The Naperville Stake does what I think is a grand idea by sponsoring at least twice a year a Stake Teacher's Quorum camp out. We normally have around 30 boys however with the conflict of fall football and home coming games our numbers were slightly smaller but it didn't lessen the experience. People set up camp, ate their meals and then we gathered around the camp fire for a sharing moment by President Bruce Duffield. He is one of my favorite speakers and he didn't disappoint as he spoke of people of courage and the need to be that way today.
Tent sleeping is tent sleeping - what can I say. The temperature was cool which is my favorite . Fall camping is the best with an added benefit of no bugs. Morning came quickly, we ate breakfast, broke camp, and started a bike ride. The trail, The Great Western Trail runs 17 miles from St Charles to Sycamore is one so similar to the Luce Line or Sparta Elroy or Root River - reclaimed railroad track, flat terrain, in and out of the woods, grass lands and corn fields - as to think you were in MN or WI. Thirty miles is more than I have biked for some time and probably farther than I should have but I set a 30 mile goal and did it. As I biked I thought of the many miles I have biked and flashed backed to pre-mission 1000 miles in a month the highlights being hit by a truck and then running into a friend on the road thousands of miles away, to the Biking Merit badge with each of the boys, most memorable of which would clearly be the 700+ miles I have done on a tandem bike with Evan (a story for another time).
I stopped more than most, and am aching now for sure, but totally enjoyed the activity. My timing was good once again as I finished in the rain but for less than a quarter mile. The trail's end greeted us with pizza and gator-ade. A nice note to end on.
(editor's note - the body has quickly recovered - thank you very much)
(editor's note - the body has quickly recovered - thank you very much)
