Day 1578: First hike of Quest 2016

Quest 2016 Backpackers!

Day 1577: Claudia

So, we were standing in line waiting to pick up our bagels and cheese for Quest when I heard, "Mrs. Cobb?"  A beautiful young woman stood before me smiling.
"Claudia!"  A former student, I haven't seen in her since she graduated in 2005.
"What on earth are you doing in Tops?  I thought you were still living in Italy!"
"I am. We're here on vacation!"

What a delight!  She and her boyfriend came to the US on the 23rd and will stay till mid May.  They flew into Toronto, visited Algonquin and saw a moose.  She took her boyfriend to Tops and Walmart because big box stores are not found in Italy and they are a fascinating and strange representation of American life.  I told her if he was awed by Tops, they ought to go to Wegman's. "Oh, yes!  We're going there, too!"

She missed Fredonia.  Even though she has no family left in town, she wanted to show him her home and visit old friends.  She's a computer programer now who runs a website for a firm that deals in leather goods and cashmere sweaters.  It depends on e-commerce and she designed the site that sells their products all over the world.  It was hard to say goodbye because we could have talked for an hour.

We're all ready for tomorrow.  The food, t-shirts, and extra gear are all loaded in the car.   Our packs are packed and the water bottles are set up on the counter.   I made a nice dinner so we'd have leftovers for tomorrow night's dinner.  

Only three phone calls came today, fewer than I expected.  One came from two girls whose deal on a tent fell through. Could they rent one?  Yes.  A dad or step-dad called.  He just got the equipment list last night from the mom.  The pack is a day pack.  What can they do?  We'll outfit the boy tomorrow.  "And what's a moleskin?" he asked.  Ahh, Steve said I should have told him we harvest them from our herd of backyard moles.  But, no, I directed him to the foot care section at Walmart.  He was already there to pick up the last few things the boy needed.  Then, a text from Lily's mom.  She has a fever.  We don't know about tomorrow.   Ok, just let us know in the morning.

This will be the first time in 22 years I won't be serving as a hike group leader.  There are just too many other things for me to do now.  It was time to let Shane step up and learn the job.  We've got four more twenty-somethings in training for the position, too.  I feel much less stress because I won't be trying to multi-task as I have been for years.

So, off we go, on our next great adventure!

Our friends at Tops who make sure that we have everything we need to feed 115 people on Quest. 

Day 1576: Happy birthday to me!

I had a wonderful day, filled with visits, calls, gifts and dinner out.  Unfortunately, the first half of the day was spent with a migraine and I'm totally wiped out now.  Tomorrow, I will write my reflections on turning 67 and my immense gratitude for the many blessings in my life.

Flowers from my sons and daughter-in-law

My husband sent this sweet cake to backpacking class, the kids all sang happy birthday, and then we shared the cake. 

Mary took us out to dinner at the new Japanese restaurant called Yokoso.  We loved our hibachi meal and will definitely return.  The best part was meeting a couple former students and being wrapped in their hugs.  Lindsey was the star of 42nd Street when she was a senior and now she's doing shows all over the world.  She was just bursting with excitement about her upcoming trip to China.   Then, we encountered Emma, the Swedish exchange student who we got to know during Aida.  She came over to our table and hugged us.  We reflected again on the way home, about how our lives have been enriched by our time with these young people.  If we didn't participate in musicals or backpacking, they would not be part of our lives.  

Day 1575: Under Siege

Moles have invaded our yard and are destroying it.  They've left trails from the creek, through Willie's Garden, up to the deck, through the lily beds, through the east side yard and over to the property line garden.  It makes me nauseous just thinking about them eating the bulbs of my lilies and roots of the hostas.

So today an exterminator came and put poison in the tunnels.  I hate the thought of killing any creature, no matter how small and annoying, but they've taken over.  I also worry about Paddy catching a mole that ate poison.  Although that's unlikely cause cats don't like moles either. If he got sick, I could never forgive myself.  In Molly's youth, she would have finished off any mole that crawled in to the yard and that would have been the end of them.  But now she's old and tired and doesn't hunt any more.

