Day 822: First sandals

Our morning walk started at 45 degrees and ended at 55 degrees.  When we returned from the afternoon nap, our thermometer said 82 degrees.  I don't believe it was accurate, but it was a lovely change.  I dug out my sandals for our ice cream date with Amy.  The Big Dipper was packed with people including lots of cast members from Birdie!

The creek charged wildly toward the lake full of chocolatey snow melt past a few ice boulders along the shore.  Yesterday, fishermen flicked their lines in the muddy water, but today the creek was too swift.  

All around us were clearer signs of spring among the patches of snow.  Blossoming crocus and snowdrops, emerging lilies and daffodils, mud six inches deep.  I slopped out to the shed and Molly followed, trying to stick to the high spots.

I held the last class in Brocton for a while since cook classes start next week and then vacation.   Molly and Denali were back since their musical is done, but we lost Nick to track and Maddy to softball. It's a good thing we picked six student leaders.

Our topic was field sanitation and how to reconcile cleanliness with protecting the environment.  I know the kids don't want to talk about pooping in the woods, so I just plunged in bluntly.  They giggled and groaned as I described the horrible scene that the boys encountered on the two day hike last spring.  I told them that if they weren't comfortable walking over the site once they had buried their waste then no one else would be either.  Our student leaders handled dishwashing and personal hygiene and offered sound advice.