I sit here in the Camp Fowler office, thinking back over the Muskegon trip. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to lead a Paths and Paddles trip with my dear Muskegon friends from back home. More specifically, the kids from my home church (Covenant Community Church) youth group came out for a week on the trail. Their adventure started in the early morning hours. The drove 12 hours to arrive here in Speculator, NY. As soon as they arrived, my mother, Kaela, and Ashley went off to talk to Ian (Day-camp coordinator) about what they would be doing for the week. The boys, Bob (extra leader from Covenant), Jacob, Zach, Dakota, and Keaton, all headed with me to the outpost (gear/leanto location on camp) with Colin (my co-leader) and myself. We gave them the gear they would need for the week (mainly backpacks, among other gear) and cooked our first trail dinner--Burritos.

After dinner, they were all a bit surprised as to how we clean our dishes while hiking. That is to say, they thought I was joking when I talked about duff (we clean any extra food bits out with dried leaves and stuff (duff) on the ground (You might say it is "dirty" but in reality, it is the most efficient/least wasteful way to clean on the trail).

The next morning we headed to Indian Lake to begin our paddling portion of the week. It was a bit of a struggle for some, as they did not know how to steer a canoe. Slowly, but surely, they got the hang of it. Our journey for the day ended at Dug Mountain Falls.

Day two began our journey to Baldface Mountain. They guys were troopers. The day was beautiful. And the sight at the end, one of my favorites.

Day 3 was the turn over day. We ended our paddle at a former staff member's camp. We pulled out our boats, camp picked us up, and we were dropped off at Chimney Mountain trailhead. The first day of hiking proved to be much harder than any of the guys anticipated. It was mostly an uphill hike the entire time. Once again, it was beautiful weather, but the journey provided a very different experience that none of them had really experienced. Needless to say, they were over joyed to reach our lean-to for the night.

Day 4, Thursday, was a longer hike--between 9 and 10 miles. The question "will it be flat" was often asked. The response was often, "Yes, it will be Adirondack flat,"--meaning frequent inclines and declines. By the end of the day we reached Sacandaga lean-to. It overlooks the Sacandaga River.

Friday morning, before hiking out, we hiked to the Siamese Ponds (without packs). 

Finally, after a visit to the ponds, we hiked out to out pick-up at the start of the 11th Mountain Trailhead. The boys looked forward to their first shower in a week, we ate pizza, and we caught up with Ashley, Kaela, and Lady Bush (aka, the Reverend Mother, aka, my mother). 

Life is good. Thank you to the Covenant Family who made this possible!