The Phoenix October outing was a success!  We ate well, got some exercise, saw some cool waterfalls and built great campfires to keep us warm.

We set up camp at Rock Creek Recreation area on Friday night, gathered some fire wood and built a fire to warm up and make some s’mores.  It got a little chilly that night (in the 30s) but all slept pretty well, even the one in the hammock!  Saturday morning our wood gatherers and fire builders were busy again so we could cook our mop-handle biscuits over the fire for breakfast – along with omelets-in-a-bag.  We kept the fire going for warmth and because some of us just couldn’t stop adding wood to it!  We went for a short exploring hike along the creek and found the campground “pool” that resembled a pond – no dogs or fishing allowed in the pool!

After a delicious lunch of chicken tacos and fruit, we went on a more difficult hike – that’s what the sign said “more difficult” and it proved to be correct.  It was a 4 mile roundtrip hike up to the Rock Creek Waterfalls and there were actually several waterfalls along the way.  There were a few challenges, like the four creek crossings, very rocky paths and several steep inclines but they were all worth it to see the cool waterfall at the end.

By that evening, we were hungry again so got the charcoal going for the dutch oven pizzas along with fettuccini alfredo, celery and carrots.  Everything was delicious – we have some great cooks!  After dinner, we had a Campfire ceremony (and another hot campfire) with new songs and jokes.  We played the get-to-know-you game we learned at Grayson Highlands and retired to our tents only after burning all of the fire wood we had gathered.

Sunday morning, after a quick breakfast and taking down camp, we had a peaceful church service that everyone got to participate in.  Our campfire and church service leaders did an excellent job!