1100 Miles and Heartfelt Camp Smiles

(2024 Heartland Ep 3)

Our 2024 Heartland Journey Begins

Our travels got underway the second Sunday in June.  We visited Liz and Josh and our two grands, Henry and Emilia, near Warner Robins, GA, where we moochdocked in their driveway.  Like most grandparents, we marveled at how quickly they are growing up.  

We left Georgia and continued to the western part of the Florida panhandle, where we spent the night at Blackwater River SP.   A thundershower grumbled in the distance, so we quickly set up camp.   

Once we were confident the storm was not getting closer, we followed a path to view the tea-colored river.  It twisted and turned with numerous sandbars on both sides of the flow.  The water in one backflow area was mirror-smooth, reflecting the sun and clouds.

We continued across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, where we camped two nights in the bayou state.   We drove Louisiana Route 8 westward and neared the Sabine River, the border between Louisiana and Texas.  Ahead, a yellow sign warned the clearance of the bridge was 12 foot 3 inches.  Images of the tops of campers and trucks smashing into low bridges came to mind, so we quickly flipped down our passenger side windshield visor. 

When riding on Percy, Pap is 12 foot 0 inches high.  To be safe, we slowed considerably as we crossed the bridge and passed into Texas with three inches to spare! Whew!

_{Views from our campsite on Steinhagen Reservoir in eastern Texas – a sunset and passing gator}

Our two final nights before camp were spent at a Corps of Engineers campground on Steinhagen Reservoir near Jasper, TX.  Our campsite was right on the lake, and we enjoyed two beautiful sunsets.

Anchored in Truth

For the next week Pat and I were on staff with Camp Cedarbrook Texas, a Christ-centered, Bible-based camp near Huntsville, TX.   More than 100 campers arrived on Sunday, and for the next six days and nights we modeled and taught about God’s truths of grace, forgiveness and new life for those who believe in Jesus. 

CCT offers campers a broad outdoor program that includes horsemanship and riding, archery, riflery, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, survival skills and lots more.  Pat and I led ‘Fire and Food’ activity, where we taught campers how to build and cook over a fire.  Pat worked with younger girls, and I taught younger boys.

^{We joined our cabin groups at a cookout one evening}

We enjoyed dining hall meals, evening worship times and nightly outdoor programs. 

50 and 1 Stars

Following devotions and breakfast each morning, all campers and staff attended a flag raising ceremony.  When presenting the colors, it was interesting that the Texas state flag, with its single white star, was proudly displayed.  

These were Texans after all!

Next Week

We say goodbye to CCT campers and staff friends, and continue west toward San Antonio for a visit with my brother and his family.