This weekend we attended a family camp that is put on by an organization called Operation Military Kid. We went to the North Shore to a YMCA camp that is the BOMB! We arrived Friday afternoon and left Sunday afternoon. Friday was pretty uneventful and we just got settled and enjoyed the evening at the beach. The accommodations were very much like camping, but we had a bed and shower and hot meals. Our little cabin (which we shared with a friend and her two girls and another family- with a Dad and all) was pretty much cement floor, 16 bunks and two bathrooms. We didn't spend much time in there needless to say. There were several other families we knew staying the weekend also, so it was pretty fun running into familiar faces at different activities and having meals together.
Saturday was really fun. We were up at the crack of dawn ready for new adventures! In the morning the kids hung out and made cards for Jason, swam in the pool and did a little archery. I enjoyed a little quiet on the beautiful beach. After lunch we hooked up with a friend of mine for the Odyssey High Ropes Course. It was a team building obstacle course that you had to wear a safety helmet and harness for. There were different ropes, obstacles and other challenges that you had to overcome- while about 100 ft in the air! At the end was a zip line to get down. The kids were fearless; I had white knuckles through most of the adventure, but came out just fine. We only had time to complete the top level, so next time we'll have to finish the course. (pics to come)
We raced from that and ran to the bus to go ocean kayaking. This was our first time out kayaking and it was FUN! The kids were in their own kayak and I had a friend's little girl with me. We saw a few sea turtles, but mostly used the time to hone our kayaking skills. Because of the safety factor (not to mention the surf was pretty rough) we had to stay in a little cove area. We can't wait to get a kayak and head out to some of the more interesting areas of the island.
We finished the evening with a group campfire, songs and exhaustion.
Sunday morning was Easter. My friend Erica and I got up at 6 am (the kids were still wiped out from the day before) to attend the sunrise service on the beach. It was BEAUTIFUL! The sun was coming up over the mountains, the ocean was gorgeous and even the whales were out spouting off. Praise the Lord for such a treat on Resurrection Day!
When we arrived back at the cabin and got the kids moving, there was a little visitor at our door. Yesterday Ashley and I had seen him around dusk and frankly scared the snot out of me. Wild boars are common around here and not to be messed with. He seemed more interested in our trail mix than our knee caps. The kids named him bacon. I found out later that he is a regular around camp. After breakfast, we headed out for a mountain hike up to a little crystal cave area (pics above). The hike was nice and the view beautiful.
Our last big adventure for the weekend was the Alpine Swing. Watch the videos, it's pretty funny. Ashley was brave, even though I called her a chicken. She had a great time after she got down from the harness. Hunter was just too cool to make any squeals, but said it was fun after he came down too. Both are excited to do that again.
We all came home this afternoon and crashed. What a fun weekend! Back to the rat race.
