Girl Scout Day Camp: Day Three

I left my house grumbling again this morning - camp starts at 9 a.m., and when I went out at 8 a.m. to load up the car, the smoke was so bad I could barely breathe.  Which means it must feel ten times worse for Owen, our asthma child.  Even though camp was on a delay schedule on Monday, a day that wasn't too bad, both Tuesday and today the air was so thick with smoke from the fire that visibility was at a quarter of a mile.  We had no business being outside today... and I feel like I have no choice in the matter - my child should stay home, but since I am a volunteer I am expected to be there.  Where is the common sense?

Here we are, just after 10 a.m., working on a craft project....

See how hazy it is?  What the hell are we breathing?  And we're basing this decision on a 'sniff' test?  I just have to rant a little about this... I understand the pressure to continue on with camp, BUT, I seriously question the priorities here..

Oh well, on with the day.  The high today was about 94F.  It was hot and miserable, with a breeze every once in awhile.  Rylan had a busy day - canoeing, swimming, a cookout and smores.  And a lot of singing and skit practice.

Rylan is the far background, second girl to the left of the lady in pink.

Ten seconds ago she was doing a little dance/skit/thing... I couldn't walk over fast enough!

Our little kids were wading in the water today and playing with mud.  And making swaps with messy glitter and glue.  Fun stuff.  Later we kept filling the wading pools to keep them cooled off.

At the end of the day I had to pour a gallon of water on each kid to rinse them off before they could get in the car.  We were off to the airport to pick up Jordan - he will join us tomorrow.  On the way to the airport I caught a couple pictures of the fire.  It is directly west of us about four miles (as the crow flies).  A little too close for comfort.  I am longing for the day that I can throw the windows open again - and not smell like a campfire.  But, in retrospect, at least we still have a home.  Over 130 and counting no longer have a home... and the fire just continues to grow.  All afternoon I watched as the south-western edge just continue to flare up.  We are waiting with baited breath about the northern edge of the fire - it is dangerously close to Jordan's boy scout camp, and to Glacier View Meadows and Red Feather - some of the prettiest country in the world.  I will die of heartbreak if the fire rampages in that direction.