July 21, 2021

 

The young men of the community had the opportunity for a great High Adventure this summer. The group went to southern Utah, Zion’s National Park, camped out for four days. They enjoyed repelling, the slot canyons, water-play in the hot temperatures, being surrounded by such natural beauty, and being together. Those who attended were Hazen Baird, Jacob Stanworth, Jonny Seamons, Conner Iverson and Ty Jepsen with leaders Jesse Wilcox, Lin McKay, and Bishop Paul McKay. One description was that they had gone a thousand miles, to hike 25 miles and get 18 hours of sleep in the total of four days-- adding that it was pure fun.

Preston 1^st Ward held their Girls’ Summer Camp this year at the Westerberg home farm on Station Creek, currently owned by Terry and Wendy Westerberg. It is a beautiful spot. Terry’s brother, Richard, is the Bishop of the Preston 1^st ward.

Danalee and Gene Abernethy swung by for another visit with her parents, Bob and Claudia Erickson. This time they brought with them their son Daniel Abernethy and his fiance, Jane, who were in Utah for a brief stay from Weymouth, MA. This was Jane’s first visit to Mink Creek and she found it to her liking.

Under the direction of leaders Jody Rasmussen, Amy Baldwin, Lacey Christensen and Renae Egley, the Mink Creek Girls’ Camp did some traveling about this year. The young ladies having all this fun were Emma and Kate Rasmussen, Jyllian and Greenlee Christensen, and Samantha Petersen. They started with a hike up Squirrel Hollow which is up nearby Strawberry Canyon, then drove to Beaver Mountain Ski Resort where they set up their camp headquarters. After that bit of housekeeping they played games until ‘lights out.’ The next day was a trip to Bridgerland Adventure Park with a rope course, waterslide, and other offerings. They topped things off with milkshakes before heading back to the camp. That evening they hiked up Little Beaver ski run for some perfect moments of stargazing into a clear night sky. After breaking camp the next morning they took the east route home, going for a dip in Bear Lake at the water trampoline. Kerry Christensen and Trevor Rasmussen were their priesthood representatives.

The outdoor temperature hit 104 degrees this past week. Strong afternoon winds swept up the valley to go over our mountains and down to Bear Lake County on the other side. It is July and has us wondering what August of 2021 will be like. The temps have not discouraged the insect life, earwigs and wasps, hornets seem to be thriving. It is the humans and animals who get a bit wilty. There was a deer enjoying a patch of cool concrete in the shade the other day, a good choice for a nap.