I'm a little worried about the Cassadaga kids.  They are like deer in headlights.  Most say they are ready, but then admit quietly they need something.  We took boots, clothes, rain suits, dishes and tents   We handed out four tents and one boy took a pair of used boots.  I suggested he walk around the room in them, but he didn't.

One girl acted surprised that the first hike is on Saturday and said suddenly that she can't come.  OK.... Then another girl said, oh, I can't make it for the two day hike.  They just don't realize the impact of their actions.  I explained the ripple effect, but I don't know if they fully appreciate how it applies to backpacking.  As Kelly said tonight, the kids that go will grow from the experience and we just won't worry about the rest.

Wonders awaiting us along the Overland Trail

Day 1574: The leadership team

Quest doesn't feel real until this night when all our friends are gathered together for the annual meeting of adult and student leaders.  Everyone is so happy to see each other.  There's lots of laughter, hugging, smiles.  Brigitte shared that she opened her pack lately and found....wait for it....last year's lunch!  Plus, a coil of rope and a trowel.  Fortunately, the bag was tied tightly so the smell was contained.

We start with introductions.  Name, years of service, grade, school, maybe a funny story.  The years are a badge of honor.  I'm sure I've written about this each year after this meeting, but tonight was different.

Tonight, Steve and I split the content.  He discussed the schedule and route, food, accidents, safety, discipline and behavior.  I took over and spoke about the composition of the roster.  A really complicated process with lots of challenges.  Kids with dietary needs are our major health concern this year.

Then, I told everyone about the progress on the book, my research into the publishing process and discovery of the need to cut words.  I thanked them for their contributions, for sitting for interviews and reviewing chapters and for liking the Facebook page.

But, the most important thing I spoke about was the future of Quest.  We will continue for one to five years, but no more, because that would make us 75 and 72.  That's enough.  We're planning to get Quest to 30, and then we'll see.  We are a bicoastal family now and we can't see our kids because we are doing this and musical.  Our thinking at this point is that musical will end before Quest, because they have plenty of volunteers while that is not the case for backpacking.

I expressed our concern over the lack of people stepping forward to lead, but not take over and that it would break my heart to see Quest end.  Well, my heart will be broken whenever we part from these dear people and the activity I love so much.

The touching, heartfelt parts came next.  Anna came to me with a question and a gift.  Can she please have her cellphone because her goats are expecting any day.  She needs it in case they go into labor and if something goes wrong, her mom will have to come pick her up.  That's a first. Love that girl.  And Shane, he melts my heart.  He's a hike group leader this year.  He's scared and excited and nostalgic.  He's already sad that this will probably be his last Quest.  His jobs with the forest service will be seasonal, from April to November, and that will close out Quest.  And he has plans to backpack all over the world.  With no strings on him, he can do anything and I know great adventures await him.

That's the reason for the book.  Even if Quest ends here in Fredonia, maybe it will live on somewhere else.

A Christmas ornament gift from Anna T.

Day 1573: Getting ready

More details for the one day hike:

Finalized the roster and made multiple copies for tomorrow night's leader meeting. I suspect that we'll have to make changes tomorrow because one or more of the student leaders has not informed of us of some competing activity.   Divided up all the health forms into hike groups and packaged those.

Picked up the t-shirts.  Wow!  They are bright and beautiful!  The kids voted for paprika, but the small scale color sample did not have the impact that the shirts do.

Hauled all the vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, lactose-free foods into school.  Checked all the first aid kits, restocked missing items.   Packed the topographical maps into sets, bagged the tick and bug sprays, counted out the trowels.  22, but we need 23.  Certainly someone is hanging on to one from last year.

Went shopping and bought more fuel, hand sanitizer and a new SD card for the go-pro camera.  Added more items to the agenda for the leaders' meeting.

Oh, walked three miles, took down the cyc, folded it and put it away.  Cut down the remaining grasses and cleaned up the debris.  Mowed the backyard again.  Raked the low spots so maybe the grass will grow again.  And took delivery of my birthday present, five yards of sifted top soil.

