Memorial Day Camping
May 27, 2004 by Kelli Hedding
We arrived Thursday evening just before dark and rushed to set up before the storms hit. We set up within 15 minutes; just as we got the last rain fly on and the final tent stake in it started to pour down rain and the skies began to roar. Thankfully the storm past quickly and the rest of the evening was pleasant. The only other family that came Thursday evening was the Wilcox family.
The next day Leon and Kelli took the Wilcox family spelunking. Our first cave, Sheep’s Cave, had an entrance like a giant throat and the passageway led us to the stomach of the hill. Fortunately the cave was not carnivorous so we did not find any skeletons there. We went into a second cave called Lone Hill Onyx. It was a bit wetter than the previous cave and its passageways were a bit tighter so we didn’t go very far. Before we left, however, Leon squeezed into a small passageway just as large as his body and found that it opened up to where he could stand up. He was itching to explore further but the Wilcox family had already turned back and it is not safe to explore a cave with only two people.
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| From Misc Images |
Later that afternoon Leon and I hiked to and explored a third cave, Indian Cave. As we were coming back we were met by Eric, a naturalist in the park. We got to talking about spelunking and he offered to take us into Fisher Cave, a large tour cave in the park. He was taking a small group of people in past the tour route to the waterfall room. There were two small passageways, he told us, into the waterfall room, both of which were really tight squeezes. On our way out Leon discovered a third passageway that Eric was not aware of; it too was tight but it was still neat for Leon to have discovered it. Fisher Cave was beautiful; by far the grandest cave we saw this weekend. We arrived back at camp late after everyone had gone to bed. We had caved from 8 pm to 10:30 pm. The latest we had ever caved. It was really neat to be caving in sections that the public rarely sees.
The next morning we took another group back to Lone Hill Onyx. The group was of more experienced cavers and we were able to explore the entire thing. Lucas and Jason and Adam Stanford had arrived while we were in Fisher Cave the night before. We met the Reynolds, Joe, Mary and Zach, at the visitor’s center. It was a very grand cave; much larger than I had expected. After lunch we wanted to cave in Bear Cave, but were unable. We instead went hiking in a creek to find Little Hamilton Cave but were unable to find it until it was time to return to camp. We arrived back at camp and Leon and Lucas were immediately summoned to go on a rescue mission to rescue one of the families that had gone inner-tubing and were believed to be lost. Everyone returned safely from that ordeal just in time for the potluck. We had the most beautiful evening fellowshipping with the rest of the camping club.
The following day a canoe trip was planned. Leon and Lucas did not join us; they were not interested after their rescue mission the evening before. Kelli, Jason and Adam Stanford came, however. They practiced flipping canoes at one point. The Stanford’s weren’t exactly sure what Kelli had in mind and she had a little trouble getting them to shove off without paddles (the current was pretty strong) but she finally convinced them that they did not need paddles. So there they were out in middle of the river paddling furiously with their hands and Adam and Jason still didn’t know what was going on. They were still looking to Kelli to tell them what to do when she leapt out of the canoe head first and completely flipped it. One of the bystanders described their faces as shocked as Kelli hurled herself from the canoe flipping them in. They all enjoyed it very much. The power of the river was learnt to be very strong.
Lucas, Leon and another young boy named Nathaniel Schmidt hiked down Hamilton Creek to the Meramec River and tubed down to Green’s Cave while everyone else was canoeing. We then explored this cave and floated the rest of the way back to the campgrounds.
The next day, Monday was the final day. We returned to Sheep’s cave with some camping club families. After lunch, Leon, Jason, Adam and Kelli returned to explore Little Hamilton. Little Hamilton has the best formations that we had seen at Meramec State Park. The soda straws were really impressive. At the back of the cave is a clay sculpture that looked like a sitting man. We then left for home.
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| From Misc Images |
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asdRock Climbing
May 8, 2004 by Kelli Hedding
Rock climbing at Upper Limits went very well. Everyone enjoyed themselves and many are interested in going climbing again. I believe rock climbing can be such a good analogy for daily life. I have personally learned that when you are climbing you have to push yourself beyond what you think you can do or you will regret it later. I had climbed a few weeks before this trip and gave up on a wall that seemed too tough for me. It drove me crazy for the next few weeks thinking that I had given up. Saturday when we climbed, the very first thing I did was go to the wall I had given up on and climb to the top. I was glad that I got another opportunity, but we don’t always in daily life. Make the most of every opportunity. You have to push past your fear and your fatigue. If you don’t you may miss something important God has for you.
