Youth Group Float Trip

I had a great time on Thursday, spending most of the day with the Youth Group from FCC Scottsdale (and beyond) on a float trip down the Salt River.

Two things simply have to be said:

1. It was an absolutely beautiful trip. I've never been on the Salt River before, and the startling contrast between the desert landscape all around you and the mountain chilled river water surrounding you simply can't be missed. How did I not know this place was right in our backyard?
   
2. Despite numerous coats and reapplications of SPF 50 Sunscreen, my forearms, knees, and ankles are all a fair shade pinker than they should be. We'll be lifting up a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessing of aloe vera at worship on Sunday.

Here is a big word of thanks to Jeanne Thompson for helping to organize the trip, for the 15 or so youth from our church who were there, and for Mark Line and all the dozen kids from the joint Disciples Youth Group in the East Valley that joined us. We had a great time, and it was the perfect environment for me meet our youth and get to know them a little better (honestly, when you are floating down a river for five hours you get to have some pretty good conversations!).

Oh, and the rumors are true. I was there in my blue floral swim trunks, big floppy hat, and bright blue water shoes. Strangely, no pictures have survived to be passed along to you!