Sunday, August 10, 2008

Girls Camp at Island Park

Mesa Falls panoramic shot taken by Ron Bailey

I had the opportunity to attend Clearfield 4th Ward's Girls Camp this year. We went to Island Park, Idaho. The girls really roughed it and stayed in Amy Huggin's cabin. The Priesthood leadership camped outside where the temperature dropped into the upper 30s during the night. I'm not complaining though. We all had tons of fun.

I spent most of the past year regaining my dignity from last year's girls camp where I donned a purple Wendy's wig and made a fool of myself during a So You Think You Can Dance skit. It didn't take long this year for me to loose any dignity that I had built up. This year I did it by squeezing into yellow high heels, at least 3 sizes too small, strutted like a pompous girl, and talked like a little miss sunshine. I couldn't see it myself, but I am told it wasn't pretty. I'm pretty sure cross dressing is not an approved church activity, but at least the Bishop was there, so if a confession was needed, it is already taken care of. The high heels reappeared a couple nights later when Ron Bailey and I put hoodies on to do a turkey war. I came out as a turkey in yellow high heels. Ouch! I was so unbelievably sore the next day.

Poor Sadie must have been humiliated. I think I need to tone down my craziness next year or Sadie will decide she doesn't want to go to girls camp again. She was, however, a good sport as always.

Me wearing my yellow high heels and accessories.

One day we went to Mesa Falls. I found out later that my Dad was involved in designing the walkway that overlooks the Falls. It was absolutely beautiful. The walkway looks directly down on the Falls. There is a permanent rainbow and beautiful cliffs covered in green moss and bright orange lichen. It was picture perfect.

Another day we all floated/walked down a stretch of Henry's Fork Snake River. The water was so shallow that you could walk nearly the whole way down the river. Also, the wind was blowing in our faces so instead of floating down the river, we would stay stationary. It was a serious workout to go down the river. Often, it was easier to get out of the boats or off the tubes and walk. I started in a horrible canoe with the Bishop. We must have swamped the canoe 3 or 4 times before I traded it in for one of the tubes. Part way down the river, the girls and leaders ahead of me saw a moose. Apparently Sadie's canoe drifted about 5 - 10 feet away from the moose. They were very calm, but the group after them freaked out. I didn't know anything about it but I guess the boat I ended up in stopped along the bank right where the moose was coming out. I wish I had seen it.

I did see about 5 moose during the whole trip. One time, the Bishop, Ron and I were on our way into town when we saw a moose. We stopped at the side of the road, got out and began looking at it through binoculars. Within 2 minutes there must have been 30+ people gathering around us. Some of them were pretty stupid and were trying to get as close as they could for pictures. We left before we had to clean up after a trampling.

It is so much fun to see my daughters growing up. I am glad that I am in a position to attend the Young Women's activities. Not a lot of dads get to see their daughters in these types of situations. Sadie is an amazing young woman and I consider myself blessed to have gone with her to camp. Thank you Sadie for putting up with me.

I was also glad that Ron and baby Luke came with Brenda. Ron and I slept outside in their tent. Ron, I am going public with this, you snore like crazy! The ceiling fan and light was great though. Thanks for the good times. -Ryan

1 comment:

Bronda Bailey said...

I'd like to fight back against the snoring comment, but Brenda says I'm really bad. I apologize to the world at large. Did the bishop complain about my snoring, that would have been really bad. Too bad I kicked your butt at turkey fighting!