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Join PXL at Camp Hamilton for Our Spring'23
Weekend Clampout We're Calling...
Camp Hamilton is one of the most unusual places we've ever held a Clampout. It's a memorial park, but not in the traditional sense. Some years back, Brother Glenn Denton, while serving in combat during the Vietnam War became part of a promise: That fellow Marines who had fallen during a particularly tough battle would not be forgotten.
As a way to keep that promise, Glenn began to plant trees on his 10 acres parcel north of Bakersfield to memorialize and honor those who had given their all. He hand carried water to establish the trees and staked a plaque before each tree with the name of a fallen comrade. The site has since become a unique, private memorial park, with lawns, fixtures reminiscent of military service and over 330 trees honoring veterans who have died in service, or after long lives, or by suicide.
The roads leading to Camp Hamilton are all highways, with the exception of the last half mile or so which is dirt but which is well maintained and level. If you have an RV, you shouldn't have a problem getting to the gate. If you're Clamping in the designated parking area make sure to bring shade, and bring a burn barrel if you'd like. Tents are welcome on the lawn, but avoid placing vehicles, burn barrels or anything else that might damage the grass.
Temperatures in Bakersfield during this time of year average in the low fifties at night, with highs around 80 during the day. You can also pray for rain, but you'll likely get the stink eye from the rest of us after our winter's deluge. Cell service is available; as is potable water, just make sure you're using the right spigots because some water is intended for irrigation only.
If you've forgot something, you can find gas and fast food about 3 miles west on Lerdo Highway at the junction with CA 99. More serious items can be purchased in Shafter, which is further west, but the real deal is in downtown Bakersfield 12 miles to the south.
Remember, no Thursday arrivals this trip. Gates open at 7am on Friday, but we don't officially feed everybody until snacks and libations on Friday afternoon, so plan accordingly. The chapter itself does not provide alcohol. And don't forget to bring something for Saturday's Pot Luck Breakfast - but NO EGGS.
We're planning for a brief ceremony on Saturday to dedicate picnic benches that have been donated by the Brethren, so you'll want to attend that. You' should also read the brief caveats posted on the Doin's registration page, particularly as it relates to the "Crow Bar" honors system and about respecting other visitors to the park. As always enjoy the weekend. Hope to see you at Camp Hamilton!
To read about Clamping with Peter Lebeck in Kern County, just read on.
ABOUT CLAMPING WITH PETER LEBECK
Kern County is a big place and it covers all kinds of terrain: from the driest portions of the Mojave Desert, to the snowiest pine forests of the Sierra Nevada; from the oak woodlands of Walker Basin to the still wild grasslands of the San Joaquin Valley. Then of course there is Fort Tejon, Pine Mountain, the Kern River Valley, the Tehachapis, and…you get the drift. Kern County IS a BIG and interesting place.
And needless to say, we do try to get around. So if you are looking for something different, always make sure to look us up when you are planning your Clamping Calendar. If you've Clamped the desert, try the mountains. If you've Clamped the mountains, try the desert. But always make an effort check with us because we may be going someplace you'd really, really enjoy, and we do get around.
PXL Clampouts are not so large that you'll ever feel lost, and not so small that you'll ever feel like you're crashing someone's private party. Brothers visiting from other chapters are always made to feel welcome, and we especially encourage you to drop by if you live in Kern County or the adjoining areas of southern and central California.
At Peter Lebeck we plan two, full-weekend Clampouts every year, one in the spring and the other in the fall, and we favor overnight outings because we believe it is the surest way to make sure that each of our Brothers makes it home safely. At Peter Lebeck we also believe that Clamping is as much about plaquing as it is about camping and camaraderie, so we try to mount at least one erection every year and we try to Clamp near by. So won't you join us for the adventure? We'll make sure you get an extra helping of Timbo's beans.
