Where: Asperkaha Group Campground, Howard Prairie Lake, located in the sunny southwest Oregon Cascade Range
Who: Members of the old Rogue River Rough Riders IR/IHC crew (1970-81), the Star IR crew (1962-69) and the Rogue River RR crew (1975-76)
It's time for another reunion. Many of us are retired, or pretending to be, and will likely be available for this mid-July event. For those of us still hooked on fire assignments, the reunion should be over with before the first widespread dry lightning storm hits the Pacific Northwest.
Bring your family, the dog, a cribbage board and cards, your trout fishing tackle, a guitar or whatever musical instrument you favor (no bagpipes, please), hiking boots, bicycles, horseshoes (for throwing), and whatever else seems appropriate for three days and nights in the woods with some of your best friends.
Also, bring pictures from the years you were on the crew.
On-site accommodations include nine RV sites with water and power, and 12 cabins, each suitable for up to eight close friends or an equal number of family members. There are a few more sites available for dry camping with RVs or tents. If you prefer a hotel room or cabin, the Greensprings Inn is just a few miles down the road, and so is Hyatt Lake Resort. There are also more campgrounds nearby at Howard Prairie Resort, which also has a store, restaurant and boat rentals.
Inside Asperkaha Campground, there several fire pits and picnic tables, a community kitchen, a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, a stage with electricity for speakers and lights, and a pretty big patch of forest all to ourselves. Oh yeah, there's a big lake, and there will also be a boat for those of us who like fishing for trout.
Here are the costs, which apply whether you stay one night or three due to the fixed cost of the campground:
- $60 for RV sites with water and power (9)
- $50 for a cabin (12)
- $40 for dry RV sites and tent sites
- $40 for walk-ins (which covers site fee and food)
About the cabins: They’re called cabins but they’re really little bunkhouses because the only thing in them besides an overhead light are the bunks – wood frame bunkbeds with vinyl covered foam mattresses. Most cabins have eight bunks; the cabin with the biggest deck only sleeps six. Each cabin has its own campfire ring and picnic table. Pets are not allowed in the cabins, and you can’t smoke inside the cabins. None of the cabins is ADA compliant, although two of them have ramps.
About the community kitchen: It’s equipped like a commercial kitchen – big gas range, oven and grill, huge pots and pans, plenty of plates and bowls and platters, and a dishwasher – and there is a large covered eating area with tables and seats.
Food: Once the campground rental cost is met, money collected will go toward food. You need to provide your own beverages. I’m looking for volunteers to help with managing food, cooking, cleaning, etc. In general, I plan on there being dinner each night (July 14, 15 and 16) and breakfast each morning (July 15, 16 and 17), but I'll have a clearer view about that as the date gets closer.
Pets: Dogs are OK, but must be leashed. Reckless barking is discouraged. Poop must be picked up. Dogs are not allowed in the cabins or kitchen.
Restrooms: Vault toilets.
Showers: Yes. They're single-user units in the same building as the kitchen.
RV dump station: There isn't a sewage dump station at any of the RV sites, or anywhere inside the campground. The closest one is at the Howard Prairie Resort, a short drive down the road.
Questions: Contact Brian Ballou, 541-778-9910, yodieballou@gmail.com. For those wanting to reserve a site and to pay early (which will help make decisions about food services), send me an email or call and I'll give you the mailing address for checks.
I hope to see everyone there. It should be a damn good time.
