Sep 30, 2012- Dalton Schaller

Today the ECOEE group prepared to set off on another adventure. One filled with many new and amazing sites as well as some perils along the way. To start the adventure we all had to be well fed. Chef Cody stuffed us with pancake battered jelly sandwiches and some pancakes to top it off. After that we cleaned up our area and set off on the long path ahead of us. The journey was going smoothly for a while and we were seeing many of the same sights. Then the sights began to change. Before we knew it we had gone from trees everywhere to a lot of shrubbery and ranches. It was almost desert-like. We continued unwavering down our path until we reached a town called Gunnison. There we needed to eat our second meal of the day and decided to have it at a place called McDonalds. However, some of the group appeared to be worse when they left than when they arrived. Nevertheless, we continued on our path towards the site called Purgatory. We continued for a while and as we went further the scenery began to change again. This time it was full of tall mountains with many jagged peaks and a lot of trees. We went along and up the mountainsides and found that we were slowed down by curvy paths and being trapped between drop-offs and giant rock faces. The group kept pushing through and we got past that difficulty and were close to our next temporary home of Purgatory. Little did we know that it was a very hidden site and we were forced to settle for a new stopping point. After arrival we ate our dinner and prepped for our next journey to a place called Colvig Silver in Durango. Dalton Schaller

September 29, 2012 - Sarah Welsh

Note: This journal entry is written through the eyes of Bryan from the Welcome center, somewhere in Colorado that I will not mention. My theory is he was very nervous so he was hiding, but watching us. I peered through the window of the visitor center as the students from Western Illinois University piled one-by-one out of their van. I have been very anxious about this moment for the past month, ever since Jeremy called me. They started coming towards the center and as soon as the first one opened the door, I bailed… I left a note on the counter telling my fellow employees to cover for me. The students just looked so professional in their navy blue polo’s; I did not feel that I would match their expectations. Originally I hid behind the desk while the students asked where I was. As they continued on touring the welcome center, after my co-worker made up the lame excuse that I was refereeing a soccer game, I snuck out. I watched from behind the horse-drawn-carriage as the group split apart to wander the city for awhile. The girls went left and hit up some local souvenir shops and Starbucks. I laughed as they claimed a man in a referee shirt to be me, and the littlest one, they called her Ruby, stalked him in a tree for awhile. It humored me. I took a walk over to see what the guys were doing and first noticed them in a second-hand bookshop. One bought a Sylvester Stallone book (this must have been Jeremy, the one that contacted me, because he seemed like a guy that would enjoy Stallone). I then trailed them over to the Celtic Festival where they enjoyed music and even engaged in a boot dance. I watched as I enjoyed a delicious sandwich made for me by my wife. She makes great sandwiches. The group met back at their van and I brushed past them just in time to hear where they were headed next. They were going to Dillon and then on to the Dam Brewery for dinner. I am upset with myself for chickening out of the appointment today, but it appeared that they still had a good day. Oh well, I am looking forward to another sandwich when I get home. Bryan (AKA, Sarah)

September 28, 2012 - Kelly Bauer

Day 49 – Friday – September 28, 2012 Today we woke up on an entirely different planet. As we peeked out of our frozen shelters a new sight was revealed. The blinding whiteness of our surroundings temporarily blinded us but then we remembered our mission, to explore this new, mountainous land and the beings around us. We hopped in our spaceship; without the cargo pod we were able to travel at warp speed to our first destination. Our first stop was a planet that goes by the name of Keystone. The travel time was short not only because of our capacity to travel at warp speed but because Keystone is also in the Summit Galaxy. To make the most of our visit we chose to meet with those that educate the future leaders of this and surrounding planets. We greeted their leader Patrick with professional attire to show that we come in peace. He and his fellow Keystonelings welcomed us graciously and let us follow them through the morning activities with the younglings to observe their educational ways. We watched as they utilized the same scientific method that we use on our planet. We all learned from the Keystonelings that the scientific method can be utilized in creative ways to engage younglings. Overall it was a great experience and some of us are considering coming back as ambassadors to learn more and eventually join their culture. Next stop was Breckenridge Planet, which too is in the Summit Galaxy so the ride was also short. We chose t meet with a program that works with a variety of different planets and beings with special needs. They provide adaptive recreation and had one of the coolest ropes courses I have seen in and solar system. This visit showed us the variety of interests we can pursue after our cross-galaxy expedition. A past member of our space crew currently works there with the Breckenridgelings and she followed us back to our base camp planet to answer more questions about her experience in the Western galaxies. Tomorrow we will return to Breckenridge Planet to visit the famed one they call Brian. He is some sort of leader on their planet and we will learn his ways. Goodnight Earthlings and may the force be with you.