The Afterglow

Yesterday was really a great day.

Challenge Day is always one of my favorites, this one was especially wonderful. The overcast skies made for perfect temperatures, the team spirit was unflagging as girls cheered their friends on from Volleyball to Tug-a-War, perfect afternoon classes (the skies cleared and we enjoyed a little time with Mr. Sun), and our EP was a SLAM DUNK success.

Game Show Night had a Krispy Kreme theme, everyone got a two pack of hot and fresh glazed donuts as they entered the pavilion. The looks of delight and surprise were priceless! We then had a series of donut themed games (don’t ask) broken up by video commercials. Every game had prizes that were awarded, and in the end all the camp got all the prizes when I lost a challenge with a camper (I could eat 4 donuts to her 2 donuts). AND WHAT PRIZES THEY WERE! Theme night ball point pens, pins, pink theme caps, awesome t-shirts, and even sweat shirts! Wreched Excess… Good fun… everyone was delighted with the great “Swag”.

Today is a quiet day at Greystone. Skiing has 30 girls at Keowee (regular ski day), Rafting has about 100 girls on the rivers (Pigeon and Chattooga)… it feels like camp is empty! There is more room in the dining hall, some classes are almost empty, and some cabins are almost empty! It is actually a really great feeling, a HUGE break in the routine that comes at a perfect time.

Weather is perfect… Last night, just as EP was closing, a HUGE thunderstorm hit. The camp out cabins had to go back to sleep in their tentalows because the rain hit so suddenly their sleeping bags got wet. It rained till midnight, and as we raised the flag this morning the mountains were lovely in their cloud “shawls”. It is going to be in the 80’s today, sunny, 30% chance of rain. PERFECT!

Speaking of perfect… food! The salmon was to die for good. How do we cook that much salmon that well? I don’t do fish at home (the children won’t let me), but on occasion I try it out to see if I can win them over. My salmon is not this good. Not close. I must have eaten a pound of it last night (very little was not eaten… most tables finished it off and went back for seconds). The delivery truck from our Gormet Food supplier says on the side of the truck “Where Quality is not a Luxury”… so true!

I will head out to take some pictures at Putt Cove today. This is my favorite place in camp, the perfect place in many ways. 5000 square feet of Ipe dock, three waterfalls, 4 buildings, bermuda grass lawn, white sand beach, lounge chairs, cafe tables with umbrellas, a fleet of 11 Laser sailboats and 40 kayaks… it is just fantastic. We put in GREAT landscaping (our landscaper is an Asheville artist who is one of the best natural designers I have ever seen). The quality of the details over there is hard to describe.

Finally, thank you for your support and encouragement. Lots of comments on the news update yesterday, I appreciate it. Camp is a good place to “Speak Truth in Love”, sometimes the moments are really right… I think yesterday was one of those moments with the girls. Many counselors have come to me saying that it prompted very good conversations in the cabins. The girls are opening up to each other and that is good.

Have a great day.

Oh yes, EP tonight is our first Council Fire… skill awards will be given out, my mother will light the fire and tell a story, the Honor Council will “tap” girls into the “temporary Honor Council”… traditions, we love them.