Our church's annual Men's Conference took place where it usually does: At the Cascades Camp and Conference Center, which is owned and managed by the North Pacific Conference of the Covenant Denomination, which our church belongs to.

The conference is a weekend set aside to focus on US, the men in the church, and get us in an environment were we can put everything aside for a time, and focus on what's important to us as men, and in a place where we can address issues that might not be as easily done in a less focused audience.

It was a great opportunity for me, as I'm new to the church, and I got a great chance to meet a lot of folks in the church for the first time... its difficult to try and get to know someone in the 20-30 seconds you have on Sunday's to "Look around and say hello to someone you might not know..."

We stayed at Brightwood Station, one of the several camping areas set up in the 680 acre center.

In the summer, this site is used to house middle-school aged kids, and is set up with a Rail Road theme. 

I think everything was brought here... the tracks weren't on any sort of grade, and while the engine was authentic, the cars looked like they were manufactured in place, mounted on surplus wheel assemblies... it was very well done, though, and, as a train buff in hiding, I enjoyed it quite a bit.

This wasn't my car... =]  I actually stayed in a "Snores very loudly" car.  I slept like a baby, but since no one was telling me to get off my back, I only smiled when some of the guys in the cabin said that "Someone was REALLY snoring!"

They weren't the roomiest places I've stayed at, but they were better than some of the Army barracks I've stayed in, too!  Warm, dry, and comfortable, I slept well.

Before and Between sessions, we'd walk around a bit, and enjoy the fresh air, and we'd meet folks that we hadn't really known before.  It was a good opportunity for lots of newer guys at the church.  Of the 65 or so who went, about 20 of us were new to the church.

I found the baggage car pretty interesting.  There's one of these still in use down at the King Street Station in Seattle; I saw it when we took our trip down to LA.

One of the boxes of the cart was marked as being from a box company in Bangor Maine.  It was apparently a real company, and it existed in some form into the 80's, selling agricultural products.  Who knew?

Each car was marked with the logo of a rail line... some of them don't exist anymore, such as this one.  Great Northern combined with the Burlington Rail Line.  Burlington-Northern then combined with Santa Fe, to be come BNSF.

The meals were done in a central cafeteria about a quarter mile away or so... it was all downhill going TO the cafeteria, but the walk back wasn't quite as easy.  =]

It was a great facility, though, and the food was quite good!

Each session started out with worship.  There's something about a room full of men singing praise songs... its awesome!

Doug, the speaker, was from a church in California.  The Theme for the weekend was fruits of the Spirit.  He tended to side-track from time to time, but that's OK... he really had a knack putting things in such a way that really challenged you, and got you thinking about how things were in YOUR life... which is why he does what he does... =]

We snacked, broke into small groups, and shared our thoughts about what was talked about.  we got some good discussions going, and I really got to meet a lot of people I didn't know.

On Saturday afternoon, we had 'down' time, where we spent some time playing games or activities... Paint ball, golf, football, board games, cards... and spending time getting to know everyone.  I found out that the rumors of my pastor are true... he's a surprisingly good strategist... well, when it comes to "Axis and Allies", anyway.  He did very well, winning both games handily... although it did take him a half-hour longer than usual to be beaten.  =]

I didn't play the Axis and Allies game -- it'd been too long since I played last, and Pastor John's prowess was too venerated, so I took a walk to take some pictures, and check out the camp a bit.  It serves as a Covenant summer camp for kids in the summer, and a place for church gatherings - such as the men's conference I was attending. I found a trail along a lake, and followed it to to the swimming area, which was being repaired, and readied for next year. 

The lake was pretty peaceful.

When I got back, I joined in on a few Carcasonne strategy games... Its an easy game to learn, with enough nuances to make it fun, and each game different.

The "big game" of the night was the $10 buy-in poker game... the buy in money went to next year's men's conference, while the winner got bragging rights.  It was pretty intense.

The sunset on Saturday was pretty nice, I thought.

The Sun RISE on Sunday, though, was MUCH better!  Mt Rainier was showing off its purple mountain majesty,
that's for sure

Heading back up from breakfast to our final session, I was treated to a GREAT view of Rainier, over the top of the site...
it was a great ending to a great weekend!  only 52 weeks to go for the next one!

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