We'd seen some activity in the camp as we'd approached, so after the re-tracing at the sign was done, we went over and said hello.
Jim and Lisa are from nearby Bridgeport and have made visiting the Champion Mine a multi-year Thanksgiving tradition. It was their Ford Expedition we'd parked next to at the hiking trailhead. Side note: we were there Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Past years had their kids in tow, but it seems the kids reached an age where it was no longer considered cool. Jim and Lisa came without them this time. Hopefully the kids will come back around--this strikes me as a very cool way to spend Thanksgiving.
They talked about the camp, the history of the volunteer work, and showed us the museum and the nearby spring.
Meanwhile we were glad their dog, Monty, was friendly. Monty's huge!