Camp Out!

So, the much anticipated campout on the mountain finally arrived. We set out on sunday afternoon, eight strong and ready for adventure. The kids showed up with plastic nylon bags stuffed with all their gear, and it became apparent that we weren't going to make the hour and a half ascent easily or quickly. Luckily, one of the kids' dads sent his delivery driver to take us halfway up in a pickup truck. I missed that photo opportunity, but the eight of us together with all of our stuff riding up the mountain definitely drew some looks. I optimistically brought my puppy along for her very first camping trip (!), as if I didn't have enough on my hands bringing six newbie campers on a backpacking trip....

We arrived at the top of the mountain, found a sweet campsite under the pine trees, and set about gathering firewood, throwing up tents, and getting a fire going..
Simplicity was the name of the game for dinner, i brought like 20 hot dogs, buns, and a bottle of ketchup and had the kids find good roasting sticks, and we actually roasted hot dogs on sticks over the open fire. Sometimes simplicity is key.
For dessert i had to initiate the kids with S'mores, hershey chocolate and everything. (marshmallows also roasted on sticks) There were big smiles all around the campfire.

Also brought pork chops, roasted over the open fire-Yum!

Bella was hilarious when we finally got to bed around midnight-having never been camping before she nevertheless recognized instantly what the sleeping bag was all about and burrowed herself in before i could even finish zipping it up. I think shes going to like this 'camping' thing after all.

Bright and early, we were up with the sun.

Apparently didnt get enough of the hot dogs and marshmallows the night before and had another go at it for breakfast.

Then it was time to pack up and head out-we hiked down to the "Chivaretto" letters-large Hollywood style metal letters spelling the county name on the side of the hill overlooking Chivaretto county-before heading home.

All in all-a great trip. Initiated five kids, plus my counterpart to the joy of camping, which for me is a success in itself. When we got down the hill this morning, before parting ways, they only had one question-When are we going again??

Almost there..

At the top of Volcano Santa Maria.



New snake in my park! (Rhadinea sp. still not sure...)

You can eat this one!

Here we are, halfway through november. All I can think about is going to honduras a week from now for a week of romance, snake catching, and rum drinking with my man, and my favorite professor and grad students from cal poly! Since my last post, I climbed my first volcano with friend Emily who lives in an aldea close to me, at 3722m or roughly 12,000 feet. Whew! now i want to climb the rest!

Also finished my youth group-almost. the campout is this sunday and im getting ready, hoping for the best, and crossing my fingers for no rain!

Youth group has gone alright-with attendance dwindling the second two meetings... I've learned that planning an activity for Monday morning at 8 am is probably not a good idea..even in the best of circumstances. I am, however, not working in the best of circumstances-im working in Guatemala.... which presents unique work challenges; among them the famous hora chapina-which pretty much guarantees that you will be at least an hour behind in any activity you plan or show up for.

So next time I plan an activity like this, I think I will do it on a Tuesday...and we won't start until 9 am. which will work out better for all involved, I think. Other than that, not a whole lot to report. I'm sure i'll have an amusing tale for you after the campout Sunday.