After the Trip! TWB Reflections

TWB Reflections

"This trip will give you friends for a lifetime and teach you a lot about the person you are." - Mackenzi Clemmons (Hallsboro, NC)


"Truly the time of my life through the ups and downs, I wouldn't trade it for the world." - Taylor Lankford (Gastonia, NC)


"This trip is one of the most amazing experiences you'll ever have." - Jonas Boyd (Snow Camp, NC)


"This trip teaches you who you are while seeing God's beautiful creation." - Taylor Boone (Lincolnton, NC)


"This trip truly does give you the friends of a lifetime." - Winter Dixon (Reidsville, NC)


"If you have the opportunity to go on this trip don't write it off as too long, scary, or hard because it will provide you so many amazing and unforgettable friendships and experiences." - Lillian Harris (Mooresville, NC)


"You are going to meet some amazing people, learn and grow in so many ways, and have so much fun!" - Blythe Jaworsky (Denver, NC)


"I never truly had an appreciation for how my dad saw life until I sat in the Chapel of Transfiguration and felt what he felt." - Driggs Mitchell (Clover, NC)


"TWB has taught me so much, from appreciating everyone and everything around me, tp ;earning to live freely and make the best of every moment!" - Sienna Rush (Denver, NC)


"Teens Westward Bound is life changing and you will not regret going out West!" - Garrett Johnson (Gastonia, NC)


"This trip really brought me out of my shell and I've seen places I would have never seen otherwise." - Piper Tobin (Belmont, NC)


"Be yourself and be ready to make friends for a lifetime. It's a life changing opportunity." - Cadence Lane (Mooresville, NC)


"TWB helped me discover who I truly am and pushed me out of my comfort zone like never before, exploring God's creation with my new forever family." - Emma Daniels (Stallings, NC)


"I had a great time on TWB. It opened my eyes to a bunch of new things and people." - Davis Spargo (Gastonia, NC)


"I never thought I'd make this many friends, and have them all be awesome." - Mitchell Faurote (Jamestown, NC)


"It's been absolutely amazing. I am so glad I got to come on this trip and meeting all of these amazing people." - Ava Pelter (Raleigh, NC)


"An experience that makes you grateful, loved, and proud to be an American!" - Megan Byrd (Clarkton, NC)


"These moments are going to be some of the best of your life, don't take them for granted." - Kendall Bynum (Mount Holly, NC)


"In just 23 days you will see so much of God's beautiful creation with the kindest, funniest people." - Kira Dugdell (Raleigh, NC)


"Finding peace out west." - Thomas Price (Columbia, SC)


"Although things can go wrong the positives always overlap the negatives and it makes the trip so much better." - Quinn McClelland (Gastonia, NC)


"For every 1 negative about TWB, experience the 10 positives." - Sarah Nessel (Rockingham, NC)


"It is crazy how close you can get with people in only 23 days and I am so thankful I get to experience this." - Reese Sinclair (Concord, NC)


"Eye opening and easily the best 3 weeks of my life." - Will Kampmeyer (Gastonia, NC)


"If I could do it again I would in a hearbeat." - Kaela Smith (Stanley, NC)


"Met people I'll never forget, I've never been closer to anyone as fast as on this trip. It's worth it!" - MaryElla Griffin (Mooresville, NC)


"The ups and downs on the trip showed me I can get through anything." - Jamey Hall (Greenville, NC)


"Taking on the Teens Westward Bound experience was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself because I got the privilege of seeing and learning so much." - Baker Sumner (Mount Olive, NC)


"I think that this has been a great experience. I love the friends that I've made, and the memories." - Reagan Lynch (Fort Mill, SC)


"'Soak it in!!' You'll hear it a lot you'll go crazy but it's extremely true. Or as Mattie sad, 'Be where your feet are!'" - Mara Eisenhoth (Belmont, NC)


"The experience is dependent almost entirely on who you make friends with and how many you make." - Luke Andrews (Gastonia, NC)


"My experience on TWB has been enlightening. I've learned who I want to be. And perhaps more importantly, who I don't want to be." - Logan Haskins (Gastonia, NC)


"This trip has taught me things I will carry for the rest of my life, truly the experience of a lifetime." - Ruth Perry (Troy, OH)


"Thank you TWB for helping me realize how precious life is and showing me God's beautiful creation." - Ella Queen (Gastonia, NC)


"TWB has been very challenging but has taught me so many life lessons and things about myself." - Dalaney Mitchell (Mayodan, NC)


"TWB was much harder than I thought, but it taught me so much and I made so many friends." - Meg Larson (Raleigh, NC)


"Really made me appreciate life and the people around me who love and support me." - Claire Cantrell (Chapel Hill, NC)


"I've met some people that I'll know for the rest of my life and I can't believe I was considering staying home." - Denver Lamb (Mount Holly, NC)


"It is an amazing experience but it should only start your life for more adventures." - Kory Grossman (Gastonia, NC)


"The experience will out weight all of your doubts." - Calee Childers (Union, SC)


"It was an amazing opportunity to explore the US and make lifelong friends!" - Kate Miller (Gastonia, NC)


"Enjoy every moment you have, including long bus rides because it won't last forever." - Hannah Bauer (Gastonia, NC)


"It was the trip of a lifetime and I would not trade this for anything." - Riley Ashley (Harrisburg, NC)


"It is the most unique thing anyone will ever do." - Joe Ackerson (Raleigh, NC)


