9/4/13 The Windy Maze Through Reed Lake

Emily Chathas Sept 4,2013

“The Windy Maze Through Reed Lake” 

                I woke up this morning with the reflection I had yesterday when everyone talked about missing there family and friends last night during debrief. With the tears that had fallen and talking to others about how they feel I thought it was a great way for the group to connect more with one another and grow deeper friendships. So I woke up this morning with ambition, knowing that I have sixteen days left on the Grass River. What will I make of it? When I had pondered and thought about it, I knew tomorrow was going to be a day filled with lessons learned by mistakes I would make across a large lake called Reed Lake, while soaking up the beautiful creation that God has made. As I went through the day, I continued to remember that each day I spend in the back country, I was learning in some shape or form by my actions or the people I am spending my time with each and every moment of the day. I believe learning much about yourself through the others you spend time with is a unique way to discover yourself a little more. Today the lesson I learned was being confident in the decisions I make and not doubting myself, knowing that if I mess up or steer the group wrong  I will always  know they will forgive me and it  will be another lesson that I learned. So I sit here looking at the sunset and I look back at today and know that the experience that I am living everyday is something that so many people back at home are jealous of. This gives me motivation to keep on living each day to the fullest, so I can go home with stories that I can’t stop telling and sharing. I leave you with this, blog readers: know that each day is a process, but success and failure will never define your day. Till next time…   

9/3/13-Wind another obstacle

                                                                  

“Wind another obstacle”

                                          Quinn Moore                                    

            This morning as I wiped the weariness from my eyes I realized I slept passed the scheduled wake up time at 5am. I sat up from my bivy site and saw that no one was moving in camp. Finally I heard the roar of the wind and realized we would not be leaving the island right away. After I finally got out of my sleeping bag I expected to hear the noise of burning stoves and the smell of food cooking, but I was surprised how quiet it is when the stoves aren’t going. As I was walking around camp I thought to myself that every time I have the group journal the group is faced with some form of change of weather that keeps us off the water. It is amusing that weather is my outdoor education topic. I now see why Paul Petzoldt always said “forecasting weather is for dudes and fools”. We had several great lessons taught today, including our first interpretive lesson from Tyler. He talked to us about Henry Hudson and his exploration into Hudson Bay. We had a great lesson about homes and animal habitats, as well as an introduction to identifying trees. Jeff and Shane taught lessons about leadership style, and analysis, as well as the authority cycle. Jeff gave us an interpretive talk that caught everyone’s attention and made us all laugh. After Jeff’s lesson we took a small break and I started to reflect on how much I have grown in just a few short weeks. For instance my self reflection and evaluation skills have started to sharpen. After our break we debriefed the day. During debrief we all confessed that we miss home, as well as our families and friends. While we were thinking about home we realized that some people are envious of what we are experiencing, and we know it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We look forward to making ECOEE the best experience we can.

                                    “Roses are red

                                    Violets are blue

                                    I’m stuck on an island with Jeff

                                    And so are you”

-       Quinn Moore

“Even the ablest navigators fall victim to the winds and the waves”

9/1/13 Good Living in the Backcountry

Kevin Williams

September 1^st, 2013

Good living in the Backcountry

Waking up to morning dew and fog across the lake, I took the time to watch the sun poke it’s head above the trees. Reflecting on our experiences and hard long days I couldn’t be anything but happy to be a part of all the growth going on around me. Every day we have been blessed to be fully connected to nature, if and when we choose to be aware of it. Watching the sun rise and set, hearing the water flow gently, and feeling the breeze fill our lungs with the power to keep on keepin on; we are more fortunate than most to experience life to the fullest. With technology no we are actually getting to know ourselves, others, and the world around us better. Sometimes we focus on what is changing at home but forget that we ourselves are changing even more out here. I could talk about our long day today paddling 10miles and doing 3 portages but one would never fully understand our experience that only we share. Trying to stay positive is always the hardest but at the end of the day we can always share laughs and smiles with full bellies and warm hearts. A quote to keep in mind comes from my favorite musician, Bob Marley and it is, “Open your eyes and look within, are you satisfied with the life your living?” Yes would be my answer, what would be yours?