The kind of work that feels good.

We always seem to schedule a camping trip while we are visiting in Utah. We always go to a place in the Uinta Mountains called Marsh Lake. Craig's family has been camping here for generations.

Last year when we went, we noticed that a lot of the pine trees were dying. We were told that a beetle had infested the trees and they secrete something that makes a mold grow on the bark and causes the trees to die.

Well, this year, it was very evident that the beetles had done some damage.It had become necessary for loggers to come in and start cutting down the dead trees. The camp grounds were bare. We had also been told that the loggers had done such a bad job that they were fired. Supposedly, they had ruined campsites, picnic tables and even leveled an outhouse at another campground. They really had left a mess.

It had now come the responsibility of the camp hosts to clear the sites for campers. And, as you can tell by the picture, it was going to be a daunting task for just the two of them.

So, having quite a large group of people there (and a few youth working on scouting and young women's projects) we asked the camp hosts if we could clean up a bit for them.

They gave us some rakes, a pitch fork and a couple of wheel barrows to use.

We cleared a lot of brush and stacked some of the cut down trees. We worked hard and it felt good. The kids were able to pass of some goals and, in the process, do something for someone else.

We wished we could have done more, but it was one of those jobs that we could work for a straight week and still wouldn't be finished.

Here is a picture of the campground from the other side of Marsh Lake. It's so sad to see all the dead trees.

We were still able to get some fishing in. Here is Ragan and Cameron. (Did I mention that fishing with your kids is so much more fun when they can work their own poles! haha!)

Crystal (Cam's wife) and Makenzie and Craig and Cam enjoying some time together. That was the best part. We don't get to see them very often and we miss them!!

A few days after we got home to Arizona, we got this card in the mail. It was from the camp hosts. Their kind words were so appreciated. :)

P.S. Buff & Francis....save some work for us so we can help out again next year!