Last Impressions from the Trinity Alps

Dear family and friends,

On the first day of the 8^th grade trip, we go into car groups (mine was Lars, Jillian, Paulina, Julia, and Izzy.) and started the brief drive to Fairfax to go grocery shopping.  My team was assigned to cook spaghetti, garlic bread, and steamed broccoli.  After we had finished shopping, we all boarded our cars once more and continued towards Mendocino.  The drive was good because I got to take a nap and read some Game of Thrones.  Once we had arrived at the campsite, Jonah and I were assigned to sleep in Cabin 4.  Everyone but me had a terrible phobia of spiders, which kept me awake all night long. The following day, I went kayaking with about half of my classmates.  It was a highly enjoyable experience and I hope that I can go kayaking in the future.  Afterward we went on an hour-long death march through the woods.  This hike was very tiring and dull.  We returned to the camp at a little past twilight, we also had a talent show around the fire.  That night when we went back to our cabins, my friends and I played the card game Uno.  On Saturday my friends and I went white water rafting, we had fun splashing each other and pulling people off their boats.

Zach

Dear family and Isaac,

T oday we got to wake up later because breakfast was at 8:30. After that, we went to the white water rafting place and I had James in my boat. Jonah leaped into other people’s rafts and attacked them. I didn’t get sunburned and I’m really happy. The ride home I rode shotgun and stuck my head out the window. Tonight I’m sleeping outside. Also Julia, Nina, and I played spoons. See you tomorrow,

Love, Izzy

Hey Guys!

It has been a really fun week with lots of outdoor activities, such as kayaking,  white water rafting, hiking, night hikes, and swimming! My favorite activity was definitely white water rafting. Our class divided into 5 rafts and we had “water wars” constantly. Our time here is almost done, sadly, but I am ready to come home. See you guys tomorrow afternoon!

Love, Hudson.

Hi/Help,

Hello? I honestly wonder if like anyone reads this, but Todd is making me talk so here it is…. It’s been a fun/interesting/scary/ugh trip. We have done all sorts of crazy things, like get crushed by falling logs 5 feet in the air. Fall off of rocks 10ish feet in the air. Get tossed out of boats and into the middle of rapids, and nearly get smashed into rocks. Tried going on a 5 mile hike in flip flops. Get attacked by giant moths. I could go on with boring you, but I won’t. So yah, long drive back home tomorrow, but I’m surprisingly looking forwards to coming home. Weird, huh? So yah, gonna hopefully wake up at 6am (UGH!) tomorrow to go swimming in freezing water, (EVEN BIGGER UGH!). This is going to be scary. Well wish me luck… if you’re even reading this… which I doubt… well yah.

Cya, Isabell

P.S. I KNOW I CANT SPELL SO DON’T BE MAD! … Nina is going to read this and be mad at me. Oh well. (she has a thing for bad spelling… same with Katy… stinks for them)

A MESSAGE FROM JEWELS AND SARRRA

Dear to whomever is reading this,

Last Day: Today was day of many emotions: excitement, discomfort, pain and sadness.

The excitement came from the adventurous ride on the white water rafting trip. Hands down the highlight of the trip. The ride could not have been better because of my amazing and fun group. The water like all water in California was cold, but once you were long enough in it you would get use to it. But once you returned into your raft the discomfort began to coldness began again. Most of my adventures were falling/ being pulled out of boats and jumping on other rafts and pulling and pushing others to the water. My greatest accomplishment was successfully pulling Todd into the water. It wasn’t easy pulling a 192 pound man/screaming like a little girl into the water, but after a few attempts I did it.  The pain came from when I tripped and fell into a bush of thorns. I was left with many scrapes on my left thigh. And now the sadness. I am sad to leave the camp because there were many memories we all made. I am also sad because the trip brought something out of us that I don’t usually see in school which brought us together….ANGERY REVENGE…

From yours truly, SARA #1

Dear Family and others,

Today is the last day of the 8th grade trip. I wish I had made more time to blog, but unfortunately this is my first and last entry. Today we went White Water Rafting, and there was a lot of splashing and wrestling and swimming. There were so many more events and I cannot write them all here, but I made drawings of all of them (remind me to show you!). Overall, I had a ton of fun on this trip and I hope these memories will stick with me forever.

