This summer I have been working at Outback Therapeutic Expeditions...a fancy name for a wilderness treatment center. I have absolutely loved it!! I work 8 days and am off 6... (I once made the mistake of saying I worked 8 days a week- I was going to continue saying I was off 6 but didn't get that far before I got teased for it...if the Beatles can do it why can't I?) I have loved getting to know the students (both girls and boys- but the groups are separated), hiking and camping! The wilderness can be so healing- I have learned so much! I love it!!
This picture was taken the day after a huge rain storm! It started raining when we were still hiking and we didn't get into camp until 11:30...it was great fun setting up camp in the dark and pouring rain! The next morning on our way to find dry bark so that we could make a fire we found this horny toad on the side of the road...I was about to release him when it was decided he really wanted to ride on my head...he actually made it back to camp like this!
This is busting! With a top rock, spindle, fire board, bow and cordage- you too can bust a coal! With that coal you put it in a nest and ta-da! Fire!! Definitely a lot harder than it looks!
This picture was taken by a awesome sunset but you can't see it- The dots around my eyes were given to me by the girls group- they are 'dots of womanhood'
This is our lovely shelter- one of many that we make each night! Its made out of a Tarp and cordage tied to trees and rocks!
Yes, this isn't the best picture (well-none of them are good). It was a pretty intense hike for having full packs. You can't see it to well but that is my backpack- its made out of leather straps and sticks- not the most comfortable thing in the world but it does what its made for! Inside the tarp is my mat, clothes, sleeping bag and food...fun huh! The mountain in the background is Red Pine I peaked in the last picture..jpg)
On my birthday I was finally able "peak"- it was great! This is near the top of Red Pine. Luckily when we peak most of the time we don't do it with our 50 pound backpacks! 
