Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Countdown....4 more days!

Departure Day is only a few days away, but you know what that means....it's CRAZY around here! I'm trying to get laundry done so we have something to wear up at camp, and I'm trying to get it packed into suitcases before the boys snatch the clean clothes away to wear now! And let me tell you, when you have to pack for camp, you don't just pack shorts and t-shirts. Given it's location up north--directly on Lake Superior, it can be downright COLD up there this time of year. So that means we pack not only summer clothes, but winter clothes too. By that I mean sweatshirts and jeans, jackets, etc. And don't forget the rain gear needs to be packed as well. And there are the numerous pairs of shoes you must bring because you need work shoes, flip flops, boots (the guys typically wear boots doing their "manly" jobs), etc. All in all, we bring everything we own, including the kitchen sink, LOL!

Regardless, I still giddy with excitement to leave. Since I've got so much to do, I'm keeping todays post short (relatively speaking). I made this card last weekend, and I think it turned out pretty cute. Love the papers (Fancy Pants), and the layout. Bella is colored using Copic markers.

Look at these camp pictures I have to show you today! The first one is not actually at camp, per se, but it's a picture taken on the shores of Lake Superior in a town called Grand Marais, MN. I think it's located about 20 minutes north of camp. Every year, rain or shine, we drive to Grand Marais for an afternoon after we're done working. It's a small, quaint, beautiful town. It is also known as the entrance to the Gunflint Trail, a MN Scenic Byway. Grand Marais sits right on the edge of the Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Superior National Forest.
This is a picture I found on Wikipedia of Voyageurs National Park up in the Boundary Waters. Unparalled beauty.

ANYWHOOOOO, when we go to Grand Marais for a day, the first thing we do is head for the shore to skip rocks. The shot above is from last year's rock skipping party! This is my hubby and my boys all throwing rocks together. We've have had some great family memories created in this very spot.....These next pictures introduce you to a group called, affectionately, Westy's White Whales. Westy is short for Westerman, that's my last name. I'm not sure exactly HOW this group of young boys (men) actually started up at camp, but it is now a well established, respected group amongst the campers. That's my hubby in the bright blue shirt. This picture was taken just after they ambushed and indoctrinated a new deserving member into their humble midst. You can tell who he is by the wet shirt......all the founding members hid outside the mess hall waiting for Pat to come out, and when he did, they ambushed him with pitchers filled with ice water, yikes!!!! Naughty boys. They are all a bunch of jokesters!

This is a picture of The White Whales doing a skit at lunch last year.....they lined up and moved throughout the mess hall pretending they were a whale swimming through the water.....all of a sudden, one of them spews water out of his mouth, insinuating it was the whale blowing water out of his blow hole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can see the last two guys at the end of the line laughing hysterically right after Jimmy spewed the water (he is the guy third from the right). I have never laughed so hard in my life! These boys are so wonderful, and we are blessed to call them friends. They are part of what makes COP so special to us.

Are you beginning to get a clearer picture why this place is so special to us? I hope so!

Have a great day!

Hugs,
Amy

9 comments:

  1. I can definitely see why this place is so special to you guys. I know you're going to have a blast this year. Your card is adorable!!

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  2. Amy. . .thanks for sharing the fun you guys have at COP! It truly does look like loads of fun! My family and I are actually headed up to MN tomorrow to visit my in-laws. We're looking forward to the cooler weather for a few days. Your card is cute too. Your blog makes me smile every day!! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

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  3. Have fun on your trip! Skip a rock in the harbor for me, and wave hi to my inlaws who have their camper parked in the campground in GM for the summer. Adelle

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  4. COP reminds me of a place called Fort Wilderness in northern WI near Rhinelander that we went to for 2 years. Camp is just a special place where so many wonderful things converge--great activities, great relationships, and great nature created by the Creator.

    Glad you'll get to be among friends and be refreshed.

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  5. I'll tell ya Amy, there is nothing as awesome as to be in the midst of God's beautiful creation. It's so obvious that he loves His "kids" isn't it? He lets us enjoy places like the one you posted. Have a blast!! How could you not, with guys like these around? lol

    blessings,
    barb
    p.s. cute bella card, too. :)

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  6. Hi Amy! Wave at me on your way by!
    I need to warn you that Grand Marais had flash flooding this week and there was a lot of damage. I might suggest checking on the Duluth News tribune online and see what they have to say--I know there was an article in the paper today about it. Sorry to be a downer, but wanted you to know so you can have a wonderful trip!! :)email me if you want
    kim@scrapbookingadhesives.com

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  7. I can definitely understand the strong ties you have with this tradition! This photos are priceless! I so know what you mean about packing everything! Our GS service unit has their encampment during the first of April. In Alabama that means anything goes as far as the weather! I've ended up with extra girls in my bunk to keep warm, to bringing so much muddy gear home that I'm afraid the parents aren't gonna want them back! LOL! I love your cute card, as always! Take care!

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  8. Oh how funny! I am laughing hysterically and I was not even there! What a great group of people. How nice to see that these days.
    I hope you have a great time Amy!

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  9. just think of the unpacking!!!! Seriously, have a great time and the card is a cutie.

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