Over Memorial Day Weekend, I went camping in Idyllwild, a small mountain town in the San Jacinto Mountains. I joined in with the Outdoor Fellowship from Calvary Chapel and my good friend Janet, that I met at the Bluegrass Thursday night jam, came along. This is our humble campsite, nestled in between hundreds of pine trees.
Janet, me and Lou led the worship time in the morning and evening. It was so much fun playing with these guys and it also helped me overcome my stage fright.
Becky and Jim, a great couple who jammed with us Friday night, and their little Jack Russell terrier. Apparently between the three of them, the dog is the fastest hiker!
Scarlet Indian Paintbrush were blooming throughout the hills.
I took this photo early one morning, directly behind our campsite. Spring has definitely sprung in Idyllwild!
That would be me on a rock in the campground. Life is good....
Pictures of our group sitting by the fire, talking, laughing, eating and singing. Great fun!
The trees have budded the tender green leaves of spring; oh to be a tree!
For the very first time, I saw the Manzanita in bloom. Pale pink flowers covered all the trees.
Massive boulders and pine trees up in the mountains of Idyllwild.
Lou's wife, Patti, took some of the pictures you see here. She captured Orville, the man on the right who leads our group, in a pensive moment and Ed on the left getting ready to sing!
Oak and pine trees intermingled with the vast array of giant boulders.
My friend Janet, such a dear sweet woman who loves to camp as much as I do.
Purple thistle blooming up in the mountains; pretty, but sharp and prickly.
Larry and Anita, loving life in the great outdoors. Larry gave one of the morning devotionals and nearly brought us all to tears with his vivid stories and beautiful illustrations.
Gigantic Sugar Pine cones were scattered all over the mountains.
Me and Lou, an extremely accomplished musician who plays in one of my favorite bluegrass bands, Box Canyon, getting ready to lead some singing. Thank you Lou and Janet for making the worship so beautiful!
Some of our younger and more energetic members!
Tricia is pretty energetic all by herself and has enough energy for three people!
Most of my time was spent just looking at the trees. They were so magnificent, awe inspiring, colorful, majestic, tall, poetic, amazing.........and the list goes on.
Sue drinking her coffee with some other folks in the background.
Robert and Sheila....Robert gave one of the devotionals as well, did an excellent job. Everyone spontaneously clapped when he was done. Robert was so stunned he simply sat down. The talk was very good, and I must say it took some of my deepest fears away.
Spring color in town; don't you just love it?
Lou with his amazing wife Patty......a photographer, pharmacist, gardener, and of course wife and mother.
Two sugar pine cones at the top of a very tall tree.
In 2010, this long awaited monument was installed, even though it is not quite finished. Artist, David Roy, was commissioned to create the piece after the original totem pole slowly decayed. The piece is breathtaking, as it is, and includes a bear, eagle, mountain lion, lizards and what not. I'm not quite sure what else needs to be done; maybe another eagle.
My favorite place to drink coffee in Idyllwild; the Higher Grounds Coffee house. That would be me, sitting out on the front porch, enjoying the sweet mountain air.
Elevation in Idyllwild is over 5,000 feet, which makes for brisk mornings and evenings!
Quintessential Idyllwild; homey, country, ma and pa, old fashioned food and decor, plus one very happy go lucky baker.
On the way out of town, Janet and I stopped at Café Aroma for the most delightful lunch of garlic soup, bread with olive oil and salad. Thank you Lord for a wonderful weekend!