That's Mr. Optimism to you - thank you very much.

Camping at Granite Flats, in the High Uintas this week.

I am glad Susanna loved the constant availability of food, from the coolers, the snacks, the tent floor, the ground, and the fire pit.



Our "group campsite" was kind enough to provide two parking spots for us and our friends, and almost enough room for large tents. I am grateful for machetes and small tree branches.



Tim enjoyed the rocks. I am grateful for the opportunity to use up our supply of bandaids and Neosporin.



We arrived Tuesday, and enjoyed a wonderful day of setting up camp. I am grateful the women learned to leave the fire making to the men after three failed attempts at creating a foil-pack worthy fire. You will notice the raging embers below.



On Wednesday, we went to the reservoir to swim. With the rapid run off from the mountains, the water reached a balmy 38 degrees. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn how hypothermia feels when fulfilling the promise to take the children swimming.

I am grateful for the afternoon rains because they drowned out the smell of the latrines more than the gusting winds. They also prevented the children from playing in my hammock, or anywhere else but the car.



The thunderstorms nearby helped the children remember their primary songs.



Fortunately the children were worn out from the hypothermia and went to bed quickly.

The adults were able to play rook in semi-dry conditions.

It was nice to be able to pack out wet garbage to appreciate those wonderful campsites that have trash cans.

I am grateful Susanna yelled for mom when she figured out how to open the tent zipper and escaped into the night before she was attacked by wild moose (meese? moosen? mooses?)

I am grateful for the 15 minute increments of sleep I got between pelting rain, thunder, and children waking up.

I am grateful we were able to pack up in the rain and come home a day early to shower and get to toilets that did not make one hurl since the rain prevented all of our other plans from occurring.

I am grateful that our 18 month old tent survived the trip before having a bunch of tent legs brake. (Taking donations for a Springbar tent now...)

I am grateful to be back amid the sagebrush and grass so my allergies can act up again, the yard can need more work, and my week of vacation can be lost, all enabling me to look forward to death and the afterlife even more.

Fortunately, the company made up for much of the annoyances!