Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Labor Day at Blue Knob


Friday we headed up to Blue Knob, Pennsylvania for our almost annual Labor Day tradition. This year James invited his friend Reggie. This picture is of Erika and Reggie.


However, when we arrived on Friday night at 10:30pm, it wasn't such a scenic view. Every year (except last year) for the past 13 years we have come on Labor Day with several other families we know to stay in the rustic cabins. This year we were assigned to the "craft cabin" which isn't generally slept in. It was full of cobwebs, a broken window, dust and a resident mouse. When we walked in--we did have electricity, we turned on the light to see our mouse running around along the rafters. When he saw us he stopped and peeked his head way out and then started scurrying around on the wall. All three girls (Erika, Julia, Andrea) and I started screaming. The girls decided to leave right away, and slept in the van for 3 nights. I was very brave and stayed--and we didn't see him again. By the end of our stay, I actually enjoyed our cabin, though--with it's convenient location to the mess hall and the bathrooms!

Saturday Dave and I hiked up to the nearby ski lodge. It was a beautiful sunny day. We sat on a ski lift chair and admired the view for awhile before walking down. Some of our kids were swimming at the pool when we arrived, which looked inviting after our hike, but the water is actually FREEZING.

Saturday night at the mess hall, where we have our communal dinners, we enjoyed "karaoke night". Here is Daniel, Reggie, James and Ben.













Here the girls performed 'Traveling Soldier."





Andrea with her friends on top of the large dinner bell



and with flourescent cheeks to be seen in the dark.


Another highlight was that the congregation (or branch) in nearby Bedford were anxiously expecting all of us to arrive for church as we have for several years. They provided extra Sunday School teachers since we bring a lot of children. They also provided a large lunch after church for all of us visitors. What wonderful hospitality. We hope to be back to see them next year.

4 comments:

Jann said...

What a fun Labor Day tradition. I am sorry about the mouse though. You are much more courage than I. I would have been in the van with the girls.

Corinne said...

So glad you had a great time! Our ward used to have ward campouts like that back in Utah it was a blast!!

Amber said...

Sounds like a great tradition. Glad you all had tons of fun. Your kids all look so cute.

Christie said...

Great tradition, your kids will always remember that spot.