Colorado Trail

Colorado Trail Log (2008-07-07--> 2008-07-23)

Leaders: George Whitinger and Shannon Revolinski

Students: Elle Chody, Gracie Ernstberger, Chad Glaser, Thomas Goode, Will Grassell, Jack Hamrick, Jack Hooper, Reese Josey, tara McGowan, Julian McIntryre, Mai Morsch, Bane Sullivan

Our crew will come out of their backpacking trip later today, so we should have an update by Wednesday.  Stay tuned for their next adventure.

We are sorry to those that have been checking this site.  The email was actually sent to another individual in the office, but he is currently on a trip.  We apologize for the delay, but hope you enjoy reading both of our updates

The Colorado Trail trip has started off to be an amazing adventure already!  The journey started with traveling day, with everyone arriving at the airport.  It was so exciting to finally meet all of the kids!  After a long day of travel, getting to the campsite was a relief and the pizzas for dinner were delicious.  Everyone set up their tents for the first time and we prepped for the next fun-filled day of whitewater rafting.  We had our first Moon Up by the Arkansas River, and the first Leaders of the Day, Jack Hamrick and Gracie, were chosen.

The next day, the breakfast cook crew, Julian, Tara, and Jack Hooper (who has already been nicknamed “Jr.”) filled everyone’s stomachs with delicious breakfast burritos.  It was a perfect breakfast to get us ready for a day on the rapids.

Heading down the Arkansas River for our two day journey on class 3 and 4 rapids we had two boats, one of them being led by the strong paddling power of Jack Hamrick and Thomas.  Luckily this was the first boat down the river because Jack was constantly trying to keep the boat in first place.  No matter what he is doing he does not want to loose!  Thomas, another strong paddler, was selected as leader of the day for the second day of our trip down the river.  He is helpful with everything that we do and even volunteers before he knows what the assignment is, which got him stuck doing the dishes the first night on the river after our meal of quesadillas. Also on the boat was Gracie, with her Alabama charm, who no matter what we are doing takes an active part and displays great leadership roles. Behind Gracie sat Tara who on the second day of the rafting trip just after a great breakfast of eggs and sausage went flying out of the boat into the chilly water and was laughing and grinning ear to ear the entire time as she was being drug back into the boat.  Our guide for rafting told us that she had never seen someone so happy to be thrown over.  Also on the boat was Mai who has done a wonderful job since the moment she got off the plane in Denver of being extremely happy and out going, teaching everyone all kinds of fun games and almost winning every single one.  The last member of the boat team was Chad who has found a niche for everything that we have done so far.  From setting up and breaking down tents to cooking, he has picked up on everything and does it all extremely well.

“Team Lightning” crewed the other boat and made it down the river successfully with their speed and great rowing skills.  Jack (“Jr.”), Reese, Julian, and Will were our strongest rowers at the front of the boat.  The river guide was very impressed on how they all picked up the correct rowing technique of using the whole body to row.  They should all have washboard abs after this trip!  The four front rowers also got the brunt of the rapids and would be soaked after hitting the walls of fifty degree water, but they all loved it! Reese has been a curious leader from the beginning, asking very inquisitive questions and wanting to know about everything.  He has also been great entertainment for all of the games we have played at camp. Jack Hooper, who now has a new Moondance nickname coined by the group and himself, has had a huge impact on the group already.  I guess big things really do come in small packages.  His huge character keeps the group going and laughing.  He sure can eat a lot too!  Julian’s leadership skills shined on the rafting trip when he was the first rowing captain on the boat.  He was very eager to lead the team, and faced the rapids with absolutely no trepidation.  Will has graced the group with his knowledge and contagious smile.  He has shown an interest in everything we have done so far and seems to know a little about everything.  He also saved the whole front row of the boat from falling into the cold water by holding everyone’s weight.  He saved them all.  The back of the boat was steered by two powerful rowers Bane and Elle.  Bane has been the strong, silent leader so far.   He leads by his actions by always getting things done when they need to be done.  He paddled almost the entire Arkansas River and had no problems with constantly rowing and steering the boat.  Elle, who was the leader of the day for the second rafting day, has brought such a bright and enthusiastic presence to the group.  Her constant positive energy and goofy sense of humor keeps people laughing all day.  No matter the situation, she has no complaints and nothing negative to say.

