Dear Friends and Chanco Family

Forgive me that geography removes me from Camp and the Southern Diocese by about 400 miles. Time has me removed from Chanco by 14 years since I last stepped foot on its surface. Perhaps I can offer a voice from a distance to those who are so closely tied to Chanco now and have been always.  continue reading »

My good friend Aaron Graeser and his wife the former Elaine Marie Klein January 19, 2008 Flagstaff AZ

A winter wedding with snow on the ground in the mountain town of Flagstaff.  Aaron and I met at Chanco in 1988 in that forementioned classic October Weekend football game in my bio.  We have shared many a road trips weddings, graduations and even loss - Saturday was in essence a Perfect Circle.  continue reading »

Any truth to the long standing legend that Bacon's Castle is haunted... I remember driving by it countless times beginning in the 1970's and  over the years since and people mentioning that it was.  They found a blood stain in the 2nd floor (later thought to have been pig's blood)

The castle actually owned by Arthur Allen in the 1660's  took the name Bacon - sometime after Bacon's Rebellion.  continue reading »

Isn’t 2008 an Olympic year…okay is it not also the 40th anniversary of Camp Chanco

If memory serves 1988 was the 20th anniversary – there was a reunion and ironically a closing Eucharist at the original site in October (I still have a copy of the Eucharist program)  continue reading »

Camp Chanco certainly is amalgamation of people, moments and an unusual Spirit that penetrates the 5 senses even after we have left it.

Whether it has been years or even decades (yes decades - it is nearly 40 years old) I cannot recall how often but there are those moments in our corners of the world where we taste - Bug juice - we smell -OFF repellent - we see - the moon tucked up high as if it is guarding over the James.

Which leads me to think of the physical character of the land and those nooks that were carved out of the Woods over the years. I am certain that the current location has matured and aged and worn itself into a fine specimen but I cannot express how vivid the original site still is to me this day.

I am almost convinced that if I should return in my dreams to that site I could navigate through it - blindfolded. With the replaying of memories the footsteps are retraced like a pencil tracing on waxpaper.

The Midnight Trail  continue reading »

Married!

My pre occupation (wedding preps)  in the months leading up to April 14th have kept me from penning stories and recollections but a reunion of sorts took place by  the River in the Deep South in yet another tiny hamlet. 

Now my occupation is marriage - the adventure begins...

Many thanks to the boys who attended.
Robert B. Simmons, Aaron H. Graeser, Christoper E. Sawyer, Michael B. Peter.  continue reading »

Alright - the Website Change headline is getting old - c'mon the memory well cannot be that dry.

Photo scanning for Greg - long and tedious - I too have an album that I need to get scan nasty - but it looks like the photo album is getting thick - as thick as some of those haircuts and wow - TUBE SOCKS - can anyone spell DORK.

However I am 5 weeks from walking down the aisle and I am putting together a set list for the reception - got me to think about Camp Chanco -  continue reading »