7/16/09 -Very late for us (1:30 a.m.) but only 9:30 Alaska time. Reverend Klitzke and Mr. Galloway welcomed us to the Meier Retreat Center. Reverend Klitske is a young, energetic pastor with many responsibilities. Mr. Galloway is the director for Meier Lake's Retreat Center. (Episcopally owned like Shrinemont.) Most of us were asleep by 4 a.m. EST. We were all dreaming about moose, bear, and what to do if you encounter one. Whisper to a moose and he'll run away. But sometimes...he'll charge you. If this happens, put a tree between you and the moose! The good news is that a moose will usually charge once then lose interest. The bears are a different story. We have been told to sing or whistle loudly, travel in groups, and if all else fails, throw away your back pack as a diversion, then lay flat on the ground and play dead.
7/17/09 -News update. We drove over to St. David's this morning. We were met by church member, Mr. Hinsler who told us that they were waiting for a permit to build a 2-hour fire wall. Our focus then switched to landscaping and community garden construction. We ordered a backhoe to help us prepare the site for the garden. Our group hit the floor running! We proceeded to pick up and move 5,000,000 rocks from the construction site to the new parking area for an erosion control containment wall. The rocks were rounded river rocks, some resembling perfect dinosaur eggs while others seemed more boulder-like. It is our belief that the rocks were rounded and deposited by glaciers. Bette pocketed a few for her yard in Berryville. Look out, American Airlines, that will be one heavy bag! We worked from 10 am until around 4pm. It was such a beautiful day that the lake was our next destination. Canoeing, paddle boating and for the very daring, swimming in the refreshingly COLD lake. Much fun was had by all!
7/16/09 -Very late for us (1:30 a.m.) but only 9:30 Alaska time. Reverend Klitzke and Mr. Galloway welcomed us to the Meier Retreat Center. Reverend Klitske is a young, energetic pastor with many responsibilities. Mr. Galloway is the director for Meier Lake's Retreat Center. (Episcopally owned like Shrinemont.) Most of us were asleep by 4 a.m. EST. We were all dreaming about moose, bear, and what to do if you encounter one. Whisper to a moose and he'll run away. But sometimes...he'll charge you. If this happens, put a tree between you and the moose! The good news is that a moose will usually charge once then lose interest. The bears are a different story. We have been told to sing or whistle loudly, travel in groups, and if all else fails, throw away your back pack as a diversion, then lay flat on the ground and play dead.
7/17/09 -News update. We drove over to St. David's this morning. We were met by church member, Mr. Hinsler who told us that they were waiting for a permit to build a 2-hour fire wall. Our focus then switched to landscaping and community garden construction. We ordered a backhoe to help us prepare the site for the garden. Our group hit the floor running! We proceeded to pick up and move 5,000,000 rocks from the construction site to the new parking area for an erosion control containment wall. The rocks were rounded river rocks, some resembling perfect dinosaur eggs while others seemed more boulder-like. It is our belief that the rocks were rounded and deposited by glaciers. Bette pocketed a few for her yard in Berryville. Look out, American Airlines, that will be one heavy bag! We worked from 10 am until around 4pm. It was such a beautiful day that the lake was our next destination. Canoeing, paddle boating and for the very daring, swimming in the refreshingly COLD lake. Much fun was had by all!
