Chowchilla and The Lakes

Chowchilla and The Lakes sounds like the name of a children's adventure book or possibly a dog story. Instead it is the story of a cat named Azure and a remarkable RV park east of Chowchilla we had the pleasure of visiting.  Situated on the east side of Highway 99, the park is adjacent to a golf course where those staying at the park may play 18 holes of complimentary golf per day covering an eight mile long course amid verdant fairways and lush putting greens.  The park itself surrounds a small lake with a fountain and waterfall at the edge of the pool and clubhouse.  This is also the home of Azure.

It seems Azure was a kitten and was found by the staff to have suffered an unfortunate encounter with a car.  After hiding for two days with Marilyn and Kris fearing she was dead, Azure emerged from the shrubs with one badly injured front paw.  A consultation with a vet revealed the paw was broken.  The option of removing her foot versus letting it heal was discussed and all agreed that the latter was the option they would try.  Azure has done remarkably well and is now the star greeter at the RV park (when she is not sleeping that is!)  Part Siamese, she is named after her beautiful blue eyes.  She sleeps behind the counter during the day in a brown carpet covered cat tree and wanders the office to a second cat tree during the evenings when the office is closed and the staff leaves her for the night.  The paw is curved inward and back and she no longer uses it opting instead to use her wrist to bear her weight, but that does not slow her down in her new, wonderful life as the princess of The Lakes.  The story makes me smile...

The park itself was full of blooming Oleander trees and it was such a pleasure staying there in a country-like setting enhanced with flowers, birds and the sound of running water.  The sites are owned individually and the park is a homeowners association.  Some have put in beautiful, brick outdoor BBQ units and every space has a patio surrounded by grass to enjoy.  This definitely goes on our repeat list.  It is beautiful to sit by the pool and write.  This is one of the perks of our summer trip when we find places such as this.  Below is a photo of the golf course.