Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Scenes from a Fall Family Hike Day: Part II

When last we checked in...



On our Fall Family Hike Day...

Everyone was enjoying...





A wonderful fall day at 4-H Camp...

But our Advanced Hikes...

Had yet to be heard from!




Because there were still adventuring out on the trails!

Bravely...

Exploring Appalachian Peaks!



And taking group photos!

One of the main reasons we go hiking at all...


Is that it's a good excuse for group photos.



And after the Appalachian peak...




Our Ultra-Advanced Hike... 

Kept going!




And kept going!


Until we descended...


Down to the base...




Of Buttermilk Falls.

A scenic hiking destination...






Perfect for...




(You guessed it...)


More photo opportunities.


And then it was time for the long trek...


Back to Camp.


Which brought us right through...



Tillman's Ravine.
Sitting by some running water...


Feels best earned...



When you had to take a nice long walk to get there.
  
And FINALLY! The Ultra-Advanced Hike...

Made it back to Camp.


Oh, c'mon Sha-Ry-Ry.



The hike wasn't that long.



Not only did we make it back to Camp...




We made it back just in time...

For everyone to gather...

In front of the Dining Hall.


For some pre-dinner songs.


And of course...

There's no better ending...

To a busy Camp day...

Of hiking, playing, and un-winding...

Then huddling around...

A bright campfire...

On a dark, starfilled night...

And enjoying a helping...



(Or two...)

Of the best outdoor dessert there is.


And what's on the agenda after that?


Well, when you've spent all day hiking through the woods...

And then it gets dark in those woods...




Going to sleep...


Is all that's left on anyone's agenda.

And one of the best parts of going to sleep at Camp...



Is that you get to wake up here too!



Wake up, and enjoy a little more Autumn...


A little more time away...

A little more time by the lake...


Time on the shore...

Time together...

Time outside...

And of course there was still time...

For just...

A few...


More...




Group photos.



Thanks to Kaely, Chris, Lauren and Julia for sending along some of these additional pictures!

And of course, thanks to all those who joined us for one last taste of summer in Stokes Forest for our Fall Family Hike Day. 

Next we'll be bringing some Summer Camp spirit to the beginning of December with out Winter Gathering! So save the afternoon of Saturday, December 2nd for a little Summer Camp reunion. 

NEXT UP ON THE BLOG: We'll be spending October going through the Archives of Summer 2017, and bringing out some un-seen photos to jog some memories, spark some reminiscing, and keep summer on your mind as the days grow shorter, so stay tuned!