Off we go!

Off we go, we will be disconected from the world for a month with our paddle trip down the Missinaibi River. When we return in 28 days we will be uploading the journal entries for the time we were off the grid. Bon Voyage, Au Revoir, Until next time!

Day 6

Today was a day full of many memories, and many boring moments. We drove over 400 miles for the day, and during the day we stopped at the Hardwood Forest Nature center where we learned a lot about Outdoor Education and Interpretation. Our last stop for the night was the Gate’s residence in Rockford, Michigan, which is located outside the town of Grand Rapids, MI. While at the Gate’s we got the opportunity to meet Jeff’s parents, and one of Jeff’s close friends Gator and his wife. They cooked us a fantastic dinner when we got there the night before, and we really appreciate their generosity for letting us stay there for the night, and cooking for us. Before departing on Thursday we were able to talk to Gator about what he does when working at a nearby University as a professor. He talked to us about a lot of tree and tree identification for some of the trees from his backyard, and many stories of Jeff and him were passed onto to us. After talking to gator I couldn’t be any more excited to learn more about the surrounding areas we are going to. That night we stopped at Wilderness State Park for the night. Where we saw an absolutely beautiful sunset and some of us were able to go down by the water and watch it! As we wrap up the day we will be heading over to Canada the next morning, and I couldn’t be anymore excited for the journey we have ahead of us, and all the memories that will be made.

-Vickey Benhart 

Day 5

So I’m guessing y’all are expecting some more epic words, remember Mike from Serrat Nature Center he really likes birds, seriously that’s all I got… Nah Nah I’m just kidding, the flow through the next two pages is where it’s hidden. You see we all signed up to embark on this trip, but it’s proved to be more than we expected ain’t that a pip. We worry about friends and family and your (Johns) mom’s hip, and sometimes it feels like enough to jump ship. As uncomfortable as this journey has been so far, I hate it, because I won’t quit, so I feel like I’m stuck in a jar. And I don’t want to admit it but I feel like it’s never going to get better, that I’m just gonna ride it out and hope for that good grade letter. To me that sucks because I want to have a good time, so here, I’ll stop dwelling on the bad and get on with the rhyme. The good times we’ve had so far tells me that we love each other, and I know by the end of this well be sisters and brothers. By day two I realized how much being truly uncomfortable sucks, but leaving our comfort zone will make us better at putting in a row our ducks. So if you’re feeling the same way and thinking like me lets lean on each other pick ourselves up just like family. We’ll see and do and learn so many great things that when we get back we’ll think we’ve grown wings. At this point in the rhyme it’s late and I just want to sleep but I take pride in my work like David and his sheep. So bear with me guys for a couple more lines as we stand here before breakfast and the sun starts to shine, down on each and every one of our beautiful faces, and as we take the long road to all of these distant places. But when we go home we’ll be like Frodo and the Ring, nobody will get us, they will understand nothing. So just remember when we go our own ways that we’ll be in each other’s hearts to stay. Enough with the emotions let’s get on with the physical, cooks, I hope breakfast wasn’t anything too difficult. Let’s get on our way to the Ole Missinaibi, I’m saying it early Peace and Chow baby!

-Josh Baughman

Day 4

So today was our last day at Horn Field Campus and I don't think our group couldn't be more ready to be immersed by Mother Nature. This is the moment we have been preparing for since January. I could not feel more ready even if I don't have all the equipment, but hey that's why God graced us with a Cabelas, and that's beyond the point here. I sit here writing this five hours before we leave trying to stave off this stomach ache from drinking a two liter of Mountain Dew and I cant stop thinking about how special this group is. we go from the low lows to laughing until we start crying. We all have each others backs even with emotions running with the overwhelming feeling inside of us especially with all the work that's in store for us. But hey that's why were doing this. We don't want a walk in the park, were in it for the challenge and I know we are ready for this eye opening experience. So I leave you this quote that reminds me about ECOEE from Vince Lombardi.

“I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious

- Kenny Bambini

Day 3

Today was a stress free day! We had a day full of smiles, laughs, and even some dancing. We made the long hours of work into a fun time. That is why I love this group so much; they are my friends and family for life. No matter how bad the day is going there is always someone right there to lighten up the mood and put a smile on your face. Even though we have not had much sleep at all and have had a huge workload, there is no other place I would rather be. From jamming out while doing our rations to singing a long together in the van, I realized that this is where I am supposed to be. When we were all in the van singing along together and being goofy, I felt something. I don’t quite know how to describe it, but it was amazing and I will never forget that moment. My soul was free and I believe and hope everyone else felt the same. I am so fortunate to be apart of such a vibrant, amazing, and hardworking group. I know we can make it through anything

-Cheyenne Wilson

Day 2

Thirteen people make up this group. Thirteen hearts, souls, and minds. Some of the hearts here are broken, some of the hearts are full, and some of the hearts are wandering. All of the souls are unique. They’ve been derived from hope, faith, and love. Each soul here is wonderful beyond reason. Each soul here has been burdened with glorious purpose. There is a disconnect between the soul and the mind. From the very moment a soul is born into existence the soul has purpose. The mind may take a lifetime to find the meaning of the soul. In fact some may never realize the reason of the soul. Some even doubt the soul exists. Each and every mind here is finding or fulfilling the soul’s purpose. Through years and years of learning. Through triumph and total defeat. Whether the person is an instructor, or a participant – each person is serving a purpose. Doubt not your reason for being here, because whether you like it or not you were meant to be here. ECOEE is what you make it to be. Your heart may be wandering, your mind may be racing, but let your soul guide you to where you should be.

-John Wiegert

Day 1

 Well, it’s here, ECOEE that is. The expedition that we have known about for since January, but it still found a way to sneak up on all of us. The day started nice and early for most of us today, but something else started at 11am… Something completely new to all of us. Something that we have been thinking about for a very long time. Something we have been trying to explain to family, friends, and whoever else, but no one seems to understand it or replies with some unintentional ignorant comment like, “Oh wow! That’s so cool that you get to go on a semester long vacation for school!” or something like “watch out for bears and don’t get eaten!” And I’m sure you can all relate to these conversations. But then again… who can really blame them for a response like that or even for just not understanding what the heck were about to do? A semester long expedition packed with experiences and homework. Yeah, packed with homework… and plenty of other tasks. It’s 11:30 at night on the first day and I am by myself in the lodge writing this because today, it’s my duty. With that being said, I smiled a ton today and it feels great to be back with this group. Even during Jeff’s long, informational, extremely exciting overviews of classes (and whatever else he was talking about), I was able to look around and notice everyone’s faces… interested, nervous, excited, overwhelmed, or just plain lost, and I loved it. We might not know what we’re in for, but we are in for it. And I believe that what we are in for is something amazing. So here is to day 1 of ECOEE 2014, let’s make the best of it.

-Greg Strobel