By Steve Gerdes

 

July 21 was the IJA's "day after," the day when jugglers disperse to make their weary way homeward. But this year 56 of us post­poned those last goodbyes for three days to attend the first IJA affiliate-sponsored campout.

 

Around noon, everyone piled onto a big red bus and promptly fell back to sleep, trusting the driver to deliver them from the slot machines and 110-degree heat of the Las Vegas Strip to the cool breezes blowing through the bristlecone pines at McWilliams Campground.

 

As organizer of this affair, the day began for me and my wife, Michelle, with a 7 a.m. trip to a huge truck stop to pick up a U-Haul truck to carry groceries and excess luggage. Then we went grocery shopping. The stress level, on a scale of one to ten, was 2.

 

I found Affiliates Director Deena Frooman in the juggling room. She volunteered to help with the shopping, even though she hadn't slept for 30 hours. The plan was for us to get groceries while Michelle packed up, checked out and went with Drewbob Ford to pick up the tents, sleeping bags and other gear. (Stress level for Michelle: 5-1/2)

 

After 45-minutes of frantic searching around the outskirts of Vegas for the grocery store we found it - but it didn't open till 10 a.m. OK, that gave me time to round up ice for the ice chests, even though it meant cutting it real close to get back in time to meet the bus at noon. On the drive back to the Hacienda, Deena was falling asleep. I think I'm on my own for shopping... no problem. Stress level: 3.

 

Back at the hotel, the Hacienda unknowingly donated ice for the ice chests, then I was off to Costco for groceries. Mission accomplished. I lugged the third huge cart out to the truck with the help of the store manager, and had just 15 minutes to pack the perishables into the coolers and drive 12 miles back to the Hacienda.

 

Fortunately the bus was late. (I was, too!) Michelle and Drewbob had also just gotten back, following a heroic search for lanterns at camping outfitters. The bus driver assumed a posture of grandfatherly patience while one­by-one the parade of bleary-eyed jugglers packed their bags into the bus and I checked them off my list. About 80-percent of the campers were accounted for, when out of the Hacienda popped Lisa Thomas and Donald Grant. They were not registered, but asked if they could join us. Why not?! They made a mad dash to pack and check out and were on the bus in 15 minutes! Very impressive!

 

Everyone was on the bus, a small convoy of cars lined up behind it and we were off! Michelle and I brought up the rear in the U­Haul, as we still had to stop to pick up a couple of items. A few wrong turns later, we found ourselves in the parking lot of a supermarket which didn't have what we needed. A few more wrong turns and we finally got the necessary stuff. By now; we were late and it was getting HOT! (Stress level: somewhere around 6).

 

The air conditioner in the truck proved to be a great relief and we actually started to relax as we drove the 40 or so miles to the campground.

 

McWilliams campground is at 8,500-feet, and most of the elevation gain is in the last 8-10 miles. I forgot to turn off the AC for the big climb, and by halfway up, the idiot lights were flashing, a spray of boiling water appeared on the windshield, and a big cloud of black smoke trailed the truck. Stress level: 8-1/2 and climbing as rapidly as the heat gauge on the U-Haul! I decided to keep pushing on, since everyone else was already there with no one to direct them to campsites and pass out tents and sleeping bags.

 

Well, the truck made it, and the bus also had a hard time on the grade, so the sleeping campers had arrived only 20 minutes earlier. The beautiful scenery and clear, crisp air had distracted everyone enough that they thought nothing of my late arrival.

 

Tents and bags were doled out and assembled and the fun began! The clang of horseshoes, the rhythm of club passing, and the laughter of campers filled the campground as the sun set. Our first dinner was prepared, thanks to barbie master Todd Strong and burger chef John Marsh, the campfire was lit, and the party continued under fabulous stars well into the night. Stress level: 0.

 

Saturday began with cereal, juice, bagels, sweet rolls and fruit. A few late arrivals joined the fun, and plans were made for hikes, volleyclub, and a ride in the chair lift of a nearby ski slope. The full six mile hike was more than anyone wanted, but several campers ventured out for part of it. Resident Eagle Scout Dean Chisamore opted for something steeper and did some solo mountaineering. Park rangers vetoed volleyclub as being too hard on the meadow, but the chair lift ride was the day's highlight.

 

In fact, it was such a nice ride that Tripp Holmgrain took the opportunity to propose marriage to his girlfriend, Laura Sponholtz. Tripp reported that the proposal was the result of a successful ball passing session between the two of them, but Laura attributed her positive response to altitude sickness! Following the proposal, the pair decided to spend the rest of the weekend back in Las Vegas. They quickly made their way to the nearest Vons supermarket where the eighth quarter in the gumball machine yielded the perfect engagement ring! Congratulations to them both!!

 

The remainder of the day included more juggling, hair beading by Celeste Angelo, more horseshoes and dinner. That evening Donald Grant assumed the role of chief storyteller around the campfire, and revelers rattled off about 12 billion jokes and stories. The Germans discovered "s'mores," and glowballs, diabolos and torches illuminated partying well into the night. A nighttime walk was organized for a better view of the magnificent constellations, meteors and star clusters. Stress level: still 0. Life is good.

 

Sunday morning followed a chilly night, and brought the end of the campout. Before we knew it, the bus arrived to take everyone back to the real world.

 

Many people have requested that a another campout be organized next year in Rapid City: At this time, I'm not positive that I can do it, but I urge others to try. Granted, there are stressful moments, but in the long run, it's certainly worth it!