It was my turn to go with Basia and Jerzy. Jenny and Tom had arrived. Mike and Ester would join us. Chris and Wes were daily fixtures. Andy was back for more and Spidey and the boys, David 10 and Caleb 8, were on board too. Twelve to go for the Hogs. It was like a mobile, social, backyard party. A lot of chatter. We would do 2 canyons, but the pictures were interesting enough to break it into two albums. So it was on December 30th, 2014.
I had been a camp counselor at an 8 week sleep away camp for 17 years and I so love the young ones, so Spidey’s boys were in for it. These lads are a little shy with new folks and I held court on the way up to the trailhead. The major theme? It was flippin cold, with flurries, a stiff breeze and low wind chill numbers…. AND the moment they were gonna get out of the car, they were going to have the “privilege” of honest to goodness, REAL severe weather conditions………. and weren’t they lucky!!??
Not sure they bought in, but they were riveted by the presentation, at least. AND the conditions delivered. I found them outside, backs to the wind and started to laugh. It got smiles out of them. Off on the hike in we went, Basia waving her arms, carrying on to all that would listen, while all of us hiked along at a stiff pace, to match the stiff wind, until settling in, a bit out of the cold, in the upper canyon.
We did not stop much. Too cold for that, but when we did, the kids went to climbing whatever slope was available. Oh to have that much energy! I volunteered to hike out with anyone that wanted to. No one took me up on it, to my relief, although I think we pulled a fast one on Basia, her thinking we were going to head up top to the car, but slickly landed her at the top of another canyon.
David in Antarctica!
Yea! Jenny made it!
Basia waving!
Canyon! There!
Andy
Calab seeking help from Social services
They came a long way for this?
The Grove’s
She so wanted to meet the famous Tom Jones and Jenny West
Mike
Jenny, Ester and Mike behind
Smile down there!
Got ya!
sloppin by the poo
Tell me how you REALLY feel!
Wes having a ball
Basia stemming
Jerzy
The gangs all here
dancer
Horsing around
Bootboy
Don’t look so excited jenny
Jenny
Ha Boot!
I actually WAS very excited. Hiding from the windchill! One has to FACTOR that in, eh? You should have been there. Work? Bahhhhhhhhh Bumhug!
Bootboy
Sorry I didn’t make it. No real good excuses. Windchill may have been one of them
Ram
A great plug for the new balaclavas from Imlay Canyon Gear. Not only do they keep you warm, protect your skin, but they can hide from others that annoying tendency to be happy and smiling all the time. AND they are adjustable, if you wish to cool down OR release that smile, it easily opens up
Mountaineer
Love to see the family and kids. Nicely done. Looks like a great memory.
JayVo
I always like seeing families enjoy adventures like this and gettin’ it done! Great post!
Spidey
Thanks Ram and everyone that was there, great day!!
Kuenn
N i c e. Looks like a fun bunch, with Mr. Jones in particular rare form.