around 4:30 this afternoon I heard police and emergency vehicles over toward the beach. Then a few minutes later a half a dozen helicopters began hovering above.
The sky was filled with TV station cameras. The news is reporting that a fifteen year old boy fell into the lake in the beach area. They have been searching for over an hour. The beach has been closed since the search began.
Now at 8:45 Nancy Moe and I are in the screen tent enjoying a fire.
