The Tradition Continues – 23 Years of Hunting Camp
Well thank you to those who left comments saying they enjoy everything I post – even my organizational ones (be still my heart). Those are the kinds of posts that make my world go round, so I’m happy to hear you like them.
As far as happenings with our family, I have so much to post about that I’m not sure I can keep up with it but bear with me and we may just get through it all. 🙂
Hunting Camp is a long weekend we look forward to every year. Even though the nights are quite chill (remember we live in the desert where temperatures can drop steeply at night), the weather is generally beautiful during the daytime. This year camp was a week earlier than normal.
We started going camping at this time of year 23 years ago. Our boys were so very little but their daddy wanted the healthy meat and he thought it would be a worthy pursuit for our little men and thus our hunting tradition was born.
My older boys weren’t able to join us this year because they were deep in the Canadian bush of which I will tell you about in some future post – so it was just us five.
We have taken so many people hunting in these woods and before they made it so expensive for out-of-staters to put in for the draw, we would take them, giving them the experience of hearing bull elk bugling. (an awesome experience, I think)
Until about 4 years ago we used a travel trailer but that wasn’t so fun because I never got to camp with my husband because there was always someone I had to share our trailer with and my husband would go sleep in the tent with the men. Finally, I decided I would like to try sleeping in our canvas wall tent…
–setting up the wood burning stove–
And I haven’t looked back since. It is so much better than the travel trailer. The only thing the trailer had going for it was the bathroom but since we make a little outdoor bathroom at camp, that is not really a problem.
My kitchen helper…
Opening morning of the hunting season… there were 7 tags and 6 tagged out! A few days later the 7th one tagged out. This was a junior hunt so these were all hunters 18 and under.
My son was one of the hunters. He skinned it along with the help of his sister… at least when I left them she was going to help. Did she stay till the bitter end? Um, I’m not so sure about that.
I was able to take some solitary walks. I really enjoy those times when I can clear my mind and not feel that I have to be busy but can just enjoy God’s beautiful creation and even talk to the One who made it all.
Just the plant life in all of its simplicity is beautiful to see.
I always like to try some Dutch Oven cooking…
which sometimes is successful…
(cobbler)
…and sometimes not. haha I decided to teach Serenity a little DO cooking but being distracted with the other part of our breakfast, I didn’t give good enough direction and we “slightly” overcooked it, wouldn’t you say?
Her cousin fared a little better when it was her turn to try DO cooking.
Getting those dishes washed…
My grandson. Isn’t he the cutest? He’s a smiley one, too.
Sunday morning no one hunts, in honor of the Lord’s day, so we have a big breakfast at about 10am…
 …and immediately after breakfast we set up for church in the wildwood. How do you like our rustic pulpit?
Some of the young men were asked to read a Scripture or quote.
“Be real to what God has called you to.”
I love hearing my son speak. It’s always inspiring.
Although we normally stay over till Monday, this year we packed up that afternoon. We bring a lot of things… but not just for ourselves. We supply quite a few things for the entire camp. Regardless, we have a lot!
But with the help of others, it went pretty quick.
There were quite a few young people this year so they were all disappointed when the party was broke up some had to leave.
It was a good year for all the hunters.
Now Serenity & Audrey’s hunt starts today and if/when they tag out that will make 9 successful hunters!
