Simple Things

Do you remember how it feels to go to sleep with the sound of frogs by the lake and crickets in the trees? Waking up to the sound of geese and song birds? It is just heavenly… the soothing sounds of camp after hours are precious to everyone who lives here, but nobody ever makes mention of them. The sounds just are a part of the place, like the smell of pine mulch and the feel of locust wood railings. They are part of the tapestry that makes up this experience, and I love them.

The staff are aware of these things because we often are working while the campers sleep, last night I was replacing the photographs on the news update for challenge day (they are precious) and working on breakfast club for today. As I walked up the hills, the sounds of the frogs and crickets made me very happy… comforting sounds that have been there since I was a little boy. Sounds of summer that put my soul at ease, I know that many of the girls feel the same way.

Some of the best blessings of camp are those we enjoy because other things have been taken away. Carve away the computer, phone, tv, mall, air conditioning, boys, cars, and calendar… and relax! In the quiet, comes the calm. We hope that the girls will learn from this simple lesson, that sometimes it is good to simplify.

I hope you are writing your girls. Remember, you have free emails this year! I have found that it takes just 5 minutes to write a good camp letter. Express your love, ask a question, give a bit of news (I focus on news of a pet… something that I make up usually, trying to be funny). I sometimes draw a stick figure (art is appreciated at all times by all people). One page, just a word, and well worth the effort!

Today is going to be around 90 (temperatures have been rising, I understand most of the East Coast is facing the same thing). Not a big deal, if you are not in air conditioning it really isn’t that bad. We drink lots of water, and will set up “misters” around camp (those things that mist the air, feels wonderful when you are hot). Camp has 12 stone water fountains (I think). Some are very old, others were just built this year… we love having fresh mountain water available everywhere. It is the single best way of feeling good when enjoying this active life. Get dehydrated, feel sick… bad! The girls learn this lesson and take it to heart.Rafting trips go out today. A group left for the Chattooga river at 5:30 this morning… Trips to the Pigeon river leave after breakfast. Tons of fun.

Breakfast today was Eggs Benedict, yes… Eggs Benedict! Our new German manufactured ovens can poach eggs, so we poached 1000 eggs and the rest was easy! The kitchen does an amazing job. One of the photo’s above shows Gervais with a visiting baker Liz Blanchard, owner of Cakehead Bakeshop in Spartanburg. Liz and her husband came up to bake her famous cupcakes for the camp. Lunch will be especially exciting with this addition (who doesn’t like cupcakes, especially really good ones hot from the oven?).

We fill our days with these kinds of little surprises… the Castle girls were awakened at 6:00 AM for a sunrise treat at the Putt Cove Marina. They were initially grumpy, but quickly changed tunes as they were greeted with hot chocolate, tea, and coffee (along with fresh baked goods) at our fabulous Putt Cove beach. The sunrise was amazing, a perfect red ball rising over a mist covered cove. They sang songs and enjoyed the moment. It was literally breath taking. VERY MEMORABLE.

Love this place. It is good.

Jimboy