In Between Camping Trips...

Months ago, before we knew how camping-heavy this summer was going to be, we had also agreed to our usual Manassas campout, but in July this year.  When we realized that it was the day before we were going to a wedding, we decided to just go and visit our friends without actually spending the night.  And then Craig felt stressed out about the wedding (since he was conducting the ring ceremony) and asked if I would hate him if he backed out?  The kids also begged off, since they were all sunburned and sick of being outdoors.

I called up Sarah and asked how busy she was and if she wanted to visit a couple old friends with me?  And she was able to come!  To sweeten the deal, I went and picked her up at her house (there aren't really any good meet up places between us if you're heading north), and that meant we also got to catch up during the drive!

Unfortunately, it was POURING rain for a good portion of that drive-- you know it's bad when I drive slow for rain!-- including when we arrived at Matthew's Arm.  So we sloshed our way through the trail-turned-creek to where Emma and Christina had a shelter set up and then spent a lovely couple of hours gabbing away with our friends.  

Sarah, Christina, Emma, and me!

Normally I would have stayed longer, but those benches are the WORST and I was so damp.  (I'd brought camping chairs so we could sit more comfortably, but unfortunately I'd left them in the truck bed and they were also very soggy.)  When there was a break in the rain, Sarah and I splashed our way back to the truck and began the drive back.  We stopped in Harrisonburg for dinner at Five Guys and after I delivered Sarah back to her home and finished my drive alone (I mean-- I still had Taylor Swift to keep me company!).  It was a long day, but I was so glad to get to spend so much time with my friends!

The next morning we were up bright and early for this crazy wedding:

That's my friend Amy Patchett, now married to our previous bishop, Steve Morgan!  That was nothing I could have ever predicted, but I certainly wish them all the happiness!  Those two have been through a lot, and they definitely deserve it!

And here's Camille dancing with her best buddy Peter at their reception (which was lovely, and Craig did a great job!):