Monday, October 30, 2017

Day Of Change



Ashley Demers
October 30, 2017


Today we were blessed with some yummy sugar for breakfast! Crepes! That had some amazing cream cheese, cool whip and fruit filling mixture. We packed up the climbing gear and put it back away because we were done climbing. I am actually kind of sad about this I enjoyed climbing, although I definitely need some practice.

After that our plans got a little switched around, when it came to the leadership position. Jeff became our LOW. Our LOW’s were not withholding to the standards. So we packed up our bags and we left Bowler campground. To go to the famous town of Bass Lake where the Great Outdoors was filmed. After we got into town we went to Summit Adventure where Jeff worked here for ten years doing a variety of different positions. They let us so kindly soak up their Wi-Fi and for some of us do our laundry and of course I cannot miss that we were able to take a nice shower.

 Some of us went into a bigger town of Oakhurst to do laundry and buy whatever we needed too. I myself went to a few stores one of them being the dollar store to buy more razors to shave my head again since I don’t have an electric razor. With the help of Emma we were able to get my head shaved lets just say I am glad it is not my whole head, because it took so long. I also kind of bought five monsters, but two of them are not mine.

 While in town I found this cool coffee shop and had some really good pumpkin spice coffee and soaked up some Wi-Fi. They played some great music too, had me jamming.  While soaking up that Wi-Fi I was able to pick out my spring classes and send them off, so someone else could sign up for me. Then the rest of our night was monster and staring deeply into our computer screens. For some the night never ended nor did they ever blink.


Sunday, October 29, 2017

Climbing Day


By: Austin Orr
October 29, 2017

Today is the day we finally got climb. We woke up, had breakfast, and divided the gear to carry to our climb site. Little did I know how heavy my pile I choose actually was. All of us were sad to hear to hear we had to leave Tracy behind as she wasn't feeling to well. We loaded up and drove out to a small lot and to my surprise it was only a few minutes from our campsite. As we started our hike I was excited with adrenaline, ready to take on the climb. As we walked up the hillside I was very unsettled walking on ledges smaller than my foot is wide.
After reaching our destination Jeff taught us enough climbing knowledge to be considered dangerous and advised us if we want to learn more to seek other training facilities. We learned how to set up anchors in the rocks and set up 4 different climbing sites. I took one look at the climbs and thought "how do you climb this?" Kara and I started on skyline and Kara manger to climb it with ease. I tied myself in after and couldn't get myself up. I was getting frustrated and soon Kara took another shot at it to show me her path. After that I finally managed to climb up and felt greater success underneath the trembling fear roaring through me. Kara and I moved to the next hardest one where she thought she was always falling. After coming down and we went to get some water and came back to track that was essentially a crack in the rock all the way up. I kept slipping barely getting myself off the ground and left with some battle scars. After Kara attempt I went and got my bag to patch up Sean's battle scars he got on his pinky using his finger strength to try and climb the overhang. After returning Carol was up on the wall attempting the same climb. I tried helping her and had some pretty good laughs from the fun. As we packed up my day was made when Sean found a common garter snake. This was the first snake ECOEE had seen. All in all the day was exciting and I can learn a great deal from the experience.


Saturday, October 28, 2017

The Greatest Adventure


By: Kara Sahagian
October 28, 2017

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of homework I need to get done. I have spent the last few days soul searching about where I am now and where I want to be by the end of the expedition (which is way too close to being here). I am thinking back to the beginning of the expedition. In many ways I have grown personally and created a new outlook on life. With a 120-day expedition, you are bound to have days that are not your best. Today was one of those days for me. I have learned to appreciate these days. They make me take a step back and try to look for a new perspective on things. They challenge me and help me grow. I am still extremely grateful for the experience of being on ECOEE. I would not trade it for the world.  I catch myself caring a great deal for my ECOEE 2017 family whether they know it or not. These adventures and memories will last me a lifetime.

