The thundering, repetitive knock on dormitory doors is not the same as a bugle playing reveille at Camp Takajo. But, at 8 AM, we all woke and assembled in the dining hall at the University of Utah. After a buffet consisting of waffles, eggs, potatoes, fruit, and a million types of cereal, we met at the bus to start the day. A stop at the university’s bookstore yielded new shirts, hats, and stickers for many of the Okees. Together, they gathered around a large “U” in the middle of campus for a group picture.
We moved to the bus and set off for Park City, Utah, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics. As we approached picturesque Park City, clouds were rolling over the mountain peaks but dissipated in time to provide beautiful weather at the Winter Olympic training facilities. We were entertained by skiers using the three ski jumps as well as a pool in which skiers practiced tricks. After a ski lift ride to the top, campers enjoyed both the alpine slide and the 1,442-foot zip line, where they reached speeds of 55 mph.
After lunch, we took the Okees to browse on Main Street in Park City. Stickers, t-shirts, ice cream, and key chains were just a few items purchased. We ate dinner and then headed to an arcade that has batting cages, mini-golf, go-carts, and games. A few hours after we arrived, all the tokens were used, and the Okees were mini-golfed and go-carted out. We rode home and packed up. Tomorrow, we head to Moab, Utah, where natural arches were created by thousands of years of erosion and to enjoy Hummer rides through seemingly Martian terrain.
