5-28-09 Thursday, Day 29 - Bozeman - Home

Wow! We're going home today! I'm goig to sleep in my own bed tonight. That's so weird!

This morning we got to sleep in again. We were staying in the gym of Mt. Ellis Academy, where Kevin went to school.

Today is supposed to be about a 14 hour drive. Right now we're having an hour of silence, but with media allowed. After that's over, we're going to stop at Starbucks. Yay!

I'm excited to be going home today, and yet also kinda sad. After graduation, some people are laving Heartlife forever. But I'd rather not think about that right now...

This trip has been such a good experience. I can't believe it's over. I've had so much fun getting to know people, and seeing so many amazing things. I hope next year's trip will turn out just as good!

5-27-09 Wednesday, Day 28 - Yellowstone - Bozeman

Yellowstone is awesome! We saw tons of Elk, Bison, Buffalo, and even a bear! The geysers were really cool as well. We learned that they are full of bacteria, and that if you fall in one, and the heat doesn't kill you, the bacteria will a few days later. Because we make antibiotics for our 98.6 degree bodies, we don't have anything to get rid of bacteria that grows in scalding hot water.

After Yellowstone, we ate at Jr.'s grandma's restaurant. She made a ton of hamburgers, and some salmon and veggie burgers as well.

Today was a good day! =)

5-26-09 Tuesday, Day 27 - Sioux Falls - Yellowstone

Another driving day! Surprise!

We left the motel around 6:30, headed for Mt. Rushmore, then Yellowstone. We also stopped at Wall Drug, which I had never heard of before. Apparently it's the largest drug store int eh world. (Or something like that.)

Mt. Rushmore was beautiful! We stopped there and made lunch - chicken, rice, and broccoli prepared by us high-schoolers - and then, after taking a scenic walk, attempted to draw or paint Mt. Rushmore. I started over so many times I ended up with just the shape of George Washington's head!

Tonight we're supposed to get in around midnight, which will be quite interesting...

5-25-09 Monday, Day 26 - Chicago - South Dakota

Another driving day, although this one was much more manageable. We decided to stay at a Motel 6 rather than a church basement we had planned on, because the Motel was closer to where we wanted to be.

We pulled in to the Motel in Sioux Falls around 9:00, with plenty of time to make dinner and get to bed. Kevin told me not to hep, because I've been doing a lot of work, so I got to spend some time with my parents. They were going to make a trip to a nearby Walgreens, and I got permission to go with them. At the last minute, we arranged for Matthias to come, too.

It was cool to have us all hanging out, and afterward my parents took up to Taco Bell! =)

5-24-09 Sunday, Day 25 - Toronto - Chicago

The long driving days are here again. We left the hotel this morning around 10:30, when originally we planned to leave at 9:00. The drive was supposed to be 8 or 9 hours, but with bathroom breaks and stopping to eat, it ended up being more towards 11 or 12 hours.

Tonight we're staying at the same place we stayed in Chicago last time, Bloomingdale Church.
Hopefully we'll all sleep well!

5-23-09 Saturday, Day 24 - Toronto

Today we went to Niagara Falls! It was so incredibly huge and beautiful. We took what's called a Maid of the Mist tour, which is a boat ride that goes super close to the bottom of the falls. We were each given a bright blue, plastic rain poncho, and they were definitely needed. The mist from the falls was more like rain than mist.

We also split up in pairs to go paint. I went with Tessa, and painted a bridge right by the falls. After that, Kevin bought us dinner at Mama Mia's. It was so nice to not have to cook!

We got back to the hotel pretty late, and some of us needed to do laundry. I ended up staying up til 1:30 am just to get my laundry done!

5-22-09 Friday, Day 23 - Toronto

Today we went to an amusement park called Wonderland. It had a TON of big roller-coasters!

I was in a group with Tessa, Matthias, Ethan M., Bodie, and Brendan. My parents and Jack also hung out with us, which was really fun.

I'm pretty sure our favorite ride was a huge roller-coaster called Behemoth. It went up over 200 feet, and dropped at 80 mph at a 75 degree angle. It was awesome!

My group ended up being late to get back to the bus, because we waited in a super long line for Dairy Queen. =)

5-21-09 Thursday, Day 22 - Quebec - Toronto

Today we left Quebec and headed for Toronto. It's about a 9 hour drive, which gives plenty of time to do homework. Tomorrow the people who don't have their homework done can't go to the largest amusement park in Canada, so I definitely want to get it all done!

We stopped at a gorgeous rest stop along the St. Lawrence River. It was more of a beach-side park, actually, complete with paintball field, swimming dock, and (empty right now) an ice rink.

There were these little channels that flowed in between cute little houses. It looked like a cleaner, emptier version of Venice.

We pulled into the hotel around 8:30 or so. After unloading the trailer, we made dinner in a small kitchen area they have here. (This hotel is actually on the campus of a college.)

I'm looking forward to the theme park tomorrow!

5-20-09 Wednesday, Day 21 - Quebec

Woo hoo! Today we went to an awesome chocolate museum/store, and a HUGE mall! We also went to a beautiful and giant waterfall. We climbed up these stairs, and then hiked a trail that led to a bridge directly over the waterfall.

I didn't buy anything at the mall. I really wanted to, but I'm running low on money, even though my mom gave me some.

I'm realizing I spend a lot of money on other people. I haven't bought that much stuff for myself. My mom gave me $20 more, making me promise to only spend it on me. I love her! =)

5-19-09 Tuesday, Day 20 - Quebec

Today we split into groups and explored Old Town, Quebec. I love the beautiful, quaint village atmosphere.

Poor Skyler was the only guy in our group, so he got dragged around into all sorts of clothing and accessory stores. He must be used to it with Karly, because he was a really good sport about it.

We also went into a beautiful Catholic church. I bought and lit a candle for my great grandma, and my friend Kevin, both of whom passed this last year. I really felt it was a meaningful thing to do.

5-18-09 Monday, Day 19 - Boston - Quebec

Today we left for Quebec! I wonder how speaking French will go. Another exiting thing is that my parents and Jack come tonight!! I'm looking forward to that, but at the same time I'm nervous.

I'm somewhat worried that my parents won't think I'm doing well. What I mean is I'm worried that they will think I"m not living up to what they expect from me. What Kevin and my parents expect from me is so different; I think it will be hard to live up to both.

With all these worries, I do still know it will turn out good! =)

5-17-09 Sunday, Day 18 - Boston

Today we have the option of going with the adults around Boston, or staying at the school and doing homework. Most of us chose to stay and do homework. It feels great to be all caught up finally.

Right now, the school is making up an extra snow day from 9-1. They're all in the gym, which is where we are staying. So at the moment, we're all sitting in two classrooms. I'm in one with a TV, and the movie Holes is playing.

It feels great to have some relaxing days. Even still, we're all pretty tired.

I'm so glad the trip improved so much. I was really worried for a while. There are still some hard times, but they're much easier to handle now that there's so much good.

I'm excited for my parents and Jack to some tomorrow. I miss Jack so much! I talked to him last night; he's sooo adorable!

I'm looking forward to giving them all their presents. They're not that thrilling, but I think my family will appreciate them. =)