Friday, August 10
Our first few days here at Clark Canyon Reservoir have gone by quickly. I’ve puttered around the campsite and taken the crew on explorations along the lake.
Clark Canyon Reservoir on a sunnier day
Today the weather is dreary, a good day to go to the Dillon post office. I need to purchase and mail a money order for $116 to the Pennington County Treasurer in care of America’s Mailbox in Box Elder, South Dakota. This is payment for the renewal of registrations on the PTV and the BLT that are set to expire at the end of the month. It’s been a year already!
The postal lady says I can receive mail there via general delivery.
Now I’m committed to this area until my new registrations and tag stickers arrive. The crew and I can stay at the Clark Canyon Campground until August 21st. I hope the registrations arrive by then.
Our home comes into view . . .
Back at our campsite the crew and I are surprised by an unexpected visitor.
Hey, Buddy! You’re a brazen little fellow!
A badger!
We saw him last night and now, here he is, passing right by our shelter, rooting around in the dirt. My first thought is . . . yikes, rabies!
I toss Bridget and Spike into the BLT even though they are up-to-date on their shots. I follow the badger until I get a photo of him. He apparently isn’t rabid, just very bold.
He goes on my summer’s list of “Wildlife I See for the First Time,” along with fresh water pelicans, mule deer, otters, bald eagle, moose, and grizzly bears. Oh my!
The dark, overcast morning turns into a rainy afternoon.
I lie on my bed reading until the sound of raindrops on the roof puts me to sleep. Bridget and Spike nap peacefully on the bed with me. When I awake, I look out the window and see that, despite the rain, campers continue to pour into the campground, towing boats for weekend fun.
Hazel, the camp host, stops by.
Pals forever
I mention the haze (to Hazel!) that blankets the mountains to the south. She says it isn’t haze; it’s smoke from a fire in Idaho. I watch the boaters and water skiers come in to the boat dock.
The sun slides behind the hills on the opposite side of the lake, spreading silver sparkles across the water.
“Well, guys, time for your nightly walk around the campground.”
rvsue
Canine Corner: “Why I’m a Good Girl” by Bridget
“I can tell when Spike is getting on rvsue’s nerves. She says, “What’s the big deal with you anyway, Spike?” or something like that. I wish Spike would be good so rvsue doesn’t get all mad and stuff. I try to be good every day. That’s why I get to sleep in rvsue’s arms, all cozy and comfy, getting kisses on my head. Spike sleeps by her feet. I tell him time and again that crime doesn’t pay, and you know what he says? “Oh, shut up, Bridget.”
I think that’s just plain rude.”
rvsue and her canine crew 