6th Annual Camping Trip

This year's camping adventure was just outside of downtown Crouch and just over the fence from the Starlight Mountain Theater.  We had a giant campsite with shade just on the edges that we had to chase throughout the day.  We moved the chairs and picnic tables 3 times. River Pond Campground is run by an interesting old man, who takes cash and good checks. He gets around with his riding lawn mower and old golf cart.  There was a pond that was completely overgrown with plants, and the river that was shallow and perfect for wading. Here's a few of the highlight:

• The McClures were the first to arrive.  Their tent was up and the kids had found a shady hideout to play in before anyone else showed up.  Bry and I-guy rode in the back of Grandpa and Grandma's car, with a big black storage bag on top.  The taller passengers had thick black straps obscuring their view or scrapping their heads. Thanks to Brent and Krystle for bringing up all of Bry's gear.  Everyone was loaded to overflowing.  Someone in this family needs to buy a big truck!  Brent, Krystle, and Joe were the last to arrive, but they made it well before dinner.
• Grandpa and Grandma took a drive into town for ice and styrofoam cups.  Crouch has a new deluxe supermarket and a very nice park and library.
• Both Mike and Grandpa hurt their backs earlier that day.  Ibuprofen for both of them, limited movement, and maybe a little less enthusiastic, but they were troopers.  
• Stace made foil dinners with turkey burgers, veggies, rice, and a lot of cream of mushroom soup.  They were super delish!  Everyone cleaned their plates, even Maycee who had to be threatened with no s'mores.  Mike chowed down on a full pound patty with all the fixin's.
• This year's s'mores featured Mounds, Reeses, and Hershey bars.  The marshmallows were giant and the kids were pro roasters.  Thanks, Bry!!!
• We didn't need to sing around the campfire because we could hear the Starlight Mountain Theater production.
• Krystle and Joe were the first to bed. We were low on firewood so we were all in bed by about 11:00 when the show was over.
• Our only wildlife sighting was the little gray camp cat that hung around our campfire and was there to greet us in the morning.
• Before breakfast, Grandpa, Grandma, and Hads took a trip to town for more firewood and another tank of propane for the stove.  (How could we bring so much stuff and be unprepared!)
• Mike prepared hot chocolate for everyone and sliced up oranges.  Brent and Krystle brought everything for our breakfast featuring our traditional omelets in a bag.  Very tasty!  We tried monkey bread in the dutch oven, but it needed a sweeter dough, more butter, and much more cinnamon and sugar.  
• The kids went on their treasure hunt.  There were 22 clues and it took about an hour. Besides candy, their treasure included big glasses, monster slingshot kites, necklaces to make, boats to build, and message in a bottle kits to record their memories of camping.
• The adults sat around working on crossword puzzles and chatting.
• Lunch was walking tacos, veggies and dip, and watermelon.  We had to move the kitchen from one side of the campsite to another just to stay in the shade.
• Everyone except Mike (he took down the tent and loaded up) walked down to the river. The kids got wet, floated their boats, skipped rocks, and splashed around for slow-motion videos.
• Brent, Krystle, and Joe headed home after the river.  This year's youngest, Joe, was amazing.  No crying, no fussing, just chill.
• The rest of us headed to the ice cream parlor in Crouch.  That was a perfect ending to camping - sweet and refreshing.

And finally....I have pictures.

Youngest Camper - 4 months

4 more bites or you don't get s'mores

Happiest Camper

Smoky

The fires in the Idaho mountains have been making national news.  They've also been making the air in Boise very smoky.  Many days we haven't been able to see the foothills.  Some days the smoke gets trapped close to the ground and it's like driving through fog in the morning.  The fires aren't close to being contained and never will be.  They'll be put out when the snow flies.  It's been about three weeks of red air alerts and the smell of something burning.  We're praying for the fire fighters, some rain in the mountains, and wind here in the valley. 

You should be able to see the foothills down the street.

2 Alarm Fire

The 2 alarm fire that burned a garage and damaged a house was just around the corner from us.  It was pretty exciting to see six big fire trucks, two ladder trucks, two fire vehicles, the paramedics, two police cars, and the channel 2 news fly down our street.  Hudson and Hadley were treated to a loud parade.  Thankfully people and pets were okay.  It provided plenty of excitement, but the thing that stood out to Hudson was a girl that rode her bike into a pole while she was looking at all the action.  That's something that he can relate to.  He was also impressed (as was everyone) with the car in the garage with a melted bumper.

Royal Reality Show

We don't have TiVo and can't DVR so I went to bed thinking if I woke up and felt like it I would get up and watch the wedding.  I did wake up at 2 and spent the next hour fussing in my mind about a couple boys in my class.  That seemed like it wasn't working, so I decided to get up at 3 and turn on the TV.  I saw everyone arriving for the first hour, then the wedding, then the carriage ride, and then the balcony scene.  I loved it!  It was comfy on the couch, quiet, and I was all alone.  I thoroughly enjoyed every hat, custom, and comment.  I don't know why, but I did.  I'm glad I got up and watched William and Katherine and the wedding of the century.  Tonight I wanted to watch all the Entertainment Tonight and 20/20 shows for a few more tidbits, but Terry thought Dr. Oz (stomach noises and gas) and the Channel 12 News at 9:00 was a better idea.  Really?  It just made me appreciate the beauty of the morning solitude more.

Who doesn't love freedom?

I think that I should take the time to note that after 18 days of demonstrations, the Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak, has given up power, and stepped down after 30 years.  Egyptians want a democracy.  It will be hard, but I'm hopeful for them.  It was scary watching the demonstrations, thinking that it could turn into a blood-bath, or another Islamic extremist state.  The Middle East is such a tumultuous area.  I do think that most people see the freedoms that we have, and want that kind of government.  I'm happy for Egyptians today.  The row they need to hoe now is as long as the Nile, but it's a happy day.  I'm thankful to be an American.