Truly! So many firsts happened during Quest 2017. It was physically demanding, socially challenging and logistically complicated. I'll be able to write about it for weeks! In fact, if the book wasn't already complete, the high temperature challenges would make the weather chapter and the social and emotional problems would be included in several chapters.
We've always said that the kids learn more when they must deal with adverse conditions. This year, the kids learned a great deal and grew exponentially. There was lots of crying and it wasn't girls. The heat wore everyone down to a nubbin. Fortunately, we have an outstanding support staff that ferried overheated kids between rest stops and filled water bottles at every road crossing.
With the temperature in the mid eighties on Wednesday, everyone was struggling. Steve and I practically crawled up Olmstead Hill and collapsed at the top. Lying in the grass under the pounding sun, we wondered aloud "are we out of our minds? Can we physically do this any more?" Well, just like the kids, with adaptations, we can.
Thursday's thunderstorms moved north along the lake shore and missed us. Parents were panicking because the storms hit Fredonia hard, but no rain or hail fell on us. We had arranged for three busses, just in case, but they were unnecessary. Cooler air moved in and hiking on Friday and Saturday felt easy by comparison.
And then the most unusual thing in my entire backpacking career happened. I slept through the night! A whole five hours in a row! I felt like superwoman! Those five hours gave me enough fuel to power through Saturday and clean up today.
This is just a brief overview because it's late and I have to put the ninth load of laundry in the dryer. There are so many people who must be properly thanked and moments of beauty and wonder to contemplate. But not tonight. Tonight, I must sleep.
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