Wednesday the 25th

You would think after a few days of getting up early, hiking all day and then going to a group class every night til 8:30 or so, you would think after a few days of this that they would not be popping up exactly, precisely at 6:00 AM. You would in fact be wrong - as at precisely at 6:00, and I mean exactly precisely on the dot, they start popping their heads out of their cabins like little gophers.  Not all of them, but a good number, and by 6:30 I would  say that the majority are bustling about getting ready for their day.  They are having a grand time for sure, their excitement gives them energy and they are eager to get up and get going.

One strategy they have developed to really maximize their time is to keep their rooms highly organized.  It is a mature approach to the situation, & I hope you all wish they could be as efficient at home.

Pic Courtesy of Hugh

By keeping their spaces neat and tidy, they are all able to concentrate on important things, like hair.





 Today was a big day for many reasons.  The Care bears and the Fuee Fuees had their Challenge Hikes, longer adventures with some pretty serious elevation changes.  The extra distance, plus a bit of rain, really pushed them all.  Everyone had different hiking buddies during the ascent, and there were readings & quotations to think about ever so often.  Since the smiles have not gone away, the pushing has been a good thing,   The Fuee Fuees ascended Yosemite Falls to about the mid way point:

Pic Courtesy of Kristine

Pic Courtesy of Kristine

While the Care Bears went up Vernal Falls.  Lunch was a sort of cold burrito/enchilada bean mix thing that the chaperones were pretty sure they wouldn't touch and were pretty impressed that they devoured.  My recommendation the next time you serve something new is to take them on a 6 mile hike just before you sit and eat.

Pic Courtesy of Charles

Pic Courtesy of Charles

Of course you will need to have something like this at the end as a reward.








I am told that not only did the Care Bears have an amazing hike, the also saw a fairly large Bobcat.  There may be some images floating about, and I am very happy for them as these are incredibly rare predators to see, especially during the day.

Pic Courtesy of Hugh

The kids were also given some new team building challenges.  One I especially liked was from the One Up Mushrooms, who were told that they had to get into a line, first in the order of the sizes of their different pets.  Once in line they had to then change order, but they could only rearrange themselves if there feet never touched the ground.

Pic Courtesy of Hugh

It took them a while to figure it all out, but after some brainstorming, they came up with some great ways to move around without walking on the ground.

The rain had mostly stopped by dinner, and truthfully, even though it was enough to break out the rain gear, it was not torrential by any means.  After getting dried off and having dinner, tonight's evening program was the much anticipated night hike.  The Mushrooms were folded into the Fuee Fuees and the Care Bears, so we had to groups go off in different directions.  Our ensemble headed off to the Merced River for a game of Predator & Prey. 



One sad note, Gabe unfortunately came down with a case of Step and had to have his trip cut a bit short.  I am sure he will be feeling better soon, but if everyone can wish him a speed recovery I think that would be much appreciated by the O'Briens.  We have only one more full day left, and I am sure tomorrow will bring even more adventures.