a river runs through it

I'm finally posting about our canoe/kayak trip to Camp Monroe.  It began with cheesy caps (purchased by yours truly for the princely sum of $5...total) to ward off this heat as we hit the water.  Karen and Taylor are cousins and awesome girls to hang out with, much less take to camp.  After the miraculous feat (thanks to their helpful parents) of stuffing a week's worth of things x3 into Lola the Lovebug, we jetted off to Monroe.  The evening was relaxing, and I began our first night's Vespers (evening worship) that I did for all of the campers each night.  I think there may be a part of my soul that only really wakes up when I go to a camp setting.  Sitting on a front porch drinking coffee while watching birds and the sun creep through trees, singing cheesy camp songs and playing guitar, eating massive amounts of starchy food, and...all that kayaking.  It was delightful.

The girls ready for our first float down the Pee Dee River in South Carolina (this Texan still can't wrap her mind around the fact that another state is only 15 minutes away.)

 Karen made a friend, whom she graciously left on dry land.

 Ah, Chaco feet.  Another joy of camp.

After a {hot} float down the river, including several delightful times of jumping in the water and a simple sandwich lunch along the bank, we went all the way back to Monroe.  (ha.)  I have to admit I was a bit tired, because this little lady was in a kayak trying to keep up with most everyone else in canoes with two people paddling.  I slept really good that night.

 The morning brought more coffee, food and then fun energizers and singing.  My (very neglected) guitar was delighted with all of the music.

 Here's my seminary buddy Jeremy leading energizers.  He's the Camp Director.

A newer colleague in ministry, Elizabeth, taught the morning Bible lesson and did a wonderful job.

Followed by (you guessed it) more kayaking.  This day was our longest, and probably my favorite.  We spent 7 hours kayaking 6 miles of the Lumber River.  It was shaded, narrow and the water was blissfully cool.  The only downside was that the water was way down: logs tripped us up constantly.

 (They're so fierce.)

 Why yes, I am facing the wrong direction!

This is Scott, our helpful guide for the week.  I really appreciated his fondness for taking breaks to swim.

 "Rumour grew of a shadow in the East, whispers of a nameless fear and the ring of power perceived that its time had come..."
**If you get this reference, I'm proud of you!

I loved this rusty bench along the shore.  If I could've fit it in my kayak, I would've been happy.

 I believe this face was an attempt at looking tough.  Ha.

The next day we had a (much needed) leisurely morning and I did a little work in my delightful office.

 That afternoon, it was back to the water.  This time we kayaked a shorter version of the Lumber that we hadn't been to before.

 So peaceful.

And this is my only picture from our final day of kayaking.  (Wish I'd taken more!) We were on the Cape Fear River, which included some exciting rapids.  It was a fantastic week at camp.  I left more connected to my Creator, the outdoors, the delightful young women who came with me and myself.  What a gift.

 And this little guy's not too bad to come home to.

And fresh ears of corn from a church member.  After Sunday's service, as I gave someone a hug, he presented me with a little bag of cherry tomatoes fresh from his garden.  Wonderful folks.

To be sure that I wasn't only eating vegetables and missing another important food group (chocolate), I made these.  

I hope your summer is treating you well, y'all!  Stay cool and if you can, get on the water.  

Peace,

Whit