Camp Zarahemla

The first weekend in January, we stayed with the Thurgood side of the family in a cabin near White Pass called Camp Zarahemla. It turned out to be quite the adventure. Literally seconds before we went out of cell phone reception, I got a message saying that they were having problems with power outages and to bring lanterns. As soon as I listened to the message, we lost reception, so I couldn't call anyone else in the family to warn them. Sam and I stopped and got a few cheapo flashlights, but they didn't have lanterns.

Well, sure enough, there was no power. The whole place is heated by a giant wood-burning stove and the stove and oven are gas powered, so the only thing we were without was light. But let me tell you, it is hard to sit around in the dark and not feel depressed or crazy. Even worse than that is trying to keep track of and entertain so many little kids in the dark. Changing diapers and cooking also proved a bit difficult.

If you know my family, then you know they aren't ones to just sit around on their thumbs... they went to find out what was wrong. The lights flickered on for just a second once, and Sam saw a fireball shoot out someone in the trees. They investigated and found that a tree had fallen on a transformer. We called the power company and after some long hours, missing equipment, and several return trips, they were able to get the power on. Hallelujah! Of course, it went off again a few more times, but we did have power most of the rest of the time we were there.

It was lots of fun to be cozied up in a cabin surrounded by feet and feet of snow. We went sledding, ate lots of soup, and played Rock Band and Bananagrams. The little kids loved playing in the loft with all the beds. Everyone was there except Ben, who had to be back down at school. We missed you Ben!

Opposite from last year, Levi hated sledding. The only thing he liked about the snow was when Sam would get a pile of it in his hand and then blow it all away.