One highlight of spring is the field trip to the Owyhee field day. The high school kids go as facilitators and the elementary 5/6 grade goes as participants. My sons have gained favor and respect with the rafting guides who bring their boats. It is a long day of sharing the delights of the water with group after group of school kids. It was cold this year and Reed was in his outdoor Carhart sweatshirt and coat along with bogs. Some years its t-shirt weather some years its bundle up weather. Thankfully the rain ended prior to the arrival of the younger kids.
Afton had the best time. I'm amazed at how much she is looking like her older sister Addie in these pictures.
Innovation allowed the kids to eat their lunch in a horse trailer out of the elements a bit. Small class size is a blessing of her school.
They learned about fish. My kids are not fans of fish. Afton shined at the tube setting station setting one then two tubes one in each hand. Her teacher accused her of showing off. My mom says its not if you can truly do it. I believe she did.
Reed in the last boat and on shore explaining how to use the paddle. He still had a lot of work to do to make the rides safe and successful.
The beautiful, amazing, life giving owyhee dam. Forever a piece of my family life. I love this day that student after student can have a small taste of learning how vital water is to our desert existence.
The highlight of the day was the tour inside the dam. There isn't time for every student to go in the dame but those thick walls have passageways for maintenance and work. The students hiked up and down flights of stairs to get a view of how the dam works. The lights out portion scared them good, and was another memory made.
Addie was a facilitator along with a fellow FFA member from my alumni chapter. My brother donated one of his jackets back to the chapter and it was being used by this young member. Full circle of growing, giving, and learning. Addie has been asked recently what she would tell people about agricutlure- she responded there is a place for everyone in FFA. Everyone belongs there and agricutlure is part of all of our lives. Whether we grow it, eat it, love to watch it from our daily drives, movies, or books, or like to wear clothes agriculture is part of our lives. This day showcases how many different industries and organizations are part of this water source.
Anna and Aliza were also able to facilitate the day. They were excited to be able to return to an event they both enjoyed in their youth. We are blessed to know the visionary organizer Vicki Price. She hasg rown this program bigger and bigger each year.
We are very blessed to learn and live in nature. I love the dam so many good memories of my growing up happened there. Now more removed I don't get there as often as I like. Thus making days like these particularly special as I know the quiet beauty and awesomeness of the dam construction can touch their hearts and imaginations. Life is good.
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