Day 7- Las Vegas

Day 7: VEGAS!

WHAT IS UP EVERYONE! It is the Dopey's again for our last blog, we know you will miss us! Today was a new day full of new adventures for all of us, including the new adventure of getting to wake up when we wanted this morning which was unexpected (meaning breakfast would be ready at 8 am and we had to be ready to go by that time.) While we had this luxury we also mostly all got up around 6:30 am because the sun rises super early, and we have seemed to make new friends at the campsite, the campsite crows with LOVE to eat our leftover food. Some of us even were able to shower around 7 and get nice and fresh for Vegas! While we were getting ready the cooks prepared a meal that was truly spectacular, imagine the cooking of Bobby Flay but 20x better. They would have been able to compete on the show Beat Bobby Flay, we had sausage, egg, and potato, breakfast burrito's along with orange juice and apples! This was a wonderful way to start off our extremely busy and eventful day. 

Maybe not Evans finest attire...

To prepare for this, each of us suited up in our finest clothing. For some this was shirts and khakis while others wore sundresses. As we loaded the vans and bus, the excitement for the upcoming adventure was filling the air. For our bus ride, we were separated into our groups. Our Dopey group was able to sit together on the bus. Our upcoming challenge was then presented to us. We were to change the lyrics of a well known song to relate to TWB. Our group chose Escape, (Pina Colada song by Rupert Homes). It turns out, most everyone loved our song.

Our next stop was Walmart. Many of us bought socks for bowling in Vegas as we were not able to get to our bags below the bus. We were told to pack for the next two days. This packing list consisted of Pajamas, toothbrush, toothpaste, pillow, bathing suit, sunscreen, and a towel. This list was given to us as we were staying the night on the bus while the amazing Sean drove us to Santa Monica overnight. In Walmart, our cooks bought us breakfast for the next morning. Many of us found a restaurant in the Walmart which served Philly cheesesteaks and things of the sorts. This place was called Charleys. We then loaded the bus in our pretty sun dresses and khaki pants with nice shirts. 

A few hours later, we passed the Hoover Dam and we were amazed by the size and beauty. Many of us were able to take pictures as we passed. This bus ride consisted of very much Karaoke. Very many songs were requested and put into the queue. This was by far a favorite bus ride for many. Hours later, we ended up at the Golden Coast hotel. Las Vegas here we come! As we arrived at Vegas, Dallas walked us over to the Caesars Palace for pictures and a safety rundown. After this, we were able to separate into our groups and explore Vegas with our new friends. Some hot-spots within the groups were In-N-Out, the Eiffel Tower, Margaritaville, New York, New York, and the Bellagio Fountain light show. Many of us had very interesting experiences that will forever be in our memories. We can now say that we have been to Vegas! 

!!!HI PARENTS!!!

To avoid the curfew for minors, we made it to the bowling alley in the Golden Coast hotel by 9:15. This was a very fun bowling experience as many of us were able to spend time with and meet new people! 

After bowling, we headed back to the bus and vans with aching feet and exhausted bodies. We loaded and then headed to a gas station nearly 40 minutes away to brush our teeth and change into pajamas. After this short drive, we were all ready to go to bed and head to Santa Monica. We were so excited to go to sleep in Vegas and wake up in Santa Monica! We hope all is well back home and we love you guys! We hate to leave but this will be the last blog written by the Dopey group. Peace out and we will see you soon!

(More Pictures to come!) 

Day 6- The Grand Canyon

Day 6: Grand Canyon

Hello everyone! This is coming from the grandest canyon in the west. Today everyone woke up when the stars were still out at a brisk 4:15 in the morning, we all were so happy to be up this early because it meant that we got to go into the canyon! We were told the night before we would have 15 minutes to get ready so we slept in our hiking clothes to save time in the morning. The night before we also chose what hike we would be partaking in, these hikes consisted of a 6, 3, and 1 mile hike. There were many brave souls this year that decided to take on the 6 mile challenge. As the sun began to rise the group's briskly started to make their way into the canyon, passing by donkey poop and rocks you’d swear were out to get you, they were very slippery if you were't paying attention. The easy part was going down, many of us over estimated the ease of the hike towards the bottom of the hike. Once each group reached their point of no return we took LOTS AND LOTS of pictures! Once we were finished with our photoshoots we headed back up the canyon, which was WAY more difficult than going down. Every step was worth while with the breathtaking views all around us. Today we learned what true teamwork was along with the TWB spirit, it is something we will truly never forget. 

6 MILE GROUP

3 MILE GROUP

1 MILE GROUP

6 MILES MADE IT DOWN!

TEAMWORK makes the DREAMWORK

We finished up and were all out of the canyon by noon and returned to camp for some delicious Deaton stew, some people got apples, fruit loops, barbecue chips, and more in their stew, but it was actually really good, and many of us went for seconds! 

Are those fruit loops?!

I spy an apple

After eating, everyone was DYING to call home. Many tears were shed, but everyone was excited to talk about their amazing adventures so far on the trip and the new friends they have made. While homesickness did strike some of us we were able to lean on each other for support. Some even going back to call twice later on which was a nice surprise. 

Today was also the first day we were able to do laundry for the first time (this was much needed as some were running out of underwear)  this was a big learning curve fore some as they have never done it before. Keeping up with their washing and drying loads were a struggle for some. After the best shower of our life and doing much needed laundry we got to explore and go souvenir shopping of course. Some of us even stumbled across a Starbucks for a sweet treat! Between lunch and dinner if we weren't shopping or getting Starbucks, others were climbing trees, hanging in the hammocks, and taking much needed naps. 

Tonight we had the opportunity to eat back of the campsite OR we could go get dinner at one of the local restaurants. Many of us chose to get pizza from a local tavern and even got the counselors a thank you pizza! After dinner we all gathered to walk to see the sunset over the Grand Canyon! Of course more photoshoots occurred and we finished the day with a sing-along (remember quantity is more important than quality). After the sing-along we heard research for the: Grand Canyon  (Emma Gray) and the State of Arizona (Norea'). Lastly before getting into our sacks for the night we wished Caroline a Happy belated Birthday! We spent another night under the stars, many in hammocks and others in sleeping bag, it was quite cold, actually colder than many were expecting! As we all drifted off to sleep we were excited for tomorrow’s Vegas trip.

GOLDEN HOUR

Emma Gray telling us all about the Canyon!

Norea' educating us on Arizonia