June 3, 2023,, Bellemont– Stories always abound, at gatherings such as this. One friend told of having recently visited a border town in Mexico, going to a restaurant further into town and finding his customary favourite dish did not quite taste the same. When he inquired, he was told that the dish was prepared across the border and trucked over.

The meals here at camp are made fresh, onsite. The chef, who I have known for forty-three years, has fed large groups, for about that long. Her meals have remained of good quality and substance-and are always well=planned ahead of time. Her eldest son, also a trained chef, was the grillmaster at lunch and turned out a fine burger feast-including vegan fare.

My role here is mainly fix-its and keeping the campers safe. The staff works well as a team and has kept my role fairly minimal. In the course of today, though, a water leak was resolved, an hour or two was spent helping in the kitchen and a visit to Parks General Store, five miles to the west, yielded another propane tank, for our gas-powered grill.

In the evening, one of the women on staff built a large bonfire, the kids enjoyed s’mores and we all sang devotional songs and prayers. I used my “Bear” drum for the first time since last September’s ill-fated event in Sedona. There was quite a difference in tone, this evening.

Things are working out well so far, and the self-confidence level is holding steady.