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on the person you are.” C.S. Lewis

Friday, October 27, 2017

Getting to Bowler

Chris Friday
October 27th
  

This morning began with a quality breakfast from Ashley of French toast and bacon. Many of us thought we wouldn’t be getting out of Yosemite due to our van striking an illness and not wanting to start. Thankfully, a nice man with a pickup truck helped cure it. Before we left Yosemite, we stopped at Glacier Point, mildly illegally with our trailer attached. It was a truly beautiful view of pretty much the entire valley. What I thought to be the most interesting part was that we could see where the forest fire was occurring. We couldn’t see any sort of flames, but a large section of smoke was visible. After this, we made our way to Oakhurst to go shopping. Us leaving was slightly delayed as Jeff ran off to a sandwich shop with the card we needed to pay with. I must say it was quite amusing to hear “Jeff Tindall to check out” ring throughout the store. Once all the groceries were packed up, we went to a gas station nearby where Emma realized her phone was gone. She learned here not to trust technology as Find My Iphone claimed her phone was at a destination we had not traveled to, but in a grocery bag in the trailer. Better than in her backpack again I suppose. Once the phone was found and we got gassed up, we made our way through Bass Lake where we learned where The Great Outdoors was filmed. Now we have taken residence in Bowler Campground where Ashley had us create several different kinds of poop out of Plato. It was definitely one of the more entertaining outdoor ed lessons so far. Tomorrow we begin our climbing seminar. I hope it goes well for us


Thursday, October 26, 2017

Teton Science School

Sean Dowling
October 17, 2017

Today we woke up very early in the morning, around 5:30am, because today we were visiting the Teton Science School and had over an hour drive to get there. After shiver through our breakfast and packing things up, we headed out. on the bright side of getting up early, we saw some awesome views of the Tetons and even two moose, though it seemed like the sun was trying to blind us for looking in their direction. When we pulled into TSS, we were greeted by Jordan who gave us one of the greatest gifts you could give someone in the morning; coffee. After a brief description of what TSS does and how they design their curriculum, he sent us off to view how they work in their different groups. Today they had some middle school kids from St. Anthony's. Boz, Kara, and I saw the TSS instructor, Sam. He lead them in a lesson about Geology. He started them off by having them do a team building exercise called "chocolate river" and taught them one of my favorite games called "camouflage". Everyone then headed out to continue the lesson on a trail loop in the Tetons. There, Sam taught the group how old the rocks were and gave us all a dance lesson with Rockity -Rock-Rock while we learned the three types of rocks. Throughout the hike, students did a skit about the rocks types, investigated some scats and tracks on the trail, and made their own stories about rocks they had found and their journey to how they found them. We could not stay with them the whole day sadly but before we left they gave us "three cheers" and a heartful goodbye. Walking back to the van, the three of us got to see a huge bull moose while crossing a bridge over Glacier Lake, which made arriving back at the parking lot a tad late worth it. We then went back to TSS to finish the day with a more in depth discussion with Jordan. When we got there, he surprised us with even more gifts of coffee cake and more coffee! What a great guy! After a video, discussing our day, TSS, and our future plans, Jordan then introduced us to a wonderful lady named Dorris, who Boz was overly excited to meet. Dorris spun and dyed her own wool that she used to make a variety of things from colorful butt pads, tapestries, and even 3D animals like bison and sheep. She then let some of us try a team braiding technique that they spent a good time trying to do and having lots of fun doing it. Before we left, we had to give some gifts of our own to Jordan, Dorris, and the three instructors we followed before giving our goodbyes. We then headed to our campsite and to keep this short was a small adventure in itself.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Yosemite Adventures

