Zip Lines, S'Mores & Rebels

What a weekend! My daughter, Sheridan and I, attended Leader/Daughter Girl Scout camp at Valley Trails in Castaic, about 10 minutes from our home. They had lots of activites planned for us-arts and crafts, rock wall, zip line, Frisbee golf and low ropes.
This is Sheridan and I ready to tackle the rock wall.
Sheridan must have climbed up at least 50 times. The next morning she asked "Could we do some stretching Mom. My stomach muscles hurt!"
See the hill over my shoulder on the left. That is what we climb up to to get to the zip line.
I walk 4 miles a day (3/4 of a mile up a steep hill) but this hill did me in! It was a lot of fun!
Sheridan wanted me to go first because she was a bit nervous.
That's me!
Here comes Sheridan! THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!
She went on it twice. She would have liked to have gone on it all day!
This is Sheridan's idea of art--painting her hand purple!

At night, we had a campfire and exchanged SWAPs with other girls. The bunkbeds were very loud when you moved on them, so we didn't get a lot of sleep but we did have a lot of fun!
We left camp at 7:00am and stopped by the donut shop to pick up breakfast for the family. After a quick shower, we all headed to Moorpark to The Blue & The Gray, the largest Civil War re-enactment on the West Coast. This was our second time at the event except for Chasen. Last year, he had a sore throat and couldn't attend. I took 262 pictures but I narrowed it down to 10 for you! :) Musicians and Rebels!

Union soliders on horseback. The horses they ride are rescued retired horseracing thoroughbreds. It is amazing how well mannered these horses are around all of the gunfire. The soliders are amazing riders also.

Here are some lovely belles. They were sitting in front of us for the first battle and they said their friend made their outfits for them. So beautiful!

Union troop inspection before the 2nd battle.

Actor Bruce Boxleitner comes every year to participate as a Confederate officer on horseback. His wife, Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls of "Little House on the Prarie") joins him as well.

Very cool sword fight on horseback.

That's the Ronald Reagan library up on the hill to the left.

This is such a great learning experience for the kids. All of the re-enactors are so knowledgable about the Civil War events. I hope next year our family will dress up!