Camp Hosts at McCormick - Aug 14 thru Aug 26

We are still here at McCormick Park on the Snake River at Hell's Canyon. Thank goodness the last two weeks have been better than the first two weeks. We were about ready to resign with all of the crazy things that happened the first two weeks. I don't know if things just calmed down, or we are just more used to it and know how to handle things better. At least we haven't had to call the Sheriff any more to come and haul away drunks! We have been going to Halfway, Or, to church each Sunday. It is a little branch called Pine Valley branch. There are about 50-60 people there each Sunday. The Relief Society (LDS women's organization) had a "Zucchini Luncheon." One of the gals who lives across the River from us in the Idaho Power Brownley Village stopped by to see if I wanted to go. I really wasn't planning on it and hadn't made a zucchini pot luck dish, but I had just made some oatmeal raisin cookies and we decided that you could put zucchini in them if you wanted to!! So I went. It was fun. They had centerpieces made out of squashes and some of us took one home. Each morning Terry and I go for a walk and I gather new sunflowers for my "vase."

We have been going out fishing a few times and finally found a crappie hole. The first time we went, Terry and I (I won't tell you who caught the most, because it upsets Terry) caught 62 crappy, 2 bass, and one bluegill! We were up until 11:00 pm cleaning fish! At least we have some bags full of fish in the freezer now.

This is our friendly lizard that hangs out around our patio. He is pretty tame. His favorite spot is under the little freezer next to the Condo. He is not quite friendly enough to touch, but almost.
We always have to be careful he isn't in the way when we step out of the door. He lays on our rug a lot. Once in a while he will disappear for a day or two and then show up again. His tail was really short when we first got here, but it is growing longer.

Trout fishing has been pretty good (for everyone but Terry) out in the river. But most days it doesn't matter if you catch them or not, it is just refreshing to stand in the river. Terry's brother Verel came again and stayed one night. He caught several fish. His son, Mitch has come two Saturdays and fished for trout and done pretty well.

The second time we went to the crappie hole, we remembered to take the camera. Here is Terry with a big one.

And here is me with a big one. The biggest one we have caught was 14 1/2" and Terry caught it.

Here are several of the largest crappies.

The second time we went, we left a little earlier and didn't catch as many (only 35), which was fine with us because we got them all cleaned before dark. Terry and Verel went back to that same hole and caught about 15 the night he was here.

The Park has been pretty busy on the weekends, but not so many people during the week. Last weekend, Ryan and his family were going to come and then they couldn't, but Tye Thomas and his wife, Kelly, and their three kids came. Tye was a good friend of our boys growing up. It was sure nice to see them. We went out in the boat and visited with them several times.

This past weekend, most of the RVers left, but the tent sites were totally full. But, by the time we got home from Church on Sunday, we almost had an empty camp. The weather is so nice--it has finally cooled down. After Labor Day weekend next week, things should be really slow. So, if anyone wants a nice place to come camping and fishing, come and see us!