Kara Sahagian
October 25, 2017

This morning Tracy and I woke up well rested, warm, safe, and free from falling pinecones. Why you might ask? Because we slept in a tent! We were blessed again when we all stuffed our bellies full of Austin's wonderful breakfast. Thanks, again, Emma, for making the fluffiest warm pancakes only an angel could make. We cleaned the kitchen up and packed into the one van to see some sequoia trees. I knew sequoias were big trees but I did not actually know until I saw them in person. My mind was blown. The rest of the day we had to ourselves. Some of us went to the visitor center and then the village store. Once we were done being typical tourists, Sean and I sat at the shuttle stop waiting for a shuttle so that we could take a glorious shower at our next stop. We waited and waited. I was getting antsy. I kept thinking about that shower. Why wasn't a bus coming? I went to look for times that the shuttles ran when I saw it...A white sign that said :This shuttle stop is closed. Please go to stop #4 for the next shuttle." I cannot begin to describe how stupid I felt. We successfully got onto the next available shuttle towards the marvelous showers. Once I got into the women's bathroom, my joy quickly turned into sadness as I saw around 15 high school school girls an their teachers waiting in line to get a shower. One by one, I moved up the line. I wanted to cry tears of happiness but I knew these ladies would not understand the struggle of how rare a shower is on ECOEE. I held the tears in as I walked down to the newly opened shower. The steaming hot shower did not disappoint. Thank you, Yosemite for your beloved, warm showers. ECOEE 2017 is grateful. I was so clean that I did not even care that I got lost on my back to camp. Thanks to our wonderful graduate assistant, I was rescued. This reason #43 on why she gets paid the big bucks.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

The Long Ride


By: Emily Maze
October 24, 2017
Our day started off with an egg thief. Tracy planned on making chorizo and eggs for breakfast and egg salad for lunch, but more than half of her eggs were already used by prior chefs. Half of us said we’d buy lunch along the way so others could have more.

            We packed up and left for our eleven-hour trip. Since only two people have been per bench seat, Austin has gladly gone to the back corner for more space to set stuff.

            After about an hour, we stopped at Walmart for groceries and some people got McDonalds. I had a mocha Frappuccino, but the machine wasn’t working, so I awkwardly had to tell her that I think it needs more ice. It worked after she filled it with ice. I walked out to the van to realize that Jeff went somewhere. Sean and I looked lost searching the parking lot. Lo and behold, he came back.

            Along the way, people switched between working on homework, sleeping, or looking out the window. Austin started his cross-stitch kit that he bought at Zion.

            When we crossed into Nevada, we eventually got tired of seeing Rabbitbrush, Sagebrush, and dirt. There was a long way to the next gas station and Kara and Emma had to pee, so we pulled over. They flew out the door and went behind the trailer. When they came back, we found out they both stepped on a cactus. The first people in our group on Nevada’s land and they peed and stepped on a cactus.

            When we reached what we assumed to be is California, there was only a click-it-or-ticket sign, Jeff seemed to pick up speed to create a roller coaster ride from all the hills. We caught a whiff of stinky feet which is apparently from the Sagebrush. After a while of our stomachs rising and dropping, we were in Yosemite.


            There are beautiful waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and rocks. We stopped to watch the sunset at Half Dome. It was beautiful until some group blasted music. It was about 8:30pm when we arrived at our campsite, set-up and ate grilled cheese sandwiches. I am looking forward to tomorrow, but I am not sure if Yosemite can top Zion so far.

