2010 Labor Day Picnic

Let me tell you!

Relax and lean back in your chair. It's going to take me a few minutes to tell you all about the "Grover Boyz" Labor Day picnic. Observing from the ground floor, I may have missed a few things, but I believe my dog's eye view captured most of the interesting happenings during the three day event. Since I don't read and write, I have to rely strictly on memory, and it wasn't easy keeping track of 68 people and 14 dogs. As you can imagine, Dangerous, at his age, wasn't much help recalling what went on. While some may disagree, I believe the Labor Day picnic is a lot more fun and entertaining than the Wayne County Fair or Torrey's July 4th parade, but I might be wrong. You judge for yourselves.

The Camp

I know it's hard to believe, but people travel long distances to attend this premier social event. I know at least three guests who drove from Denver to eat hot dogs and hamburgers with the "Grover Boyz." By Saturday morning the flat across from Wildcat Guard Station was crawling with adults, kids, and dogs. With 31 family member, 16 of them children, roaming the campground a lot of time was spent keeping the kids from getting run over or stepping in fresh dog poop.

Four of Many

As you might guess, it was impossible to get a milling pack of 14 dogs together for a group photo. Getting their attention was easy as you can see, but there was so much food around the pack just ran from one victim to another. Since I am a bit brighter than your average dog, I focused my attention on the serving tables. I am the one in the background eagerly waiting for a tidbit to spill. The other dogs weren't that smart. They believed that Utah Jack might share a treat with them from his plate. Fat chance of that ever happening!

Feeding the Guests

At 4:00 PM sharp, the hamburgers and hot dogs were on the grill and the fresh corn was boiling in the pot. It wasn't long before the hungry guests started showing up starved for good conversation and marginal food. It didn't take long for the crowd to fill up on both.

I wonder who they are talking about

The crowd included the usual mix of husbands and wives, cowboys, foundry men, lawyers, locals, comers, friends, friends of friends, relatives, and others. A more eclectic group of eccentrics and odd balls is difficult to find anywhere else but on the High Plateau during Labor Day Weekend. Sitting next to Dangerous is a most interesting character -- a reformed carnivore. You all know him as Fremont Bob, but we had to change his name to Vegetable Bob after his recent conversion. Come on Fremont! Talk about sacra religious -- tofu hot dogs at the "Grover Boyz" picnic!

Children Activities

I guess you wonder what 16 kids do while their parents visit and eat. Well, the picture above gives you a general idea about how much supervision and oversight they actually got. That's probably why most of the kids and dogs didn't want to go home after three days of climbing on rocks and hanging out in the woods. One more day probably would have seen both kids and dogs running permanently feral on the High Plateau.

Uninvited Visitor

For the most part, everyone is invited to the picnic. We are used to the occasional odd ball, but every once in awhile a real strange character wanders into camp. There is no mistaking that Sasquatch actually inhabits the High Plateau. It was bad enough competing with all the other dogs for table scraps, but try scrambling around on the ground with this character for a half eaten hamburger or hot dog. I can tell you first hand that he ate every dropped morsel and scrap that should have gone to me and the other dogs. Besides, he scared hell out of the kids! Parents were up all night comforting their frightened children.

Sleeping Accommodations

The thirty-one people who camped for three nights slept in all sorts of accommodations. Some brought their trailers while others pitched tents. As you know, Dangerous and I share his sheep camp. Probably the strangest abode found on the High Plateau this Labor Day weekend was what we all called the "Jack-in-the-box." Poor Kay thought her extremely cheap boyfriend, Utah Jack, was going to provide a luxury camper or at least comfortable tent for her to sleep in. But, true to form Utah Jack built her a wafer board box with a hay tarp roof for under $25. It was the under $25 that he was most proud of.

Tequila Nights

After a sleepless night listening to the hay tarp rattle in the wind, Kay found a solution. Spend the evening around the campfire drinking margaritas and you avoid a sleepless night in the "Jack-in-the-box." The only problem is rousing yourself in the morning. Wake up Kay or you will miss breakfast? Can I have your bacon, sausage, and ham?

Helping the Elderly

As you might have noticed, the "Grover Boyz" are getting on in years. At their stage of life, getting in and out of their pickup trucks isn't easy for aging seniors. Since they had to haul the barbecue and other equipment from Grover for the picnic, sometimes they needed help unloading their trucks. Thankfully Daniel was available to unload both the barbecue and Dangerous from the back of his truck. Both were safely deposited on the ground without serious injury or damage. I guess you know what that means -- another Labor Day picnic next year.

