On the way to Whisper Canyon

 

 We stopped at lighthouse point in Santa Cruz on our way to Whisper. What we say was most amazing. The anchovies were in and the pelican were hungry.

There must have been well over 100 pelicans and even more seagulls. The sea lions were circling in a tight pack, maybe 20 of them. It seemed like they were herding the fish.

It was much more intense than my pictures show. It was not a good day to be a anchovie.

Some camp additions and completions

The week of Halloween we had 4 men from Mount Hermon come to work. The first priority was the assemble of the second play structure. Which was accomplished in a day and a half.

 Considering we did not have a full set of instruction, they had sufficient imagination and common sense for the job. They also worked on completing the  yurt decks.

I had purchased two new  evaporative coolers, which got installed . Then sun shades were put in place on the dining area . These will help with the setting sun and make it more comfortable.

Very glad this men came and helped enhance the camp. They all work on the adventure team and the various canopy tours/ rope courses at Mount Hermon in Scotts Valley.

Second Yurt is up

The above picture is opening up the lattice work wall. You can see the first yurt in the background . We started Friday about noon and got all the wood structure assembled about 6 PM. Jim Haney, Greg Schultz, Steve Aamold and my self worked that afternoon.

 Rafters are installed

Working on the roof skin Saturday. Stan and his son Steve joined us

 Here we slide the dome up to the top. I did not think we would get this far.

This picture shows the inside of the first yurt with the bunk beds installed.
We pushed a little to get the second yurt up before the fall rains came. There is a little more work to be done on the decks where we will construct bench seats on the outside and some railing.
These pictures were taken by Steve Aamold

Progress on the Yurts

About a week ago the framers returned to work on the deck. They competed it on the first yurt. We still need a bench seat and some railing but this is good progress.
They then started on the second deck. They did the raised portion first. Jennifer painted the plywood floor with some porch paint to protect it. We can always add rugs of some sort later. Till we assemble the second Yurt, which is on site, we are keeping the floor covered to protect it from pitch that drops off the pine trees.

Here one of the framers is attaching some trex

You can see the first deck in the background. We have the door covered with some UV resistant fabric to protect the wood.

Here is one bunk, a work in progress.

Here the slats are being attached to one of the beds. It is a family project creating and delivering these beds. We will wipe some Minwax golden pecan on them for protection, we expect the beds to match the walls.

Way back in May, PBCC Women

Some of the ladies from Peninsula Bible Church wanted a service and prayer retreat.

 Food is always an important part of the time.

One of the things they did was paint a portion of the chapel. I only asked them to do one wall. I try to make the projects completable.

I got carried away with purchasing some Kelly Moore mistake paint, actually got 15 Gallons of a nice tan. They might have used 1 gallon here in the chapel.

Some of the Gals worked on art, most of which is now mounted in the pole barn.

Some of them hiked to the cross, sorry it's rotated. Another good weekend at the camp

Friday Morning

The time together started with some sharing about the preceding week.

The seniors were prayed for.

 

Communion was served, a time of reflection for all of us.

A time of prayer as one big group before the drive down the hill and back to the Cupertino area.

Thursday 3-28

The three student groups meet each morning to discuss some of the details of the day. You might call them tail gate meetings.

Dinner time Ryan called the get speaker, who had flown back to Tennessee this morning and had him give the blessing for dinner over the phone and into the megaphone.

 Turns out he was driving to Florida with his family as he prayed.

 Another dinner picture. Great dinner of tri tip, beans and bread.
Communion service tomorrow morning and then they head back home.

Wednesday , almost a yurt

Here Leong Tan is helping us get the liner on.

Then the insulation

Getting there roof fabric on was a challenge. Opening the wall insulation package here.

Then hook it to the cable and shift as necessary.

Hang the exterior skin, Jonathan excelled at this step. PBCC pastors and some staff came down for the day . Here David Jones is watching.

Group effort

Needs the top and a little adjusting.

We dedicated the yurt , Harry and Nancy Batrum were part of the camps beginning.

Marl Landrith prayed a blessing.

The students made eclairs using a dowel and a crescent dough wrap and some fire.

Then squirt in some chocolate.

Tuesday afternoon 3-26

Getting the rafter ring up was an interesting process that went well.

Scott and Al worked well on the rafters. One end pokes into the ring while the other end gets a cable that is on top of the lattice.

Rafters are about half done.

Here Victor is stringing a steel cable , zigzag, through the rafters.

Another cable in the rafters picture.

After dinner, after Chapel, a bit of free time.

Then there were the footy pajamas.

Tuesday AM

Foggy morning, camp is coming to life.

Some folks were down at Victory circle.

A little conversation about the day ahead.

Then heading out