"It is an amazing opportunity and really once in a lifetime experience." - Emma Plonk (Sherrills Ford, NC)


"Very fun and a life changing experience." - Cooper Davis (Davidson, NC)


"This trip has shown me how to appreciate what I have and proved to me that with determination, I can get through anything." - Allison Arp (Clarkton, NC)


"Best experience of my life, although I wished it lasted forever!" - Ryan Conrad (Lincolnton, NC)


"The most life changing experience ever imagined" - Max McGee (Greenwood, SC)


"The most life changing 23 day journey imaginable" - Jack Rogers (Madison, NC)


"TWB is truly a trip of a lifetime. Exploring my country and Gods creations is an unimaginable experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world." - Cooper Payne (Mount Holly, NC)


"Never met so many friends in a short period of time" - Will Washington (Gastonia, NC)


"There are simply no words to describe it." - Kat Powers (Huntersville, NC)


"I learned how to let go and be myself" - Kaitlyn Ledford (Belmont, NC)


"TWB is a life changing, you get to experience America's beauty and meet a life long family" - Renna Linn (Salisbury, NC)


"TWB has been a great experience adn I have chaned as a person for the better. Glory to God!" - Bayleigh Hoell (Gastonia, NC)


"TWB was very perspective changing. It makes you realize whats important and not take it for granted." - Abby Houser (Mount Holly, NC)


"All the sights you see on TWB are absolutely amazing but the best part about this trip is the people you experience it with." - Charley Walsh (Burlington, NC)


"Absolutely life changing, best experience ever." - Samantha Barnes (Laurel Hill, NC)


"TWB is life changing." - Field Thurmond (Aiken, SC)


"TWB was a wonderful experience and I have made so many friends and memories" - Violet Lucas (Mooresville, NC)


"Stay positive through the hard times cause it does get better." - Macy Crum (Mooresville, NC)


"The trip of a lifetime, I will remember this forever" - Garrick Spake (Stanley, NC)


"This has changed my view on life and who I am today in a good way." - Betsy Taylor (Eden, NC)


"Embracing the gifts God gave to me during TWB has changed my life." - Manny Price (Charlotte, NC)


"I saw most of the amazing places on this trip[ and made tons of lifetime friendships that will change my life forever!" - Grayson Smith (Delco, NC)


"I loved the conversations with our new friends and how close we got." - Addi Jones (Lexington, SC)


"Eye opening and truly shows you what you're missing staying at home in bed." - Zoe Valdez (Charlotte, NC)






Day 23- Return

Day 23-HOME

Hi!!!! After 23 long days we are headed back to Mallard Creek! The past three weeks we have discovered that this land is ours all the way from California back to the Carolinas! We have made new friends, memories, and spent wayyyyy too much money and are excited and sad to come home. However, nothing can compare to the joy that is ours today. (See what we did there Grant!) We are returning as better people with new perspectives on life. Live today and never let the moment pass you by. We know that life is short and we want to capture every moment along the way. We've laughed, and cried, but through it all learned more about ourselves and each other. Today, as we signed each others shirts (please don't wash it mom), and reflect on the last 23 days in the sheetz lobby. We realize that this experience is a gift and all we need is each other...and possibly some real food.


































A special thanks goes to Grant, our trip director, and the best TWB staff in the history of the universe. Thank you V, Maddi, Ashley, Griffin, and Justin for giving your all each day to make this experience life changing. And thank you parents for sending us all the way across the country! We had the time of our lives and now we all have 86 new best friends for forever!!!! - Grumpys!!!!


"Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine
A million tomorrows shall all pass away
'Ere I forget all the joy that is ours, Today"

We had the best 23 days that one could ever wish for. Each and everyone of you mean the world to us, and we will always be here for you. Embrace life and run with it! You are all going to do amazing things in life. We love you! 
- Ms. V, Maddi, Ashley, Griffin, Justin, and Grant (of course!)

We want to leave you and your families with a special quote, "Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller." 

Day 21- St. Louis

Day 21: St. Louis

Meh. Good morning sleepyheads. This is the Grumpy group: Kory, Violet, Abby, Manny, Davis, Sarah, Riley, Ryan, Calee, Megan, Emma, Jonas, and Kaitlyn. We were rudely awakened this morning at the crack of dawn to get on the bus and sleep our way to St. Louis. The state of Missouri welcomed us with bugs and humidity. Ugh! Last night all of us were visited by some rabid raccoons. Kory and Thomas luckily fought them off and protected our camping grounds. Thats it for the morning.



Our lovely campsite full of bugs.

#TWIN



Dr. Pepper Cotton Candy is an interesting choice. Meh.


Looking at the blog, not kicked out.



#Always eating
grandma Grayson
#Sheisacook


#Anotherdangpicture

Bashfuls

The best group (Grumpys)

Dopeys

Sleepys

Happys

Sneezy/Sleezys


Thank goodness we are not in the land of Dorothy and Todo anymore. After leaving Kansas State University, we had what felt like the longest drive to get to the Gateway Arch. We took an egg ride up to the top of the Arch. Some of us that weren't the biggest fans of tight spaces and heights did not enjoy the Arch. 



4footdoor



at the top!






In the egg


another egg


looking at the view

Arch!
ME! -Violet






















We arrived to the campsite and had a very tiring balloon race. After this, we talked about our night and then split up for jobs. Finishing our sit-down meals with a gourmet pasta dinner. Then, we had a sing along and laid down for a good rest. Goodnight- well I guess.   
- Grumpos