Camping Trip

This past weekend was the 55 and Under Camping Trip. Sr. Judy decided to organize a "beginning of the summer camping trip" and the camp grounds donated a site for us to put up our tents and spend the weekend.

On Friday night, Sisters Judy, Elizabeth, Barbara S., Mary P., Bridget, Susan and I went out to the campsite, set up tents and got things ready for the weekend. As we waited for the coals on the grill to heat up, we played several games of boccie, (an Italian game involving throwing your balls closest to a target ball) sat and visited. When the grill was ready, we cut up meat and vegetables and made some delicious shish kabob for supper. As evening wore on, Sr. Susan had to return to the monastery to play the organ for morning prayer but the rest of us stayed out at the campsite and stayed up talking around the fire until late in the night.

The next morning, four of the Sisters went canoeing and kayaking down the Platte river while the rest of us just relaxed around the campground. I was able to finish my book (The Secrets of the Fire King), two Oprah magazines, and make several crosses out of nylon cord. As the afternoon wore on several other Sisters began to arrive. Sisters Barb C., Elaine, Lou and Chris came out in the early afternoon and Sister Susan came back out later in the evening. People played softball, frisbee, boccie, chatted and got things ready for our evening meal. It was wonderful to have the time to play, relax and share the day together.

Saturday evening most of the Sisters needed to get back to the monastery so only four of us stayed overnight at the campsite. As we were visiting around the fire, I looked up and there next to our table was a visitor. It startled me enough that I just pointed and stammered. It heard me, looked up and took off running back into the darkness. We think it was a coyote attracted to the smell of meat from our dinner but we can't be sure. It was pretty amazing. Later that night we aso heard a fox calling into the night.

After a good night sleep, we woke up early Sunday morning to go back to the monastery for Mass and then several Sisters returned to the campsite for the afternoon.

Overall it was a wonderful weekend, with perfect weather (Sr. Kathleen was in charge of praying for good weather!) and a great time was had by all.