August 2 9, 2013

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The Campbell 00 $1. County Observer

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Volume 3 • Issue 31

August 2 - 9, 2013

This Week’s June 17 - 24, 2011 Highlights “If it doesn’t have to do with Campbell County, we don’t care!”

www.campbellcountyobserver.net

• Governor Appoints Judge.................. Page 2 • Cheney Announces Campaign Team ................ Page 3 • Bold Republic: Shooting Off your Foot .... Page 8 • Fishing Report .............. Page 11 Photos by Nicholas DeLaat

Mike Smith and Nicholas De Laat share a glass of home-made mead and a Cohiba Cigar after sunset. The cigar was brought straight from Nicaragua by the Scottish couple that is currently touring throughout all of the America’s.

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A Vacation at the Empire By Nicholas DeLaat

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ugust is now here. That’s right, time for fall sports for all age groups to fire up, businesses to kick into overdrive, and vacations to run out until the holidays. Most people are thinking about school starting, hunting season, and the inevitable month-long, and seemingly neverending, holiday season. Relaxing time is almost over. The good news is that it is not over yet. There is still about three weeks left, and plenty to do, and if you have nothing planned to enjoy the rest of summer or your vacation time is used up or pre-planned, I have a great suggestion for you. Why not rent a cabin at Empire Guesthouse and RV Park in Pine Haven? My family and I stayed there a couple weeks ago and received many pleasant surprises that added up to the best small vacation we have ever had as a family. Now understand, it has been awhile since we have even had a day off since March of 2010, which was when I worked the swing shift at the mines and was simultaneously running for Wyoming House of Representatives. It was the day after the election that November that I decided that I was going to open up a newspaper. Now that the newspaper is starting to run like a well-oiled machine, we are launching a new News company here in the area. Days off? Ah, not for a business owner. Suddenly a couple weeks ago, my Advertising Sales Manager (with help from my wife) set me up to take a weekend off with my family because of an opportunity to stay at Keyhole. After some reluctance, it was worth it! That Friday, we borrowed my neighbor and friend’s canoe, packed up one of our mini-vans, and headed out. Now imagine my attitude, happy that I get to actually take some time off, but with a type ‘A’ personality telling me that there was still work to be done (there always is) and I shouldn’t take the time off. Pulling into Empire Guest House and RV Park and getting a first look at the cabins available started to calm that type ‘A’ personality. My children were extremely excited and my beautiful wife was ready for a weekend away from the dungeon of the house that she spends most of her time at, being a wonderful housewife and raising small children. We immediately went into the office, which also serves as a bait/convenience/hunting store, for our key. In there, we learned all about where the fish are biting, what the hunting season looks like and, best of al,l my children received free ice cream, compliments of owners Mike and Roxanne Smith. Next was the first opening of our cabin. The cabins are a perfect and small, reminding you of a space (as I told my children) that some of the original Wyoming homesteaders used to live in. They are log, have

one main room, and a bathroom. They are very ‘homey’ feeling, fully furnished, and so comfortable that my wife exclaimed that she could live in one year round. That first evening we spent unpacking, playing some football, eating, and just getting comfortable. Later, we received the enormous hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Smith over some home-made Mead (made by myself) and wine. And what goes with some good drinks but great conversation? Mike, who is also the Mayor of Pine Haven, knows the local politics, fishing, and hunting; while Roxanne will enlighten you on the history of the area, and the building. “It used to be the house of a widowed rancher before it was moved to this location. To make sure that the ranch hands she would hire would stay in line, she would target practice every morning with cans on her fence. She was a dead shot!” Roxanne told us. You can find the widow’s story at the Moorcroft museum. The next morning, my wife and I woke up specifically to watch the sunise. We are usually up at that time anyway, but we never get to enjoy the majestic scenery. After our moment together, we made breakfast for the kids and we all ate outside on the picnic table provided on the perfect sit-

ting porch built onto the cabin. Then we packed up and spent the day (with great and easy access to Keyhole Reservoir) canoeing and playing on the beach. That evening, we had burgers and roasted hotdogs over the fire pit, and the children indulged with smores. Again that evening was great company and conversation. This time, there was a bike rider riding from Oregon to Maine, and a Scottish couple touring on motorcycles through both North and South America. We were so tired at the end of the day, we passed out before the kids. There are TV’s in the cabins, but ours never came on. Nobody even asked. There was so much to do, we wished the weekend would never end, but unfortunately it did. However, I can tell you this: if you want a quick and easy trip, or just a weekend getaway before the stresses of fall come knocking at your door, I would highly recommend Empire Guesthouse and RV Park in Pine Haven. It is a wonderful place to stay. It provides a great atmosphere, top-notch hospitality, and in my humble opinion, the best log cabin camping experience between the Bighorns and the Black Hills. And remember, they also are open during hunting season!

Empire’s store and social lounging porch

The De Laat family outside their cabin enjoying the cool evening breeze.


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