P.S. mama and papa, if you’re reading this, please set up an appointment with Dr Lee for when I get back, I broke my braces J

Love, Julia

Dear Families,

We are leaving today, June 1^st. Instead of an easy wake-up call, 16 of us decided to wake up at 6:15 to go on a polar plunge in the below 0 Stuart Fort river. It was honestly the worst and best thing ever. It was freezing when you jumped in, but a few seconds later you were numb from head to toe. A few people, including the teachers, jumped in more than twice, I only jumped in once. I kind of don’t want to leave. I’ve had a load of fun on this trip. 

Love, Pilar.

Today Josh and I woke up at 6:00 AM and we went with 14 other kids to jump into the freezing cold river. When we got there, some kids were already in the water. I decided that the easiest way to get in was to wear my clothes until the last second and tore off my clothes and plunged into the ice-cold water. I have never been so happy to take a shower in my life. But also I do not regret my decision to swim.

Lars Delin

Going home today! I just went on the polar bear swim (so fun!), beat Eleanor 14-4 at shuffleboard, won at this ring toss game they have at the bar, and I’m about to have breakfast. Also rafting was great (Todd chucked me in the river with all his might!), especially since it was my first time. And it was nice to appreciate people and be appreciated. That’s it for now! I’ll be home at the end of the day. I love you Mom!

From, Josh.

Hi Mom!

Our cabin is haunted. No one here believes us (Sara, Eloise, and I) but we got freaked out and left as soon as possible! It’s Carl’s fault. Last night they told us a (true) story about a man who stayed here a while ago named Carl. Carl left to hike or something and never came back. A bunch of freaky things have happened and we are convinced he is haunting our cabin. For example, yesterday (before the story was told) I was filling up Eloise’s water bottle and there was a paper towel clogging the sink. I pulled it out and put it on the counter, then proceeded. Later, after we heard the story, we went back to the cabin to brush our teeth. Eloise turned on the sink and realized that the paper towel was stuffed in the drain. Eloise and I got really scared so we slept out on the porch, all of us in one bed. We made sure to turn off all of the lights before we slept. When we woke up at 5:50 the bathroom light was on. Sara went to get her swimsuit where she put it, hanging in the cabin, (her and Eloise were going to swim in the river early) and it was folded on the table outside. Later a door that was shut opened and I felt like I was going to throw up. Then Sara left the bathroom, leaving the door open, and it swung shut. I saw it swing. Anyway, we are leaving today, so it will be okay.

Love, Daniella

Greetings from the Spectacular Trinity Alps!

Dear family and Isaac,

Trinity Alps Resort is soooooo much better than the Other Place. I the cabins are amazing and I got a really big one with just Julia and Nina. I haven’t had a good nights sleep in three days so I’m excited for bed time. Guess what Isaac? No, spiders but there is a conchling living in one of the showers. I miss you guys and I can’t wait to tell you about the baby seals and deer.

Love, Izzy

Hello Everyone!

Today we have arrived at Trinity Alps and it is sooo much better than the other place. We have nice cabins and bathrooms which have locks in it. The drive was super long, but we kept ourselves very entertained with sunscreen art. There are no spiders here! Well, got to go slumber now! ByeJ

-Jill

Hello!

We arrived at Trinity Alps yesterday. Everybody was super excited because there was electricity and the cabins were spider free. Everybody is looking forward to the service project and rafting. Sadly, last night, while I was settling into my cabin, everybody had ice cream without me. UGGGHHHHHHHH. Whatever. Time to have breakfast. Bye!

-Lexi

Hi!

