The showers actually came and went, and the afternoon of the last day the sun even came out! Activities this year included arts and crafts, workshops, lessons, singing, eating, devotionals, game night, archery target shooting, bucking hay bales, four-wheeling,
hiking, exploring, sightseeing, napping, photography, free time, and spelunking!
The first two days Grandpa Dave taught us all everything we needed to know to become skilled archers!
We all spent time working on our form, technique and sighting in our bows.
For many of us (except Grandma) the guided tour through Minnetonka Cave was the highlight of the camp.
Originating millions of years ago and discovered in 1906, the half mile long cave has 9 rooms of fascinating stalactites, stalagmites and other formations.
The air temperature is a constant 40 degrees, and the cave is still considered "alive" - but it's hard to tell, as the formations continue to grow at a rate of about a half-inch per ten thousand years!
Back at "camp", Clover had a great time exploring, and "bounding" through the tall grass like a gazelle!
With three four-wheelers in camp this year, everyone had the opportunity to do some riding.
We covered many miles on some beautiful forest roads and OHV trails.
Each day included brief workshops or devotionals, as Grandpa shared his wisdom,
and always found a way to relate the day's activities to a spiritual lesson.
The last day culminated with a high-stakes 17-round archery tournament.
He also gave all the kids (and some adults) rides, and took some great pictures for us! It was another awesome camp to remember - especially since the oldest cousin (Zac) just graduated from high school, and may not be here for next year's camp. Thanks for the great time Grandma & Grandpa W. 
Here's a quick video of some Camp highlights!
We set up our gliders and put on a 10 minute demonstration for each class as they rotated through a number of static displays and activities - all related to flying!
With an emphasis on fun and safety, Cody talked about: 1) Hang gliders can go up - not just down, 2) We hang from the glider - not hang on to them, and 3) the airfoil shape of the glider allows it to fly (the wing is the thing!) At the end of each class one of us did a ground run with my big Falcon to show actual "flight".
It was great to share with the kids and to see Cody at home "in his element" (as Bruce said) relating to the kids on their level. Altogether we talked to over 300 kids from grades K-5, planting the seeds, no doubt, for a number of future pilots!
With the holiday weekend upon us, we decided to take a family hike on the moderately strenuous and historic Crimson Trail.
The streams were running high with snowmelt, and the hillsides were all bright green.
It was a warm, partly cloudy day with a nice breeze to make the steep climb not too hot.
Clover had no problem keeping up, and enjoyed being out on the trail.
We paused along the way so Tanner could show everyone his rock "slinging" technique.
Then Landon,
and Josh had a turn. 
The trail climbs a couple of miles,
until it tops out along the rim of a geologic formation know as the China Wall.
The view from on top is breathtaking, 
and a bit scary in places
just ask Keri! 
From on top we could see across the canyon to the "Wind Caves",
formed by the forces of wind and water on the limestone rock.
We continued on the 4.3 mile trail loop as it descended back to the canyon floor,
and then followed the cool river back to our starting point,
where Tanner and Landon could not resist dipping their heads in the icy water!
Launching felt different than my U2, but still a piece of cake. I immediately climbed about 300' over launch in a gentle thermal. I soon found the thermals to be weak and fragmented, not allowing for more than one or two circles in lift.
I scooted back and forth along the launch ridge, as Cody launched and proceded to show me where the good thermals were hiding. It ended up being a light, up and down day, making it difficult to gain enough altitude to safely bench up onto the upper mountains. After over an hour of scratchin', I finally found a thermal I could drift with back to the upper face, but it was not producing, so I quickly headed back out front, and boated around in some lower level glass-off.
The new glider flew straight, true, trim and sweet. The bar pressures are surprisingly light for a single-surfaced glider. It responded quickly to all of my control input, even with such a light wing loading. I did notice the decrease in glide compared to my U2, but I know that will improve when I add a co-pilot! Although we didn't sky-out, it was still some very nice, much needed airtime.
Airtime: 1.5 hours! "Yeeee-Haaaaw!" 
Byron Stripling! His resume includes performing with numerous famous orchestras all over the US, as well as voice and acting on Broadway, television and motion pictures. He has played and recorded with such bands as Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Carnegie Hall and the Philharmonic among many others. 
His incredible talent, along with his witty sense of humor and ability to improvise with all three of the bands this evening was captivating. Next, the All Northern Jazz Ensemble - including, none other than...
Josh! 
The last set of the evening was the USU Jazz Orchestra, also featuring special guest Byron Stripling! Here is more (audio only) Vimeo to check out: 
First task was assembly of the launching pad.
Then, careful placement of the rocket,
...with a little help from the dads, of course!
Then careful connection of the electronic launch controller clips to the igniter wire ends.
Then activation of the safety pin, final countdown, launch button....JPG)
...and, Lift-Off!!
Some rockets went about a thousand feet up, while a few climbed what appeared to be over 2,000', until they were just a speck in the sky, and then floated back down to earth under canopy or streamer. A gusty SouthEast breeze made trajectory calculation a bit tricky, but there were only two roof landings - one on the nearby church and one on the elementary school. (Both were successfully recovered, but that's another story!) 
