Hiking/Camping

This is the long awaited backpacking trip. Rachel asked her dad at least 3 years ago to go backpacking. The date was finally set, then we realized that we didn't own any backpacking equipment. So this was a modified trip - they established a base camp and went for a day long hike. - Melissa

On Friday Dad, Bret and Rachel went camping near Herring Creek and Watershed Lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California!

This almost-tame doe walked right up to within 5 feet of us! She was beautiful, with big, brown eyes.

The hike from the truck to the edge of the "wilderness" was like a garden.

Starting on our hike into the wilderness.

What a magnificent wilderness it is. You could see where a glacier had scooped out practically every inch of soil and ground the granite smooth.

Just starting out into the barren wilderness.

This was about 11:00 am and just about at the bottom.

We sat here and ate our lunch. What a view.

Our first glimpse of Watershed Lake. Truly an oasis.

There was a Geocache around here somewhere...but where!

Rachel relaxing overlooking the lake.

Was the Geocache near "Oven-Mitt Rock"? Nope.

Eventually we gave up on the Cache and headed back. Down off of "Oven-Mitt Rock, across the wilderness and...yes...BACK UP the "face".

This was the local wildlife and entertainment all in one. This little guy (about a foot and a half long) was just doing a little sun bathing until we showed up. Then, quick as a flash, he dashed off into the nearest puddle and buried himself in the mud at the bottom. Best of both worlds, I guess.

Beginning the treck back. At this point Dad was ready to be back at camp eating Pringles and Salami...but we were only 1/2 way there!

Yup...we have to climb up that. Really, at this point, we're half way up after our 5th rest. Notice Rachel's smile? She was the only one smiling...Bret and Dad were concentrating on not passing out!

Bret celebrates the end of our 6 mile hike. He was saving that last gulp of water until we reached the truck.


I think there were 20 cows and this was probably the only one that did NOT have a cow bell. We got to listen to the clinking of the bells periodically through the night.


Dad sleeps on the picnic table after the gruelling hike. Dad must have some royal blood in his veins...see how many mattresses it took for him to finally sleep?

Warming our bacon (breakfast).

Another great hike on Saturday.

We had a great time! The forest was beautiful! I'm sure this rock has a name...we'll call it Fortress Rock.

It was a great camping/hiking trip. We've already started a list of items to bring next year. Trust me, a porta-potti is on that list!

-Wade and Rachel

Family Camp

This year RGBC returned to my favorite Family Camp spot. For the first time in 8 years Wade and I were not on the camp board - whewhuu!!! We got to sit back and relax! In fact, it felt so weird when we were packing. We didn't have anything extra to bring, nothing to shop for, hardly any stress! We liked it this way! For several reasons we opted for a tent this year instead of our trailer. The most important being -Lilly. This was the first time she ever slept in a tent:)! She slept with her brothers and sister while mom and dad camped right next door. I had a hard time with this at first, but eventually realized she was much closer to me than she is at home in her bedroom!
Bret and Wade spent much of their free time playing airsoft with all the boys, and an occasional grown up. I have some terrific pictures in my head of these handsome boys all dressed in their gear. However, for most of the weekend my camera was not nearby. While the guys played airsoft - Lilly, Rachel, Garret and I took off with some other families to the nearby lake. We rented a party boat, swam, ate and enjoyed each other's company. (I didn't have my camera -grrr!)
Sue spent her free time on this industrious project. She is shelling almonds. Rachel was a good helper.
Martin after our chapel service this morning.
A very cute couple! Michelle can copy this and send it to them - thanks!
One of the most special parts of family camp is the camp fire! Here we encourage one another in song and word. The first night the children were encouraged to obey their parents. Ephesians 6:1. Parents were encouraged to protect their children and train them in the way of the Lord. Saturday, we were enthralled with some stories from the book of Acts. Pastor Tim encouraged us to be ready to stand for Christ. I plan to start re-reading Acts this week. This morning the lesson was for the parents - Psalm 119:33-48. We were encouraged to teach our children to love the Word of God. Wow! I plan to meditate on this as well.

After our camp fire talk - there are always marshmallows!
The next two pictures are for Uncle Jon. Can you guess what the kids are playing?
Mafia!

Wade and another techy dude! This is their serious face!
This is their happy face! He is a missionary and familiar to those of us around RGBC.
Here's Wade ready for another game, what? The kids are too tired! Wade outlasted them all!
Continued worship after the service was over!
Family camp is a great place to make new friends!


Well, the date is already set for next year. Same place, same weekend. We're all looking forward to it!

Wade and Bret's Weekend

Wade and Bret traveled 8 hours north to enjoy a weekend of doing what they like best.
Papa joined them one day.
Bret calling home to give us a weather update. Lot's of rain! That's ok - they had plenty of time to spend with Uncle Rog & Aunt Ellen. They were spoiled by all the good cooking (thank you!). They didn't eat the mac and cheese, or canned clam chowder I packed for them!
Here comes the sun, and a little more fun!