We arrived at Trinity yesterday!!!!!!!!!! I arrived in my cabin and saw that there were only two beds and three people. I jumped on the smallest bed and yelled “I”M NOT SHARING!!!!!!!!” Every laughed. Were swimming today!!!!!

GTG BYE!!!!!!

Ben

Hey family and Isaac,

I am really excited for white water rafting tomorrow. Today we did a river walk and my toe got pinched by a crawfish. After that we went to a pool in the trinity river and Katy fell off of a boulder and got hit by a log and Jonah fell and got cut on his side. We had to leave early and Julia and I bonded with Hudson and Zach. The car ride back me and Manny shared shotgun and I was half out the window the whole time. We Nina found a frog in the shower and that was so much better than a spider. Julia has drawn about half the people in the class and I jumped on the outdoor beds. Also since Ella and Stella are in the cabin next to us they showed us their talent show dance.

It was really fun see you soon.

Love, Izzy

Dear Mom,

I have been having a lot of fun! Yesterday we got to the Trinity Alps Resort, which is a lot nicer than the other place. We have our own cabins with bathrooms and the food is excellent and there are ping-pong tables! On Wednesday we went kayaking, which was fun to learn (we saw seals which were very cute!). Yesterday was a driving day and today we did a service project where we picked up trash out of a very cold river. Later we went to an even colder swimming hole, which was fun. Tomorrow is rafting and Sunday I come home! I love you and the dog very much!

From, Josh.

Day Two - Magical Mendocino!

Happy Wednesday!

Our morning was pretty unorganized. We were expected to be at the dining hall at 7:30 for breakfast and the chefs were expected to be there at 7:15. Unfortunately, many of the students seemed to have excuses for sleeping in, and missing most of breakfast preparation. Both my cabin mates alarms seemed to not be working so, like many others, we struggled to get our clothes on and our bags packed before all the breakfast was gone. Todd, who yelled a very pleasing moose like call outside our cabin, woke us up. He then proceeded to take pictures (with his iPhone) of our beautiful morning hair. Fortunately, most of us arrived at breakfast (barely) on time and we had a choice of scrambled eggs, cereal, fruit salad, oatmeal and bagels. Yum! (And no one got eaten alive by spiders!)

After breakfast, we split into two groups. Half of us were driven to a trailhead and half of us were driven to a beach. Half of us went on a hike that took about two hours and the other half went sea kayaking. I went on the hike first. It was pretty uneventful apart from one of my peers finding and picking up a salamander. The salamander was probably scared out of its mind, the poor creature. When we finished our hike, we went straight to kayaking and the kayakers went to the hike. We had a choice of single of double kayaks (one person or two people). Getting into the water was not an extremely difficult task and no one capsized! Throughout our trip, we managed not to get stuck anywhere but running into each other was pretty common. Apparently, the other group was the same. My favorite part was going into small caves in the rocks and seeing a few seals.

When we returned to base, we had free time ( and are still having it now. I am choosing to spend part of it writing this blog) .  The cooking crew is making the dinner right now right next to me.  We are having burritos tonight!

-         Lane Fricke, 5/28/14           

Today we went kayaking and then on a hike. On the kayak trip we went through caves and up currents.  I was in my own kayak. We all got wet suits so we weren’t cold. After that we went on the hike, which was not very difficult. Then we came back to camp and had a fire building challenge. Hudson’s group won. After that we ate dinner, which was burritos. After dinner we are going to have a talent show. Then it is bedtime. It was a fun day.

-         August Rosedale

     

      Hi Mom and Dad,

We went sea kayaking today, and I was really nervous about being pulled into waves and stuff because I am not a very good swimmer. In the end it was actually really fun, and we saw a ton of seals. Then we went on a really easy hike. We came back to camp, and it was my groups turn to cook, which was surprisingly fun. I just finished dinner, and it is getting really cold L. After dinner we have a talent show, and then we are going to bed. I hope I sleep tonight.

