Grace to You: July 2016

July 25-27, 2016 - Part 8

Sad to be heading home already, but happy to be enjoying the scenery along the way.

There's the westbound lane above the eastbound lane we were in on I-70.

It was a beautiful day for traveling.

I am amazed at the variety of colors and textures in the mountains here.

That's all, pardners.

July 25-27, 2016 - Part 7

One of my favorite activities was watching a mama violet-green swallow feed her baby(ies) hidden in an aspen tree hole.

I love this wide open little beak! He saw mama coming long before I did.

Isn't she beautiful??!

July 25-27, 2016 - Part 6

We hiked along the creek one morning over terrain that looked so iconically western.

This was the reward for our efforts. We were told there was a waterfall...I admit we were looking for something a little more impressive. :)

July 25-27, 2016 - Part 5

Yule Creek runs through the camp. It was right behind our cabin and we fell sleep to the sound of it rushing over the rocky creek bed.

This and the next picture are another example of the drastic differences in the sun's lighting. I think I prefer this overcast one.

I included this one, though, because of what's perching in the top of the pine tree in the middle of this shot.

This was as close as I could get, but it looks like a hawk of some type.

This little foot bridge over the creek was behind our cabin.

The camp was full of aspen trees. One of the staffers told me that aspens always grow in stands because their roots are connected.

We were walking along one of the side streets when this little leaf, with the golden sunshine coming through it, caught my eye. Isn't that glorious?!

This is the volleyball court at Avalanche Park. The dirt hill in the foreground was created while cleaning up from the avalanche to try to direct the snow away from camp should another avalanche occur.

The campfire pit at Avalanche Park. I took this and the next photo from approximately the same spot, but the sun's lighting is completely different in the two photos.

One of the campfires we enjoyed while we were there.

One of the skits we enjoyed by the staffers.

More entertainment from the staffers and the founder/director (the older cowboy in the middle), while at a cook-out one evening.

Tracy at a small campfire outside the dining hall.

Jed being entertained by his dad. :)

July 25-27, 2016 - Part 3

There were humorous signs all over the buildings. The next few photos show some of my favorites.

We were shocked to see Charlotte at the top of this directional sign! We learned later, though, that it is the name of the founder's daughter. :) However, I'm going to look up the distance from the camp to Charlotte NC and see if they'll add the mileage to the sign. :)

July 25-27, 2016 - Part 2

This is the girls' side of camp, which also happens to be where all the other buildings are too...their shower and bathrooms to the right, the dining hall in the back right, and the trading post on the left. This is what you might call the town square.

The same buildings, taken from the other end of the street...the dining hall on the left and the trading post on the right, with one of the girls' teepees in the middle.

One of the side streets with the chapel on the right, an old-time photo booth past it, a well house on the left, and the girls' shower house past it. I loved how everything was tucked into the woods.

The dining hall in all its glory. :)

The dining hall from the other end.

The outdoor seating area of the dining hall under the canvas roof, the deck off that, and the small pond beyond.

One of the speakers for the camp stayed behind after lunch one day and talked with some of the parents.

The chapel exterior. This structure has a wood front and back, but the middle is actually a tent. The original chapel, which was situated at the end of this road in what is now called Avalanche Park, was destroyed in an avalanche 3 years ago.