ADRIANA

ANDREANA

CARLOS

DAVID

JOSE

MELISSA

ROBERTO

SARINA

SHAUNTEL

TAMARA

VALERIE

VIRGINIA

Dear Journal,

Dear Journal,

This week so far has been going great; done many new things and have tried many new things.

Everyone is also getting along really well. Out of this week, I really hope we all get really close and comfortable with each other. I also hope to learn many new things. So far this week we've taken a hike through the snow to the sequoia grove! It was lots of fun! I don't think I've ever fallen that much in my life. I think also that we're all learning we have to work together and help each other out! I applied for this trip for a new experience. I have never really been camping or backpacking. Also, to meet new people!

The people in our group pretty much knew who each other were at school, but never got to talk much with each other or had a chance to experience things with each other. So when one great things about this trim is we all arrive back to school together, we'll all [have] experienced together only us know about, like inside jokes and so forth. I can't wait to see what each new day brings!

Dear Journal,

Today we are hiking to Hite's Cove. The trail is very beautiful. There are the most beautiful views I've ever seen. I've never imagined it to look this way! The hike is going ok! It is kind of hard. It's really scary cuz you[']r[e] so close to the edge of a huge cliff that drops down into the river. I can't wait to get to camp and set up and rest and see what it all look[s] like there. The backpacks are pretty heavy. But I think we'll all make it.

Students lead the way through Hite's
Cove as they follow a map to historic sites.

Ambassadors

When I was accepted I was so excited to go and couldn't wait to be the one to report back! I do think the water testing was important but it wasn't the funnest because of all the rain. But I can not wait to get home and see my family and friends and take a shower! Everything here is so beautiful to look at, but staying here for a few days can be very tiring and lots of work. Everything is so wet so all the dirt sticks to everything. It has been raining pretty much all day and all last night! I really wish the sun would come out and dry some of the things and some of our clothes! Even our tend is kinda damp! I really hope our hike back is better than our hike here and I really hope it's not raining! Can't wait to be home.

Hite's Cove: 1853

Back in 1853 in the days of coal mining, I am slaving away in the kitchen cooking for my wonderful family. My two children, Julian at the age of eight and Sarah at the age of five. And of course my wonderufl husband Eric. We are one of the higher class. My husband works at a bank, taking care of all the money. My job is pretty much being a homemaker. I take [care] of my children and get them ready for school each day. While they're away and my husband is off at work, I like spending time taking care of the house, preparing dinner all day for Eric and my children. My life runs fairly smoothly. Eric and I have a wonderful marriage and get along very well and we both love our children very much.