I love you, Clara

Hiya fam,

Today, my classmates and I went on a fantabulous sea-kayak adventure!

It was fantabulous because we got to paddle through aquatic caves, and because we saw some baby seals. Today was also my day to cook, and I made some delicious burritos. It was such a great experience. Julia jumped into my arms, and we posed for a quality photo!

See you soon, Isaac

Camping trip update to my parents!

Today I woke up to a raven at 2:32 and at 7:34 by Kelsey. I was almost late for breakfast, which was great! When everyone was done eating, cleaning, and packing their daypacks we headed fifteen minutes out of our campsite to get to the coast. Once we arrived we at the kayaking place we split in two and three groups went to go hiking and the other three kayaked. I was the first to hop in to the water. We went in through two caves and saw at least seven seals. We then traded activities and we left to go on a hike for one hour. When we were at the beach and about to leave I slipped on the gravel and now have huge scrapes on the side of my left leg L. We then went back to camp and hung around the camp for two hours. I took a shower so I don’t smell and then ate dinner. Once everyone ate we had our talent show and had some fun telling jokes and stories; I have a joke, what do you call a sleeping cow? A BULL DOZER!! Hahaha. After all that I am here writing this. See you on Sunday.

Jason out peace!

Hey family!

On the first day of the 8^th grade trip, we go into car groups (mine was Lars, Jillian, Paulina, Julia, and Izzy.) and started the brief drive to Fairfax to go grocery shopping.  My team was assigned to cook spaghetti, garlic bread, and steamed broccoli.  After we had finished shopping, we all boarded our cars once more and continued towards Mendocino.  The drive was OK because I got to take a nap and read some Game of Thrones.  Once we had arrived at the campsite, Jonah and I were assigned to sleep in Cabin 4.  Everyone but me had a terrible phobia of spiders, which kept me awake all night long. The following day, I went kayaking with about half of my classmates.  It was a highly enjoyable experience and I hope that I can go kayaking in the future.  Afterward we went on an hour-long death march through the woods.  This hike was very tiring and dull.  We returned to the camp at a little past twilight, we also had a talent show around the fire.  That night when we went back to our cabins, Jonah decided to go and sleep with Isaac, Arlo, and Manny because he was afraid of a giant spider in our cabin.  The four of them were hitting sticks against trees and tents until midnight.  So far my trip has been above average, I’d give it 7/10 because we haven’t done anything that’s super memorable or fun.

Zach

Dear parental units!

On the first day we got into our car groups and rode up here. When we got here everyone was tired from to ride, so of course the teachers made us go on a hike. We hiked to a big tree that was almost 20 feet around, and took a class picture. For dinner that night we had pasta and it was great. That night we went on a night hike and it was scary but fun. The next day was even better; we ate breakfast and went straight to the beach. At the beach I went on a hike for an hour and then went ocean kayaking. When we went ocean kayaking we went on a little river and went in caves and stuff. It was awesome. Now we are going to trinity and I will update you when I get there. See you soon guys

Love Arlo

Hi Madre!

Yesterday we went sea-kayaking! There were lots of caves that we went in to explore. We also saw a family of seals! There are about a billion spiders and bugs here. Last night was the first talent show. We had s’mores to celebrate Eloise’s birthday (I gave her my card) and I was the first to perform my ‘talent’. I told a joke… Why couldn’t the flower ride his bike? Because his petals fell off! That was fun. Today is the drive up to Trinity, but tomorrow we are going to swim and collect trash. The next day is rafting! That will be fun.

Love, Daniella

P.S. 9:45!

Hi Family,

Right now we are waiting to leave to Trinity. It is very cold here and because of that I am having trouble writing this because of my frozen fingers. Yesterday I had lots of fun kayaking around the coast. We saw a family of seals playing in the water. We also had our first talent show where we shared poems, stories and jokes. See you Sunday!

Love, Eloise

Hey Familia!

