| Pacific Northwest Exposure Log (2007-06-20 --> 2007-07-10)
Leaders: Willy "Styles" Sebring, Genna Suggs
Students: Ashley Buehler, Elizabeth Stephenson, Hunter Rich, Morgan Wright, Sara Martin, Hannah Wainwright, Anna Johnston, Will Jameson, Wood Robinson
June 20
All have arrived safely. Perperations are underway for Rock Climbing at Smith Rock. Stay tuned.
June 24
Howdy from Team Num'leven!! Willy and I are so excited to have a group of nine fantastic Moondancers! Though most of us are from the South, we've been trying to get our single Ohioan (Ashley) to incorporate the word "ya'll" into her vocabulary!!! Our team has bonded so well so quickly that we've slept outside our tents in a circle almost every night. There is something to be said for that since we've been together such a short time.
Hannah, Morgan and Hunter have really stepped up as Moondance alum; always practicing excellent expedition behavior and using the leadership skills they learned last summer.
Now we are in Mecca Flat, Oregon. We've just completed an amazing rock climbing section at Smith Rock. We spent two days climbing and repelling. Everyone mastered both tasks beautifully!!!! Will was a monster on the rock! He dominated the hardest climbs on both days!! Anna was another superstar! We had to peel her off the rock the first day because she wanted to master every climb. Wood also completed the "spiciest" route our guides had set for us. Sara and Elizabeth also loved climbing and were always ready to lend a helping hand when someone needed a belay.
After our first two days at Smith Rock we thought we deserved a break, so we headed to Steelhead Falls to cool off in the Crooked River.
Ana, Ashley, Hunter, Wood and Willy braved the chilly waters and took a breathtaking swim. Wood was so surprised at how cold the water was, he was literally speechless! Very amusing for the rest of us!
Our two days of climbing prepared us for the experience of the Monkey's Face; a 170 ft tall tyroleon traverse followed by an exhilarating repel! That was a rush beyond belief and the views were spectacular!!! Even though a case of nerves bothered a few team members, EVERYONE mastered Monkey's Face with a fearless attitude!!!! Our guides were duly impressed with the toughness and tenacity of each of our members.
We celebrated our success with a gas station run and headed to the Deschutes River to begin our 2 day white water rafting session. This should be a refreshing but exciting respite before our 6 day journey into the North Cascades.
As if this activity wasn't enough, some of the group enjoys nightly Pilate’s session and the completion of at least 50 crunches. We'll be in excellent shape when this trip is completed!!!!
Stay tuned for more good news.......we'll keep ya'll posted!
Genna and Willy
June 27
Hello from Rasar State Park, Washington! We are nearing the backpacking section of our trip, and we have just come off an amazing two days on the Deschutes River. We completed over 50 miles in our two day trip with Orion Expeditions, so you can imagine how long and enjoyable our days were on the river.
We started our first day with a 32 mile trip. We encountered two major rapids our first day: Buck Skin Mary and Whitehorse. Everyone was absolutely soaked, but the water felt so good under that beautiful, hot Oregon sun. Willy and Hunter participated in a game called "Trust" in which two people link up their oars and "trust" that the other won't let go. But hilariously, both boys fell in, and the whole group erupted in laughter! Morgan was also the first girl in the water as she felt like taking charge and cooling off. Ashley and Will really enjoyed "riding the bull"...this meant they liked to ride on the very front of the raft. When we arrived at our campsite off the Deschutes, Hannah, Wood and Elizabeth helped our guides prepare a wonderful meal of chicken, cous cous and a tomato sauce with zucchini. Our rafting guides also surprised us with some pudding pie which we all really enjoyed.
The next day, we rafted about 20 miles to our take out location. But before we left, Will, Ashley and Sara fixed one of the best breakfasts I've ever had: French toast with fresh oranges and sausage. It was delicious to say the least. During our last day on the Deschutes, Will and I played a game of trust, but of course, I ended up falling in! The water felt so amazing, and it felt nice to have a little rinse after a few days of not showering! When we finished our rafting section, our guides treated us to one last fantastic meal that Anna had a huge part in helping them prepare...and she wasn't even on cook crew for that day!
