Girl Scout Day Camp Day One

I am beyond exhausted, so I'll keep this short.  Today was the kick-off for hell week around here.  The kids and I head out every day - all day for Girl Scout camp.  Rylan spends the day with her 'unit', and I stay with the two younger ones at the 'mini-camp' - the place for all of the younger boys and girls of full-time camp volunteers.  When Jordan flies home on Wednesday, he will join us for the last two days - spending his time with the older boys - fishing and so forth.

Today was most likely the nicest day of the week - the temp only got up to about 76F.  For the next four days it will get progressively hotter - high 80's, low 90's.  This camp is a very nice recreation area, but in the particular spot where we are situated at there are very few trees.  It will be a test of endurance to see this thing through.  We also had a late start to the day because of the air-quality from the the smoke from the High Park fire, 15 miles away.  The winds had shifted last night and the area filled with smoke.  The winds shifted away and the air was 'relatively' clear by mid-morning, when the camp opened up.

So - just a few pics from the day....

We are ready to go on a short walk around the ponds with the Master Naturalists who have come out for the afternoon to guide each group.  The older boys camp is situated right next to ours - that's them fishing along the bank of the pond.

Look closely and you will see that Colin is checking out a dragonfly hanging on a stem of grass.

The Master Naturalist is having the kids feel a cattail.

Milkweed in bloom.

Another dragonfly!

One of the things I love about our city is our Master Naturalist program.  These knowledgeable volunteers will guide you on a variety of excursions to check out plants, wildlife, insects and more.  All for free.

Our view of the High Park fire as it advanced down the ridge towards the north inlet of Horsetooth Reservoir.  I cannot express how sad this whole event makes me.  This advance pictured here is in the neighborhood of where a fellow homeschooling family lives.   So sad to see one of my most favorite places on Earth go up in flames.  This is also the reason I am so tired - it is hard to tear away from the news coverage and Facebook updates about the fire.