The new photos I posted to the Quest page have had a terrific response.  The post has reached nearly 3000 people!  The other great news is that a teacher volunteered to help with the water truck!  Our old friend Daryl whose kids are both participating this year.   My faith in humanity has been restored.

Ready to drop over in a heap.

New sidewalks and landscaping between the Rockefeller addition and Mason Hall.

I've resolved to photograph my collection of 4 leaf clovers rather than pick them. 

Day 1572: Allegheny

I took this selfie at the top of the Osgood Trail at Allegheny State Park.  We climbed up 700 feet and could feel our legs burning.  It felt a lot like Olmsted Hill at the south side of Cockaigne.  I had to stop every fifty feet or so on the ascent.  Surprisingly, there was no foliage on the trees yet so the gray trees were stark against the brilliant blue sky.  The silence was so soothing.  Only a few birds, and leaves crunching beneath our boots.  

When we reached the car, a young family was piling out of their vehicle.  A young mom and dad with five children, ranging from about eight to six months.  The baby was strapped on the mom's back, while a toddler rode on another child's back.  Dad held the hands of a two more.  And they had a dog, of course, a big white, rambunctious dog.  They were a beautiful family, happy and laughing as they strolled off down the path.  We moved on to a picnic by the lake and watched two young boys fishing with their dad.  It always makes me happy to see families interacting outside, exploring and having adventures. Those are unforgettable experiences. 

We cooked steaks on the grill for dinner.  It's something we do only once or twice a year.  Delicious!  Mary wanted to meet for ice cream and we went, though we weren't quite ready to re-engage with people. 

Tomorrow, we get back on the carousel starting with picking up the t-shirts.  It's going to be a wild week. 

Day 1571: Refreshed

Lunch at the Mustard Seed in South Dayton

Hints of green along the creek banks

Hope next Saturday is just as lovely for the one day hike!

And I hope for a bit more foliage coverage for the kids' first effort at going potty in the woods.

Day 1570: Spring ephemerals

Lots of therapy yard work today!

The first of the year

Trout lily

Day 1569: Dearly beloved

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life."

Prince died suddenly today and the world is in mourning.  He was a highly creative and prolific musician as well as a generous and socially conscious individual.

I'm struggling today, not because of Prince, but because of all the discord in the world and all the demands we grapple with in April and May. Too much negativity, too much noise, too much hate, too many things to juggle and too many details to monitor.  I just want to hike.  I keep visualizing myself on the trail to help me go to sleep.  After so many years hiking on the same trails, I can feel the contours of the earth, roots jutting out, logs across my path.  I hear the swish of branches and the calls of birds.  The world would be a much better place if we all spent more time outside.

My responsibilities to the musical are complete.  Fortunately, I had kept up with the photo editing from January to April 5, but then at the end we were so busy I fell behind.  Over the last two days, I spent another five hours editing photos from April 5 to yesterday and then copied 840 photos onto a flash drive.     Lloyd will burn DVDs for each of the kids.  I suspect some will never take the time to look at them, but those who do will be delighted.  There are photos of every single student who participated in any way starting from the first rehearsal to the last bit of cleaning up yesterday.  It's a great relief to be able to focus on just one activity now: backpacking.

The good news today is that none of the eighth graders is on the academic eligibility list!  Hooray!  That means everyone can go backpacking.  Of course, plenty will interrupt the expedition due to NYSSMA, SAT prep classes, band competition, track meets, dance recitals.   We try so hard to be accommodating, but these disruptions really harm the integrity of this adventure.  It is time to get on the trail!

The Treasury Department announced that Harriet Tubman's picture will be put on the $20 bill.  Racists around the country reacted predictably with vile comments.  Perhaps they don't know of the harm that Andrew Jackson did to the Native Americans with the Trail of Tears, but that is no excuse to spew their despicable filth about that courageous and honorable woman.

