Camp Helaman Photos

I finally got the photos off of the camera tonight from our trip to Camp Helaman.

I haven't figured out how to format multiple pictures in the post so please excuse the layout.

I only got a few shots the first day. I was recovering from a touch of food poisoning (it was from eating out, not from Caryn's cooking!) and photography was the furthest thing from my mind.

A great trip!

Camp Helaman

Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday I had the pleasure to attend Camp Helaman with Charles and Jason, 15 and 14 respectively, and 37 other young men from our Stake. It was a remarkable spiritual experience. A few memorable highlights-

The Train Ride-The camp was held at Camp Noyo. Camp Noyo is a Boy Scout Camp on the Noyo River. Camp Noyo was formerly a logging camp and is nestled in second growth redwoods. It is as calm and serene a setting as one can find. Access to the camp is either by a 9 mile road or by the Skunk Train. The Skunk Train runs between Ft. Bragg and Willits and originally serviced the logging camps in the area. It has been running since the 1890's. The engine and the cars of the train date from the 1920's and 1930's. The ride from Ft. Bragg to the camp took about an hour and forty minutes. The weather was beautiful and we rode most of the way in an open car where we stood and enjoyed traveling through the redwoods.

The Camp Theme and Lessons-The Camp Theme was Doctrine and Covenants Section 4. If you are familiar with this scripture you know that it is about the gospel going forth, serving God and the qualities we need to be accepted by him. The scripture focused us on the Priesthood, the Spirit was present and we were all edified.

The Canoe Ride-Along with the spiritual lessons and exercises, there was lots of free time. I spent some time at the waterfront with Charles and Jason. The three of us took a canoe out on the river. The boys paddled at either end. I rode in the middle. They splashed me, I splashed them. What should have been a 10 minute canoe paddle was stretched into a 90 minute water war. Good times with the boys!

The Food-Copious, Delicious, prepared and served with style! Two words Tri Tip!

Great times. Thanks to all who planned, prepared for and delivered this most excellent weekend.

Jason's Big Day

Jason graduated from the 8th grade yesterday! Congratulations. As you can see from the pictures he is one exicited young man. Jason had a hard year this year and is now looking forward to a summer of leisure and sloth. Actually, Jason was selected for the Marin Conservation Corps ReGen project again this summer so he will be spending his days clearing invasive plant species, picking up trash and counting sand crabs for NOAA. Big fun for his 13th summer!

Dad's New Shoes

Missing shoes delayed our arrival at the farewell to our departing dental student friends ice cream social last Friday . . .

So the girls helped me out.

Best wishes and happy trails to all of our loved and missed dental school friends.

Thanks to Kara for the picture!

sj

Opening Night

Apparently we've been living under a rock because I just found out today that practically everyone attending our ward at church, or who has ever attended our ward, has a blog. Not only that, people we know who don't attend our church have blogs.


According to a recent Google search, it's possible we're the last family in the America to start a blog!


And now we have.


So, welcome to our blog. Every post will keep our friends and family, near and far, informed and up to date on the comings and goings, the intrigue, the mystery, the suspense, and the drama that make up the Johnson family.


Every post except for this one . . . More to come!


sj