During our trip down the Deschutes, we saw plenty of wildlife, ranging from ducks (and LOTS of baby ducks) to deer (and a couple baby deer too). We also passed by plenty of fly fishermen who were very friendly and interested in our travels.
We have already laughed so hard and shared so many amazing times together. All of us think that the backpacking section in the North Cascades will really solidify our bond as "Team Num'leven" and a family of Moondancers. We can't wait to tell you what an awesome time we had, so please check back with us around July 4.
Blue skies to you!
Hello from Anacortes, Washington! We have just completed our 7 day backpacking section on the Ross Lake Trail at the North Cascades National Park, and Team Num'leven is now headed to Lopez Island for 3 marvelous days of sea kayaking around the San Juan Islands!
Our time in the North Cascades was filled with awesome times including some splashing in Ross Lake, some feasting at dinner time and some major domination of Desolation Peak. Care to know more? Great, I'll fill you in!
Our first night on the trail was spent at Hozameen Lake, a beautiful and clear lake surrounded by snow capped mountains and tall trees. Wood, Will and Hunter really enjoyed yelling into the big blue sky and hearing their voices echo throughout the valley. All of us also enjoyed skipping rocks on the calm surface of the lake, but Willy definitely had the best arm! Our first night, we hung a bear bag to keep our food safe from any hungry critters, and the whole team cracked up when we pulled on the rope and a few of us came tumbling to the ground!
The next day, we traveled to Nightmare Camp and on the trail; Hannah kept us occupied with some games like the Celebrity Game. She is always the first to suggest playing a game like Birdie on a Perch of Big Booty! (You'll have to get the kids to explain these to you!) When we reached camp, Sara, Ashley and Will made a d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s dinner of chicken and cheese quesadillas. Everyone agreed that was the best meal we've had the entire trip!
After Nightmare Camp, Team Num'leven headed toward Lightning Creek Camp. When we arrived the sun was so hot and our feet were very tired, so we all jumped into Ross Lake to cool off. Some of us even jumped in three or four times! The water just felt so great! Hannah, Sara and I were the first to test the waters. Ashley, Anna and Elizabeth soon followed as did the boys. Morgan soaked up the sun on the dock and took some pictures of our "flights" off the dock. We also took more amazing pictures that night at sunset. I hope you all get a chance to see them! Ashley made most of us girls look pretty for the pictures by doing our hair in some nice braids...everyone thinks she should open up a salon!
Perhaps our biggest day on the trail was the day we climbed Desolation Peak (6,102 ft.)! Hannah and Wood prepared us for the challenge the night before with an inspiring Moonup, and Anna and Hunter were the Leaders of the Day (LODs) during our climb up and down Desolation. We all made it to the top in great time: 5 hours and 45 minutes. Once we reached the peak, we basked in the glory of our success by telling stories and taking LOTS of pictures. We also took a peak in the cabin on top of the Desolation Peak. The story goes that great author Jack Kerouac spent two summers in that cabin writing several of his famous works like "Desolation Angels." When we returned to camp that night, we were tired by I know we all felt very proud of ourselves and our accomplishments, so we topped off the evening with a round of hot chocolate!
Other highlights from our time in the backcountry included our Moonup at our last campsite (Roland Creek). We talked mostly about our friends and family members and how we hoped to stay in touch after the completion of our trip. Morgan and Hannah suggested a beach weekend reunion on the Georgia shore. Hopefully we'll follow through with the idea! Also, on our last day on the trail, Anna and Ashley and I enjoyed a final swim in Ross Lake by jumping off the Rainbow Point dock. And of course, Morgan led the group in a game of Mafia (another game the kids will have to explain to you)!
After we completed our backpacking section we treated ourselves to the most amazing ice cream I know I've ever tasted at Cascadian Farms, an organic ice creamery near our trailhead. We all had our fill of this fantastic ice cream...not to mention homemade muffins, macaroons and cookies! It was hard to leave such an oasis, but once we arrived at our campsite, we took some much needed showers and celebrated the 4th of July with a feast! Hannah, Elizabeth and Wood helped make a fantastic meal of Ramen, chicken and grilled veggies...followed by some cookies! We then watched some fireworks near our campsite, and we sang an "earth-shattering" version of "The Star Spangled Banner" in the van.
