Home from Alaska!

Everyone headed home on July 9 and the blog of the trip is complete -- stay tuned for trip photos to be distributed to NLC 2012 families and mentors! I've added a few miscellaneous photos I took during the trip and want to say what a pleasure it was to have our 2012 class together to challenge ourselves and grow in such a beautiful environment! (Hurray for all the sunshine!) I added another group shot on the glacier, photos from our camping on Benjamin Island, a kayaking lunch break, and our friends Kurt and Bev Smith who hosted us for 4th of July festivities.

Hello up there!

We have had dreamy harvest moon, followed by a local twister, and currently lovely sunshine. Same as usual - everything changes daily! Can't wait to see you tomorrow night, Cami - hope I can still recognize you after your visit to the final frontier:) Luv, Mums

Hello from Virginia

Hello NLC Class of 2012! What a pleasure it has been to read about your adventures via this blog. Thank you Camille for this great idea. You all are truly having the adventure of a lifetime in the true spirit of the Congressional Award and Discovery Bound programs. Tori we think about you constantly and can't wait till you are home so that we can hear about all of your adventures. We just dropped Toby off at the CGA and are making the long drive back home and of course you are your group are on our minds. Enjoy these last few days and make the most of this adventure. We love you lots. Mom, Dad, Papa and Gramma

Juneau what? I'm in Alaska...

OK, I didn't think of that title myself, but I did see it on a T-shirt in a store. It gave me a laugh when I first saw it.

After arriving in Alaska, our NLC class has hiked on, slept on, and climbed on the beautiful Mendenhall Glacier. We had three fantastic guides named Corey, Dawn, and Ed who were extremely helpful in assisting us in our quest to conquer the Mendenhall Glacier by instructing us how to use ice-axes while hiking/climbing and how to put crampons on your hiking boots so you don't slip and fall on the ice.

After leaving the Mendenhall Glacier, we checked into the Driftwood Lodge. Not the greatest motel, but it was perfect for somebody who hasn't had a shower and slept in a bed for a VERY long time.

Yesterday, we crossed the bridge over the Gastineau Channel to Douglas Island, where our wonderful hosts, Bev and Kurt, fed us dinner and provided us fun activities like hanging out on the beach and using a SeaCycle paddle boat. We also had a really good testimony teen-led testimony meeting, and the annual fireworks show ended the night with a bang (literally!).

Other people have to blog, so I need to get going. I can't wait for the kayak trip!

HAPPY FOURTH! :)

Wow... Alaska has been so amazing so far. Its been sunny weather and breathtaking views, we've barely gotten any rain and the mendenhall glacier was possibly the most beautiful thing ever. The wind was a little chilly but overall it was SOOOO amazing. I miss my family and hope everyone had a greattttt fourth of july.

MUCH LOVE

Liza-Jean:)

greetings from juneau, alaska!

Hey guys! I just wanted to say that I am having a blast here in Juneau! In the past week, we have washed eachother's feet, climbed up and camped on the famous Mendenhall glacier, and watched a wonderful show of Juneau's 50th anniversary fireworks on the 3rd while huddling around an enoromous bonfire. These are just a few of the amazing activities that we have participated in so far! Postcards are on the way! So much love from Hanne <3

Message from Georgie!!!

I just came from an amazing week of a Juneau, Alaska July 4th parade, sleeping and camping on a glacier, leading a spiritual feet-washing activity and co-leading a Friday testimony meeting with fireworks going off outside. I could tell you about all the other awesome things I've done and seen, but for now I'll just say a quick thank-you to Bev and Kurt, Kevin, Elizabeth and Gina and most of all the Discovery Bound program worldwide and the whole NLC '012 class for being so supportive and awesome!!! I'm loving this trip! It's just amazing!

alaska.!

wow alaska is so cool.! my highlight so far has been going in the crevasse and through the ice tunnel. it was really beautiful beyond words. i also enjoyed the parade thing and i made some new friends among the locals. overall its been a really good time and im having a lot of fun.!

i miss you all.. see you soon.!
i.l.y.!<33

Howdy!

It's Angelica! Happy Fourth of July!
We are at Bev and Kurt's house eating many a veggie burger! Yumm yumm(:
Tomorrow we are leaving to go sea kyaking! Whoopie!
Alaska is ravishingly exotic and beautiful.
And kinda cold.
I slept on a melting ice cube, it was invigorating.
The end(:

Hey... it's Lakiera. Alaska has been more cooler than I thought :). Hiking to the Glacier, ice climbing, and repelling down the crevass was a cool experience. Also, the parade was very fun.

The glacier was awesome!!! It was really really pretty!!! =) The fireworks were pretty amazing too!!! There was a great bonfire too!!! =)

You all are truly having an adventure of a life time - the best part.....being together! Thank you so much for sharing!

"We live in an age of Love's divine adventure to be All-in-all." My 158

The class of 2012 is 'ALL' that!!

Love from the NLC class of 2011 ~Jeni

BBQ & Fireworks

Saturday 6:15pm

We're here at Kurt and Bev Smith's house for the second day in a row. We came last night to have a BBQ and watch the fireworks. Several teens cruised around the Gastineau Channel on the SeaCycle, we did several "Something I love to Do" presentations, had a testimony meeting, and built a bonfire. Kurt is an amazing photographer, and provided the shots below...

More Glacier Shots

Saturday 6pm: Here are a few more shots from Glacier...a group shot before we left, the glacier and our camp site at night (taken by Kurt Smith), hiking down, and rappelling into the crevasse. There are hundreds more but it's time to move on!

Friday Afternoon 4:45pm: Sorry for the lack of pics and posts on the blog. We got back from the Glacier late last night and we've been busy all day. I downloaded over 1000 pictures from teen cameras this morning and I'm hoping to sort and upload them this evening. I've uploaded four pictures from the glacier to whet your appetite.

Our trip up on the glacier was amazing. It was quite chilly the first day and evening but the sun was out the entire second day. We did some ice climbing and played in a crevasse/ice tunnel before heading down to town for a late dinner at a local pizza joint. We're staying at the Driftwood Motel in Juneau for the next few days (see photo).

Today we did our laundry and some leadership training, followed by a hike of the flume trail in the hills above town and a visit to the Alaska history museum. We're going to a BBQ at someone's house tonight and then watching the fireworks display at midnight.

Hello from Utah!

The pictures are so beautiful! I just can't wait to hear all the stories of camping and kayaking...bears and beauty...friendship and fun. Abby, you are missed TERRIBLY! Thanks so much for leaving a birthday message for me yesterday. I was very distraught to miss you, but know you were heading off to another grand adventure. Utah is hot (finally), so enjoy the cool of Alaska.