Photo's

I had a great time, I think everyone did by the photos (check them out). It was great to see everyone, can't wait until the 4th.

Camp Ground Host

To reduce some of the work load on myself in preparation for the onslaught of summer guests to the "Hole In the Wall" and the constant monitoring that is required during visits. I followed the conceptual way that the Alaska State Parks operate and considered the option of having an Official Campground Host. Considering the daily cleaning of the "Duck House", kitchen area, back blading the parking lot, cutting firewood, providing activity schedules, cooking, dish washing, and providing entertainment, it really does not give me much time to sit and socialize. I put a small ad in the Homer Gazette and had several inquiries pertaining to the position. I have only completed two interviews, both impressive but I think I have the found the ideal applicant. He is on welfare, social security, and disability so he is limited as to the amount he can earn and not jeopardize his entitlements. He is more than willing to work for free, if he has a place to stay and someone occasionally buys him a bottle of wine and provide two meals a day if there are campers in the area. I assured him, that all of the rigs are not always occupied so he would be able to stay in any one of them when no one was utilizing them. When they are being utilized to a full capacity, he said he would not mind bunking with someone. He has been living somewhere east of Homer, he preferred not to be to specific pertaining to this matter so I felt no need to infringe upon his right to privacy. He is willing to relocate to Anchor Point for the summer, we will need to provide transportation to move him out to the area and a return trip to Homer in the fall. I think he will be a big asset to the community at the Hole In the Wall as well as relieve me of allot of my duties and responsibilities. His name is either Jeffry Donner or John Smith, I could never get him to commit to just one name, but he made it simple for us as he likes to be known as "Bubba". He is hired, so be prepared to put another dog on the fire and pick up a few extra bottles of "Boones Farm" Very Berry Wine. So you will feel acquainted to "Bubba" when you meet him, I have posted his picture.

HITW Conceptual Improvement Project

The Grand Canyon viewing bridge officially opened today. The project has been underway for sometime, however the controversy surrounding it continues between the environmentalists and the American Indians that constructed the project. The bottom of the viewing deck is four inches of glass giving you an unobstructed view of the Grand Canton, extending four thousand feet downward. If you have never visited the Grand Canyon, put it on your to do list. The scenery is magnificent and the sunsets are breathtaking. For those more inclined, you can take a burro ride into the bottom of the canyon, or if you have agility and stamina of Golden Granny, you can speed walk to the Colorado River and back in a couple of hours. During her jaunt, which I walked most of it with her, well, at least one hundred yards of it but to give her the time she needed, I patiently waited and drank a six pack of root beer and smoked a pack.

After viewing this marvelous bridge, the concept came to me that we could build one of these from the rim of the Eagle Nest, extending over the Hole In The Wall. It would not only provide a great aerial view of the bowl but would also provide shelter in the remote chance that it should rain. A platform could be extended from the side, where we could mount our Bald Eagle feeding station and not have to worry about the bears raiding their pantry. The Plumma would also have one solid anchor to mount his zip line into the bowl. During the winter games, it would provide an excellent viewing platform for the spectators to enjoy the ski boarding and toboggan events. To costly, no problem. Over the past thirty years, the Epperson's have replaced all the glass in their prow front home two times because of the winds at the top of West Hill. They have saved all the glass and on several occasions offered it to us if I would haul it away. A few 4" x 4"s and 2" x 6"s, which we should be able to get out of the Wolves dunnage stack should do the trick. I have plenty of sheet rock screws in stock. To give it the rustic look of the HITW, we could cut some small birch off the neighbors property and handcraft handrails around the perimeter. This project is obtainable with a minimum cost and no environmental damage. While in fact, it would provide protection, instead of killing all the natural floral and fauna with the foot path to the Eagle Nest, all we would need to do is affix a ladder to the outside edge for access to the Eagle Nest. This project would have so many useful purposes, it makes my head spin with concepts and anxiety to get started.