Havin' the Time of Our Lives

Sixteen days have passed since the commencement of our three-week session at GRP, and in that time, we have truly embraced every experience this magical place has to offer. One evening, the sunset at Long Rock was so brilliantly radiant that, for the first time in at least a decade, our performers had to seek the shade to avoid the intense backlighting of the sun. As the golden orb made its slow descent over the mountains, our Green River Ramblers concluded their performance in perfect harmony with the sun’s departure.

With just a few days remaining in the session, camp awoke at 4 a.m. to the sound of the bell, signaling the start of our journey through the pre-dawn darkness to witness the sunrise at Pretty Place Chapel at YMCA Camp Greenville. While campers, counselors, and mentors began their hike around 4:15, the Leadership Team and Admin set out even earlier to guide the way and for our photographers to find the ideal spots to capture the anticipated sunrise. Upon arrival, a swift southern wind swept through the trees, gathering fog and gently ushering it into the chapel perched high on the hillside. A few years ago, during a similar hike, we were met with an ethereal curtain of white as we walked into a cloud, obscuring any view of the sunrise. We were left unsure if and when the sun had risen.

As fog billowed across the valley and into the open-air chapel, some of us early arrivals began to worry. Would we be enveloped in mist once again? No, not today. Today, we were granted a grand spectacle. Just minutes before the sun crested the horizon, the sky began to ignite. It started slowly, with a hint of red lingering above the distant eastern horizon, methodically spreading upwards. The fiery light soon enveloped the entire scene before us, and for a moment, it felt as though we were not merely observing the sunrise but becoming part of it. For me, it was one of the most incredible sunrises of my life, and I believe many of our campers shared in this unparalleled experience.

Story by Brandon S. Marshall with photos by Samantha Keebler & Brandon S. Marshall