As of now, we're preparing for our 3 day sea kayaking trip near the San Juan Islands. The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and our resident photographers, Ashley and Elizabeth, are sure to take some amazing pictures for the friends of PNWers to see!
Though the trip isn't over yet, I want to go ahead and tell you all how truly amazing this group of Moondancers is. Every single student is an absolute joy to spend time with, and everyone ALWAYS has a positive attitude. Willy and I couldn't ask for a better group of 9 students who have become a part of my life forever!
I know they'd like to share some words with you, so here they are! Thanks for reading, and we'll get back to you after sea kayaking! Stay tuned for more adventures of Team Num'leven!
Genna and Willy
Sara: Hey earthlings! I am still alive! Love your lovely daughter.
Hannah: Hey! I am having an amazing time and don't want to come home. Love!
Morgan: Hey family. Miss you and love you, but I don't want to come home. I'm having an amazing time. Love y'all.
Elizabeth: Hey family! How are you? I miss you, but I'm having a great time! Hope you're having fun, and I will see you in a few days. I love you!
Anna: Familya! I miss you guys! One more week till I'm back home! Moondance is amazing, and I am already planning by next trip! Make sure you bring Chaser with you when you pick me up! I love you guys!
Wood: Hey guys, I talked to you yesterday.
Ashley: I miss you all! I can't wait to see you Tuesday- Mom, Dad, Eylie and Logan! Love you all! (Mom, buy bagels and make cookies!)
Hunter: Love you momma!
Will: Hey Parents. I am having a great time. I want to see some Orca Whales!
July 9th update
Thanks for checking back in with us! Our group of superstars has just returned from 3 incredible days on the Pacific coastline as we sea kayaked in the most beautiful settings imaginable!
We first met our sea kayaking guides from Outdoor Adventures, Blair, Kathy, Cassie and their friends Jeffrey and Heidi, and from the moment we all shook hands and played "getting to know you" games with them, we knew we were in for an unforgettable experience! Once we suited up in our life jackets and spray skirts and were assigned 2-person kayaks, Blair guided us to a small island where we found several starfish resting on the rocks. We passed around these beautiful sea creatures from boat to boat so that everyone had a chance to interact with this marine life. Hunter also enjoyed skillfully picking up Moon Jellies, a more docile type of jellyfish, and then showing them off to the rest of the group.
The first day on the water was full of laughter and bright sunshine, and before we knew it, more than 6 hours and 11 miles had passed us by, and we arrived at our destination of Jones Island. Our Outdoor Adventure guides treated us to a delicious dinner of clam linguine with fresh salad, bread and hot chocolate to reward us for our positive and fearless attitude on the water!
We also got two treats the next morning: sleeping in and fresh pancakes! We awoke to a gorgeous blue sky and a beaming sun, and our guides had cooked us the most incredible pancakes made with apples, cinnamon and vanilla! We were in heaven as we enjoyed them with peanut butter, fruit and sausage. Will enjoyed these pancakes so much so that we lost count of how many he ate! They were truly that good!
Once our food was good and settled, Blair and Kathy led us on a tour of Jones Island. They shared with us the history of the island and surrounding islands as well as some info on the local wildlife. Many of the surrounding islands have interesting stories behind them; Speiden Island, for example, is a privately owned island where many exotic animals (like zebras) are imported and hunted by those who can afford such an adventure. Another island near Jones Island was once owned by a train engineer, and it is completely surrounded by a small train track!
After we learned about our surroundings, we played one of my favorite games: the Bag Game! In this game, you must pick up a paper bag with your mouth, and only one leg can be on the ground when you do so. It is a game of balance, to be sure, but you also must be able to concentrate while others (specifically my co-leader, Willy!) choose to heckle you and break your concentration! The bag is then cut down until it becomes harder to balance and bend down to pick it up. However, Hannah, Elizabeth and Anna proved to be pros at this game, and in the end, Elizabeth was the last student standing! The three girls showed their incredible balance, and Anna spent about 20 minutes trying to pick up the bag. She is one of the most determined people I've ever met, as I also saw this during our time at Smith Rock!
