I cannot overstress how vital it was to my bliss (and I expect the bliss of others) that we snagged the coveted and perfect camp sites, likely among the best sites on earth.
Though some had no doubt we'd get them, relying on what I call the Bonita Effect (which works like a magic charm), I think that obsessive planning and, naturally, crafty execution were key to obtaining the sites (hey, if only to provide the absolute confidence needed for the proper Bonita Effect).
A competitor for the sites showed up within the hour of Kevy & Gus Gus arriving from Fresno, Not Afraid and Gemini Cricket arriving from Oakhurst, and Ghoulish Delight & Cadaverous Pallor arriving from Orange County by leaving at 2:30 in the morning.
I daresay that if these precautions were not taken, the sites
would have been.
And let me tell you, camping by the banks of a wild and roaring river was simply amazing and inimitable. And because riverside sites can't be subdivided so easily, the acreage of our combined campsites was nothing short of huge. (
In fact, we lived on only 3 of the 5 campsites we took over ... using the others only for parking and bear boxes.)
The location of Camp Swank was, in fact, an attraction in and of itself ... and you did not have to leave camp to experience the grandeur and majesty, harmony and peace, beauty and loveliness of King's Canyon in all its glory.
And so, the King's Canyon experience was with us 24/7 for the entire length of Swank Camp. It was fantastic!
Thanks to N.A. and €uro for turning us on to one of their favorite places. Kudos to the three duos mentioned above for arriving early enough to claim those campsites in the name of Swank Camp!!