It all started when a few days before summer break began last year when I overheard my step-dad and uncle talking about a hiking trip in Colorado that we were going to take sometime in the month of early July. So I just let it be and was going to see and find out if I was going to go along with them. long story short, I got a really, really early Christmas present from my mom and step-dad. A hiking trip to the Rocky Mountains!…
There’s a certain moment in my life that really stands out to me. It was the day I went to Colorado. The day got out to an excellent start. It was my first time getting on a plane. My grandmother had told me the different ways the Navy and Air force take off. Our pilot was definitely in the Navy before because he took off going up as soon as he could, that was my favorite part of the flight. I was also thrilled that we were high up in the sky. Everything below was so tiny and we were above the clouds.…
One Saturday morning, I crawled out of bed and went downstairs to have breakfast. I looked out the window and saw a fresh blanket of snow which meant that it was a perfect day for snowboarding! About an hour later my brother, Jacob also came down and ate his breakfast.…
The first time I experience grit was when I first went skiing for my first time at Sundown, which is a ski resort near Dubuque. At first I did not like skiing, because I would always fall, but I was determined to be a good skier. By my second time at Sundown I started to get the hang of it. By my third night I could go down all the hills in a controlled manner, then I started to really enjoy skiing. I then found out if I keep on working and try my hardest on something it will always pay off in the end. Grit made me take something I dislike, and made it into one of my favorite things to do in the winter. Today I have been skiing for over 3 years. Even after I hurt my back skiing 2 years ago, I still went back the next year.…
Last Summer, I visited Costa Rica on a kayaking trip with Falling Creek, a summer camp in Tuxedo, NC. Every year, 20 or so kids get invited to the program called HUCK, where you go kayaking in places around the world. Last summer, all of the kids that were invited went to Costa Rica where we would have a great time experiencing new culture and great whitewater. The First few days were great and those were some of the most powerful, best rivers I have ever kayaked.…
The mountains were stone dark, secured with trees whose hues were a blend of woodsy cocoa, knoll, key lime, and margarita green. Scattered powder-puff mists gradually fled over the sky and the sun feed like a bolt. Seeing this made me feel like I inadvertently touched base to paradise. I breath gradually, attempting to recall each snapshot of me being encompassed by woodland, sky, and mountains. We began climbing the gigantic mountain, talking, grinning and chuckling together. After like an hour we sat down for a moment on an immense uneven and dusty rock close to the waterfall. The wind that blew through the trees into our confronts now conveyed a light sprinkle from the waterfall, and a clue of peace. The sound of the wind shrieking, the waterfall smashing against the stones and the fowls singing their wonderful tunes, made me feel considerably more joyful than I was at that point. We began moving to the top once more. My legs began to hurt yet I didn't give an indication of my torment. I raised my eyes to the sky, and my sight fell on the hawk who skimmed over the wind. At that time, I craved flying as well, over the mountains and over the oceans. I strolled slower now, thinking how brilliant it would be to fly, and the greater part of the…
html code: Holidays at Sunny Acres h2, h3 {color: white; background-color: rgb(0, 154, 0)} Home The Corn Maze The Haunted Maze Petting Barn Produce Holidays on the Farm Holidays on the Farm Saint Nick visits Sunny Acres in December This year Sunny Acres becomes Wintery Acres as we institute our first Holidays on the Farm. Join us on weekends from November 23 through January 5 for holiday cheer and festivities.…
During the same summer I was gawking at Mono Lake, I also road tripped to Glacier and Banff National Parks with a few friends. We not only had the opportunity to see some of the most magnificent mountain ranges, we were also able to see the receding glaciers that formed the unique geologic formations.…
Before we left I asked my parents if we could do this again because it was the best snow day of the whole year. I wish I could still have fun sledding like i did back then but that is my story of getting smushed like a…
My friend and I switched the the sled and the snowboard so I had the sled and my friend had the snowboard and it was her first time riding a snowboard down the hill she thought it was lots of fun she did it again and again.…
I can see the sun glistening off the snow covering the treetops as I glide down the mountain. Suddenly I feel a lot of snow sprayed on me as my dad speeds past in his usual perfect formation, as if he’s a slalom skier about to pass the finish line. He goes around a bend, following the curve of the trail, and skis out of sight. When I finally catch up to him I am shocked at what I see. My dad is getting up from a fall – he never falls – and both his skis and poles are scattered around the trail. In all his years of skiing, as far as I know, my dad has never been injured despite some careless falls. As I ski down to my dad I pick up his matching black skis and poles. I get closer to him and see a look in his eyes that worries me. I hide my concern and calmly ask, “Are you okay?”…
I kept myself on pace, past the sidewalk, and down the small hill. My feet shuffled faster, my breathing became heavier. I lowered my arms, lengthened my strides and prayed to God that he would give me strength. My lungs began to scream obscenities, my heart threatened to leave my chest, and I was sure my legs were planning my murder. I started to embrace the pain exploding through my body. I began work among the strains of physical feeling and pushing myself against my mental limitations. Each leaden step burnt my tired muscles and bore into my brain. An undesirable battle presented itself to me. Demands made themselves prevalent in my mind.…
Skiing was not my forte or my favorite activity to do. My emotions were enraged at the way I tumbled down the slope. My body ached by falling and tumbling through the freezing cold snow and ice. Home sounded so marvelous right now, anywhere but here, my confidence had hit rock bottom. My face red and frozen from sobbing. I concluded that there was some other way down, nevertheless there wasn’t.…
After leaving the falls we arrive at a location that I had done considerable pre-scouting in studying the aerials and topos as well as viewing from different angles from various visits to Fish Canyon. Up we climb through difficult and steep terrain, unstable rocks, loose footing, thick brush, poison oak, and other hostile plants. Thankfully the weather is pleasant with some light clouds and temps in the 60s. Our shoes and long pants are getting wet and muddy from plants still wet from yesterday’s rain. Pushing through thick stands of coastal sagebrush and white sage releases wonderful aroma. Route finding is tricky at times as we attempt to find the best way through and around thick walls of vegetation. There is an element of crazy to what we are doing. Vigilance and safety are paramount. After 90 minutes of arduous climbing and gaining about 400 vertical feet, we achieve a turn-around point with a commanding view of the canyon and beyond. After 25 minutes of enjoying our peaceful perch, we retraced our steps down. Forty minutes of demanding down-climb delivers us safely back to Fish Canyon Trail.…
I will never forget the first time I went to Six Flags Great Adventure. It was on June 24, 2012. I went with my family, we tried a lot of rides. It was an unforgettable experience for us because we didn’t know about the speed of these extreme rides. They were very interesting but at the same time terrifying.…