One final note

Our last day in Anchorage was cold and rainy.  It's funny how those days can sometimes turn into wonderful memories.  We found an open market and I think everyone got in some last minute shopping.  There was some really neat "stuff"!  After that, everyone just wanted some warmth so we went to an Alaska theater experience.  The movies were about sled dogs and bears with some cute little inter-actives.  There were some fun things to do out in the lobby.  It was a fantastic place just to "chill".

Our last meal was at a nice restaurant called "Orso".  Taking 18 people into a nice restaurant on a good day could prove interesting but on a cold, wet and final day, this was going to go one of three ways.  As we sat down, I noticed a well-dressed lady looking at me.  I caught her gaze several times.  I wasn't sure what the 15 kids behind me were doing but I did know that I didn't suspect any rioting.  She and her husband got ready to leave and she walked over to me.  Again, this was going to go one of  three ways.  She leaned over and told me that she could not believe that 15 kids could be that well-behaved in a restaurant.  In addition, she asked all about where we were from, why we were there, etc. and was stunned to find out what the scholars had been doing. I think all the adults were beaming with pride.  These guys were awesome!  In addition, the manager came over and again, heaped praise.  He also invited us to visit his moose calf rescue group next trip.  Guess we'll have to add that to the agenda!  It just couldn't have been a better end to the most fantastic trip!  We're crossing our fingers that this becomes an annual event.

Goodbyes

I really don't like to use the word "goodbye"; it just sounds so "final".  I always like to say, "until I see you again".  Cheesy, perhaps, but it seems to be less traumatic.  That being said, I'd like to say a heartfelt "thank you" to the staff at Denali Education Center.  I think we all feel like you are now part of the All Saints' family.  You could have not been more gracious and kind.  Sue, we felt like a ray of sunshine had entered the room when you walked in the door.  Dawn, thanks for the laughs!  You really need to take your show on the road.  Kate, thanks for working with us to make this such an amazing journey; let's pray that we get to do it again.  Betty, Romero, Caleb and the rest of the kitchen staff, you guys rock!  Camp food never tasted so good!  Thanks for spoiling us.  Nan, you taught us invaluable lessons about a place that we will never forget.  Your love of Alaska is contagious; I think we all have some of that love in our hearts now, thanks to you.  To all of the parents that trusted us to take care of their precious children, we appreciate your support .  This would have never happened if it weren't for you. To the ASES business office, thanks for EVERYTHING!  You guys are awesome!  To everyone else who had a part in this trip, thank you.  Your notes were read and shared and responses limited by the time that we had, just knowing that this was being read made us happy.  To our wonderful campers, we couldn't be more proud of you!!  You are amazing young men and women.  Let's hope that we get to do this again.  Chris, thanks for taking time out of your life to help make this trip even better.  We all enjoyed your wit and insight.  Take care of yourself and hopefully we'll see you at ASES in November.

Over and out Alaska...until we see you again!

South to Anchorage

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when such great memories have been made.  The kids have been such great ambassadors for All Saints'.  I couldn't be prouder!  

The morning was the time to finish packing and make sure that everything was left in order.  Our shuttle to Anchorage arrived at 7:45 AM and we were off.  There were 14 on the bus and 5 in the rented van.  Other than a brief encounter with a moose on the road, all went as planned.  We stopped in Talkeetna for a short break.  The van stopped in Wasilla and snapped a couple of pictures of Sarah Palin's old house.  We arrived in Anchorage and headed to Humpy's for a great Alaska meal.  It was YUMMY!  With full stomachs, we felt entitled to a short rest and then headed to the movies!!  I think that everyone will remember where they saw Harry Potter or Captain America.  

Tomorrow is our first "sleep late" day!!   We've got a day of shopping and touring Anchorage before our flight leaves for DFW at 1 AM.  It's going to be interesting to see what everyone wears on the plane.  We will be leaving 50 degree weather and returning to the 100s.  Honestly, we're going to miss the weather here.  

Mark (and Chris)

Do we really have to go?

The gray house is the distance was Sarah Palin's

Harry Potter!

TGIF.....Not!

I think that it is starting to sink in that this magical journey is about to come to an end.  We have seen and done so much in our short time here.  I think that collectively, we're not ready for it to be over.  New friendships have been made, support as been given where needed and we couldn't have had a more wonderful mix of personalities.  These scholars have been awesome!

Before I reminisce about our Friday, I'd like to apologize for the lack of pictures.  I'm working on a Mac and it's like reinventing the wheel for me.  I promise to update pictures once I get back to my familiar PC. Between us all, we have pictures in the thousands and I can't wait for you to see more of them!

Friday was another full day.  The morning started with a hike to Three Lakes which was either 7 or 9 miles depending on which group you were with.  It was a nice, challenging hike that was so beautiful.  We all tried to sneak in a little nap after that one!  All but 4 people went fly fishing in the afternoon.  It was a 4 hour, smile-filled adventure and everyone caught a fish!!  It was "catch and release" so the fish had to put up with minimal disruption.  Several commented that this was one of their favorite activities.   After dinner, Chris showed movies of his Antarctica and Denali adventures.   Lots of great questions followed.

Pictures to be forthcoming...promise!

Can We Say "Full Day"?

