Too Many To Count 2: Girls camp~ we survived!!

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Girls camp~ we survived!!

Hannah is in the front of the boat, paddle in the water

These pictures are in no particular order. Wednesday morning we got up at 4am to leave for the river. It was early. Wednesday night packing had a lot of hiccups, including the sister who was supposed to buy all the food ran out of time and didn't so Audrey and I ended up in the store at 8pm buying everything and a broken trailer and other issues. We were a little behind schedule getting out on the road but were driving before 5.

Grace is in the back with the blue shorts

Our first stop was the Kern River. We went white water rafting. The girls were really looking forward to it. I had some hesitations before getting there because the water is really high and rough this year. Also we didn't use a professional guiding group. Our camp leader's husband did a lot of training and time on the river, he is thinking of starting a company. I thought he was competent and put in lots of effort. But I think an experienced tour would have cost less money (not the Lord's $ but his) and maybe some of the issues we had would not have happened. In the end everyone survived and 95% of the people had a great time. Rob did get thrown in the river on the last run and it was scary for him. He was caught in a cataract and was trapped in the water for a short time. He ended up fine but if it was one of the girls who went in I don't know if we would have been so fortunate. He is a strong swimmer and felt like he barely made it out.

On one run we lost two guides to in the water. One of the boats had Grace and Brynn and another girl and Audrey in it. They were on the wrong side of the river and they are not strong paddlers nor did they know what they were doing and just after the spot where they were to get out the river got much rougher...like people could die on it. Miraculously, and by that I believe they were helped by ministering angels, they did get to shore in the right place and were safe.

After that we drove another many hours to arrive at our camp site just before dark. It was very beautiful and we quickly set up. The girls were so helpful. We got dinner made and had a devotional and then the girls begged to go to bed. It was almost midnight by this time (I guess we wore them out!).

Day 2 everyone slept until 8am. We spent the day seeing some awesome sights . The river was amazing. It was all white water and the spray blasted up onto the road. Grizzly Falls was a favorite of everyone. Standing 20 feet away you still got completely wet from the water pouring off the falls.

We went to Crystal Cave, which was super neat. Saw the world's biggest tree, and the 2nd biggest tree.

Day 3 was a hike, with a bear sighting! and an afternoon of crafts.

We had very little drama, which is unusual with 17 girls :) They were awesome. They worked hard and played hard.

Bro. Abramson teaching Grace and Charlotte how to build fires.

We had golden hours each night and devotionals each morning. The girls did all the cooking and it was good! They did the cleaning too.

me and Rachel and Audrey

We enjoyed a fireside testimony meeting.

testimony meeting

We saw 3 bears, a family of raccoons, many deer & squirrels, bats, blue jays, tons of bugs and other birds.

Paige, Mia, Kelly and Hannah

We slept well, and were hot and sweaty the whole time. We did have one incident with some noisy neighbors. Late one night a man from their group, who had been drinking, came knocking on the girls tent asking to be let in. He left glow sticks for them and they were freaked out. It was probably innocent but still unwelcome. Knocking on a strangers tent at 11pm is never a good idea and they were scared.

in front of Grizzly Falls

Other that that the girls said they had an awesome time. Rob and I sure had a terrific time. We love to serve together, and nature is beautiful. It was super fun to be there with our girls too.