Are we Campers...? Indeed we are!

We headed up into the Uintahs (July 8-9) to set things up a few days before scout camp and to enjoy the beauties that are the mountains. It was Matt, Tyler, Amy, and I along with John B., Johno, Jess, and Piper. For some reason Caroline thought it might be a challenge to keep the twinlettes out of the fire and constantly be peeling them off of John, so she opted for a "girls night" with Juliet and Claire. She may have a point there, but we sure hope they can make it to the next one.

We got a bit of a late start, and I dare say we would have wondered a great deal if we didn't have walkie talkies to get some direction from John, who had left before we did. But we found the spot, pulled up and quickly started getting ourselves set up. Since John had arrived before us he already had a fire going and a delish dinner in the dutch oven (bless his heart).

We also made peach cobbler and had s'mores (doi, who goes camping and doesn't have s'mores?). It got pretty chilly as soon as the sun went down, so we headed into tents. We played some games and chatted but soon headed to bed. The next morning we were up and going pretty early. Can you see the perky-ness.

Something about camping makes getting up early easier...well, Jess might argue with that point.

Matt and John got breakfast going.
We had left overs from the night before, as well one of Matt's camping specialties - biscuits and gravy. It was (not surprisingly) a very happy breakfast indeed.
The kids sat around the fire in the cool morning air. Tyler and Johno were busy sharpening sticks with their knives. They also played some catch, gathered some sticks for the fire, and did a bit of exploring.

Piper Melinda.

Amy Elizabeth.

I wanted to prove my worth at the camp out, so I temporarily took over the wood chopping. I felt tough wielding the ax...until I missed the log completely. (I was close, but apparently "close" doesn't cut the stick.)
The log couldn't withstand the wrath of Vicki for long, though. It succumbed after a few well place swings and grunts.
After breakfast we had to start packing up. Tyler had a game in Salt Lake so Matt, Tyler and I had to leave early. We wanted a group picture, so Matt set up his camera timer and...

Matt, John, Johno and Piper...? Come on, Guys! Where's the goofy-ness.
With a little encouragement we did see a glimmer of goofy.
That's as good as the goofy got. We'll take it!!
We left Amy with the Bensons for some high adventure and exploring. I gave Amy the camera and loved these shots she took of their journey through meadow and mountain.

What is a daddy for?

At first glance you may see only a leaf. But the well trained eye will spot the rare Jessterton camouflaged in the picture as well.

Johno K. Benson

Good times, with people we love, in a beautiful place. Life is good.