The Joy of Returning Home . . . to Squatters
Posted by AndyJun 30
After 19 days of life on the road, today we received the joyful news that the mandatory evacuation order was lifted and that we were allowed to return to Sky Ranch. While the Pingree Park Rd is still closed to nonresidents, Brad and I were allowed to pass the road block and make our way into camp.
On the way up Highway 14 and the Pingree Park Rd, evidence of the High Park fire was all around. While it was obvious that some areas were only burned due to back burning (only going up a couple feet on the trees), in many areas the full burn areas came right down to the road, across the road and river, and up the opposite hill side. The intensity of the fire and the full effort of the fire fighters was quite evident.
It was with great joy that we rounded the corner into camp and saw the meadow and lodge. It was with less joy that we drove up to the lodge to discover that a bear tore a hole in the backside of the trash shed and scattered trash all around the parking lot. And finally, as we were standing around looking at the trash, it was with a scream of fright (Brad’s, not mine) that we watched as a bear climbed out of the lodge kitchen window and ran away into the woods. It was at that point that the joy of getting into camp was . . . a bit less joyful.
Long story short, it appears that two bears have been calling Christ Lodge home for at least the last couple days. The evidence is mostly on the main floor of the lodge, but includes a broken window, trash and bear poop (and trash and bear poop smell) everywhere, and a kitchen that looks like . . . bears have been living in it. Needless to say, we have quite a bit of work to get Sky Ranch ready for campers.
Even with all of that, we are very excited to be back to camp. We are putting plans in place to be ready to welcome campers for the beginning of week #5 programming. There is a good chance that we will have a work weekend July 6 – 8, but we will share more details early this next week.
For now, thank you for all of your prayers and your support. We give thanks for our safe return to Sky Ranch and the great moments of ministries that are just around the corner.
- Andy
10 comments
Comment by Joel on June 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Thanks be to God that you and Brad were able to get into to camp, and that, considering the circumstances, all is well. Um, thanks for picture #6…leaving that to the imagination just wouldn’t do. Looking forward to getting back to Sky Ranch!
Comment by Brad Abbott on June 30, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Andy isn’t being quite truthful. I screamed at him because he was oblivious of both of the bears. I was looking out for his safety! And Andy was the one who almost threw-up when we entered the lodge.
Comment by Tracey on July 1, 2012 at 6:59 am
You weren’t kidding when you said you returned to squatters! The best picture, though, was of the lodge and meadow, intact. Praise God! Thank you firefighters!
Comment by Linda on July 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Thank you for keeping us informed the last few weeks!! Our family reads and discuss your blogs each day. Camp never ends! Thank you Sky Ranch for you YOU!
Campers…..Fire…..and Bears……..OH MY!
Comment by Karen Mallette on July 1, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Bears and Sky Ranch kitchens just go together
During the summer of ’74, I worked as part of the kitchen staff in the old lodge. We would climb onto the roof at night to wait for the bears to come down the hill and get into the trash. We parked a bear cage next to the old Skunk Hollow cabin (where the kitchen girls lived) that summer, but we never caught the bear. I think it sprang the trap once.
Soooooo glad that SR was saved, and you all can get back to your homes.
Comment by Lynn Mickelsen Dwyer on July 1, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Thanks so much for the regular blogs to keep all of us up to date. I’m thrilled to hear camp will resume soon. I hope the bears realize their week at camp is over!!
Comment by Alissa on July 1, 2012 at 10:01 pm
One of my first thoughts looking through the pictures was “Egads, my kitchen.” It’s only been what, six years since I was assistant food service director for half the summer? lol. Glad the camp is safe, squatters notwithstanding.
Good luck on the rest of the season!
Comment by Ntxuam! on July 1, 2012 at 10:53 pm
It’s great that we can return to camp! Not so great with the bear mess. Andy…I’m not working in the kitchen until that’s all cleaned up :p Ok…I’m sure I can probably come help clean it up.
Comment by Ramona Johnson on July 2, 2012 at 7:41 am
I have’nt been up there but now I sure want to. Thanks to all who are cleaning it up. God be with each of you.
Comment by Harvey Lange on July 2, 2012 at 2:30 pm
What an experience, Andy and Brad. Carol and I are grateful that the fire did not damage to the camp. Trash clean up can indeed be done quickly and efficiently. Fire devastation would have been a different matter. God prosper the remainding camp season. Harvey and Carol Lange (Andy’s grandparents)