Feb. 2010

Sorry for the delay in writing but between the lack of internet and some unforeseen activities I have not had the opportunity to get this done quicker. I know my attitude about the camp was not so positive when we came. Being greeted by a flooded road did not thrill either of us. However, the camp did have a lot of positives as well. When campers come to a camp they must be busy all the time especially if they are kids or teens. Activities must be provided and at the camps we have worked on those activities are many and are outside. This is an interesting picture of their slide. One of the goals of going down this slide is going fast enough to stay atop the water and land on the bank on the other side without going under the water. Not sure how many actually did that but is was a challenge anyway. Of course, a land lubber like me would not have even tried to go down the slide no matter how fast or slow but I can imagine some of you doing it fast. There were a ton of other activities as well. The next picture is of the small lake looking down from where the slide is. Actually the camp has some beautiful scenery but one has to appreciate desert to appreciate the scenery. We talked to some staff people who totally love the desert and then there are those who are looking to move on to a different environment. To each his own. I would have a hard time getting use to the sand and dryness of the desert. It was almost impossible to keep the carpet in the RV even reasonably clear of sand. And I had thought the temperature would be a little more moderate since it was California but I hadn't factored in that these camps are usually in a higher altitude making the cold and, yes, even snow a greater possibility.

You can see we had a pretty good camping site. We only had 4 couples and there are six RV's, one of the couples worked at this camp since January and won't leave until April 1. They come every year and just pitch in where needed. She spends most of her time painting words on signs to use around the park. They expect pretty professional work from her and they get it. They get the same perks as RVICS people do with free site and utilities but they don't accept a wage either. One couple from Iowa has been coming here for 18 years. She is a seamstress and it is interesting how the camp finds projects for her to do for such a long time. Her husband works in maintenance so he is always kept busy. There daughter is on staff so it is a good way for them to spend time with her and help the camp at the same time.

The unusual part of our month was that I spent 4 days in a hospital in Victorville and 3 days in Mayo clinic having tests. I started out with what I thought would be an office call and because of a rather disturbing reaction to some mixture of liquid a doctor gave me as part of the examination I ended up in the hospital. Absolutely no conclusions were gained in those 4 days. I had the Mayo appointment scheduled earlier so we decided to come home for a week and try to find out exactly what I was dealing with. We did get answers and the result is that I feel satisfied with what they diagnosed and the treatment prescribed.

The week home was so timely as we got to see Donna and Brian a few times as they had just gotten home as well, we made the trip to Sioux Falls and saw Cindy and her girls, we got to make the acquaintance of our new great grandson Tekoah and we got together with my siblings. It was so good to make those connections again. But no trip to Iowa this winter would be complete without a picture of snow. That grill may never be the same. Can't even imagine how that snow just hung on without tipping off. We were reminded that temperatures in California weren't that bad after all. Then we went back to Ironwood for the final days of the project.

The main reason we wanted to work in California this winter was so we could be closer to Gary and Kim and their families. We have taken the opportunity to spend time with each of them and thoroughly enjoyed that. Such gracious hosts they all are!

We are now at The Oaks near Lake Hughes. Again, the feeling of the camp is unique as all are. Our project for the next weeks will be to clean and paint the interior of a double wide mobile home for a new staff member that is coming in. We only have 2 couples on this project so we may spend all of our time in that mobile home and I think that will be good. The work isn't hard and we have gotten use to doing detail cleaning and with 2 guys and 2 gals I think we can get a lot done. It is always interesting to work on something that shows a drastic change (improvement) and this will be such a project. Should prove to be helpful to the camp. After this project we will head to Iowa and be home for a few months? We will see. We do not have projects until the fall.

Hope this finds you all well and able to cope with the snow and now the ice that is taking over.

We love you all and will see you in a few weeks.

Mom/Dad Marilyn/Wilmer