Camping and "Debate Camp"

Hello all! A quick update -- Mariellen and I went camping in Zion National Park this weekend (sorry, no pictures -- my digital camera's out of batteries). A fun trip but a lot of work to get there and back, prepare all the food, etc. We put up a tent in the rain, but it wasn't too bad because the storm was mostly off in the distance. Then we made breakfast and coffee using my grandpa's old campstove percolator, which was really cool and felt like I was carrying on the family tradition or something. We went with two other couples, and they were really good company. One couple brought their twin baby boys (6 months), which gave me an appreciation for my parents raising Chris and me.

Sometime Saturday night, Mariellen got bit by something, we think (she felt a sharp pain go up her arm, and it is now swollen and painful). The doctor thought it might be a scorpion, but he didn't find any bite marks. She has some medicine in her to reduce the swelling, and she'll see another doctor tomorrow about a different issue, so if there's something else going on, hopefully we'll find that out tomorrow.

Debate camp has been going for three days with two to go, and it is nothing like camping for real, as you might guess. The kids who have come consistently are doing well, I think. There just haven't been that many kids there at all, but it's been good to be able to spend time with the new members and really help.

Two more days, then a week of meetings and planning, and then the school year starts! Yay! I really think this year will be the best one yet. We shall see.

Jeff has some fun posts about his trip and visit with me at Jeff's blog, which I've also commented on. The only website I've visited recently is NFL Online for this year's debate topics. Check it out if you're interested.