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I have written for years with my Dixon Ticonderoga in my Moleskin journal. I was motivated to create an online blog almost ten years. Much has changed in my life since starting this blog. Back then I worked at the Barn and now I am a multi-Ironman triathlete, adventure seeker & former camp director. GraphiteFree is for fun, nostalgia and to honor my favorite yellow pencil.
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Category Archives: Camp
I Think I May Lose My Job!
I am not sure if anyone knows this, but I dated Peyton Manning. He was my boyfriend before we tragically broke up because we never meet in real life and he got married. Yes, ever since he wore the number … Continue reading
Posted in Camp
Tagged Aviation Challenge, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Space Camp, Tom Brady
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AC Birthday Bonanza
Today was my birthday! Someone told me it was a special day. I replied with “I am too old for a special day”. Reluctantly, today has been a very special day. From birthday greetings on Facebook, to the delivery of … Continue reading
Posted in Camp
Tagged Aviation Challenge, Blog, Dixon Ticonderoga, F-16, Space Camp
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Be Ready Camp in Review, Part 2
Be Ready Camp is over for another year. After four years, nine weeks of camps, and a few hundred kids BRC has become my favorite camp of the year. People have asked me what project or what job have I … Continue reading
Be Ready Camp in Review, Part 1
Because I didn’t have a lot of time to write, this post will be a collection of random thoughts about this past week of Be Ready Camp. This week was a huge success and we only lost four campers to … Continue reading
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Tagged Aviation Challenge, BRC, Space Camp
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Dinosaurs & Heroes
Let’s travel back in time thousands of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth. They lived in harmony with the universe. They snacked on the leaves and trees around them. Suddenly a meteor tore through the atmosphere and changed the … Continue reading
AC Summer in Review
As I said good-bye to parents at graduation my boss walked over and asked if I was sad that summer was over. I admitted to her that it was sad that the summer was over. All the staff loves working … Continue reading
Three Decades
The Mega Reunion is winding down. We have already raided the kitchen, and there is still activity in the lodge. Groups of staff from one generation or the other have congregated for the last time before they say good bye. … Continue reading
Rite of Passage
Under the pine trees around Lake Anne, Jennifer D. Davis carried a little three ring binder. Inside this Top Secret binder was the contents of all the week’s blunders and spills. It also contained the list of homesick campers. I … Continue reading
Along the Trail
Today at Aviation Challenge we graduated our Mach 3 – Twelve Day trainees, campers that are so die hard they come back year after year. They survived our watered down version of SERE, flying F-15s into simulated combat, several bumps … Continue reading
Posted in Camp
Tagged Aviation Challenge, Camp of the Rising Son, Delta State, Space Camp
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Dead Bird
Friday morning I visited Space Camp to check on graduation and such. I visited the Davidson Center, aka the building with the really big rocket! At that time I did not know that there was a moon walker on property. … Continue reading
Ode to the Raptor
Oh, how I love thee, let me count the ways… The Raptor is our camp van. It is a 1997 Ford Aerostar mini-van. It was originally Aviation Challenge California’s van before making the trek to Huntsville, Alabama. There are many … Continue reading
Call Signs
Growing up I always wanted a nick name. With a double name like Ruth Marie life is made difficult in the 80s. Most girls only had one name and many pops stars didn’t even have a last name. So I … Continue reading