Get your calendars out and pencil in the "Grover Boyz" picnic for 2011. After reading about the great fun we had, you won't want to miss the next one. As a special treat, Dangerous and Utah have decided to celebrate the centennial a few years early. They thought the centennial would be an incredible event and didn't want to miss it. Thanks again to all those who attended and helped out! Love to hear from you, especially suggestions for the centennial!

The Dog Who Can't Swim

Chris and Rose On Blue Bell Knoll

I try really hard not to be too critical of others especially those of my own species. However, there are times when the story has to be told. Have you ever known a dog that can't swim? On our recent camp out, Berkeley, a golden retriever, almost drowned in Lower Bown's Reservoir. To my great embarrassment, his mistress had to jump in and rescue him. Since swimming comes naturally to me, I have struggled to understand why a retriever, supposedly bred to water, wouldn't know how to swim. Maybe Berkeley's problem is genetic, but I like to believe his coordination was temporarily affected by one of the sights or activities he was exposed to during our July camp out. Take a look at what he saw, and possibly you can tell me what caused his problem.

Setting Up Camp

It's a dangerous time for kids and dogs when setting up camp. Trailers have to be backed into place and leveled. All the cooking equipment has to be unloaded and hooked up to propane bottles. With all this going on, there is always a chance that a dog or small child might get run over or blown up. However, I don't remember any close calls. The only thing I saw that traumatized me a bit and might have scarred Berkeley was one obvious "redneck smiley face," but sights like this are fairly common when camping with the High Plateau bunch and shouldn't be that traumatic.

Biker Chicks

Highway 12 this time of year is a popular motorcycle route. The highway is crawling with doctors, dentists, lawyers, and businessmen fantasizing about the outlaw life. Occasionally, however, some tough looking characters show up in camp asking directions or trying to get a free meal. I'm not sure, but possibly these two Smokey Bear biker chicks who drifted into camp might have frightened Berkeley. They don't look all that tough to me, but unlike Berkeley, I am use to Dangerous' unusual friends and relatives.

Helping the Less Fortunate

Outlaw motorcyclists aren't the only strange characters who show up in camp. Maybe this needy senior citizen caused the stir that temporarily affected Berkeley's swimming ability. He peddled his bike into camp asking directions to the Yucatan which Preston provided along with a handout which you can tell from the picture the old man didn't need. However, you never know how characters like him might affect the young and impressionable. Maybe this old boy tried to kick Berkeley under the table when he was begging for treats.

Unsuspecting Target

All dogs are constantly looking for treats. Unsuspecting kids are usually our easiest targets. This kid is perfectly positioned for the classic grab and run. Snatching that sandwich might look easy, but I am smart enough to know that mom is probably hovering close by. I suspect that Berkeley isn't an experienced food snatcher like me, and may have been tempted to take the bait. If he did, he might have caught a swift kick in the ribs that seriously affected his confidence.

Batting Cleanup

When parents and grandparents are around, the smart dog waits patiently for the right opportunity. Getting treats without risk usually involves endearing yourself to your intended victim and the adults watching over the unsuspecting child. Cleaning up after a messy kid usually gets an "Oh, how cute!" from the child's parents and avoids a painful kick. Berkeley could take lessons from an old pro like me.

Berkeley and Aspen

Take a look at the big lug. From his picture, he appears perfectly capable of swimming, but for some reason he can't. I have given you all my theories about why he embarrassed me and all the other dogs in camp. Well, I actually have one more that I think is most plausible. Berkeley might be a retriever but he hangs around a known non swimmer. Grandpa, who tends the kids a lot, is not only a non swimmer but totally afraid of water. You probably think I am crazy, but I have watched both Berkeley and Grandpa try to swim. They share the same technique. Neither one kicks his legs. Grandpa uses only his arms to try and stay afloat, and immediately sinks to the bottom. Berkeley only uses his front paws with the same result. You might think I am crazy, but I think Grandpa has been giving Berkeley swimming lessons.

Remember, if you want to meet many of the characters from my blog, join us on September 4 for the "Grover Boyz" picnic. Hope to see you at Wildcat Guard Station at 4:00 PM until dark! Drive 17 miles south of Torrey on Highway 12 and look for the signs.