|
Rocky Mountain Way Log (2008-07-03 -> 2008-07-15)
Leaders: Sarah Machin & Jake Richardson
Students: Margot Hillyer, Craig Campbell, Peter Haas, Leiding Taylor, Serena Rogers, Michael Dziuba, Christina Turner, Adam Kern, Murph Murphy, Hanna Houle
Trip Update 7-6-08
Hello All!
The trip has gotten off to a great start. Everything went smoothly on the arrival day on the 3rd, and the kids have been amazing thus far. I (Sarah) couldn't have asked for a more mature and responsible group. Everyone has been helpful, attentive, and willing to work with the group as a whole. The balance of girls and boys makes this an even more interesting group to be working with.
Our first activity was whitewater rafting down the Arkansas River. We took an overnight trip, traveling about 11 miles to our campsite. The River-Runners guides had a great camp set-up arranged for our group and they cooked an amazing couple of meals for us that night and the next morning. Bryan won the title as appetite heavyweight for the overnight...He helped us finish what food we needed to take care of and he was helpful in cleaning up after mealtime was over. Actually, everyone was a great help during both meal cleanups.
Peter, Margot, and Hanna have kept everyone upbeat and excited with their great chemistry and history they share. Mikey and Craig, also friends from home, are very interesting guys who have so much to offer to the group. The different senses of humor floating around the group have and will continue to create strong bonds and foster wonderful experiences.
Our leaders of the day for yesterday, Christina and Adam, did a great job helping regulate and instruct the group. Both Christina and Adam are so intelligent and caring, and it was great to see them work so well with one another as well as with their fellow campers.
The first full day, Margot and Bryan were the leaders of the day, and they performed impressively, I might add. Today's LOD's are Leiding and Mikey. So far they are proving to be very capable leaders.
This group has truly impressed, to reuse the word, us. The morning of our first full day, I was honestly touched when I heard people talking as I was just waking up. The fact that everyone here is able to get up in the morning with little encouragement from Jake or myself is wonderful! This is a strong and independent group of kids and I am thrilled to be getting to spend these couple of weeks with them.
Tomorrow we head out for Bear Creek for our 4-day backpacking trip. Everyone is really excited to go! This bodes so very well...
Thanks for reading and check back in 4 or 5 days for our next update! Take care, everyone.
Sarah and Jake
Trip Update 7/10/08
Hello!
The trip has been progressing quite nicely. Today we arrived in Lake City, CO, where we will be doing our climbing section of the trip. Starting tomorrow, we'll all be scaling some awesome rock faces and learning to trust one another all the more...
The backpacking trip couldn't have gone more smoothly. The LOD's during the outing were Leiding and Mikey, Peter and Hanna, Adam and Serena, and Craig and Margot. Everyone was so helpful throughout the trip, and I believe that the group has grown closer after spending such a time in the wilderness and away from civilization.
Our meals were great - I think the chocolate chip pancakes made by Margot, Mikey, and Christina were the best-received, but the Southwest mac 'n cheese was pretty amazing as well...
While we did not stumble across any wildlife while in the backcountry, we did stumble upon some beautiful scenery. Meadows with wildflowers about to bloom and in bloom were such a pleasant sight. We were able to follow the Dolores River, as the Bear Creek trail hugs the water as it winds through the mountains. Bugs became our instant and constant friends upon our arrival to the backcountry, but everyone maintained their composure and made it through impressively!
Jake and I are having a great time with everyone. Our Moonups are proving to be THE best way to learn some pretty amazing things about each and every one of the members of our group. Every day brings us closer, and each activity allows the students to prove more to others and most importantly to themselves. Climbing will be a blast, and I can't wait to let you all know how it goes. Take care and check back soon!
Thanks,
Sarah
Trip Update 7/14/08
Hello again!
Everything has been going smoothly since I last wrote...We finished our climbing section in Lake City with great success. God's Crag provided two amazing days of climbing for the entire group. We began our first day learning the ropes and testing our rock-scaling skills. Mike and Johnny, our Crested Butte Mountain Guide instructors were awesome. They were very helpful and they were such a pleasure to work with--the kids all agree that they were great!
Hanna and Adam seemed to enjoy the climbing section the most, commenting on the fun they were having and the joy they got out of it. Mikey and Craig were speedy in their ascents and descents - they proved themselves to be more thrill-seeking than we all had originally thought! Mike, one of our guides, told us that Mikey's rappelling descent was one of the quickest he'd seen...All safely done, I assure you. Our guides have years upon years of experience in the field.
While camping at Henson Creek, right below God's Crag, Peter, Hanna, Craig, Margot, Bryan, and Adam served as cook crew (both nights together), and came up with some great meals. Leaders included Leiding, Christina, Serena, and Peter.
Today we have already cleaned out the Uhaul and van, and we're preparing for our Banquet Dinner in Woodland Park, CO. We can't wait until tonight, but it will make leaving in the morning all the more difficult. This has been a truly wonderful trip. I haven't had so much fun in a good while. All of the students have been great - very helpful, considerate, responsible, and fun! I will miss each and every one of them. Tomorrow will be a sad day. Jake and I can't wait to keep in touch with each of them...
Thanks again and take care! We appreciate your reading!
Sarah and Jake
Final Update: 7.16.08
Well, we finished out this trip with a bang! Last night the entire group showered and then dressed in some crazy outfits collected from a local thrift store in Colorado Springs and went to dinner in Woodland Park. We dined at a Mexican restaurant until we were content and then headed back to Mueller State Park for our final night together as a group. Jake and I led Moonup, and everyone soaked up as much as possible from our last intimate session together. And, seeing as how we had a very early (3:45am) morning ahead of us, we went to sleep as soon as we could manage.
Today went smoothly, as no flights were cancelled or delayed. In fact, some flights were moved earlier than originally scheduled. Christina was first to depart, and then Rico/Bryan/Murph left, and he was followed by Adam, Mikey, and Craig. After the Michigan coalition left, it was time for the Atlanta posse to depart. Peter, Serena, Hanna, and Margot all went through security together and left Jake, Leiding, and me to sadly await the final (Leiding's) departure.
It was an emotional goodbye for some, and I know Jake and I had a very hard time seeing everyone off. This trip was so much fun - it was such a pleasure to spend all of this time with everyone. I learned a great deal from this group and enjoyed myself more than I have in a while. That might sound repetitive, but it's true. Thank you all for coming, being great sports, and having fun with us. We won't forget you and we can't wait to hear about everything you all are getting into for the rest of the summer and beyond. Please keep in touch and know that we're here for you no matter what!
Thank you, parents, for letting us in on the great gifts you all share...These kids are amazing, and I hope you all realize how lucky you are to have such unique individuals as your children.
--
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. -Albert Einstein
|