Monday, October 23, 2017

Angels Landing


By Chris Friday
October 23, 2017 

            Today we the greatest hike yet on Ecoee, Angels Landing. This hike is not for those with a fear of heights, but our few folk are, truly showed a tolerance for adversity by doing this hike. Our journey began at 10:05 AM with our ascent of The Wiggles. These wiggles are far more interesting than the fruit salad ones. The Wiggles were steep and tiring, but when it was all said and done, The Wiggles were really nothing more than a warm-up for Angels Landing. Upon arrival at Scout’s Point, the area before the ascent of Angels Landing, I took my first look down  at the near vertical cliff side and became suddenly rather uneasy. I quickly shook that off as I looked to the path of the steep fin of Angels Landing. Sean and Emily began the trek up first, followed shortly thereafter by Emma, Ashley, and I. Ashley required a few encouraging smiles be me along the way. She said she wanted to hike with us because we were not afraid of heights, but little did she know, I’m afraid of heights. Personally, I think it was her overall enthusiasm and unknown about the hike that really got her through it with such flying colors. The most common words out of her mouth were, “ Righteous! Righteous!!” Upon arrival to the top, our trio had reunited with Sean and Emily. In other news, Emily only almost died once that I saw, although on the way down she got her foot stuck in a way only Emily could. The top of Angels Landing may have been the single greatest view I have ever experienced. Apparently, Angels Landing was another Ecoee first for us, or at least as long as Jeff has been leading it. I am so proud of all of us for braving this hike, especially Ashley, Tracy, and Boz, who are those who do not enjoy heights as much as others. After this, we moved onto Weeping rock where an interpretation was held by this lady named Ranger Tracy. She gave us an interpretation on why Zion was named Zion. Once this wrapped up, we made our way to Temple of Sinawava, but Jeff had decided to part ways with us. Once at the temple, we strolled through the canyon admiring the high walls around us, as Boz made a mad dash for the start of The Narrows. Sadly she reported that there really wasn’t all that much to see unless you really traveled into them, which she did not. It was here at Sinawava that Austin decided to take a little nap and was sadly left behind. Sorry Austin. When we got back to camp, we found that Jeff doe sin fact have some love in that tiny black heart of his. He got us some Angels Landing mugs. Thanks Jeff, you’re so sweet. For dinner we went to the Brew Pub for a much needed meal. It was a long day, but a very good one in my opinion. I’m going to miss Zion.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Emerald Pools


Ashley Demers
October 22, 2017

Waking up to knowing I would not be in Bryce anymore to look at the stars a night I was bummed, but going to Zion today I was excited! Doing the research and planning the week was just making me want to come more and more. We start our drive into Zion and my eyes lite up like kids at a candy store. Seeing the mesas when we first arrived and driving through the one miles long tunnel I was smiling ear to ear. (P.s. there’s a dead spider on this page, right about this spot.) Every turn I took, every look up, the beauty of the sandstone took me away with the iron giving the rock that red tint. We made our way to our campground, which was very cool, due to the cacti, I think but is very tight corridors. We hung out at the camp for a while, while Kara, Boz and Jeff went to town to get Kara some hiking shoes for her tendinitis. We couldn’t wait no more so Chris and I took our group on a hike, but first we took a shuttle. That’s where I dared everyone to do the limbo and Emma of course tried, while Chris and a few others shared Sean’s chew five gum dare and truths along the way. We make it to our stop where we all stick together and start our hike to upper Emerald pools. But at the trailhead a dew of us had to take our pants off to continue in the heat. Once we had layers off we set off on our hike. We passed over a bridge that looked out to the Mountains, with the creek flowing through. The further we got the more colorful the trees became with reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and some blue from the juniper berries. We made it half way to the little waterfall which was more of drips but still beautiful. Once at the top we enjoyed the view.

            “When the peak is worth reaching, the climb won’t be easy. You can’t grow without growing pains. It’s impossible to get to your success by skipping the process. Just because everything isn’t going right, doesn’t mean your path is wrong.” Trent Shelton


Friday, October 20, 2017

Bryce Canyon


By: Austin Orr
October 20, 2017
Waking up in Otter Creek Campground it was a lot colder than when I went to bed. I scrambled to find layers and slowly emerged from my tent. I grabbed my water bottles, Tang, an emergen-c and made my "hope to get better" concoction. I don't know if it's working but as long as I believe it is that's all that matters. Right? As we wrapped up breakfast we got in the van earlier than planned and got on the road to head to Bryce Canyon.

After arriving at Bryce Canyon, we selected a few campsites, we set up some tents, marked our campsites, and paid for them. We then went over to the visitor center where some went to watch the video and others, to know surprise, went to the gift shop. After getting my National Park Passport stamped I went to the exhibit and walked around. I soon realized I am not a fan of crowds and got out of there. After everyone did what they wanted to at The Visitor Center, we made our way to Rainbow point and got to see some amazing views as we made our way down the road making stops at every overlook. I was an awe at every site and fell in love with Utah.

