Day One...#bigyellowtaxi

We made it. To all the worried parents and siblings, trust me, your kids are alive. It's safe to say four hours of watching the movie on the phone two seats in front of you whilst listening to the what seems like demon children crying for hours in a flying metal tube in the sky isn't as joyous as one might expect. On the first day, we wasted absolutely no time. Our crew hit the ground running, setting off for a two hour drive on our way to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. While there, we tubed in Portneuf River, going in groups of four. We can confirm, Portneuf River water is not warm. But after slowly freezing to death while tubing, we got to enjoy a healthy amount of time in the Lava Hot Springs, ranging temperatures from 102 to 112 degrees. Our group ended the day with a soul filling dinner from the one and only Chuck-A-Rama, in the middle of no where Idaho. Kids enjoyed a buffet style meal with foods ranging from salad, to macaroni and cheese. And yes, it is possible that most of your children went to bed with a cookie or four in their stomachs, but it's safe to say this first day was a success! 

Hi Mama and Papa! Love ya. You're right, I don't wanna come back. Tell Aayash I love him!

-Aanya 

Hey Mom and Dad, I love you guys! And I'm still alive in case you wanted to know.

-Izzy

Day Two ... #itwasallyellow

On day two of our trip, we hiked and encountered many animals such as bison, bears, birds, wolves, elk, and otters. We drove on the bus to our first stop, Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center. At the center we saw lots of wild animals such as a couple bears and some wolves. We also saw birds and some otters in the other part of the center. After we toured the Discovery Center we rode on the bus for an 1 1/2 hours we arrived at our first stop in Yellowstone National Park. We hiked around the beautiful Norris Geysers for 2 hours and saw many geysers steam and a couple even do some small eruptions. Then, we got back on the bus and drove for 30 ish minutes, until our guide Sue realized that going on our next hike with 13 hangry teenagers isn't a very good idea, so after we ate a boxed lunch from a local deli we headed to our next hike. We hiked the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and saw Yellowstone Falls. After a very very very painful hike up the mountain with very low oxygen we finally made it to the top and survived. Then, we got back on the bus and drove back into town, where we continued to eat dinner at Gushers and went shopping. After that we got back on the bus and drove to this really nice hotel and had our nightly AMPing session and are now writing this blog.

HIII MOM, DAD, DYLAN, AND MICHAEL. I miss you all sooooo much and I am soooo excited to see you soon!! Happy Fathers Day Dad!!!!!

-Juliana

Hi, Mom, Dad (and Sophie). I miss you! Happy Fathers Day Dad! Tell Sophie not to lose too many games this week! Love you!

-Lily

Day Three ... #donteatyellowsnow

After eating breakfast, we kicked off the day by traveling to more hot springs in the mid geyser crater in Yellowstone. Soon after, we visited the Grand Prismatic Spring. Even though the spring was producing too much fog to see a lot of the spring, it was still an amazing site to see. Soon thereafter, we viewed the famous Old Faithful geyser and got a grand sight of it erupting before we had lunch in the cafeteria close by. After lunch on our way to Grand Teton National Park, it began snowing, even though it is the middle of June. So, of course, we pull over at the Continental Divide and have a side of the road snowball fight, where there was a grand struggle for the vantage point of the top of the hill. We made our way into Grand Teton National Park, where we ferried across Jenny Lake in very choppy water, and because of that, some of us did get splashed by the lake water. After landing at the other side of Jenny Lake, we started a one mile trek through Hidden Falls to summit Inspiration Point. Half a mile in, Hidden Falls was revealed to the weary travelers, us. Seeing the grand waterfall reinvigorated us to continue for another half mile up the rocky, narrow, and sometimes treacherous trail to Inspiration Point. Once we made it up the rocky path, the view of Inspiration Point was the most fabulous and spectacular thing ever seen on this trip thus far. We voted on taking the two and a half mile hike around Jenny Lake instead of taking the ferry back, but soon we realized the weather was not on our side, so therefore we ended up taking the ferry back to civilization. We enjoyed a hearty dinner and reached the Virginian Lodge for a good night's rest.

Hey Mom, Dad and Bridget! I have so many firsts on this trip: first plane ride, first auto-walk, and so much more, and I'm having such a great time. I miss you, and will be so happy to be back on Thursday. Happy Father's Day, Dad!

-William C

Hello Father, Mother, Riggs, Toby, and Charlotte, I love you and have been enjoying the middle of June snow and the vigorous battle of the hill. Also Zion, Anderson, and Mila, contrary to your concerns I am still alive and uninjured.

-Yorke

Hi Mom, Dad, and Sahana, I am loving this trip and I miss you! Happy late Father's Day, Dad! I will see you on Thursday!

-Vikram

Day Four ...#weallliveinayellowsubmarine

This morning inside the restaurant across the street from our hotel, we had a breakfast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, and giant cinnamon buns. After breakfast we had some free time where we played card games and relaxed until we made our journey to the whitewater rafting center. Once we got there we tried on wetsuits, we left looking like scuba divers on our way to the river. Once we got to the river we enjoyed a scenic float on the river that lasted for about an hour. During the float some students had the opportunity to drive the raft. Then we went whitewater rafting, and got soaking wet from jumping in the water, games, and waves. After leaving our whitewater adventure, we headed back to the hotel to clean up, and headed to Jackson Hole for shopping and dinner. For dinner we split between delicious pizza and Mexican food. After dinner we had free time to shop around the town square for ice cream and souvenirs. Finally we sat by the fire in the courtyard of the hotel and enjoyed live music while eating toasty s'mores. 

Hi Mom, Dad, and Cordelia! I miss you so much, but I am enjoying my time in Yellowstone\Grand Tetons. Happy late Fathers' Day to you, Dad! Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Love you! -Kaitlyn K. 

Hey mom, dad, and Sahana! I hope you guys are doing well! I am enjoying my week in Yellowstone! We have done so many fun things from rafting, to hiking, and hot springs. We have also shopped around town and played card games. I am having so much fun! Happy late Father's Day! I can't wait to see you guys on Thursday! I love you! - Lily O. 

Hi mom, dad, and Ryan! I miss you guys lots but I am really enjoying my time in Yellowstone. This trip has been an amazing experience but I miss you guys lots! I have made many new friends and enjoyed getting to spend time with previous ones. The trip has been incredible and I could not ask for anything more from the views to the experience itself. The places we have stayed in are SUPER nice and so is the food. Can't wait to see you guys soon! :) -Grace

Day Five ... #goodbyeyellowbrickroad

This morning we woke up at 7:00 AM. We had muffins, bagels, fruit, and orange juice at 7:30 AM. At around 8:30, we hopped on Le Bus and headed to a hike called Taggart Lake and walked about 4 miles and it took around 2 hours. Then we got back on Le Bus and headed to the Grand Teton Visitors Center and ate lunch. After that we hopped back on the bus and had a 2 1/2 hour drive to get to a town called Soda Springs to see the Soda Springs Geyser that erupts every hour on the hour. After a quick snack break we got back on the bus and drove 2 1/2 hours to get to the Salt Lake City mall where we had dinner in the food court. After a quick drive to the airport we got through security and walked to our gate and we are now chilling in the gate writing this very long essay. At 12:06 we will board the plane and leave around 12:30 and arrive at the Charlotte airport at 6:30 eastern time.

Hey Mom and Dad just so you know I made back alive in almost one piece. - love Bo

Hello Mom and Dad the trip was very fun, I saw a bear. - Christopher

Hey Mom and Dad I am still here -Walker

Teacher Reflections ...#tieayellowribbon