The unexpectedly hot spring break of 2015 led to one of my most enjoyable, rewarding, adventurous, and rewarding trips. Over a cold beer, I talked to a friend about my spring vacation plans. We were planning to do nothing but relax in the lazy March weather. However, we were informed by UWSP that they would be taking us to Florida. This was my first spring break trip, and I couldn’t believe how affordable it would be. Apart from the low price, it would include stops at Red River Gorge (Ky.) for outdoor rock climbing and Great Smoky Mountains (for intense backpacking up mountains), before heading on to Florida. They would then camp at Perdido Key with their crab-filled campsites. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky would be the last stop before they return home.
My anticipation was building as I awaited the club meeting. This would allow me to decide if I could make it. Although the trip was not as extravagant as it could have been, it was still a great deal for students. My competition was much smaller than if it had been advertised across the university. It was amazing how nervous I felt when the meeting started. My face was already feeling hot. My friend invited me to the meeting, and I didn’t know any of the students. Although it appeared that everyone was talking, I kept my mouth shut. I am too shy to speak in front of strangers. Although I felt outcast at the meeting, I realized that I was only interested in this lifetime trip. I didn’t need friendship, I just had to go. He mentioned seniority. My face immediately lit up because I knew it wouldn’t work as I was only third-year sophomore. I was relieved that all the other club members, including the seniors, voted against this. Everyone was given a number to choose from and the rest were allowed to pick numbers from a random hat. The fourteen lucky students who were selected would go. As the number began to be pulled, tension was high and we were all exchanging glances. The first number was……………………n’t me. The second and third numbers were not the same. After hearing their number, students who were chosen screamed in delight. I tried to convince myself that even if my number was not called out, I would still be able to enjoy a wonderful spring break at home. I shouted my number …. when it finally was called. It was mine! Me! It was going to be me! This trip was the right thing for me. A girl next me said something snidely about how it was my first time speaking in public during the meeting. She didn’t mean it harshly, but it was how she sounded to us. Lauren, a girl I was not aware of, would end up being a dear friend.
I was able to meet everyone for the first time by driving the ten-hour distance from Stevens Point to Red River Gorge in Kentucky. I was fortunate enough to be seated in the front seat. This allowed me to enjoy playing music. We started out by talking to one another, discussing our majors, interests, and ended up getting into deeper topics about politics and the environment. Jenny and Mariah were very open-minded, as was Jarod, the driver. Ethan and Cavan were both freshmen boys. Because I was still new to the group, those two and me didn’t contribute much to the discussions. Sometimes I was able to join in, but mostly I enjoyed the conversations and hearing everyone’s stories. It was a joy to find that everyone was willing to talk to me. We finally arrived at our destination after many stops and many twisting roads. Mariah and myself were sharing the same tent, so we had a lot of work to do. It had been raining throughout the day at the Gorge. Kyle, our president, assisted us in putting together a tent.
I will never forget the night we arrived in Red River Gorge. It was so peaceful to fall asleep to the steady hum of the frogs and the rain. I woke up that morning to Kyle’s shouting telling me it was now time to get up. I had a mild cold, but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of the entire journey. We would need to be out by the early evening if we were to spend enough time climbing in the gorge. Miguel’s Pizza was the favorite place for rock climbers. We finally reached our destination by climbing down steep, muddy roads through Kentucky. Although I’d never attempted to climb an outdoor rock wall, I was eager to take on the challenge.
Although the rock wall was a little clammy due to the rain, it didn’t stop us all from climbing. Although I was tired when it was my turn to climb, the adrenaline began pumping through me as soon as the rock wall started to rise. I became anxious at the top because I was afraid of heights. Jenny and Lindsay encouraged me to get up the wall. We were able to take turns climbing up the rock walls, and we also enjoyed a beautiful waterfall hidden further along the valleys trails. Lauren, Lauren’s now friend, and I visited the waterfall together. We were both awe-inspiring by its beauty. Lauren and my conversation was brief as we wanted to enjoy the moment. Lauren mentioned that she really enjoys taking these quiet moments to preserve the memories. The same feeling was mine. We were sprayed by the misty water of the waterfall on our faces. It was an amazing feeling.
