camp cleanup and canoeing

Our ward was asked to help with cleanup at Zion's camp (an LDS owned camp ground).  We haven't participated in the cleanup for a few years because of other conflicting activities.   We always tease that this isn't real camping but it is a fun place to go.  There are tent sites and cabins.  We opted to stay in a comfortable cozy cabin this time.  

This was our cabin for the night.  It has eight bunk beds with a wood stove.  This camp ground is used for youth camps, scout camps, reunions, and other family outings.  The place gets cleaned and maintained primarily by stake and wards who volunteer their time to come get it done.   There have been many eagle projects (mostly building things) completed at this camp ground.  

We each got our own bunk bed to sleep in.  Elijah was so excited to sleep in the top.  I chose this one for him because he was pretty much corned in with a slim chance of falling out.  It was a rough night of no sleep.  Every movement anyone made caused the beds to creek loudly (WD-40 would have come in handy).  We had to be out of the cabin and ready to work by 8am.   When you stay in a cabin it has to be swept and mopped before you leave.  

We spent a few hours in the morning raking and trimming brush out of camp sites.  Nathan brought our hedge trimmer and was feeling bad about having it.  He would come buzzing through each site while another person was painstakingly cutting each branch with their pruners.   The person would move onto the next site.  

Jarom working hard er. ... playing with a stick.

After cleaning up everyone could go play.  This cargo net was a huge hit especially when an adult would try to shake the kids out of their spot.  

I love this picture.  Nathan is obviously concentrating hard (hence the tongue) on shaking the kids out.  

Jarom nearly getting knocked off his spot.

Elijah loved this

They are claiming that he couldn't shake them off.  

Once we were done we went down the road a ways and went canoeing to Hope Island State Park.  There are some cool state parks in the area .   

Sadie with Mt. Rainier in the background.  

We thought this island was a lost cause till we canoed around to the other side of it.  It would be so fun to own an island like this.  It was a privately owned till it was sold to the state in the 90's.  There is a caretaker but otherwise nobody lives on the island.  

An old engine that Nathan really wants.  

Our canoes near water with Mt. Rainier in the background.  Mt. Rainier is an impressive mountain becuase there are many opportunities to get different views of it as long as it is clear out.  

The kids taking advantage of the few times they get to ride in the back of the truck.