We are waiting to leave to the next place now but it’s taking forever! Yesterday was so fun we went kayaking! We went through a bunch of sea caves and there were many families of seals it was adorable! Then had a whole class talent show. I’m showing my talent tomorrow night with the Fab Four hehehe! Eloise and I had a traumatic bug experience last night! The car rides are fun and I mainly sleep during them. We also finally got to take showers yesterday! Im having a really great time and miss you guys.

Love, Stella

Thinking of You from the Road to Mendocino Woodlands!

Hey Everyone!

 We’ve arrived safely at the Mendocino Woodlands and we’re nearing the end of our first day in the wilderness. After we arrived and got settled, we went for a hike in forest, braving the elements in search of the BIG TREE! Needless to say we found the tree, and survived the experience, but it was a close thing. We are now lounging around waiting for dinner to be served, and after that we will go conquer our fears on the night hike (dun dun DUH).

From, Josh, Katy and Crunch (Katy’s bear).

That pretty much sums it up, but first, some messages to the families:

 (From Katy) Hi family! It’s been an interesting first day, in the car, August brought me to tears, both from laughing at his antics, and from pure unadulterated fear. (I don’t like spiders). I share a cabin with Izzy and Clara, and around 9 million spiders… we’re one big happy family! The food challenge has been fun, we managed to navigate the store without too much difficulty… I hope you are all doing well and don’t miss me too much! J Have fun at your graduation Tony, I’m so proud of you! I miss you all!!

Love, Katy

(From Josh) Mom, I just want you to know that I am safe, I am having fun and I love you and the dog a lot. That is all.

That’s it for today! Check the blog again for more posts.

Hi family! Today was an interesting day. Our car ride was fun and I actually slept in the car! We arrived at the site and to our horror, there were spiders everywhere. We are all kind of scared to go to sleep in the tents infested with spiders but I think we will be fine. We went on a hike and I have done a good job taking care of my face and skin so far in terms of sun. I’m having stomach issues and I wish you were here mom, but I think it’ll be ok.

Love, Nina

Hi  Family, I am having tons of fun at the campsite though we are very scared to sleep tonight due to tons of spiders in our cabin and various bugs. I am very exited to go kayaking tomorrow! See you next week!

Love, Matthew                  

Hello family! Hope your doing well and feeling better. Today we went on a night hike that was dark, but we came back before it got really dark, I am tired and do not know what else to put.

Love, Petal.

Hey family, I am tired and my leg hurts. But I had fun!

From Paulina

Hi family! I had a great day but am really tired after all the walking we did. We just got back from a night hike where we did a solo walk and learned fun facts about animals that have really good certain senses. Did you know a moth can smell up to two miles away?

Love, Eloise

Hello Family,

I just “woke up” after a sleepless night. But I am excited for sea kayaking.

Hope to see you all soon. J

Love, Clara

Hello Family,

Its 8 in the morning and we all just finished breakfast. Yesterday was pretty fun, especially the car ride with August. After every song he would ask me, “Hey Ronnie do you want to hear the rap part of that song?” Then he started to rap something random. It got pretty annoying after while but it was fun!

Ronnie

Hi everyone!

I just finished breakfast, which was fruit salad and bagels. The car ride was fun yesterday; we passed through san Rafael and the stopped at the grocery store across from poncho vias. We spent over 2,000 dollars on food! And there are about 20,000 spiders in our cabin!!! All right I have to go help sweep now, see you later! J Ok I’m being strongly “encouraged” to write more, we are doing fun stuff like kayaking and swimming, I almost wanted to come home because of all the spiders but I’m fine now.

Bye. Jonah

HI FAMILY,

IT’S ME MANNY, I AM HAVING FUN, ME GO TO KAYAK NOW, ME TALK TO YOU LATER, OOG.

Hi Family!!,

I just had breakfast of cereal (boring sugar free kind). Every cabin has 10000000000000 spiders expect for mine! I’m about to go kayaking!

Bye! Ben