Thursday qualified as a completely full day!  We are putting in 18 hour days and as Mark Cox says and we are coming to believe, "Sleep is for the Weak".  Today we started the day with Nan giving us more details on the wildlife of the park.  The kids really enjoyed the time that they got to spend with her.  Once she was done, the kids started moving.  There was the hike up Mt. Healy which was not only challenging but beautiful.  Everywhere you looked, there was something spectacular to gaze at.  We were tired but agreed it was well worth the effort.  A group of us decided to go "flight seeing" so we were whisked to the little airport and put into a plane for a 45 minute flight over the Alaska Range.  Denali seemed like it was just a couple of miles away and we agreed that seeing the mountains from the sky made us feel so tiny.  The rest of the group was waiting to whisk us off to Cabin Night Dinner Theatre.  We arrived and promptly shown our table.  We knew that one of the singers/servers was the sister of one of our 2011 graduates, Barrett Tanner.  It just so happened that our server was Mary Beth and so we got to spent time with her.  The girl can sing!  It was great fun and Walker Dyess got to play the part of the moose.  Maybe an acting career is in his future.  We left stuffed, happy and asking ourselves, "how could this trip get any better"?  Luckily, no one seemed to have an answer!

Nan showing us a lynx fur

Class with Nan

Cabin Night

Denali National Park and Otto Lake

Before I begin to tell you about our day, I want to tell you a little about our hosts.  We have spent almost two years working to put this excursion together with the help of a wonderful organization called the Denali Education Center.  I cannot begin to tell you what an amazing job that they have done accommodating and FEEDING us.  I think they have been pretty overwhelmed by how much food teenagers can consume.  The kids are giving rave reviews to the food!  The program directors have adapted their standard programs to fit our needs and we couldn't be more pleased!!  Hats off to this wonderful organization!

Now back to what we've gotten into!  Wednesday we ate breakfast, gathered our lunches and headed off to Denali National Park.  The day was postcard perfect and we were hoping to get a glimpse of the crown jewel of Alaska, Mount McKinley. (aka Denali)  Since the mountain at 20,000+ feet creates it's own weather systems, even on beautiful days, Denali might be covered in clouds.  Once we were in the park, we began our visual hunt for wildlife.  The first animal spotted was a grizzly bear.  We watched as he foraged and disappeared.  While there wasn't an abundance of wildlife, we did spot another bear, a moose in the distance and a fox.  After a long drive and much anticipation, there is was!  The mountain in all of its splendor.  Majestic is the adjective that best describes it.  We had a perfect view of this giant. Once we got to the Eielson center, the cameras started clicking. We were told that only 30% of the visitors to the park actually get to see the mountain so we were very lucky. The best part of the drive on the way back was when our bus driver slammed on the brakes and yelled "caribou"!  Of course, everyone headed to the windows and saw nothing.  He then whispered that the caribou was headed toward us and that we needed to be silent.  At that point we realized that the massive animal was in full gait and by us, just inches away.  Can we say amazing?  Everyone agreed that that was one of the best parts of the park visit.  

Mount McKinley aka Denali

Seniors!

Once we returned to the campus, we ate dinner, got into our vans and headed off to Otto Lake.  We rented canoes, kayaks, and bikes for everyone to ride.  While the bike riders scoped out the trails, the water lovers took to the lake.  It was so peaceful and beautiful.  This was to be short-lived as Chris decided that some swimming needed to happen.  Under the guise of taking a picture, the first victims hit the water. By the end of the evening, few had been spared.  Even Dawn, our guide, was tossed in.  We all expended a lot of energy laughing; it was so much fun.  We then headed out to find a hidden waterfall which was spectacular.  The night ended with a surprise stop for ice cream.  Another great day in Alaska!!  

Eliot "Lance Armstrong" Davenport

All we!

Trekking

A Very Wet Day

It seems that the kids have become accustomed to continual daylight.  Our activities usually conclude at around 11 PM.  Your body forgets what "normal" days feel like.  For all of our Texas readers, I won't dwell on the fact that it's in the 40s when we rise for breakfast or that it it tops out in the 60s.  We are reading about the sweltering heat but enjoying absolutely incredible Alaska summer weather.  We've mastered the art of layering!  While our first couple of days were cold and rainy with some snow reported in the park,  the rest of our time we have been blessed with sunshine.  

Tuesday morning was "Nan" time.  Nan is the resident wildlife biologist for the Denali Education Center.  She is such an interesting person and knows how to keep a group of teenagers engaged and attentive.  We all now know about moose, caribou, fox, and sheep, just to name a few.  She also told us about the role of plants and mosquitoes.  Speaking of mosquitoes, they have been behaving themselves!  What's up with that?  

The rest of the day was spent on the water.  We started with the 3 hour trip down the Nenana River which was laid back and filled with gorgeous scenery.  Our guides were informative and funny.  They actually let some of the kids row which they enjoyed.  Our second run was on the rapids.  Everyone had a paddle and was expected to "do their part" in getting us down the river.   There were a few water battles between boats and at the end of the run everybody was sufficiently drenched!  The guides let the kids jump in the water and swim for a bit....brrrrrr!  (they were in wet suits)  Needless, to say, we had a bunch of hungry campers so off we went for pizza.  I don't think that I've ever seen pizza trays empty that fast.  I'm pretty sure everyone got a good nights sleep.