Kirkwood schusses into summertime

Genuine enthusiasm for her occupation confirms that Markleeville resident Amy Broadhurst is working in the right place at the right time.

Though she first received her bachelor of arts degree from Chico State College, followed by a year earning her teaching credential, Broadhurst has rarely taught in the school system. However, she does plan activities for children and adults in her current position as programs director at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.

"Chairlifts One and Two, Snowkirk and Caples Crest, will be functioning on weekends in July and August to transport mountain bikers to hit trails, kids to hike over the ridge for overnight camping trips, and wildflower enthusiasts to reach 'Devil's Corral' on guided tours," said Broadhurst, with eyes sparkling animatedly.

While Amy Broadhurst has worked 12 winters at Kirkwood, she and her contractor husband Joe have resided for two years in Markleeville, and she commutes from 5,500 feet to 7,800 feet altitude each day. Previous to employment at Kirkwood, she worked at a sea-level family resort in Guam.

Summer programs at Kirkwood start with on and around July 4 weekend after the snow has melted.

The Annual Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue and Kids' Carnival" will be 3:30-6 p.m. July 1, according to Broadhurst.

There'll be barbecued tri-tip and chicken, corn, fresh fruit and wine tasting. The kids will have a bounce house and all kinds of games to play.

Children's overnight JAM Camps are July 15 and Aug. 12 , when kids, ages 7 to 10, will first be taken up the mountain by chairlift and then hike over the ridge to the backside by the old Mormon/Emigrant Trail.

"After their destination is reached, they'll be helping to put up tents and learning all kinds of fun stuff like cooking over a campfire, knot-tying and orienteering with Global Positioning System units," Broadhurst said.

The Community Fishing Derby will start at nine in the morning of July 29 at the spillway of Caples Lake and finish with a fish fry at Kirkwood Inn at 1 p.m. Three season passes will be awarded to the most successful child, junior and adult fishing contestants.

One of the most popular events of the summer season is the Wildflower Festival scheduled this year 9 a.m. and noon Aug. 5. Wildflower hikes will be guided through the "Devil's Corral" by botanist and author, Laird Blackwell.

"Music, Art and Wine" will set the scene, from noon to 4 p.m., on the same day with live music resounding through the valley, local artisans displaying and selling their artworks, and local wineries hosting wine tastings.

Continuing throughout the summer, Kirkwood will welcome mountain bikers to the lifts and trails, rock climbers to the climbing wall, horseback riders to rent steeds from Kirkwood Corrals, music lovers to attend chamber music concerts, brides and grooms to hold weddings in the meadow, and geocachers to search for clues with rented GPS units.

Geocaching is an adventure game for GPS users who use location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a clue may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards.

The word geocaching comes from geo for geography and caching for the process of hiding a cache Ð a place to conceal and preserve provisions.

For further information about any of these summer activities, call Broadhurst at 209-258-7386.

n Gina Gigli is a Markleeville resident. Reach her at ginagigli@gbis.com