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This year AJ and I purchased and retrofitted a new camping trailer. After I was released as scout master for our ward, I lost the use of the church's camping trailer. I really liked having the camping trailer as it made camping super easy. AJ and I purchased a small 5x8 trailer. We added shelves inside of it, replaced all of the lights, and added a battery such that the interior lights would function when the vehicle was off. We added lights inside it so you could see, and we both store our camping equipment inside.
It has enough room to store not our tents, sleeping bags, both stoves, chairs, tables, dutch ovens & 30 gallons of water. We plan to add a box on the side or top to hold the large awnings such that it is a hook up and go type of trailer.
The campsite was warm again this year. I believe this is an attribute of 6,500 feet elevation in late August/Early September in southern Arizona. The only rain that fell was on Sunday afternoon. It rained for 2ish hours.
There was a large storm that gathered, but it sent down the other side of the slope and we missed the really hard rain accompanied with the flash floods. Mike & Margie came down on Sunday to join us for the afternoon, and they had to wait about 45 minutes for a wash to subside so they could cross.
It was really nice to see everyone again. These camping trips are difficult to plan and coordinate, but so much fun and relaxing when the plan comes together.
Attendees this trip were Terra and I, Rachel, Landen, Janelle and Serra. Ethen & Breeana were not able to make it. Breeana was filming a wedding - and Kyle is on a mission so he was out as well. Mia & Wyatt, Abby & Kylie also joined us, Sabrina & Braxton came down with their chldren, but Piper was not able to make it, Mylinda came with her kids, but no Zeke. She brought the RV so Dad could join us and camp in it.
The hard part was that everyone couldn't come out at the same time. We had to keep making trips out to a place with cell phone service and give directions to people coming. All in all it worked out very well, but Ashlee Zumwalt didn't find the camping site this year.
Landen planted a garden and he grew mellons. We brouget up some of his cantelopes and they were wonderful.
We brought up a spike ball game and the kids loved it. They were constantly playing the game almost the entire time.
Dad came out on Saturday with plans to go back on Sunday. He and Mylinda were not going to stay until Monday due to making life easier on Dad. Margie came out on Sunday and showed some movies, and by the time they were finished, it was late enough that they decided to stay one last night and went back on Monday morning with the rest of us.
These camping trips are hard to plan due to everyone's schedules fluidity. But when we actually coordinate and make it happen, I am always left with the same sediment - we need to go camping more often. I really enjoy getting out and sleeping on the ground.
The white shade/tarp that we have isn't as good of a quality as Sabrina & Braxtons is. They have quit bringing their shade to these camping trips as they have downsized their vehicle and no longer pull their trailer. I am going to see if I can talk Sabrina & Braxton out of their shade and then we will put both of them in the trailer such that they are available when we pull it out.
Margie had prepared a slide presentation and movie highilghting the life of Diane. She came out to
visit Sunday, just befre the downpour. She joined us for dinner and we all huddled underneath tarps
while the rain came down!
It turned out ot be pretty perfect timing. The rain stopped and we were able to help set up the
slide show for Margie. The sun set and provided the perfect lighitng for the movie. It was really neat to see and hear. I loved hearing Diane's voice. At the bottom of the letter is a link to the movies. They are found on youtube.
We brought out the smoker and for our meal we smooked a brisket, made homemade macaroni and cheese and had salad. It was really good! Aj and I made smoked cream cheese spread as well shot gun shells.
They were a hit.
Here is our family picutre this year. It is interesting, depending on the timing of the event our family either shrinking or getting biggeer. Looking forward to seeing how our family grows over the years!
Here are the first set of videos that Margie made: Cocks Videos
Here are the second set of videos that Margie made: M&M Stroud Videos
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This year AJ and I purchased and retrofitted a new camping trailer. After I was released as scout master for our ward, I lost the use of the church's camping trailer. I really liked having the camping trailer as it made camping super easy. AJ and I purchased a small 5x8 trailer. We added shelves inside of it, replaced all of the lights, and added a battery such that the interior lights would function when the vehicle was off. We added lights inside it so you could see, and we both store our camping equipment inside.
It has enough room to store not our tents, sleeping bags, both stoves, chairs, tables, dutch ovens & 30 gallons of water. We plan to add a box on the side or top to hold the large awnings such that it is a hook up and go type of trailer. |
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The campsite was warm again this year. I believe this is an attribute of 6,500 feet elevation in late August/Early September in southern Arizona. The only rain that fell was on Sunday afternoon. It rained for 2ish hours.
There was a large storm that gathered, but it sent down the other side of the slope and we missed the really hard rain accompanied with the flash floods. Mike & Margie came down on Sunday to join us for the afternoon, and they had to wait about 45 minutes for a wash to subside so they could cross. It was really nice to see everyone again. These camping trips are difficult to plan and coordinate, but so much fun and relaxing when the plan comes together. |
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Attendees this trip were Terra and I, Rachel, Landen, Janelle and Serra. Ethen & Breeana were not able to make it. Breeana was filming a wedding - and Kyle is on a mission so he was out as well. Mia & Wyatt, Abby & Kylie also joined us, Sabrina & Braxton came down with their chldren, but Piper was not able to make it, Mylinda came with her kids, but no Zeke. She brought the RV so Dad could join us and camp in it.
The hard part was that everyone couldn't come out at the same time. We had to keep making trips out to a place with cell phone service and give directions to people coming. All in all it worked out very well, but Ashlee Zumwalt didn't find the camping site this year. |
|
|
|
|
Landen planted a garden and he grew mellons. We brouget up some of his cantelopes and they were wonderful.
We brought up a spike ball game and the kids loved it. They were constantly playing the game almost the entire time. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dad came out on Saturday with plans to go back on Sunday. He and Mylinda were not going to stay until Monday due to making life easier on Dad. Margie came out on Sunday and showed some movies, and by the time they were finished, it was late enough that they decided to stay one last night and went back on Monday morning with the rest of us.
|
|
These camping trips are hard to plan due to everyone's schedules fluidity. But when we actually coordinate and make it happen, I am always left with the same sediment - we need to go camping more often. I really enjoy getting out and sleeping on the ground.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The white shade/tarp that we have isn't as good of a quality as Sabrina & Braxtons is. They have quit bringing their shade to these camping trips as they have downsized their vehicle and no longer pull their trailer. I am going to see if I can talk Sabrina & Braxton out of their shade and then we will put both of them in the trailer such that they are available when we pull it out. |
|
|
|
|
Margie had prepared a slide presentation and movie highilghting the life of Diane. She came out to
visit Sunday, just befre the downpour. She joined us for dinner and we all huddled underneath tarps
while the rain came down!
It turned out ot be pretty perfect timing. The rain stopped and we were able to help set up the slide show for Margie. The sun set and provided the perfect lighitng for the movie. It was really neat to see and hear. I loved hearing Diane's voice. At the bottom of the letter is a link to the movies. They are found on youtube. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We brought out the smoker and for our meal we smooked a brisket, made homemade macaroni and cheese and had salad. It was really good! Aj and I made smoked cream cheese spread as well shot gun shells.
They were a hit.
Here is our family picutre this year. It is interesting, depending on the timing of the event our family either shrinking or getting biggeer. Looking forward to seeing how our family grows over the years! |
|
Here are the first set of videos that Margie made: Cocks Videos
Here are the second set of videos that Margie made: M&M Stroud Videos |
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