Last Bash

Adirondacks Rule! The final trip for the graduating seniors took place in June and it was a good one. We left on a Wednesday and came home on Friday. In between was an absolutely beautiful day of hiking, climbing and swatting black flies. TC cooked us a great breakfast, we packed some food and water and were off. Our destination was Avalanche Lake.

The weather was sunny and cool which was perfect for hiking. For the most part, the hike was simple. Not too much in the way of elevation or difficult terrain. Dave almost got us lost taking a left turn at Marcy Dam when we should have gone straight but clearer heads prevailed. On the way to Avalanche Lake we stopped at the front end of Avalanche Pass. The rock face went up about 1000' and looked too cool to pass up. We did have to scramble over a rather large wall of downed trees - remnants of the last avalanche. Once on the face, however, the climbing was easy. Plenty of traction due to the type of rock (geologists are welcome to inform here). We all climbed at least 500' up the face where we posed for a group shot (Whiteface is the peak in the distance). Jake and Chelsea felt the need to climb higher and finally stoped around the 800' mark. Jake always had to go one step higher than Chelsea but Chelsea's competitive nature wouldn't let him win. I think they just reached a mutual agreement and turned around together.

Once at Avalance Lake, we stopped for summer sausage and cheese pitas. They went down well and gave us the required energy to scramle over the boulders and ladders to get to the end of the lake. What you can't see in the picture are the swarms of black flies. The breeze would keep them at bay but when the breeze died, they were everywhere. We snapped our token picture, peed in the woods and went back. We finished the day with meatball subs followed by an ice cream run to Lake Placid.

I love being in ministry and have had many great experiences with teens over the years. What made this trip so great was seeing how these kids care for each other. The conversations ranged everywhere from pop music to deep spiritual questions. They wrestled with each other over contemporoary issues but kept their friendship a priority. All in all, it was one of the best trips.

Stuff, Stuff and More Stuff!!

Greg and I have been married for 13 years and this move will be our 8th!! We have been in our house for 4 1/2 years, by far the longest we have been in one place. With all of our experience moving we have learned how to weed out, throw out, give away and sell lots of stuff. I thought we ran a pretty tight ship but some how stuff just appears. It is kinda like the Tribbles episode of Star Trek if any of you remember that. Every time you open a cupboard, more stuff falls out, often quite literally, LOL!!

The boys are at camp this week so Greg and I used the time to prep for a garage sale that we are having the next three days. We figure it will fund the new stuff we will probably buy after we move!! Aren't we such silly creatures?! The morning was a steady flow of people taking all my stuff to their new home. I shed no tears, all I see is one less box to pack and move. It was brutal earlier this week prepping because of the crazy heat and humidity but today it is a beautiful sunny, yet cool day.

Greg and I are taking advantage of the kidless week by having dinner out each night. We saved some gift cards just for the occassion and have enjoyed our time immensely! On Tuesday we went out with Mom and Dad to celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary. What a great meal that was...flaming peaches and all. Last night we got together with some friends to have dessert and play some games. I so enjoyed making a fool of myself playing charades! Good thing they are friends!

That post from Greg is coming, I am going to send him in shortly to take care of it. I know you will enjoy the photos of their trip to the mountains.

An item for prayer, if you feel so inclined. I spent Monday on the phone with lawyers, bank people and such making sure all our ducks are in a row for the closings in two weeks. It all seems to be on schedule but the bank guy had to throw in there that only 50% of closings happen as scheduled. Well, that is why I am calling you....to keep you on track!! If you could, please pray that we are the part of the 50% that do close as scheduled. If it doesn't it will affect our vacation and that is not cool!

Here is a picture of the boys as we dropped them at camp. Their friends Max and Frank are there this week as well. They couldn't get rid of us fast enough!!