Busy

Like, really busy.

But its a good busy.

Fourth of July we went up to Ouray and enjoyed the hotsprings there for a couple hours, then had dinner on the town. The drive to and from Ouray is amazing. The natural beauty is spectacular, and the curvatious road offers a bit of a challenge, especially in a massive passenger van filled with kiddos.

That evening we set up and watched the fireworks in Silverton. Their display is top notch, best I've ever seen. Plus it is fantastic to listen to the reports echo on into oblivion through the canyons. On top of all this, to bexperiance it sharing a blanket with friends in the cool mountain air.

There were some fireworks the night before too, as I took on a racoon who invaded the lodge. But you'll have to ask me about that story later.

As for now it 2230 and the kiddos are all in bed. They aren't even talking anymore. I'l get a few more monents to myself, then join them in slumber.

G'night.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Pac*Man

Must be laundry day.

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It's a Wonderful Day

Can't just start by saying I'm beat?

It's a good tired. The tired that comes from entertaining eight year olds and keeping teenagers in line. The tired that comes from hours of paddeling kids around a lake in a canoe and climbing mountains. The tired that comes from waking up early, packing each day full of action and adventure, then staying up late to finish up.

It's a good tired, but a good tired none the less.

Today was good day. Worked long at hard. Got up, chased the kids out to breakfast, sat through a meeting, rested for a few mins, taught the young kids how to sneak and shoot, showered, drove to town to cach a check, ate lunch, rested for a few more mins while keeping the kids in check, took my little Wild Colorado kids on a trailess hike, placed a geocache, posted photos to the camp's flickr, ate dinner, supervised kiddos at the river, ate dessert, read with my two kids, tucked my boys in, mopped up a mess from a backed up tilet in the girls cabin, posted to the camps blog, and now am almost ready for bed.

What'd you do today?

Go Time

Alright, after a weekend of festivities its time to buckle down.

I get to be in charge of Wild Colorado again this year, which is cool. We build fires and eat bugs and stuff. But even cooler is the fact that the shelter I built last year is still standing!

How's that for sturdy construction?

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Kiddos

So yesterday was showtime: the kiddos showed up. Thus far I'm very impressed with my group. They are extremely diverse but have thus far been mixing nicely.

Today we took them on a bit of a hike to beautiful potato lake. Enjoy the pics.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

It's Showtime

Very soon the children will arrive, and I can't wait. John, my cocounselor, and I went with a Rock theme for a cabin. Its all done up with posters, 45's, 8 tracks, and awesome. We also made guitar pick necklaces for the boys, and made some neat-o name plates for the doors.

Anyway, I think I smell some bacon so it must be time for breakfast.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Staff Camping Trip

As much as I enjoy the kids at camp I love the week before when we get to hang out with just staff. Some time we spend training, some prepping, some just having a great time together.

We had plans to summit Engineer Mountain, but the trip got rained out. We took our backbacks and camped up by a lake instead.

Fabulous times with fabulous people.

Check out mu giant natural pencil in the last photo.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Camp!

Here's a little taste of what we wake up to in the morning.

Today we woke up, went for a walk, caught up with each other, and dug some holes in the ground.

Tonight is the big welcome dinner. Good times.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Onward, Eastward

After the Grandest of Canyons we drove out to Navajo National Monument. It was deserted when we arrived there at sunset. That's when we realized that there would be no rangers the next morning to guide hikes as it would be father's day. So we hiked a couple miles, enjoyed the shadows cast by the setting sun on the canyon walls, then took off for Durango.

We got in at about 0030 and were greeted by friends. The trip was a success.

Stay tuned for updates from camp.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

The Grand Canyon

Which, by the way is NOT a misnomer, it is quite grand.

We rolled up absolutely disgusted at the $25 entrance fee, but then we found out it was a free weekend. Score.

Needless to say, we has an EPIC time peering down and standing on ledges.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre