BRANDON

CHASITY

HASSAN

JENNIFER

JOSE

JOSH

KRISTEN

MARIO

MAYRA

OMAR

REGINA

SAPRINA

I feel, I know...

I FEEL...a sense of achievement. I feel at one with nature. I feel very proud of myself, because I made it up here even though I was the slowest, I made it. I feel hurt in my legs from yesterday. I feel the wind blowing on my cheeks.

I KNOW...that this peaceful feeling will be treasure in my memories forever more. I know now that the wilderness is everywhere we look; it could even be in your backyard with all the birds and insects flying around.

An invitation...

THE FIRST PERSON I can think of would be my sister, Sherri. I don't think I could ever see her roughing it in the WILDERNESS. She would be scared of all the ants and other crawling things. She would be terrified of the BEARS. She couldn't stand not taking a shower for several days. She is the type of person who has to have makeup on all the time. Takes a shower every day. Does her hair up fancy every day. And wears fashion clothing, I can not picture her in a pair of boots, gear, and her sweating. She would not have the stamina that I have developed over the past few days. She hates being dirty. Also she cannot be without her Cafe Lates from Starbucks. Also she does not have the energy or the muscles it takes to backpack 5+ miles, Like I have.

DEAR SHERRI,

Hey! How's it going in the city. I am here in the WILDERNESS where it is so beautiful it takes my breath away. The trees are so green. The water is so beautiful. When I was at the beginning of the trail I thought to myself, Kristen you are going to do this because you need to prove to yourself that you can make it, because I have to admit I did have doubts. The view all the way here was so incredible. I saw little creeks and streams. And you even get to go POOH (#2) in the woods with Dr. Poopy (the trowel used to dig the hole in which you do you business.) Chain Lakes is breathtaking. It is so beautiful. As I hiked to where I am writing you, I am listening to the ripples in the water hitting the rock (boulder) I am lying on. The sky is a beautiful blue with some clouds in sight. I saw a small waterfall, crystalline water coming down over two stories of back rocks, which was very AWING. Up here in the WILDERNESS, you have a peace sense around you. I have made some great friends, their names are (EXCUSE THE SPELLING) Jose, Myra, Chasity, Jennifer, Parine [Perrine], Nicole, Kim, Omar, Has[s]an, Josh, Mario, Saprina, Brandon, and another girl. We have lots of fun with games. You have to experience this.

Love,

Kris