Tuesday, June 11, 2013

I got up somewhere between 5 and 5:30 to study and have some breakfast.  At 9am I meet the young women and the people going on the hike today at the church.  I am a little concerned about this hike.  These girls don't have alot of hiking experience yet they are hiking 6.5 miles today, and 6.5 miles tomorrow, carrying backpacks.  They will also be sleeping on the ground tonight.  Kaeli Nicoll, the other Young Women's counselor, who is six months pregnant is going.  The bishopric said she could come if her husband Chris came, which he did.  Julie Wilhelm the camp director, wants me to be the "backup" for the hike.  She will text me if there is a problem and I will come to help.  First I had to run to Show Low and fill up my car with gas.  I forgot to do it yesterday.  Girls going on the hike and to girls camp: Mary Swift, Jordyn Applegate, Alex Jones, Trenda Wilhelm, Shelly Applegate, Madalen Carroll, Kilee Hunsaker, LeeAnn Hunsaker, Hope Lootans, and Kelly Reynolds.  Brother Reynolds went on the hike with the girls and so did his daughter Karla who is here visiting from New Mexico.
Julie Wilhelm, our camp director, gave me a map and directions to Bear Wallow Tank where the girls will be camping tonight.  They are scheduled to arrive there around 3 o'clock this afternoon at which time I will be there with ice and Tampico pops. 
I go home and study and pay bills until about 2 o'clock at which time I load the ice chest with ice and Tampico pops and head for the hills.  Bear Wallow Tank is just beyond where the girls camp is, just off the Vernon, McNary road which is county road 3140.  I drive up there and wait for over an hour before anyone shows up.  It's a little boring because my phone doesn't work so I can't listen to music or look on Facebook.  I should have brought something to read.
Finally I hear the girls coming, and just as I figured, Shelly is in the lead.  The Tampico pops were a bir hit and so was the ice but I wish I had brought water.  Julie didn't ask me to bring water.  The plan was to filter the water out of Bear Wallow Tank.  Gross!  It's a murky green color.  Brother Applegate and I head down to girls camp and bring back a cooler full of water and one with watermelon and other snacks in it.

Bear Wallow Tank

Girls resting and enjoying Tampico pops.

I brought 100 and there were 4 left when the girls were finished.

I am proud of these girls for making it this far!

Digging for ice before I leave.

More ice diggers.

I felt a little guilty going home to a nice warm bed when I knew these girls would be sleeping on the cold hard ground.  Hiking and backpacking are Julie Wilhelm's passion and she is sharing that love with these girls.  I hope they enjoy it.