Camp Life Adieu

The final day of Camp 1609 has come. One sweet camper innocently said to me the other day, "Ms Lynne, you look stronger." I think he is right. I am also a little weary and weepy but mostly content. I wanted to put down a few thoughts about the experience so that I remember how fun it was when it comes time to plan next summer.

On recipe Thursdays we started with a final discussion about food fixings, followed by a trip to Whole Foods for supplies. The "free" snacks and samples take the bite out of the price tag. I feel we owe a small admission for ogling the produce, fish, meat, chocolate fountain and cake display as well.

"free" snacks

samples

ogling

I was very proud of my campers street smarts. They filed in and out of the van with ease (mostly), fed parking meters, rode elevators, waited for traffic lights to turn, kept track of their partners in crowded city pools, museums, grocery stores, bathrooms, libraries, bowling alleys, restaurants, etc.

meter line

I was always moved by the campers response to beauty. They recognize the extraordinary and fantastic -- like when they got their first glimpses of the pennies at the Blanton Museum, and the blue and green water at Barton Springs, and the wide staircase at The Texas State Capital, and the beetle and gem displays at the Texas Memorial Museum.

texas state capital steps

on the capital grounds, crew with cannon

Most days we got wet. Our top hot (or rather cool) spots were Deep Eddy for the rejuvenating spring water and jims jims (Italian Ice), Northwest pool for the diving board, Ramsey pool for the privacy, pristine water and thrilling pre 1990 playground equipment, and finally, West Enfield pool, where we were likely to meet up with our buddies from the hood.

west enfield

that summer feeling