After the bag game, we further explored the wildlife on Jones Island, as we searched for oysters. During our search, a baby seal pup poked its head out of the water and greeted us as if to welcome us to Jones Island. We took several pictures of such an adorable creature, and we then found about a dozen oysters. Wood, Will, Hunter, Willy, Sara and I partook in eating these oysters raw. The rest of the group tried them after they had been cooked at lunchtime. For some of the kids, it was their first time even eating oyster!
Later that day, Blair led us on a sunset paddle, and the sights were so breathtaking! The sky turned so many colors, cool purples to blazing oranges to deep blues, just in the hour and a half that we spent on the water. We also saw some bald eagles that evening as they perched from tall trees and curiously watched our actions from above. We hoped to see some Orca whales, and Hunter tried to coax them to come and play with a few songs he made up, but unfortunately, they did not respond. We feasted on quesadillas and tortilla soup when we arrived back at our camp, and we were ecstatic to reflect on another wonderful day with our group and kayaking guides.
We awoke around 4 the next morning to prepare for our sunrise paddle to Friday Harbor. Since we awoke so early, we got to enjoy the sun as it rose over the Pacific waters. We all struck "the guide pose" on the shoreline before we left Jones Island and snapped some photos of ourselves staring out into the deep blue sea. We set off into the sun, and the currents and headwinds began to test us and our abilities. Yet, we powered through and made it to Friday Harbor in about 3.5 hours. When we arrived, we walked to the Whale Museum where we learned about the many Orcas that live in pods around the islands. Morgan and Ashley were particularly interested in helping these beautiful animals thrive, so they both adopted whales named Lobo and Riptide. Morgan also expressed an interest to study marine biology in college, so the trip to the museum was very special for her. We then enjoyed some ice cream that our wonderful kayaking guides bought for us.
Though the guides were impressed with our strength, they decided the winds were too strong for us to continue back to Lopez Island by kayak, so we hopped aboard the ferry and arrived back at Lopez Island where we had a hot dog and cheeseburger cookout with the Outdoor Adventures gang. We also played several rounds of Big Booty, a classic Moondance game. When our cookout ended, Blair so kindly gave all of us necklaces that were adorned with fisherman's knots...these knots symbolize the binds that friendship creates, and such knots are meant to hold two ends together for a long time and through any situation. As we said goodbye to Blair, Kathy, and Cassie, we all felt the friendships we had created, and we reflected on them later that night during Moonup.
We are now back in Anacortes, and we are preparing for our banquet dinner at a local pizza parlor. We are all trying NOT to think about leaving each other tomorrow, so we keep playing happy songs in the van and discussing the many fun times we've had on this trip so far. I'm sure our Moonup tonight will be most powerful and unforgettable as each member of our team is so very special, thoughtful and positive.
Thank you again for reading about our amazing times in the PNW. I hope you've enjoyed reading about our adventures as much as I have enjoyed sharing them with your children or friends. Each one has left an everlasting impression in my heart, and Willy and I thank you again for allowing these kids to be a part of our lives.
Blue skies,
Genna and Willy
PNW I Final Trip Update:
Well, our time in the PNW has ended, and as I sit here typing this update, I cannot help but think about all of the incredible times our team shared during the climbing, rafting, backpacking and kayaking sections together. As we said good bye at the airport today, I felt a sense of emptiness, and I know Willy felt it too. For the first time in 21 days, I was without my new family, and it was sad to see all 9 amazing kids leave us. But as they safely got on the plane, I remembered our magnificent times together and all the lessons that each person taught me. Elizabeth with her beautiful soul, kind heart and mature wisdom; Morgan with her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for the outdoors; Hannah with her leadership and her willingness to always help with any task (cooking, loading the Uhaul, etc!); Wood with his ability to effectively lead the group and keep morale high on the toughest of days; Sara with her smile and encouraging comments (and songs!) on the trail; Will with his outstanding athletic abilties (especially with climbing) and his humbleness; Hunter with his humor and power to turn every single situation into an unforgettable memory; Anna with her level-headedness even on our huge climb to Desolation Peak (approx. 14 miles!); and finally the athletically talented Ashley who never once complained and always displayed her toughness during every section. I want to thank all of the parents for letting these amazing Moondancers spend 21 days with Willy and me. We could not have asked for a better group of individuals, and I know you will see how much they've grown and learned the minute you hear their tales. Until next time, this is Team Num'leven signing off!
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