We made our way back to camp where I gave my controversial issue on should motorized Outdoor Pursuits be considered in adventure programming? Kara also indulged us on mammals and how the baby sometimes looked different than the adults. We even got to learn how to make sounds like a koala. Soon after we started cooking supper where Chris tried making a soup we ended up with a spinach pasta thing instead. Either way it was delicious the Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies covered in brown sugar and cayenne were all so delicious. I never want to leave this trip, but I know the sites we see and the skills we learn will be beneficial and help us in everyday life when I return to our homes.


"In this world a man must either be an anvil or a hammer." -Henry W Longfellow

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Still Chasing Warmth


By: Tacy Ellis
October 19, 2017
Today began with a visit to Elements Adventure Program. This is a program designed specifically for troubled boys. They spend 8 weeks living in the Utah “wilderness” while also using these experiences to promote growth and change in their life. I learned today how selfless those people at Elements really are to devote their time to better someone else’s life. I was unsure what to think about this program at first, but after listening to Karen talk, my opinion of wilderness therapy is nothing but positive. After the visit, we again piled gracefully into the van and took off towards our next destination. Half way there we took a pit stop at a very social and friendly Walmart to stock up on all the essentials as well as get in a few 15 pound charcoal lunges. It was not far to our first attempt at a camp site that had the most beautiful cottonwood tree. But unfortunately, these were not established camp sites and we were forced to move on. We then made it to Otter Creek State Park and before finding the new campsites Jeff and I discovered a new river that had just been formed because of Kara. Ashley made us a very delicious dinner, and Chris made the worst coffee known to man, but that’s okay, he gave a good effort. The night ended with a beautiful red sunset over the purple mountains. I think it is official, I love Utah.

The End

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Chasing Warmth


By: Tracy Ellis
October 18, 2017
I awoke wishing I could hear the beautiful mooing sound of the cows that we were fortunate enough to drive by yesterday, but unfortunately, I could not. After that sad realization, I briefly looked down at my watch thinking I had beat my alarm, but of course, that thought was too good to be true. I had actually overslept and all the layers that I had put on last night in my desperation for warmth must have been the cause of me not hearing the beeping. I exited the tent, said hello to our mice friends in the bathroom, and got ready for breakfast. Kara filled our bellies with some delicious potatoes and sunny side up eggs on top. A nearly perfect way to start our day. All 10 of us piled in the van as majestically as usual and we hit the road. As we cruised by the unique beauty of the Tetons, all the memories came flooding into my head. Even though our group had mixed feelings about the cold, we still had a great time. We were very blessed to wake up to these mountains every day. But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but this means we can make room for more experiences. So south we go- towards the warmth that we are all so desperately craving. As we get into Utah the landscape begins to change and my excitement boils as I see all the reds, greens, and purples in the mountains around us. We found a great camp site and Kara made us one of the best dinners we have had so far- Kara’s chicken surprise. Let it be known that Kara promised two things today.

  1. That she will make us this dinner again.
  2. That she has purchased and drank her last Monster energy drink on ECOEE 

THE END
PS. I JUST HEARD COWS!!!!!!!!

Monday, October 16, 2017

Reunion Flat Reunion


Emily Maze
October 16, 2017

            I woke up at 7am to head down to the continental breakfast for my PB&J English muffins. We were told to be ready to drive to the 99.9% campsite by 9, but it turned out the 0.1% won. Reunion Flat is only about 20 minutes away so we soaked up WIFI for another 2 hours, I personally napped though. By 11, we were packed and ready to go.

            I really enjoyed my weekend with Boz and I teaching Kara the ways of the introverted and learning a lot about each other; although, I bet Kara did not enjoy having me take up the bed and steal the covers.

            Before going to Reunion Flat, we stopped to get groceries and mail newsletters. Tracy, Boz, Sean, Emma, and I went to the post office. While waiting for each envelope to be weighed, I was amused watching Sean and Boz look through and comment on a box of toy dinosaurs and Barbie type dolls.

            After that, I figured I should get a huckleberry Oreo milkshake at the Old-Fashioned Soda Fountain while I still had the chance. The first taste is huckleberry and then an after taste of Oreo.