We're taking a break from society for a few days. Besides being exhausted, I am disheartened with the world.  Need to escape, rest and recharge.

Day 1568: Kenny Nominations!

Seven Kenny nominations!  

Outstanding Production

Outstanding Lead Actress: Graciela Rey

Outstanding Dramatic Production

Outstanding Orchestral Performance

Outstanding Dramatic Performance

Outstanding Costume Design

Outstanding Scenic Design 

Outstanding Technical Design

And while the cast and directors were heading to Buffalo for the ceremony, the hard core crew was still hard at work on stage.  

Day 1567: Primary Day

I was very proud to vote for Hillary Clinton today.  I've waited my whole life to vote for a qualified, intelligent woman for this nation's highest office and it gave me great pleasure to do so.  She is not a perfect candidate, but she's our best option for the future.  When I consider the monsters in the Republican party and the pie-in-the-sky promises of Sanders, there was no question.

It was fun sharing the field sanitation stories with the kids in Brocton.  We also did an assessment on the status of their gear.  Fortunately, they are in good shape, but that's not the case in Cassadaga.  Packs are set but now we're working on small items.  The teachers are pitching in to contribute what they can.  Kelly is an awesome partner.  She's organized a drive to get what the kids need.

In Fredonia, we sent out an email to the whole staff asking for a couple volunteers to help with the water truck.  The response?  ZERO.  That's right.  Not a single person offered to help out.  Actually, we're not surprised.  I hope I'm wrong and someone will step forward in the next few days to restore my faith.

Three gardens are now cleaned up and the lilies are sprouting.  

The stage after significant work today by stage crew and six female cast members.

It will still take a few more days to finish. 

Day 1567: Breakdown

Aida's backstage crew

Missing Mrs. Foley, Mrs. Murphy and the sound crew

Finley, Joe, Caryn and I disassembled the tomb and all the small set pieces

Steve and Caryn

The wall coming down! 

The mess!

There's more to do over the next two days, but we're happy with the progress.

Some of the kids were sad, but we told them not to get emotionally attached to sets. 

Day 1566: Time in the yard

Still too tired to do much writing.  For the first time in weeks, we stayed away from school and set breakdown.  The kids really needed a day off to rest, plus the lighting crew needed time to pack up all the rented lights.  Instead, we focused on our own home and yard.  It was wonderful to putter around my gardens, cleaning away winter debris on this glorious day.   Steve picked up sticks from the front yard and then mowed for the first time this spring.  It doesn't take much to transform our home into a showplace.

I love this view of the house surrounded by jolts of brilliant color. 

Day 1565: Fini

More tomorrow!

Day 1564: Molly among the daffodils

We're off to the third performance of Aida and it's only 3:00.  

Steve likes to set up early and mop the stage in preparation.

I'll get the sewing machine out in case of any necessary repairs.

Mostly, I'll be photographing the kids in makeup, the orchestra and the crew.

It will be a busy evening and very late night, but incredibly satisfying.

Last year's kale, thriving again.

This year's daffodils, blooming after finally shedding the snow.

Hyacinths

Molly among the daffodils.

Day 1563: Last rehearsal

Both Matt and Graciela were saving their voices for tomorrow so the vocal director sang Aida's part and the orchestra director sang the role of Radames.  It was a sweet and tender performance, even though some of the actors slipped out of character.  Tomorrow, the cast will be excited and motivated, but by Saturday they'll be melancholy.

Fortunately, there was little to do but watch, because we were tired from the final cook class.  Eight students came from Cassadaga and three from Silver Creek. Everyone got along beautifully.   They gobbled up the potatoes and ate all the popcorn.  Most of the student leaders were rookies, so they did not have the confidence to hold their groups.  It got crazy trying to direct the packing of bulk foods and fit backpacks at the same time.  We are out of smalls and medium backpacks, so we'll have to borrow or buy a few more. It has been a strain on our equipment supplies to add 26 kids from communities where there is little gear in basements and garages.

Emma instructing while the potatoes cook. 

