Post date: Mar 15, 2012 5:23:36 AM
Greetings from Yosemite. The weather was okay for most of the day but the rain rolled in mid afternoon. Despite the wet conditions, everyone's spirits remain high. The temperatures remain in the 40's.
On a health related note, as the week has progressed a few students have come down with a virus. We are taking extra precautions by stepping up our hand washing, isolating the sick students, and sending them home as soon as possible. If you haven't heard from us no news is good news.
Even though we have a had a few ill students, we have hundreds of students that are having the time of their life. Many groups from Rotation 1, including the Sugar Pines, went through the spider caves today. The Incense Cedar group climbed to Columbia Point and OMG. I heard reports that Half Dome was below the clouds and the view was outstanding. Groups continue to explore the Bear Caves and Split Rock near Mirror Lake. On cloudy days like today, there are few reflections and more scattered light providing a view that reminds one of Japanese silkscreen. Other groups struggled up the challenge in Tenaya Canyon, and MADE IT. Needless to say, many are very tired and will enjoy the warmth of the sleeping bag tonight.
Today I saw some amazing sacrifices made by students and adults to help each other out and make some decisions that were tough for them, but better for the group. It is trips like this that demonstrate that sometimes you have to work hard for the group even if it isn't easy and if it doesn't immediately benefit yourself. As they say, to pay forward. We are extremely fortunate to have a flexible staff of chaperones and floaters that can cover many different types of situations, encourage students, provide support and care or anything else that is needed to make this trip successful for the kids. I am very grateful that we have a community that supports this trip is so many ways.
On a humorous note, tonight in the Dining Pavilion during an evening free night, Rotation 6 had a visit from a ring-tailed cat. They thought it was a raccoon because of its masked face and striped tail; they must be related (can you tell I'm a physical science teacher.) After talking to maintenance, they said it happens often and they should just chase it out. Talk about a fun job for a group of eight grade boys. When I walked in they were behind counters, and under tables trying to scare it away. I have to think, it was more entertaining for the animal. One never knows when the most unplanned events provide the best surprises.
Signing out for today,
Mary Enright