Ernie Max Trail and More

I've survived training! I'm so excited that the first batch of kiddos will be arriving on Wednesday. I can now build "satellites" in the pool, ignite hydrogen balloons, host a laser light show dance party, lead a night hike sans flashlight, tie a double figure-eight knot, and safely belay a climber on the ropes course. Oh, and I've crossed paths with a coyote in the moonlight (I don't know who was more nervous...).

One of this week's highlights was our hike on the Ernie Maxwell Trail overlooking Fern Valley. We had great views of the valley as well as Lily Rock and Suicide Rock. Here we are on the trail...
Lily Rock...I don't know the story behind this name. Maybe because it's lily-white? It's a beautiful granite outcrop whatever the case.


Suicide Rock...evidently there is a Romeo & Juliet story that gives the rock it's name. It has nothing to do with frazzled AstroCamp instructors. :)

Around camp, we have a lot of trees that look like Swiss cheese thanks to the Acorn Woodpeckers who like to store acorns (duh) in the holes....at least until the squirrels come by and steal them.

We've had beautiful (if slightly unusual) weather the whole time I've been here. We've eaten lunch outside every day, and nearly every day we've been entertained by a pair of Red Tail Hawks wheeling in the sky. Here's one of them resting at the top of a tree...

I think that's about everything for now. I'm sure I'll have more stories once the kiddos arrive!