"Its nearly here," said Fred Goodson, Clinton. Goodson was talking about the last big holiday weekend of the summer. " I usually don't have much trouble deciding where to go or what to do over the Labor Day Weekend, but this year with the dove season opening on Monday, the decision is a little harder."

Like many other families, the Goodsons usually head for a campground somewhere near the water over the big holiday. " We like to camp near a spot where we can fish and swim, but as much as Fred likes to hunt dove and since he hasn't missed an opening day in years, we are looking for a place where we can do it all," Fred's wife Sandy said.

Goodson may have found a solution so he can camp, fish and hunt over the weekend.

"My friend Jack Lee, has an 80 acre place near Cole Camp and said he has been seeing lots of doves feeding in one of his fields. Since its not too far from the Lake of the Ozarks, we may camp and fish at the alke and on Monday, I could hunt at jack's place," he said.

Sandy smillingly said, "I'm sure he will find a way to open the dove season."

The last big exdous to the campgrounds is about to start as more and more families are taking advantage of the many campgrounds that dot the state. With all the state parks, Federal, mucicipal, county and private campgrounds there is a place nearby for everyone to enjoy.

In checking with several campgrounds around the area, it looks like it will be a big weekend with many campgrounds full. In campgrounds that accept reservations many are nearly booked up for the coming weekend.

The cooler August has brought out more than the usual number of summer campers. At several campgrounds along the Ozark flost streams business has been better than for the past three years. Harry Underwood, Belton, has only missed one weekend all summer camping and floating an Ozark stream.

"Its been an unusual summer. There were many mornings I had to wait until 9 to put my canoe in the stream because of the heavy mist. But the fishing has been much better than last summer and the weather has kept me coming back for more. If I could, I would fish and float every day. The one weekend we didn't float was also a good one. We had wanted to fish for walleye so we camped near Stockton Lake and fished both Saturday and Sunday. We caught a limit of walleye and had a great time." he said.

Goodson said, "There's something almost magical about camping and I see more and more people making a commitment to this popular pasttime from going solo to family camping. It can be an excellent adventure for anyone."

When Goodson started camping I remember my parents told me how they used to camp down by the lake, but I had pictured it as much more work than fun. But, after seeing how good it really was, I guess I was wrong. Missouri is a great place to camp. You can set up a tebt or park your RV in some of the best spots around lakes, streams or other great outdoor scens in the state. Its a great place to camp along while hiking or with the family fishing trip.

My son has five children that go camping every chance they get and they really enjoy it. I wouldn't have thought of taking young kids when we first started camping, but today there are so many conviences to help make family camping enjoyable even with kids in dipers."

It was very appropriate that the song "Take me out to the ball game" was played at the funeral of Kelly Bradham last Monday. Kelly knew his baseball, especially the Kansas City Royals.

Once while covering a Royal Hunt at Hi Poing Hunting Preserve near Breckenridge, Kelly was visiting with Whitey Herzog, who at the time was managing the Royals.

After Kelly left to talk with George Brett, Herzog said, "That guy really knows his baseball. He even told me a few things that I didn't know."

Once in the Royals lacker room after a game, Amos Otis called me aside and ask, " who is that guy, he knows more about the Royals than I do."

That was Kelly.

As anyone who really knew Kelly knows he was predictable, prejudice and a little stubborn, but you always knew where he stood. He was one of a kind and he will be missed.