Father and Sons Campout
Sunday, April 27, 2008
On Friday, April 25, 2008, the men of the Lester family loaded up the truck and ventured out on our annual Father’s and Son’s outing to commemorate the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. We were joined by family friend Byron Rasmussen who, was invited along last year and had such a good time that he asked to make an encore appearance with us this year.
Our outing was held on a 60,000 acre ranch southeast of Florence owned by our former Stake President, Gail Brimhall, who now serves as the Young Men’s President in our ward. Our campsite was located at an area called The Boulders at Skyview where we were surrounded by hundreds of house size boulders of every shape and design imaginable. The scenery was a spectacular slice of the Sonoran Desert in springtime draped in the flora and fauna of the southwest.
With the warm temperatures, we decided to leave our large tent at home and instead sleep under the open sky. We took a small tent in the event Brother Rasmussen decided the canopy of stars was not to his liking. Within minutes of our arrival, we had our tarp and bedding laid out and the boys were off exploring the arid playground that surrounded us.
Less than an hour later we had our first noteworthy event of the weekend as I was removing some splinters from Braxley’s hand, Kolby yelled, “Dad, there’s a rattle snake”. Sure enough, behind me and not ten feet from out sleeping area was a 3 foot long Diamondback. A crowed gathered within minutes and the shovel I had in my hand seemed to be growing smaller by the second. Finally with the Bishop holding the snake down with a rake, I dispatched the unwelcome visitor with a chop to the head. Thinking we could try something new, we endeavored to skin and cook the critter. Even though headless and dead for more than 10 minutes, the body continued to coil up with every touch. I can honestly say that the inside of a rattle snake is every bit as ugly as the outside and despite our best efforts, we could not identify enough meat on the serpent to make so much as an appetizer let alone an entrée. The skin and rattles however made 2 primary boys very satisfied outdoorsmen.
Later, after we filled ourselves on steak, baked potatoes and cowboy beans, the sun set in the western sky. Just after dark, we embarked on a planned walk among the boulders. This commemoration walk was done in silence led by the Bishop. After a few minutes, we stopped and as predetermined beforehand I gave a brief presentation about the Aaronic Priesthood from the days of Adam to the restoration. At the point where I introduced the restoration, a spotlight moved to a high boulder above me where 3 priests; Brady, Jacob Handy and Jacob Palfryman were dressed as John the Baptist, Joseph and Oliver. The picture of that scene was magical and invited a spirit of reverence and awe.
Our commemoration walk continued to the next stopping point where Brother Van Rowse stood on another boulder at least 15 feet high and taught us about the keys to the ministering of angels. We then returned to camp along the path for another 15 to 20 minutes in silence (unless you count the occasional complaints from Braxley about how this hike was never going to end). The Bishop concluded our walk by teaching us about the importance of being worthy to receive and hold the priesthood.
Around the campfire we were then entertained by former high councilman Edwin Lamoreaux who played guitar and sang songs that he had written including: "On the Rock," "I like Boys" and "My Dad." The evening was topped off by smores, small talk, and boys poking their sticks into the fire until one by one everyone filed off to bed.
The night was peaceful and the stars were amazing to watch. Despite the peaceful surroundings I admit to sleeping with one eye open after our earlier encounter with the snake.
Saturday was no less eventful. After the High Priests stuffed us with the best breakfast burritos ever, we spent the morning shooting bows and arrows, black powder rifles and shotguns. There was even a 1928 Thompson sub machine gun in attendance that made it really hard to determine who was more enamored, the Fathers or the Sons. By noon, the sun was high and hot, the guns were empty, and the comfort of home was calling loudly.
After all was said and done, the Lester home is blessed with the reminder that our Heavenly Father loves us and has blessed us with a portion of His power that we might partake of the ordinances of salvation, have our sins remitted, and be guided by continuing revelation and heavenly assistance. Moreover, we grew together, worked together, played together and created memories that will last even longer than those boulders.
Our outing was held on a 60,000 acre ranch southeast of Florence owned by our former Stake President, Gail Brimhall, who now serves as the Young Men’s President in our ward. Our campsite was located at an area called The Boulders at Skyview where we were surrounded by hundreds of house size boulders of every shape and design imaginable. The scenery was a spectacular slice of the Sonoran Desert in springtime draped in the flora and fauna of the southwest.
With the warm temperatures, we decided to leave our large tent at home and instead sleep under the open sky. We took a small tent in the event Brother Rasmussen decided the canopy of stars was not to his liking. Within minutes of our arrival, we had our tarp and bedding laid out and the boys were off exploring the arid playground that surrounded us.
Less than an hour later we had our first noteworthy event of the weekend as I was removing some splinters from Braxley’s hand, Kolby yelled, “Dad, there’s a rattle snake”. Sure enough, behind me and not ten feet from out sleeping area was a 3 foot long Diamondback. A crowed gathered within minutes and the shovel I had in my hand seemed to be growing smaller by the second. Finally with the Bishop holding the snake down with a rake, I dispatched the unwelcome visitor with a chop to the head. Thinking we could try something new, we endeavored to skin and cook the critter. Even though headless and dead for more than 10 minutes, the body continued to coil up with every touch. I can honestly say that the inside of a rattle snake is every bit as ugly as the outside and despite our best efforts, we could not identify enough meat on the serpent to make so much as an appetizer let alone an entrée. The skin and rattles however made 2 primary boys very satisfied outdoorsmen.
Later, after we filled ourselves on steak, baked potatoes and cowboy beans, the sun set in the western sky. Just after dark, we embarked on a planned walk among the boulders. This commemoration walk was done in silence led by the Bishop. After a few minutes, we stopped and as predetermined beforehand I gave a brief presentation about the Aaronic Priesthood from the days of Adam to the restoration. At the point where I introduced the restoration, a spotlight moved to a high boulder above me where 3 priests; Brady, Jacob Handy and Jacob Palfryman were dressed as John the Baptist, Joseph and Oliver. The picture of that scene was magical and invited a spirit of reverence and awe.
Our commemoration walk continued to the next stopping point where Brother Van Rowse stood on another boulder at least 15 feet high and taught us about the keys to the ministering of angels. We then returned to camp along the path for another 15 to 20 minutes in silence (unless you count the occasional complaints from Braxley about how this hike was never going to end). The Bishop concluded our walk by teaching us about the importance of being worthy to receive and hold the priesthood.
Around the campfire we were then entertained by former high councilman Edwin Lamoreaux who played guitar and sang songs that he had written including: "On the Rock," "I like Boys" and "My Dad." The evening was topped off by smores, small talk, and boys poking their sticks into the fire until one by one everyone filed off to bed.
The night was peaceful and the stars were amazing to watch. Despite the peaceful surroundings I admit to sleeping with one eye open after our earlier encounter with the snake.
Saturday was no less eventful. After the High Priests stuffed us with the best breakfast burritos ever, we spent the morning shooting bows and arrows, black powder rifles and shotguns. There was even a 1928 Thompson sub machine gun in attendance that made it really hard to determine who was more enamored, the Fathers or the Sons. By noon, the sun was high and hot, the guns were empty, and the comfort of home was calling loudly.
After all was said and done, the Lester home is blessed with the reminder that our Heavenly Father loves us and has blessed us with a portion of His power that we might partake of the ordinances of salvation, have our sins remitted, and be guided by continuing revelation and heavenly assistance. Moreover, we grew together, worked together, played together and created memories that will last even longer than those boulders.
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