That crazy thing called petrichor

Petrichor, one of my favorite things. 

That’s right- the scent of rain on dry earth. The sweet, yet anticipatory wave of air that comes right before a big storm. 

The much loved afternoon storm, “Daphne”, has been a rather late visitor to camp so far this summer, however, for the last three days she has blessed us with her presence with a fury that almost makes it seem as though she never left. This wonderful smell before a huge downpour is actually an oil that is released from clay-based soils and rocks which compounds with another by-product of bacteria which is exuded from wet soil resulting in this particular aroma. 

Crazy, right? 

To me it is so cool that while the skies are getting ready to dump water from clouds, the earth is responding with a noticeable scent. 

So much of our life here at camp depends on water. Good ole’ fashioned agua. 

We serve water for the first few meals of every term to fight against altitude sickness. 

Because its refreshing.

Andddd, because its protocol. 

We note the river and lake water levels before heading out on pursuits. The water in camp is utilized in many different ways from watering the fields, flowing through faucets, or tonight, in which it was used to power the foam machine for the awesome island party. 

Comparing how something so essential, water, is something we will always be dependent on reminds me of how Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman. Jesus states in John 4:13-14, “ Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

Beginning the second week of the term, my hope is that we begin to feel the same thirst for the one who makes it rain.