Outdoor School '08

The month of May was definitely good to Alexandra. On the 19th I was blessed to spend a week as a chaperone with the 6th grade class during their Outdoor School week. We spent many hours each day hiking & sightseeing. The hiking... high elevation... about did me in. I'm a true Valley Girl! But, the view was worth every aching muscle!!

We spent the week at OMSI's Hancock Field Station, located outside the tiny town of Fossil in the Clarno Basin of the John Day Fossil Monument. The weather was perfect for hiking. Not too hot & yet comfortable enough wearing a lightweight jacket. We enjoyed campfires each night. Many of the students performed skits or sang. It was great fun.

There were, however, some moments that the outdoors made us squirm with the heebies jeebies. One morning I looked down in my shower to see a head... The good Lord heard my quick prayer and turned what I thought was a snake into a Salamander. *whew* I also took showers each morning with a tiny frog. As long as there are no fangs, I'm ok with that!

Let's see... we saw a baby rattlesnake, green racer snake, scorpions... a few kids saw black widow spiders. I'm grateful I didn't!

OMSI has saved the lives of two amazing Birds of Prey. Mirah, a 16yr Great Horned Owl. She was found many years ago by a farmer as she lay caught up in barbed wire. She lost her wing & has been loving life as a pampered Owl since. Cam, a 2yr Red Tail Hawk was found on the ground from his nest as a baby. One eye had been pecked out. The thought is one of his siblings wanted his food & fought him for it. Cam can fly, but the quality of life in the wild would not be as good if he was taken care of by OMSI. They also have a three legged dog named Sully. But that is just a weird coincidence . His owners are instructors & has only been at Hancock for about six months.

We saw an amazing Beaver Dam. These creatures are so smart! Many beautiful wildflowers. My favorite were the wild yellow roses. God's beauty is all around us. Even in the desert.

On the trip to Hancock the bus stopped at Richardson's Rock Ranch, outside Madras. Each student was given the opportunity to dig out their own Thunder Egg. The kids had a blast! Alex has decided to keep hers whole. I would love to see what is on the inside... but of course, I'm out ruled on that idea.

There have been days that I wondered if my parenting skills are good enough... Then I spent a week with other peoples' children. I can tell you without blinking that Scott & I are raising some fantastic children. I know all parents say that... as we should. Sitting with other 11-12yr children and hear what comes out of their mouths scared the heck out of me. God is in our home & has blessed us completely.

I'm happy I went... and even happier to be home with my three smart & beautiful children!

Mt. Hood (above) & The Three Sisters (below)