Day 1562: Spaghetti class

It was another chilly, sunny day for a walk. 

We're looking forward to the sixties this weekend.

Hyacinths at the college

Our sweet, hardworking, cooperative kids packaging bulk foods for the trail mix. 

The raisin group

The lemonade group

Day 1561: Mac and cheese part 2

Success! Two students from Silver Creek and five from Brocton were our guests today.  By the end of class, we couldn't tell which school the kids were from.  With the weather warmer and drier, the stove fueling lesson could take place outside for the whole group and that saved time.  We packed pineapple chunks, powdered milk, pancake mix, and banana chips.   Our Brocton adviser understood the advise and guide directive and was able to help one group function independently.   The teens, on the other hand, didn't understand how to create equally sized bags of banana chips.

The student leaders were awesome, as always.  Clare, Melinda and Denali taught with such ease!  They shared anecdotes and safety tips like pros.  As first year leaders, Kelsey and Natalie were a bit more reserved, but gradually gained confidence.

I fitted six more campers with backpacks for a total of ten so far.  There was only one boy we couldn't fit, but we'll keep looking.

Mac and cheese! YUM! 

Faint color in the treetops, wildflowers in the woods, daffodils on the hillside.

Another sure sign of spring?  Ice cream with Amy at the Big Dipper!

Day 1560: First cook class

Busy, busy, busy.  We arrived at school by 12:30 and began preparing for cook classes.  We sorted food, collected cook equipment, set up tables, made copies and wrote announcements. I met the Cassadaga crew and then fitted several for backpacks.  Steve did the instruction on stove safety and fueling while I set up the bulk foods for packaging.

Two adults came with the Cassadaga students and wanted to pitch in immediately.  We always have the student leaders manage the cook groups and organize the packing, so the adults were at a loss of what to do.  We know the students learn more and build more cohesive teams when they do the work themselves. This is their hike, not ours, and they have to take ownership.

The kids seemed to enjoy the macaroni and cheese because they consumed every bite.  While they ate, they began to get to know each other a bit.  Then small groups packed up lunch bags, oatmeal, brown sugar, cracklin' oat bran and fig newtons.  By 4;20, we were done.  By 5:10, Steve and I were asleep in our respective chairs.  The last few weeks have really taken their toll.

The oat bran team

The brown sugar team

Day 1559: Michael's recital

Our friends and family often wonder why on earth we continue to work on the musicals and backpacking even as we approach 70.  Move south, get a condo, play golf, travel abroad, drive an RV across the country, party, party, party.  No way! Ok, maybe do some of that, but there is little that is more satisfying than working with young adults, helping them grow and discover their abilities.  It's a joy to watch a hundred kids come together to create an extraordinary production like Aida, or Fiddler or Ragtime.

They amaze and delight, frustrate and exhaust, but I wouldn't trade it away.  Then, if we're lucky, they graduate, move on to college and invite us to their senior recitals.  Michael's performance tonight was magnificent.  Opera is not really my thing, but he takes my breath away.  His voice, gestures, facial expressions all convey the meaning even when the piece is in German or French.  His parents were bursting with pride, as were his friends and former teachers.  He's going to Rice in Texas for his master's degree and then, anything is possible.

When I got home last night to prepare for the adult party, there was Paddy, completely covered in mud.  He must have gotten into a fight with a wandering kitty and rolled in mud puddles.  The same thing happened while we were at the recital, though he was not quite as dirty.  Clearly, he has spring fever.

The food line!

Our hungry crew!

Day 1558: A superb evening

Lots happened tonight, some of it planned, but many glitches.  A fairly typical Saturday.   The Kenny judges arrived at 7:35 en masse and were seated late.  It's too late and I am too tired to write. There's plenty of days to edit photos and write about this night.

Day 1557: Opening Night

"We all lead such elaborate lives"

Day 1556: Dress rehearsal

A few of our fabulous crew!

A brilliant makeup artist!

Hair and makeup made a huge difference in the cast's appearance and it 

really seemed to motivate them.  

They were hot tonight!