Beware,
the following was written WAY late at night and while trying to beat my
computer battery from dying....it needs major revisions but I don't have the
energy, time or battery to fix them.
Last
weekend, Shay's old roommate called up and invited us to go back up to Jay's
cabin for the weekend. Jay's cabin is located outside of Evanston Wy. and is
the same cabin Shay and I "got together" at two summers ago--crazy
how time flies.
Anyway,
we jumped at the chance to not only get away but to spend the weekend with our
friends sledding, four wheeling, eating (lots--UGH!), and playing tons of
games. It was a blast to say the least....well, OK, except for the sub zero
temp. and the fact that we had to hike into and out of the cabin due to snow (I
would show pictures except I forgot my camera and snow boots at home--CRY!). I
didn't know my nose could run and not even be able to feel it trickle down my
face!! GROSS!!!! I also was unaware that if your fingers get too cold they
actually swell up twice the size they are normally before falling off---ok,
mine didn't really fall off, but they did swell up to twice their normal size
after Jay drove me from the cars up to the cabin on the four wheeler (wait, you
might notice that I complained about hiking in and out of the cabin...OK, truth
be told I didn't hike in, but our friends did....they even got lost, returned
to the cars, and then had to go back up. Luckily--or unluckily). I on the
other hand was recruited as the "storage bin" on the back of the four
wheeler to help carry supplies up to the cabin (there was no running water at
the cabin---yep, no running water--outhouses all the way...I promise it was a
blast!).
Once I
had successfully smashed 2 sleeping bags between Jay and myself, loaded bags
over my shoulders, and had about 4 plastic sacks in hand, we headed up. I
immediately realized my dollar Walmart gloves were completely inadequate for
the subzero temp--not to mention the fact that Jay was flying up the hill as
fast as the four wheeler could go....since it was after two in the morning when
we finally pulled into the parking lot and one of the four wheelers wouldn't
start--which meant more trips back and froth from the cabin (When we got there,
one of the four wheelers wouldn't kick into neutral so we could start it--it
was frozen...I told you it was FREEZING!!!).
Of
course, as soon as we were able to dig a path from the road to the cabin we
were able to get into the house, start the wood burning stove, and wait for
warmth. As we were waiting in our coats, hats, etc. for warmth, we decided to
start a game of Catan (a favorite amongst our friends!). Of course the game
started at 4 in the morning and we didn't hit the hay until after 5 in the
morning....good times.
Saturday
morning, I was up early--I hate the fact that I can't sleep in!!! Since the
friends we went with are all single, Shay slept downstairs with the boys and I
upstairs on a bed with the girls. I quickly realized how often I rely on Shay's
hot legs during the night to keep my feet warm. It felt like we were dating
again. During the day we ended up sledding, playing games and
goofing off. It was so fun...except having to use the outhouse in the cold!
Sunday,
we woke and got ready for church...as best as we could under the circumstances.
Nothing like heating water on a stove, mixing it with cold water to make it
warm, and then pouring it over your head to wash your hair--boy did I look good
that day!
We drove
to Evanston WY for church. It was a nice service and a wonderful chance to take
the sacrament. Yet, it was when I was leaving the building that I came upon one
of the most decorated Relief Society bulletin boards I have ever seen. It was
very cool. Black and white with accents of hot pink. I read the first little
sign (Sign said: "A candle loses nothing of it's light by lighting another
candle) and thought, "So Relief Society" how cute. Then I immediately
turned to the next one. I actually laughed out loud when I read the second one.
I actually had to read it again...."was this really on the
"Relief Society" bulletin board????" I thought. I laughed
again. I read it to Shay and our friends. They got a kick out of it too.
So, are you wanting to know what it says.....just put it in contents of it
being on the "Relief Society" bulletin board in a church house.
Sign
reads: "If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of
your arm!"
With the
exclamation point too! You go WY! Isn't that hilarious! I thought it was.
Nothing like leaving with a new insight to life!
Our trip
ended that night when we finally made ourselves hike out of the cabin after 9
at night and return home. Right before we left I decided to place my Walmart
gloves on top of the wood-burning stove to warm them up before we had to hike
out...a stove that had been burning ALL weekend, literally---NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!
Let's just say it took seconds before a terrible smell started and smoke rose
from them!!! So much for hoping for warmer fingers on the way back. No biggie,
I have memories to last a lifetime!
What a
weekend! I can only say I am SO glad I was not a pioneer! I wouldn't have made
it through the first freezing night that is for sure!
