Camping has always been a time to relax and unwind. It is chance to spend time with nature, and free yourself from the binds of societal pressure. This class camping offered this and more for me. It was also a chance to meet new people, to discover a little about my abilities, and to get a feel for our classes overall group dynamic.
Friday, as I drove to pick up my car mate Cory, I became nervous and excited about the weekend. I thought back to the first day of class, when I had quickly scanned the room for familiar faces. To my astonishment, there had been none. For the very first time I had a class without someone I knew. As I pulled up to Cory's house, I realized I was about to embark on a long journey with an absolute stranger. I began to secretly hope that Cory was really nice, and that I would hit it off with him and a lot of the people in class. I realize now that my hopes have all come true. Not only did Cory and I get along wonderfully, but I met so many people with whom I feel I have known forever. I planned out the trip so that I could spend time with as many groups as possible, so I could meet as many people as possible. The first night in the Trinities, I ate dinner with my car mate Cory, and a girl named Renee. Renee and I immediately became friends. We spent a lot of time talking about our lives, and the class. We have so many things in common that we were a little amazed that we had never met before. We even had some of the same friends! Saturday morning, Renee and I decided to go in the first group of hikers to the Canyon Creek Trails. There were eight of us in all: Renee, Cory, Ray, Kambria, Brian, Randy, Josh, and me. We set off on our expedition asking each other questions about what "land" we come from, and what makes each of us the person that we are. We joked around a little that we were just like the travelers on the Silk Road: asking the same types of questions that they must have asked one another when they first met.
It was as we got to know each other that I got a chance to discover a little more about my abilities. I have never really fashioned myself as a serious hiker, so I knew when I left with this group that it was going to be a long, hard walk. I realized though, as I blazed along the steep trail, that I was not actually physically tired. Sure I was out of breath and sweating, but I felt great. I felt as if I could go on forever. When we finally made it to the first swimming hole I felt spectacular! I had kept up with everyone without even having to really think about it. I had done something I never thought I could do.
My journey of self discovery continued when some of the guys came back from going to search for a better swimming hole with grand and glorious tales of their findings. We all decided it was worth seeing, so we packed up and began “rock-hopping” downstream. Again I found myself trying to convince myself this was something I could do. I found that if I cleared my mind of all doubt I could land solidly on every rock. It was like magic! Self-confidence was the key to unlocking the power of play inside my soul. I had a blast! However, the true test came as we walked toward the edge of a small cliff. That is small cliff with only a tiny crack with which to climb down to the bottom. Renee and I looked at each other and silently agreed, "No way!!!". Still, we knew we had to go down in order to find the "grand and glorious treasure" that we had heard so much about. Cory, as if reading the doubt in our minds, stopped and turned to help us. He showed us where to step in the crack in order to get down. We slowly made our way to the bottom. As my foot hit the solid ground, I felt an overwhelming sense of victory. Once again I had surpassed my expectations of myself! Lounging in the sun, I felt excellent. It was this very same euphoric sense of pleasure that carried me the whole way home.
As we headed back to the campground I felt I had made good friends with the people in my hiking group. My entire mood had changed. I could not stop myself from smiling at everyone and everything. That night, as we sat around the campfire I felt a connection flowing between the people in our class. The night before we had sat around the campfire as almost total strangers, trying desperately to communicate. But now, after spending the day meeting people, I felt as though there was a much stronger bond within the group as a whole. That second night I felt more empowered... more able to speak up in the group. I did not feel that I had to hold back anything I wanted to say, and from the intensity of that group conversation I think others felt like me. I realized something as I looked into each persons face in the soft glow of the firelight. Every person there is a unique and special person with talents and ideas to add to our group. I am excited to see what becomes of our class as we set out upon this voyage through higher education. No matter what, I know that the friendships I have made and experiences that I have been so lucky to have had will live on with me forever. I only hope that other people after our class get the opportunity to experience some of the wondrous things we are fortunate enough to enjoy.