Residents take to lake, pool to celebrate long weekend
Mike Branam, Eudora, wasn’t worried about Saturday’s rainy forecast.
That is what his recreational vehicle is for.
Friends for 50 years, Dick Dreher, left, Leawood, and Jay Hines, Lawrence, chat underneath an awning leading to a boat dock. Neither were prepared for sunny skies on Saturday at Clinton Lake, so instead of boating, they spent Saturday cleaning ship. Both plan to spend the next few days leisurely.
“We’re seasoned campers,” Branam said. “That’s why you strap down your awnings. This thing ain’t moving. You learn to roll with the flow.”
Clinton State Park management officials said more than 1,000 campers filled campsites Saturday at Clinton Lake.
Branam planned to camp out at Clinton Lake with his family for about six days. Branam’s father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gene and Tony Waggoner, Belton, Mo., joined the outing, but planned to leave Memorial Day, which is considered the unofficial start of summer.
Camping isn’t what it used to be, Gene Waggoner said.
He spends about three months out of the year in his Country Coach recreational vehicle, which contains heated tile and a surround-sound system.
“This isn’t camping,” Branam said. “He ain’t roughing it.”
Linda McQuain, Lenexa, was limiting her family to an overnight stay in their tents at the campgrounds. It is a tradition that dates back to when her twin daughters, Meredith McQuain and Meghan McQuain, 27, were little girls.
Meghan McQuain said she enjoyed spending the time with her family in the outdoors.
Carson Schmid, 3, Lawrence, avoids cool, splashing water at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center. About 300 people attended Saturday's opening day of the pool.
“Summer is finally here now that I’m with my family camping out at Lake Clinton,” she said.
About 300 took advantage of the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center’s opening day Saturday.
Damian Dillon, 13, said he was disappointed with the turnout.
“I thought there’d be a lot of people here,” he said. “It’s a lot more fun when there’s a lot of people.”
Many Lawrence students celebrated the end of the school year and the beginning of their summer vacation.
“I come out every year for the opening day at the pool,” said Erin Eifler, 11. “I just got here but I’m having fun so far.”
Campers and swimmers were happy to see sunny skies and a high temperature of 69 degrees Saturday, instead of the rain that was in the forecast.
