One day down, 174 to go……

School has gotten off to a great start with the first day of classes out of the way. Outdoor school was lots of fun and full of blessings. The food was terrific, we learned lots, and the only bears we saw were far away. We arrived at the Many Glacier Campground Monday afternoon where some of us more quickly than others set up our tents. After each tent was up, we had supper and then headed to a talk on glaciers given by one of the forest rangers.

The first night was a little rough with the wind howling, and getting accustomed to the ground. We began each day with a tasty breakfast and a short worship. We then split into two groups and went about our activities. Tuesday, the group I was in listened to Mr. Wilkins impart upon us his ever flowing wisdom on the history of Glacier National Park. When Mr. Wilkins finally quit talking (even though it was quite interesting) and the other group got back from learning about the formation of the park from Mr. Stuart, we all went together on a short walk to the Many Glacier Hotel. While there, we received a tour and learned even more on the history of the place. Then the groups switched and group two was honored with hearing stories from Mr. Wilkins, while my group went with Mr. Stuart.

The second day, group one went on what Mr. Wilkins called “the short hike” which was 12 miles, to Grinnell Glacier, and group two went to the “Going to the Sun Road”. After I survived the death march up to the glacier and finally got to sit down, rest, and eat my lunch in the warm sun, I foolishly caved under peer (and adult) pressure to jump into a small lake that was still frozen over except for a few places. The hike back was quite chilly for me and the other foolish, perhaps brave ones who also took the plunge.
I slept well that night after a long hike only to wake the next day for an even longer hike. While some of our group enjoyed, others endured the treacherous 18 mile journey.  Group two was privileged to go on the *cough* “short hike.”

Once we returned from the 18 miler, I roasted marshmallows, and then slept very, very well. The next morning we loaded up the bus and headed for home. We all got to rest up Sabbath and Sunday, and now here we are beginning another school year.