Through the Finish Line!

Well, its not really the finish line, but it is a milestone for Kim and I this year. RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)is completed (in the can as they say in the movie business)! The second camp ended yesterday at about noon, and we had the after camp wind-down/de-brief party at our home. Tri-tip, beans, and salad!

The RYLA camps were another great success. We hosted 210 highschoolers preparing for their senior year. It is always so amazing to watch the campers learn about themselves and others. This camp is all about personal growth into servant leadership. But the camp isn't the subject of my post.

Some out there may have though that I have been slacking on posting. I guess I should be flattered, since I wouldn't be accused of slacking if you didn't enjoy my posts. Well, I wasn't slacking. This spring has been like a hurricane for Kim and I. A perfect storm of activities, important life events, and obligations, that continued to accelerate as we approached the eye.

It started in mid may with the International convention in New Orleans, we came home and had about five days to complete preparations for District Conference, Lucy's Graduation and party, Sober Grad Night, and RYLA.

Kim and I were assigned as VIP Aides to the Rotary International Presidents Representative to our District Conference. A great honor, and enjoyable job. In addition, I was responsible for the annual remembrance ceremony on the last day of the conference. The last day of the conference was also the first day of Camp RYLA. So, as you can see, after we returned from NOLA, we had a few days of preparation before seventeen straight days of non-stop action!

In Virginia City,Liz pets Bonnie, an old prospector's ass.

So those few days of prep were crammed full! We did last minute shoping, cleaned up the Canyon Club for Lu's party, purchased supplies for RYLA, finalized Sober Grad (that is a post for Kim to write someday!), finished collecting info on our departed Rotarian friends and kicked of the final sprint on June eighth.




Kim and I welcomed Monty and Liz Audenart from Canada to the District Conference in Reno, then drove back home to attend Lucy's Senior awards banquet in Portola. Lu won a $500 scholarship that is in memory of a local teacher, Bill Martin.

Next day Kim and I returned to Reno to spend the day with the Audenarts. I went clay shooting with Monty, and Kim took Liz to Virginia City to give her a taste of the old west! The shooting was great. I almost beat our District Governor. I shot my best (almost 50%), and DG Sky King shot his worst (the fact that he found out he was getting audited by the State Tax bureau while we were shooting probably did not help his aim).

Lucy contemplates the future with Elizabeth Silva
in front, and Harley Sears behind.

We had a meeting and dinner at the conference hotel before heading to our room. Next morning was the official beginning of the conference, so I hung out with Monty, while Kim headed to the store to purchase some supplies for Lucy's grad party, and Sober Grad Night. About 1:00 I headed to pick up the cakes Kim had ordered for the party, and hit the road back to Portola. Got there in time to drop them off at the Canyon Club, and get to the football field to see my baby in her high heels, cap and gown!

The commencement was wonderful (short). The weather was perfect, warm with a soft breeze that was just enough to disrupt the bugs! John and Jeanne, Buck and Libby, Frank and Lucille, were all there to see Lucille Marcelle get her diploma. Then it was off to the party to eat some cake and celebrate!

Libby, Lucy, and Buncle Uck!

After the guests departed (around 9:00), I headed back to Reno, while Kim stayed in Portola to help load the kids on the bus for the big trip to the Grand Sierra Hotel and Sober Grad Night! I made it back to the room and went to bed about 11:30, Kim joined me at around 2:00 am!

Saturday we spent the day at the conference, and were actually able to enjoy ourselves! On Sunday morning, I was up for the remembrance ceremony. We had a cowboy poet do a very moving presentation back lit by a beautiful slide show to start things off, then we rang the bell, and placed carnations as I read the names of all of the departed Rotarians. It was very difficult, as I had a few friends in the group this year. We brought the mood up after that by singing "Happy Trails". It was a very nice ceremony.

Last but not least I could not leave to help get Camp RYLA started until I had been "promoted" to District Governor Elect.

Kim and I got home at about 2:00 in the afternoon. I changed, and headed up the Grizzly Creek Ranch (where RYLA is held) to see how things were progressing. Things were going well. However, it is always the toughest two days to get the camp set up while training counselors, preparing for campers, checking in campers, and getting them started. By Monday night we were in full swing.

Uncle Frank, Big John, Auntie Lucy, Jeanne and Lu
at the party!

This year I helped direct camp 1, but slept at home each night. There were a few days that I had to leave mid-day to dig foundations and ditches for our soon to be installed solar electric generating system, so I was back and forth allot. During week two, after registration, I checked in with the two new camp directors daily to make sure they didn't need any help, all the time digging ditches, and catching up on yard work, and helping Lucy change the oil in her Mustang. On Thursday and Friday, Kim and Lu drove to Sonoma State for the First Time Freshman Orientation. Kim got back just in time to kick off the party!

We had a great Bar-B-Que here. After all our guests left, we cleaned up the house, and went to bed. This morning I woke at 9:00, to the sounds of birds chirping, the sun shining, and a cool morning breeze caressing me, and no commitments near on the horizon.

Oops! I lied, we are going to a birthday Bar-B-Que at the Barkley house. Oh well, sounds like a good time to me!

That's All!