This last weekend I went on a YSA (Young Single Adult) Tri-Ward camp out. We went to the Heber Valley Camp, an LDS Young Women's campground, which is also available for regular wards and family reunions.
Okay, so now for a confession. When I moved to Utah from California at age 19, I have to admit I was a Sierra Nevada snob! Those were the mountains I grew up next to, literately by the foot hills, a short drive to the grand Sequoia trees. Mountains aren't mountains unless the trees tower the sky! So when I first went camping in Utah, I was disappointed by how short all the trees were, and never felt I was "really" camping.
That's surely changed over the years.
I've truly grown to love Aspen trees, which have a beauty all their own. And on this particular camp out there were all these little black and white butterflies flittering about. There were two hikes I went on, and on the second hike, surrounded by Aspens, flowers, and green brush, there must have been a hundred plus butterflies. It really was absolutely beautiful.
I did not sleep that night! And it wasn't because I didn't make an effort, because I did. A wonderful case of insomnia haunted me, but that didn't stop me from going on the Sunrise hike. After 30 minutes of sleep (finally being able to drift off at 4:30) I woke up at 5:05 a.m. and quickly got ready to meet the group at 5:15.
I didn't even tell my brothers I wanted to go on the hike, so I was very proud of them when they showed up!!! That Early! The whole way there and back I felt like I was about to black out due to exhaustion, but the cool air, nature, and company kept me awake. It was a lot of fun.
Rachel showing off her latest butterfly captor. She has a wicked collection! When you study history, you hear of all these people who collected amazing insects and bugs, but I didn't think anyone still did that. Her collection is simply impressive.
The short ropes course!!!!!! AHHH!!!!!!! So, I went to course 2, which is the easier course (mostly everyone went to course 1). And not knowing before hand the obstacle, plus the fact that I'm still nursing a Stupid ice-skating injury from January, I erred on the side of safety, and boy was I glad I did!
The base of the poll was fairly simple to climb, until the rings showed up, and getting a good grip and foot placement was tricky. My footing got out of place at the top! I had the harness on, and I could feel the rope tighten safely with each step, knowing that if I fell I'd be safe and secure, but that didn't stop the nerves. Before stepping onto the horizontal log I felt my breath quicken, the World beginning to spin. I yelled to the volunteer for help, and she guided me from a distance. When I finally found my footing I paused a moment, trying to still the Earth. I don't know what was more scary: Climbing up and walking across that poll, or riding the teeter-totter ride on top the Stratosphere in Las Vegas.
I think I need to officially acknowledge my fear of heights.
And then I found out from Robbie what the first course entailed! The layout was the same, but the climbing poll wasn't secure to the ground, possibly swinging as you climbed, and instead of a horizontal log, it was a rope of sorts. Scary! Yeah, I don't even think I would have made the attempt!
We didn't sleep in these tents, but it probably would have been nice! Cool air and a soft foam mattress. We stayed in the cabins.
Ha! Okay, finale thought. The camp is ran by LDS elderly couple Service Missionaries. Throughout the grounds you can see their parked RV's, and they travel around via 4-wheelers. From early morning to late at night you can hear them 4-wheeling about. When I think Service Missionaries I think of the Cannery or helping guide tours at the conference center. Not this! So cute!
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