So they're off.

Our youth group is spending the weekend at Chief Washakie's hot springs. The third year in a row we've made that trip on Superbowl weekend (they'll be back about two hours before the game).

A fun three and a half hour drive, lunch at A&W, and then to the hot pools. One indoor, one outdoor in the snow. A fun three story water slide inside (but, ohhh, the stairs are cold going up) and a shorter one out of doors.

Spending the night sleeping on a concrete ex-Armory floor, after games and talking to midnight or so, cooking meals in the ex-Armory kitchen.

All without me. Got work that was supposed to be done by the end of January, so that's my weekend plan. Truth be told, I could have busted buns and gotten stuff done during the week. And didn't.

Maybe my back is getting too old for concrete floors.

Just got back from seeing my charges off on their trip. Spirits are high, they have two good leaders with them. And at least one reliable vehicle. The other has a lot of years and miles on it. Forecast is for good weather and good roads.

So why do I feel like I abandoned them?