After another hectic night of driving, setting up camp and sleeping overnight, it came time to begin the five-mile climb up a mountain. This was the hardest challenge I ever anticipated, but it was also the one I was most excited about. It felt like an endless journey. Despite the fact that it was difficult to breathe, each mile made the hike more enjoyable. It almost looked tropical from the top, but it got rockier as the vegetation changed and it became more rocky. As we climbed higher, we could see the impressive mountains surrounding us.
We would feel hungry, thirsty, or exhausted every so often. This was when it was important to have water, peanut-butter or another high-energy snack. We started to act out a little crazy as we progressed, almost reaching the top. Lauren and myself had been separated with the others who ended up ahead. The amazing view that we saw made us both tired and happy. Lauren was my friend now. Lauren stopped us multiple times throughout the hike because of the incredible view. It was as if we didn’t see a view at all, but a picture of amazing blue-tinted mountain peaks. Lauren and Lauren both gazed at the horizon in silence, taking in every moment. After we arrived at our destination, we were able to rest in an old wooden shelter up the mountain. The stars were bright and visible, even without any light pollution. Our hike was grueling and we arrived at night when the sun was not up yet at 8 o’clock.
Although I thought the climb down the mountain would be much easier, I was wrong. My cold was still affecting me, and I was still tired from the climb up. My normally weak ankles were more fragile than ever. After many hours of walking downhill, we finally made it to the bottom after the last trek. It was too late for me to see the incredible view from up on the mountain. After our hike, it was time for us to continue our journey to Florida.
It was refreshing to wake up in the morning and see the sun on my tent at the Florida beach. This was especially refreshing after a Wisconsin winter. When darkness had already fallen, we arrived in Florida at a very early hour. The sun was still rising hours later. After having traveled across the US from Wisconsin, we were so happy to finally arrive at our destination. We chased every crab that came along our sandy beach hike, as we carried our heavy backpacks. The waves of the sea crashing against shore could be heard. I felt like summertime because of the salty air and humidity. We could see the ocean from the shore, even though we knew it.
After dancing on the beach for an hour, running in the cold water and setting up our tents, we fell asleep. My club members and the sounds of waterfowl scraping on the shore woke me up. Although my sleeping bag was comfortable all night, it became too hot once the sun rose. I was stunned as I lifted my head to see the ocean. It was obvious that we were near the ocean. However, it was so vast and overwhelming in person that I could not believe it. I had to stop for a second to feel the blissful feeling. I looked out of the tent and saw Lindsay, my best friend, walking along a beach. I was greeted by Lindsay, who walked up to my tent with a few sanddollars. She assured me that she could find numerous sand dollars if I woke up in the morning and walked along the beach. After climbing the Red River Gorge’s damp and stimulating rock walls, we had covered ten miles in Great Smoky Mountains backpacking. I felt thankful, despite having a nasty cold that lasted for the duration of the journey.
Camping is ten times more relaxing than getting up in the morning to go camping. It is hard to not feel alive when you awaken in the midst of nature. The rest of our day was spent lounging on the beach, running in the dark water and running backwards and forwards. While the ocean was still quite frigid, you didn’t have to take a leap into it. The waves were crashing and you could taste the saltiness. It felt so good on my skin, I didn’t shower in the morning and it felt like a nice, refreshing bath.
It was a night of laughter, bonding, and playing around a small fire on the beach. I was able to meet everyone and consider them my friends by this point. We spent many nights driving to camp and then sleeping. However, after a few drinks, we were able to have a good time by getting to know each other.
It was bittersweet to return home. Although the drive was lengthy, it was more enjoyable to be surrounded by friends who were my friends for the past week. Although I felt sore, the pleasant memories and the pain was not noticeable. I was eager to go home and take a warm shower before getting into bed. However, I was not ready to leave the wonderful atmosphere that we shared throughout the trip. We had all become good friends and were bonded through the incredible adventures shared. It was difficult to return to a schedule after traveling for so long without any concern about the time or place in the world. Our travels took us to different time zones, and our phones were not always in reception. It was an adventure in itself to live this simple way. It seems like only yesterday that my road trip was with mostly strangers. Those strangers have become good friends, and I am able to look back on those memories. I had the opportunity to experience this life-changing experience thanks to word of Mouth and a random number drawn from a hat.
