Clayton and I at Grandpa's pool in Florida
April 30th my dear friends from Portland, the Pringles drove up with a truck and a trailer to help me move. Kim Maris, another ranch friend, came over to lend her packing expertise. It seems that I have a lot more belongings then I did when I moved to the ranch 10 years ago, and was able to fit everything into my mom’s little Honda for her to deliver me to Buckley to get a ride from Dave Lewis. I didn’t even have a car back then!
The next day the Pringles and I drove to the ranch and unloaded my belongings in four different locations! (I have since consolidated to three, but I am looking forward to September, when I get my own place and can put everything in one house!) Besides a mini-meltdown the first night, I have jumped into ranch life with my usual vigor and desire to be involved in everything! I was surprised at how easy and seamless the transition was. I love living with the Karrs, my job, the community and all that living in the country and on a YL property entails. Thank you Jesus!
Just two weeks into my time here, Creekside, the new camp on the property, opened. There were a lot of late-nighters/all-nighters for many of the staff and contractors here in preparation for the opening. It is an incredible camp with a mining theme, centered around a great pool with waterslides. It is designed for middle schoolers, and I trust the Lord is going to do some amazing things in the hearts of young people there this summer, and in years to come!
Memorial Day weekend was the much anticipated family camp at Creekside. I was delighted to have so many special people in my life attend the camp. I had the 3-day weekend off and stayed down at camp with Marybeth, Clayton, Beth and Anya. It was a special time of being together and I was happy to show my dear Bellevue friends my ranch life!
The Pringles enjoying a "Sassy treat"
Anya and I at the Carnival
Preston and Margo at the Carnival - those Elephant Ears came back to haunt all us grown-ups!
Our cabin picture - Marybeth, Kari, Beth, Clayton and Anya
Last weekend was the Wild Canyon Games, a crazy 2-day sporting event with teams of 7. It is a fundraiser for Young Life and several other youth organizations. This was its third year, and each year the number of participants has doubled. There were 103 teams this year! On Saturday there was a triathalon that three of the teammates participate in, and simultaneously the other four teammates do a 5-hour geocaching event. In the afternoon each teammate has a challenge event, but the whole team has to be present, so we spent about three more hours running around between the two camps doing the events. Sunday was the “Creek to Peak” challenge, with each teammate doing a leg of the 7-part race, ending at the top of Communication Hill. My part on Saturday was the 15.5 mile mountain bike race. In preparation I bought a new mountain bike and have been riding almost every day of the month I have been here. I have a new bike buddy out here, Curtis, who did the mountain bike part the last two years. He helped me train and we have had fun getting to know each other on long rides around the property.
Curtis at the Fire Tower
"Big Muddy Co-Ed" - go team!
Me starting up the last climb, "Heartbreak Hill"
Now we are just two weeks away from the beginning of camp. There is a lot to do before then, but I am excited about the summer and all that it will bring!