Already the group is bonding and it has only been the third day.  Last night around the campfire, Mai said, “I can’t believe it’s only our second day.  It seems like we have known each other forever!”  It was such a pleasure to hear, and it’s a sign for only good times to come.  Now, we will be getting ready for our big backpacking trip, which the kids are so excited for!  We all can’t wait for the upcoming Moondance adventures!   

Trip Update 7-16-08

What an amazing five day hike we had in the backcountry!  Everyone was so incredible, pushing themselves and each other every step along the trail with their packs filled to the top with food and gear.  The students overcame lightning protocol, hail storms, and long hikes with packs that weighed almost half their weight.  Everything was worth it though since we all had the chance to enjoy the beautiful views of the San Juan Mountains and the high snow covered mountain peaks, flowing streams, and the star filled nights. 

From the very beginning, everyone was extremely excited about the hike when preparing the night before and packing the packs everyone was getting so pumped up about the hike.  While packing the packs, Jack Hooper and Gracie were jumping to get all of the gear for their packs; they definitely wanted to take one for the team and bare the heaviest load.  Thomas also helped Elle take couple pounds off of her heavy pack.  Heading out on the trail, we all had great teamwork with everyone helping each other with getting packs on and off and assisting others through difficult terrains along the trail.  Cooking in the back country takes on an entire new meaning than cooking in the front country, and it was mastered by Jack Hamrick and Elle preparing exciting dishes from some exciting pasta concoctions to amazing breakfasts of eggs and bagels.

Leaders of the day did remarkable jobs taking charge of the group and judging when to take breaks especially on the last day.  Thomas and Julian took complete charge of the group on the last day by managing the cook crew, breaking down camp, and getting us out of the woods in time to drive to our next campsite.  Thomas was also our fearless leader on the last day leading the entire group on the long hike out of the backcountry.    Reese also did an amazing job as leader of the day showing tremendous improvement taking a leadership role and leading the group with a positive attitude to the goals that we had set. 

The group made an even stronger bond than they had before the backcountry by hiking and packing, but the strongest bond was made by the laughs we shared and the fun times we had.  Thankfully we had Chad on the trail to keep the mood light when things got tough.  He is constantly making the group laugh and keeping everyone happy.  No matter what the group is doing, he keeps making us laugh with his funny stories and random comments that kept the group wanting to hear more of his humor.  Bane was also spreading cheer with his contagious smile and his random jokes.  We also learned that Bane loves potatoes!  We could always count on the girls, Mai, Elle, Gracie, and Tara to cheer everyone up bright and early in the cold, wet mornings with their positive attitudes and smiling faces.  Mai is definitely the caregiver, making sure that everyone is doing great and feeling well.  Good times were also shared by Will, Julian, Reese, and Jack Jr. when they went fishing for trout.  Will brought his fly fishing pole and flies and gave a lesson to all of the boys.  Jack Jr. decided that he didn’t need a pole though, and caught a trout with his bare hands!  It was quite exciting, and we all cheered when we released the fish back to its home.

In the end, our experience in the backcountry was unforgettable.  We all learned to push ourselves further and further even when times were tough.  All the students felt that they accomplished so much by living off the things they carried on their backs for five days.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that created self-accomplishment and strong friendships!   

Trip Update 7-18-08

We have just returned from our two day Kayaking Trip on the Blue Mesa Lake.  The past few days have been very busy and jammed packed with excitement.  Wednesday we visited Crested Butte, Thursday was Mai’s birthday, and Friday was a beautiful day of Kayaking.

