Lake Lyman Wood Project

This post is for the girls. 

 Lake Lyman is where our girls stake camp has been held for many years.  I had the opportunity to go as a young woman's leader many times and each of our daughters attended girls camp there throughout their time in Young Women's. Keith and Eric also had the opportunity of going there for scout camps or camp Helaman.  The lodge was built in the 1960's by many individuals who lived in Layton. It is located in the Uinta's and is situated in a very beautiful setting. The lodge looks out over the lake which was also built up by the same individuals. It was once just a marsh. 10 stakes share in the use of the camp.  About 5 years ago the forest was hit by the beetles that have devastated so many forests in the Western United States.  Many of the trees have died, so last fall the forest service came in and cut down hundreds of trees within and around the camp. 

 The camp missionaries who run the camp, Elder and Sister Thompson who are in our ward, set up four days where members of the 10 stakes in Layton who use the camp, were asked to come up and help cut up logs and clean the area so that it would be ready for the many young men and young women who come up during the summer.  Joseph and I volunteered, especially because we love the Thompsons and would do anything to help them fulfill their responsibilities. Also Lake Lyman is dear to our heart as well. We went up Thursday morning and stayed through Saturday morning.

 When Joseph was loading up he decided to bring our log splitter, we were bring our trailer to haul home some fire wood. The forest service was giving free permits to those who were volunteering to help out.They have one at the camp, but they were thrilled to have a second one there.  Both of the log splitters were constantly going while we were there.

 Our stake rented a chipper which was really nice. They took all the branches and put them through the chipper and then spread the chips back over the forest floor as well as lining paths around the camp.

In the beginning they tried burning the sash piles but it leaves an ugly burn mark.

 Here is Joseph taking a break before beginning on this pile.

 There were still snow banks in some place. The benches at Martha (the amphitheater) were still half buried in snow.

 The cabins used to be nestled in the pines.  It really is sad to see all the tree stumps.

Joseph and I were able to stay in one of the cabins while we were there. We took our air mattress so we were quite comfortable and warm.

 

 

 One of the woodpiles we split and stacked. This is down by Martha. In the distance you can see the wood chipper.

 This is up by the privy's. Joseph hauled the log splitter to where the big piles of wood had been stacked.

On Friday we had our biggest group there. It was really nice as they had four-wheelers with trailers on the back to haul the wood out and up to where they could cut the logs for splitting.

 

 Here they formed a line to bring the logs up from down the hill.

The log splitter was really a blessing to have there.

 With all the menfolk helping out, I spent Friday helping cook as well as cleaning the lodge.  They fed everyone during the time they were there, including the forest service people that were there with us. Karen and Richard cooked up trout and Elk stew, along with spaghetti, and enchiladas, as well as a potato bar for one meal. The next morning they took the leftover potatoes and used for hashbrowns. We made lots of salads, rolls, pancakes and sausages. It was amazing how much food we went through. Everyone worked hard and they were hungry everytime they came in to eat.

 They had lots of chain saws going as well.  In the evenings after dinner we were all so exhausted we sat around the fireplace in the lodge roasting marshmallows and making smore's, as well as popping pop corn.  We wandered around the camp just enjoying being in the mountains. Friday evening the canoes arrived and a few people were out on the lake fishing. It was a little too breezy for me.

Here is a view looking out over the lake.  We were exhausted when we got home but it was a great experience.  Joseph and I noticed that those who willingly give of their time and resources seem to be a very kind and loving group of people and one can imagine that is the type of people we would want to spend our eternities with.