Seriously?

Many time in life when you make a meaningful suggestion, people don't take you seriously.  Other times when you suggest
something sarcastically, they take you too seriously.  Such is the case with our 'Grinch' Christmas tree.
   

For the last 24 years, The Christmas season has not been much of an enjoyable experience for me.  ( For a complete reason why refer to my very first Blog entry.)  It was filled with long, cold and overworked day.  So this year, things are going to be different. 

When those of us who are staying the winter here at Heber Valley Camp decided to put up a Christmas Tree, they put me in charge of putting on the decorations--under their direction of course!! (They knowing that I have not had much experience in this sort of thing for the last 24 years)

 After it was all done, it definitely looked like something an inexperienced tree trimmer would do, and a 'Grinch' would be proud of.

But thankfully, we decided to do a "Serious" tree also.

Once again, they put me in charge of placing the decoration-under their supervisor of course. 

When all was said and done, it didn't turn out to bad.

After a little hot chocolate, and a warm bon fire

We turned on the lights

and had a 'Seriously' nice looking tree for all our winter campers to see and enjoy.

And I didn't think I would ever be able to say this at Christmas time, but it was Seriously a lot of fun.

Wondering about Winter

We are still here at Heber Valley Girls Camp.  We are being keep busy by tearing out all 2500 bunks in the cabins and replacing them with new ones.  Plus the number of winter campers is picking up.  All we need is more snow. 

Bring it on!

Nome Man

Going to work-

with 6 inches of snow on the roof, and plenty of ventilation.

Made for a beautiful postcard kind of day.

Enjoying the first snow of the year.

Drove up 'Missionary Overlook' to look over the whole camp.

Even the deer were out playing.

Later in the day.
More snow stories to follow I'm sure.

Take Warning

When I looked out my front door this morning, this is what greeted me.
My thought was 'Red Sky At Morning-Sailor Take Warning"

Now nearly 12 hours later.

This is just a WARNING of things to come!

The Winds of Change

Although not as brilliant as in other years, the mountain side is ablaze in different shades of color.  

Each day brings a new variety and contrast.

First came the Maple trees, and not far behind will be the Aspens

Looking down on the town of Heber covered in a shroud of low lying clouds.

The Winds of Change come daily along the road of life.

BEE WARE

Today while Elder Crossley and I were out working, I found this unusual and unique site. 

A colony of hornets built their home where nothing would get to them  .

I don't know if this is an example of the parable "A wise man built his house......." but they are pretty safe.



This is the view from the other side of the Beaver pond.

Now thats a lot of BULL !!

 

 

Fawn Do

Spot on.

Who put this tree in my way? 

 

I lost my mommy.

Trust me-I know where I'm going!

Just wait till next year.

 

 

Look-on top the swing-could that be Grandpa?

Lets get out of here!!!!

FIRE!!!

Fire on the mountain.
The "Ridge Top" fire started about 8:30 Thursday night, but could not be gotten to till early Friday morning.
It was above and behind Camp Hinckley. 

Because our machines could hold 60 Gallons of water and could get through the trees, we were asked to help put out the fire. 

The fire was started by lighting which blew out the top of this very large tree.

We are grateful the rain and the green vegetation keep this fire from spreading.  

The pump on my machine was able to get water up about 30 feet to douse the top of the tree that was still smoldering.

This is what the top of the tree that got blown off looked like after burning all night on the ground.

Things could have been so much worse!

Finally the first responders arrived to help and access the situation.

Refilling my tank and heading back to the fire.

Continuing to put out the 'hot spots'.