            When grocery shopping was done, we returned to Reunion Flat where there were fond memories of waking up to ice on our tents and building a snowman that ended up looking like Trump.

            There were a bunch of lessons and discussions taught by Ashley, Sean, and Austin. Then, we found an interpretation going on nearby by a woman named Ashley Bozman. We learned most of us don’t know the words to the song of America, The Beautiful which tied us into her theme of freedom of animal migration. We played a game as an animal trying to make it to our end place in migration, but sadly Sean died of disease and Emma and I got hit by a train.

            It got really cold as the day went on and I think I can say all of us want to keep moving south except Chris who prefers living like a polar bear.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Different Lifestyle


Ashley Demers
10/14/17

It’s the middle of the night, I’m awake and staring at the ceiling…confused…asking myself what’s that dim light I see, I look around more I see more lights, I’m hearing this noise oh yeah I forgot I’m in a building. That light is the fire alarm and the other electronics. Waking up to not having to make breakfast and to just walking down the hall to the continental breakfast was so odd, I still can’t believe it’s happening and the day is over. Most of us got our fix of waffles that we sadly cannot make on ECOEE. After we fill our bellies with food we did not have to make, we started our debriefs of our old LOW’s, of out tent groups and how the Teton expedition went. While in my tent group evaluation my stomach was aching, it started bubbling and I knew if I did not do anything about it soon I was going to puke. I ran and got tums that I hate so much stood there a second and went back. Long story short don’t down handfuls of M&M’s in the matter of an hour, it’ll make you sick to your stomach. After that and after our expedition debrief we all learned that the cold is not really for us besides Chris he functions well in the mountains and the cold. A few of us had to go shopping and most ended up going. On our way back there was a rumor of a really good huckleberry milkshake in town. Jeff stopped for us and we ran indoors. My mouth salivating, I bought myself a purple monster, which was huckleberry and Oreo ice cream. Let’s just say I wanted like 50 of these shakes. We ended our night with a great meal and a nice dip in the hot tub.

            “When we open our eyes to nature, we discover new things with their own stories to tell…” MB


Friday, October 13, 2017

Out of the Cold


Sean Dowling
10/13/17

After wiggling my way out of my sleeping bag I couldn’t help but notice something strange, something different from the other mornings I have woken to in the Tetons… I wasn’t shivering! It was both strange and fantastic since a kind hiker warned us that a snowstorm was heading for us either today or the night before. Unfortunately, my excitement didn’t last too long because after climbing to the top of our large rock to cook breakfast I could see out in the distance about the mountains that he was right… Winter is coming. We quickly ate our hash browns and oatmeal, packed our bags, and retraced our steps out of the Tetons. Though our time was short in these mountains we did get to see two fantastic views, a moose taking a leisurely stroll, and plenty of evidence of a grizzly, who may or may not have visited our tents a couple of nights. When we made it out, it was time for some overdue cleaning of our kitchenware, trailer, and a mouse hunt that felt more like a wild goose chase (For some of us the thought of finding a mouse was more frightening than a grizzly bear.) When all our chores were done my fellow LOW, future Low, and I got a wonderful idea from two little birdies. What was the best way to get a shower, do laundry, wash our clothes, and get Wi-Fi to work on our assignments… A hotel! But on an Outdoor Education Expedition!? Can’t be, couldn’t be, shouldn’t be… Why not? So after one last meal from our rations that’s exactly what we did. We got four rooms for our group at the nicest Super 8 we had ever seen, or maybe that just what almost two months of camping does to our perspectives. All I know is that this seems like a dream. Comfy beds, carpeted floors, T.V.!!! Wasn’t I just waking up in the Tetons? If this is a dream and do wake up back there I just might cry a little.

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in play. Use both and overlook neither.” – Alan Cohen

Hike Log:
            Start: 10:19
            Break: 10:34
            Break Ends: 10: 39
            Check-In: 10:54
            Break: 11:06
            Break Ends: 11:13
            Check-In: 11:28

            Hike Ends: 11:39