4-H family camp trip

All of us but Jed (who's in Managua, Nicaragua on an internship for Cause for Hope) spent a wonderful few days at a 4-H camp near Alpine (in the Star Valley), Wyoming. After morning orientation, we had icebreaker games and activities with other families (around 100 folks total), and then spent the afternoon running the Snake River. David, Caroline, and I manned oars while Cindy kept an eye on Caroline. We lost a young girl when we went over the Big Kahuna (biggest wave stretch on the river), but she was snatched right back into the raft. One of the highlights of the trip was seeing a couple of bald eagles, one in flight, and one perched on a tree out over the river.

Back at the camp, Cindy led the campfire, handing out a booklet of campfire songs she had created, got audience participation, and then recited Little Orphant Annie and The Jabberwocky. Kelly arrived with a friend late (the map and directions to get to the camp were, unfortunately, horrible -- we spent 45 minutes strictly following the multiple directions the organizers had provided when, it turned out, we were within 2 minutes of the camp... Kelly was within 45 minutes of the camp, and took 3 1/2 hours to find it...).

Next morning we had a hearty breakfast, took showers, and then drove through Jackson Hole to Grant Teton National Park (amazing!).


We took the ferry across Jenny Lake and hiked to Hidden Falls, and then to Inspiration Point. After an afternoon nap in our cabin, we returned outside Jackson Hole to the Bar J Chuckwagon to have western barbecue and to enjoy the Bar J Wranglers show. Because of some miscommunication, we arrived a little late. We were met by a man with a mustache who helped us find our group, get our tickets, led us to the food line, and even served our baked potatoes. (He's the one on the right in the photo on the right). I asked him how many they served a night (it was a huge dining hall). He said 720. Baked potato, baked beans, beef barbecue, chunky apple sauce, spice cake, coffee/ice water/or lemonade. Served on aluminum sectional plates, and tin cups.

We were surprised when our host took the stage in his serving apron, answered some basic questions about whether the Bar J is an actual working cattle ranch (it is), how they came up with their menu (authentic, aside from not cooking the beans for 3 days... and applesauce instead of dried fruit -- also, rare for cowboys on the trial to eat beef -- the cattle meant money in their pocket, so they rarely slaughtered a steer for food). He also introduced the Bar J Wranglers. Turns out he was one of them. Scott Humphery. His father ("Babe" Humphery) built the ranch 30 years before. He's sung and played rhythm guitar with the group since 1986. His younger brother, Bryan, has played the bass and sung with them since 1989. Wonderful western show. And amazing to have been treated so kindly by the owner, emcee, and one of the stars of the show.L-R: (Top row) Donnie Cook, Jerry Baxter; (middle row) Tim Hodgson, "Babe" Humphery; (bottom row) Scott Humphery, and Bryan Humphery.

Next morning, we completed activities at the 4-H camp, which included (overall) rifle shooting, service (painting fence posts), archery, environmental science. Wonderful family time. As Cindy reminded me, first family vacation in forever.