Camps and Hiking

In the past three weeks or so I've been to both of our stake's Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women camps. Below are photos from the AP Camp. there was a lot of snow very late in the year (who would believe the kids were having snow ball fights, then swimming in the water).

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One of the highlights of this camp was a visit from Elder Robert C. Oaks (Emeritus Seventy). For those who may not know, Elder Oaks is also a retired Four Star General in the Air Force. His remarks to the boys were especially interesting, because he focused on the 13th Article of Faith and obedience to the commandments (specifically: tithing, Word of Wisdom, and morality) rather than just telling war stories (he flew fighters in Vietnam). Afterward, he gave the boys a chance to ask questions, and that's when he gave some details about serving in the armed forces, being shot down over the Mekong Delta, how the ejection seat worked, and whatnot. That's him in the center below. It was great.

Probably his best line of the evening was when he was introducing himself and said: "you may be impressed that I can still fit into my uniform after all these years, well, all it means is that I was fat when I retired."

The two photos below are from a little hike Chris and I took up Adams Canyon, just east of Kaysville. Even though we were a bit concerned that it might rain, we actually had perfect weather for the trip. It was cool and nice. However, there was too much water for us to actually get to the falls where we intended. We got all the way there, but couldn't cross the creek to see them. We had lots of fun.

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And finally, below is a short video of a creek running down from Camp Bountiful, where the YW held their camp this year. I made an exploratory hike down about 1200' from camp (and back up again - very steep - I haven't sweat that much in weeks!) This was a really nice, very overgrown, shaded trail, but steep! I had a good time.