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
Reaching for a hold.
There was something for all skill levels: from the short and simple 30’ climbs in the main room to The Cave. The Cave was a big hit, especially among the guys. The Cave consists of, well, not very many walls to climb, but there are an abundance of hand and foot holds on the ceiling to cling to if your heart so desires. Some of the girls even tried it, though they weren’t as successful as some of the guys. Some of the guys were so good they just kind of crawled across the ceiling like spiders. By dinner time everyone’s muscles were hurting and everyone was ready for dinner.
Besides the physical challenge, this latest “adventure” enabled me to get to know the other young people a little bit better. I find that physical activity like climbing and caving and simply “adventuring” with others is a great way to get to know people. Everyone is pushing through the same tight spot together or attempting the same climb or freezing their toes off in the same icy water. Everyone is in the same boat together…and maybe the water is rising?
Trip Photos
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
Learning how to tie a strong knot.
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
A lesson at our belaying class before we went to Upper Limits.
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
Being certified to belay.
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
Belaying is an important job. You’re holding the other person’s life.
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
Reaching the top of one of the 60 foot towers.
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| From 2004-05-08 Rock Climbing at Upper Limits |
Group photo afterward.
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asdPaintball Day
April 24, 2004 by Nathaniel Bluedorn
9:30 – We arrive at Dewayne Fender’s wooded lot where he has built forts and paths for playing paintball. Before we start he explains the rules of paintball and how to play safe. We have eighteen players and we divide into two groups: the Blue Team and the Red Team.
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| From 2004-04-24 Paintball Day |
Getting ready for the first game.
10:00 – Siege: Our team is set to guard one of the forts. We place players behind the walls and on the tower. The rest of the team hides in ambushes around the fort to guard where we’re vulnerable. We have a timer set for seven minutes. The other team must get everyone out of our fort before the timer goes off. The attacking team has multiple lives, so if they are hit, they can return to their base and re-enter the game.
Right from the start, we have trouble risking ourselves. Nobody wants to get shot. However, though the day we learn to take risks and charge the enemy’s position. After a fierce battle, our team wins the first game.
10:30 – Elimination: Both teams start at opposite ends of the field. Each team tries to eliminate the other team. This is simple, and we finish in less than five minutes. We advance using barricades to cover us as the next guy runs to the next barricade.
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| From 2004-04-24 Paintball Day |
A paintball battle in progress. You can see the players crouched behind the barricades.
12:00 – We break for lunch. Mrs. Fender has made a grand supply of goodies.
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| From 2004-04-24 Paintball Day |
Everyone is hungry for lunch.
1:00 – Capture the Flag: This was the longest game. Each team needs to capture the opposing team’s flag. The flags are at two forts on opposite ends of the field. If you are hit, you can go back to your team’s fort and re-enter the game.
First, we strategize and divide our team into three divisions. One division guards our flag, and two divisions take different routs toward the enemy’s fort. But once the game starts, tactics change. For the first ten minutes, there is confusion as players are hit and run back to their fort to re-enter the game. I am in the division guarding our flag. I shoot from behind a barricade that allows me to keep the enemy off for quite a while. Then my gun jams. At first, nobody notices that I’m not firing, and I try to keep it that way. But then they make a rush. Within five minutes, they take our fort and our flag and run.
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| From 2004-04-24 Paintball Day |
Taking a rest after the game.
2:00 – It begins to rain. We go into Mr. Fender’s garage and tell yarns about our exploits in the field. Novices propound clever strategies for wining, and old-timers keep silent with views of their own. Then someone gets the idea of playing a game in the rain.
4:00 – The day ends as we file back into the garage wet and exhausted. We start cleaning ourselves and our guns. The rain’s washed off most of the paint, but now we have to wash off the mud.
6:00 – We have supper and talk.
9:00 – Everybody goes over to our (the Bluedorn’s) house to spend the night.
Paintball teaches skills that you can’t learn in books. It’s a game of action and quick decisions. You must choose to risk your life, figuratively speaking, and know how to coordinate with your team members. Being an overly strategic person, I’ve learned when less thinking and more quick action is needed. I’ve enjoyed this, and I think it will help me in the future.
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