Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update - It's Open!

This morning the bridge looked like this. More like a bridge but still clearly under construction. I had a meeting with Doug at Starbucks in downtown Branson, so at 11:00 I made what would turnout to be one last trek around the detour. By late this afternoon the bridge was open and looked like this.

County Commissioner, Danny Strahan, who oversees road issues came by the office to officially let us know that the bridge was open. He said it was a 90 day project that was completed in just 27 days! It obviously didn't just magically appear there. Some serious hard work and sweat went into getting it done. Many thanks to everyone involved throughout Taney County.

K-1 parents coming to closing ceremonies next week will get to enjoy the new bridge. We sure do thank all our parents who patiently and graciously came the "long way" around to pick up their children!

It's been a great summer already. So many Kampers have put down deep spiritual roots and left a legacy in the hearts of the Directors and counselors. What a privilege it is for us to share just a little time with your children.

Earlier I met with Collin Sparks, the K-Kountry Assistant Director. He's already planning for the winter and thinking about the best ways to stay connected with all his new friends. It's obvious he's pouring out every ounce of energy to make this summer life-changing for every Kamper. Thanks Collin for loving on our kids.

I just met with JGM about innovation, man I love working with that guy, he super creative! I've never met someone with his spreadsheet skills who loves to think big picture, and out of the box like he does. It's really fun and I'm blessed.



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Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update

It's getting close! We were really hoping that the bridge work would get done for the change over this past weekend but it didn't quite get done. The road crew is creating a nice bridge and it should be done sometime this week. I'm hoping by Thursday. It will give my lunch date and I a few more minutes together :-)

Here is a pic from just a few minutes ago.



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Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update

The new culvert is in place for the new bridge! It shouldn't be too long now and we'll be back to normal. K-1 Parents the last few terms should be able to use the new bridge and we can all start saving some gas money! A big thanks to the Taney County crew for keeping this project moving.

Photo props to Lindsay. Thanx


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Lake Shore Drive Bridge Repair Update

Well, we've had one closing ceremonies with the bridge out and I hope it wasn't to inconvenient for K-1 parents to take the "scenic" route. If that was you, you'll appreciate that my kids call Timberlake Road "The Bumpies". It is kind of like a roller coaster! The road closure has made things interesting for us as we reschedule mail drops, meetings between employees, and of course trips to town for lunch, etc. Many employees leave for work earlier now and have gotten creative with carpooling. For the Kampers everything is clipping right along.

Here is a picture of the bridge area as of Monday late afternoon.


Wet weather yesterday has slowed the final excavation. But plans to install precast concrete culverts promises to shorten the time to completion. The latest rumor is that the road will be back open by July 18th. That sounds pretty fast from where we are!

Will you let me know who you are so I can get a better idea who I'm writing to? Take the poll on the right for the next 9 days. Thanks.

I'll also add that Tim Oliphant (see post from Monday) has had quite the week with media interviews and phone calls and e-mails from long lost friends after his incredible performance on the American Gladiators show.



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Lake Shore Drive Bridge Update

Bridge work is already underway. Original estimates of 8 weeks or more may be giving way to just 3 weeks as plans to put culverts in the opening, over filling with gravel and paving take shape.

Here is the bridge area as it appeared yesterday afternoon late. Notice the telephone poles placed to support the sewer line that ran inline with the old bridge.


I know that several businesses opened their doors for Kanakuk on Saturday when the bridge washed out, so that we could get signs made and plumbing supplies, etc. If you are a Kanakuk employee and know the names of those businesses and people can you please leave comments or e-mail me the names so that I can acknowledge their service to us?

More updates on the bridge to come in the days ahead.

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Lake Taneycomo in the news

Kanakuk Kamps, K-1 and K-Kountry, and the K-Kauai Family Kamp are all situated on the banks of Lake Taneycomo across from downtown Branson, Missouri. News outlets in the region are reporting on Lake Taneycomo being flooded in the Branson area, describing evacuations, etc. This is all true and many of our friends on the other side of the lake are underwater again! Local emergency services including the American Red Cross are responding to their needs even as I write.

I thought I would describe for people, the best I can how our Branson Kamps are positioned on the Lake.

As you may know Lake Taneycomo was once the White River and downtown Branson sits on the inside of a big meander of that old river. As the White River cut it's way through this area it left tall cliffs on the outside of the meander. Our Kamps are on the cliff side of the Lake and take advantage of about a 300-400 foot wide "bottoms" area perfect for sports fields and lake activities. All Kamp buildings; cabins, pools, dining halls, chapels, etc. are perched some 75-150 feet above on the high ground.




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Washed out Bridge near K1 leaves Kamp activities up and running

After a long rainy season in 2008, and a steady rainy most of the night Branson is wet! Flash flooding occurred throughout the area over night and into the morning today. The county bridge on Lake Shore Drive that goes over the little arm of lake Taneycomo (The "Slew" if you are a Kamp person) between K-Kountry and K-1 was washed out. This is the washed out bridge on the hairpin turn in Branson, Missouri on Lake Shore Drive.


Kanakuk Kamps President, Joe White wrote a quick note to K-1 parents letting them know what happened and that Kamp activities are going on like normal. Here is that letter:

"The K1 summer continues to be blessed, joyful and literally filled with stories of happy Kampers and fulfilled lives that I am sure will be told for a lifetime. We had and interesting event last night when the Lake Shore Drive bridge between K1 and K-Kountry washed out. As you know, it is a small two lane bridge approximately 25 feet long. No one was on the bridge when it washed out. Normal Kamp activities are uninterrupted. The kids were all asleep and were not even aware of the bridge situation. There is no change in any Kamp activities or schedule. All of our facilities are unaffected. When we have a heavy rain, we are always thankful we live on a hill! By the grace of God in 83 years of operation Kamp has never had an interruption of any kind, due to inclement weather. The only inconvenience will be a 5 -8 minute traffic detour when you drive to K1 for closing ceremonies. K-Kountry and K-Kauai traffic will proceed as usual. As I write, I am at K1 and the kids are playing games and having the time of their life. Thank you for entrusting us with your precious children. Again, by God's grace, this has been and will always be the safest place for a child on earth."

Other Kamp staff I talked to were working with County officials to determine traffic rerouting needs and coordinating getting signs made, etc. We have a great team in place to make sure the Kampers are safe and having a great time. While the bridge is close to the Kamp the affect to daily operations is very minimal.

My daughter is at K-Kountry right now and I haven't talked to the Director. I'm sure he's creating a rainy day adventure for all the kids and it will be a day they never forget. It will be interesting to talk to her when she gets home to see if she even knows what happened.

Check back here often for updates. As I get details I will post them here.

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