The kids had a great time in town where they were able to go into little shops and restaurants and interact with civilization.  All of the kids were so thoughtful and they bought Mai little birthday presents for the following day.  George and I were so impressed because each kid was so generous and thoughtful without having to be told.  Thomas and Chad bought her a stuffed ferret and squirrel, and Jack Sr. (Hamrick) bought her a huge water gun.  Don’t worry the ferret and squirrel were cute little stuffed animals!  The kids also bought Mai peanut butter M&M’s, her favorite candy!

That night, we went back to our campsite and Tara, Chad, and Jack Jr. cooked good old grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.  The kids loved the old fashion meal.  Following dinner, we had a great moon up where we told the future of the person sitting next to us.  George had a great future for Bane, which everyone agreed with, where he would finish college and become a famous actor/director/writer for Hollywood movies.  Bane’s humorous and mysterious personality makes all think that he could really make it big!

After Moon Up the kids surprised Mai with all of her presents they bought in town.  Jack Jr. and Elle had the great idea to hide all of her presents and card in her sleeping bag for her to find when she went to bed.  With everyone watching and waiting, Mai finally found her gifts and loved them all.  Chad also got her fabulous birthday glasses and a “birthday princess” hat for her to wear the next day.  It was a very exciting and memorable day and night, and it came to an end with the kids sleeping together underneath the star-filled sky.

The next morning (Mai’s Birthday!) started bright and early at 6:00 am for kayaking.  We met the outfitters at Blue Mesa Lake, which is the largest body of water in Colorado.  It was absolutely beautiful.  The kids did great kayaking, especially Elle and Gracie who had a testy kayak they named “Tabitha.”  The girls had to work very hard at controlling the boat, but they made a game out of it and had so much fun in the process.  We kayaked to a great camp right by a jumping rock where the kids were able to leap off into the water.  Everyone, who wanted to, was able to jump as much as they wanted.  We were all so proud of Will when he overcame his fear of heights and took the plunge off the towering rock.  He absolutely loved it too!  Jack Hamrick also took some great action shots of people jumping off of the rocks.  Photography could very well be his calling. 

Rock jumping was just the beginning to a great night.  For dinner Thomas, Reese, and Will made delicious stir fry, which everyone devoured.  The best part of dinner was the dessert though.  We made Mai a peanut butter and chocolate cake with candles, and we all sang happy birthday!  The kids were all amazed by the fact that we were able to make such a delicious cake in the backcountry without an oven or a refrigerator.  Everyone enjoyed the cake around a nice fire that was made by Reese, Julian, Jack Jr., and Chad.

The grand finale of the night was the Moondance Idol that the kids put together.  George and I were the judges and had a tough decision choosing some winners.  We were so amazed by the amount of talent all of the kids had.  Reese started off the show with a great performance of Happy Birthday that he sang to Mai.  Bane had his own rendition of the ABC’s which was quite entertaining.  Jack Jr. rocked out with his sunglasses and guitar made out of stick as he sang “Free Bird.”  It was a stellar performance as he rolled around on the ground during his guitar solo.  After Jack, Will had a great drum performance where he used fallen trees and tree stumps as his drum set.  It was very creative and sounded great.  Julian and Jack performed a rap that they had been writing and practicing all day.  It was amazing, and we were all surprised by their rhymes.  The girls, Mai, Elle, and Gracie had a great performance singing “Ain’t No Mountain High.”  They all had fantastic singing voices, and we all thought that they could be on the real “American Idol.”  The finale was performed by Thomas, Chad, and Tara with a stomp song that they performed exceptionally.  It was so entertaining that the kayak outfitter requested an encore from them!  George and I finally came up with three semi-finalists after much deliberation and decided that Jack Sr. and Julian, Tara, Thomas and Chad, and Jack Jr. will be moving onto the next round which will be performed tonight.

Along with the finale of Moondance Idol, we will be prepping for rock climbing for tomorrow.  The kids are super excited, and we have been told that the place we are going is absolutely beautiful.  Can’t wait to update everyone again!  

Trip Update 7-21-08