Day two - some observations

1. A carload of 12, 13, and 14 year boys can giggle just like a carload of girls.

2. Having a quiet carload of boys on the trip last year guaranteed not getting same this year.

3. The only way for me to find a flat spot for the tent is to just lay down on the ground.

4. So far, I have witnessed our students doing for the first time: pumping gas at the gas station, slicing tomatoes, peeling garlic, using a manual can opener, setting up a tent (with no adult help,) load a cargo van with logic...there will be more.

5. It is a good thing I brought clothing for a wide variety of weather. Last night, it was hot, humid, and unbearable in the tent (and even worse in the car at 11pm, waiting out the lightning.) Tonight it is quite cool at 10 pm and we'll be down inside those sleeping bags!

6. Other middle schools must not get to do cool trips like this - everywhere we stop, we draw attention with our U-Hauls and painted van windows. People always ask about our group and the trip underway. Invariably, the comment is something to the effect of "wow, my kids' school sure never did/does anything like that...."

photos: the lunch routine at an Iowa rest area; our caravan in the parking lot; the Freedom bear stands watch everywhere we unload, here beside an Iowa cornfield; Daniel working hard to peel a persnickety garlic clove.