Twin Lakes, Stewart Falls, and Grand Adventures at Camp

Superspeed!  I will get caught up.  It gets kind of urgent this time of year because I can't start to make calendars until I've gone through photos.  And what would Christmas be without calendars?  (I'm tempted to find out...)

Speaking of speed, the kids and I drove back from Omaha on a Friday in late July.  Thankfully it was an uneventful trip since we had plans for Saturday morning.  We wanted to make it back for our canyon run with Launch Team.  Here's Eli running with the team for the very first time as we headed down Emigration canyon.  We were amazed by how much the program has grown as we gathered at the top.  There must have been 50-60 kids there, not to mention coaches and parents.  Eli was a younger runner, but far from the youngest.  

We were in for a great surprise at the end of our run--Aunt Christy!  She and Jason drove us back up to the top so we could collect the mini-van.  Pretty view!

In the mood for more scenic vistas, we gathered up Uncle Ben, Uncle Justin, Aunt Brianna, and Ruby and headed up to Brighton ski resort.

From there we hiked part way to around Silver lake, then headed up to Twin Lakes reservoir.

 Hey Christy, do you see what I see?

Um, mountains.


Brooklyn and Ruby are pretty adorable in their matching tie dye.

Good thing these brothers are so strong; their loads are getting heavier.

A couple days later we dropped  Brooklyn off at Trefoil Ranch for the ultimate Girl Scout camp experience, Kickin' It Camp Style.

In many ways, camp is Brooklyn's story to share, so I will leave it for her (especially since I don't have photos.)  Let me just include the descriptive blurb from the camp brochure:

Kickin' It Camp Style: A 10-day camp designed for the guru camper!  Check-in at Trefoil Ranch and experience the ropes course, archery, and horseback riding.  Trek to Camp Cloud Rim and spend time at the pottery studio and waterfront.  Enjoy off-site activities including a rock climbing day trip and a three-day and two-night backpacking adventure.  The experience will also include an off-site high ropes course and river kayaking.

Sure wish I could go to camp!

Eli was particularly envious.  Not that I blame the poor guy.  Cub Scout day camp can't compete.

While Brooklyn was off at camp, we tried to do some adventuring of our own.  Before heading back to Salt Lake, we met Aunt Christy and hiked Stewart Falls up by Sundance Ski Resort.  As you can see, we got nice and dirty in the process.

More beautiful views.

Aunt Christy and Annika rode unicorns for much of the trail.  I remember Annika's unicorn was named Sparkle, but have forgotten the name of Christy's magical creature.

At last, the waterfall.  Pretty picture, Talia.

 Cooling off in the stream.  Brrr!  That mountain run-off is chilly.  Overall, a hike well-worth taking.

 While Brooklyn was at Girl Scout camp, Talia went to Brighton Girls camp.  Originally she was going to attend in June, but had to reschedule the dates because there was too much snow.  Here she is waiting for the charter bus to take them up the canyon.


While she wasn't able to attend the same week as our ward, she met up with a couple cute friends from school and had an amazing experience.  She even conquered the notoriously strenuous Seven Peaks hike.

Before too long, we were reunited with our gals.  Here we are picking up Brooklyn from Camp Cloud Rim.

From all we heard, she likewise had a fantastic experience as she tried all sorts of new things and bonded with her unit.  There were also some harrowing stories, such as when their van got stuck in the sand by the edge of a cliff and the girls helped push it out.  😲  Sometimes I'm glad not to know what's going on until the happy ending is clear.

You know, as grateful as I am for my children to have these grand adventures, I am personally happiest when we are all together and reunited as a family.  Despite the everyday challenges, it's a grand stage of life right now--everyone is home (at least occasionally) and everyone pretty much likes each other.  Can't ask for much more.