Day 7- Las Vegas

Day 7: VIVA LAS 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.) However, many of us CHOSE to wake up at 4:15 AM to go see one more Grand Canyon SUNRISE! NEWS FLASH...It was even more gorgeous than the morning before. Although we were tired, it was sooooooooooooooooo worth it!!

Soaking in one last Grand Canyon sunrise...







All of the counselors joined us for the sunrise!

Dopeysssss (us), the bloggers!!

Back to the campsite we go, us Dopey's are working on the blog!

GRUMPYS, the amazing cooks!! (They work so hard around the hard times)





Sleepysssss, The bus packers (Pretty sure they were still tired when throwing our stuff on the bus...)

WILLLLLLLLL

Sneezys, the bus cleaners!!


YUMMM!! Enjoying some great breakfast, made by the cooks

All smiles for french toast and sausage ;)

Wally World!!!!

USA! Even in Wally World.

Sleep CAM!!!........


Garrick

Blythe

HERE WE GO!!!! VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!

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 a lot of singing and dancing - so fun! 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! Many of us had very interesting experiences that will forever be in our memories. We can now say that we have been to Vegas! 

Adding Nevada to our travels!!

Family photo in Caesar's Palace


"STAY HYDRATED." -the counselors

To avoid the curfew for minors, we made it to the bowling alley in the Golden Coast hotel by 9 PM. This was a very fun bowling experience and the competition was heavy!





Today was Samantha's BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!



Bowling ;).

Daniel...Is it heavy??!!



WHAZZUP BLOGGGGGG




After bowling, we headed back to the bus and vans with ACHING feet and exhausted bodies. (Vegas was 112 degrees, but so much fun). (We just conquered the Grand Canyon and the roads of Vegas!) After this, 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.  :(. WE LOVE YOU!





Participants words from the Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon Quotes



"Such a breathtaking place, I can't wait to show my mom all of the pictures" -Bayleigh Hoell, Gastonia, NC

"Such a surreal feeling of actually seeing the Canyon in person, will never forget it!"- Charley Walsh, Burlington, NC

"The Grand Canyon was one of the best things I have seen.  At first it was not what I expected but really beautiful" -Braylen Caputo, Concord, NC

"The Grand Canyon was the best view I've seen and the coolest hike I've done." - Will Washington, Gastonia, NC

"The Grand Canyon was truly the most breathtaking view that i have ever witnessed." - Garrick Spake, Stanley, NC

"The Grand Canyon was so beautiful. Every time I looked at it, it felt like I was looking at a green screen for a movie"- Allison Arp, Whiteville, NC

"The Grand Canyon was an otherworldly experience that I'll never forget."- Jack Rogers, Madison, NC

"It was so beautiful, it looked like a green screen!" Addi Jones, Lexington, SC 


"The Grand Canyon was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, words nor pictures will ever describe!" - Dalaney Mitchell, Mayodan, NC

"The Grand Canyon was so pretty and so big. I have never seen something so magical in my whole life" 
- Cadence Lane, Mooresville, NC 

"They said there were no words to describe the Grand Canyon, and I did not believe them until i saw it for myself." 
-Grayson Smith, Delco, NC

"Pictures do not show what the Grand Canyon actually looks like, it's beautiful and not just a straight hole, and it has the very best sunset and sunrises!!!"
- Ava McGinnis, Rockwell, NC

" I cant believe any other natural land form that could be more cooler than this."
- Dezmond Massey, Fort mill SC

"The Grand Canyon was the most incredible view i've ever seen. Especially at sunset"
-Mitchell Faurote, Jamestown, NC

"Seeing the Grand Canyon was actually unreal. The pictures do not do it enough justice whatsoever."
- Amelia Pinnix, Reidsville, NC

" The Grand Canyon is such a breath taking view and will always be on of my favorite places to see."
-Emma Plonk, Sherrills Ford, NC

"The vast beauty of the Grand Canyon is unfathomable."
-Baker Sumner

"The Grand Canyon was the most surreal thing I have ever seen."
-Reese Sinclair, Concord, NC

"The Grand Canyon was unreal and pictures don't even compare to seeing the real thing."
-Cooper Davis, Davidson, NC

"The Grand Canyon has the prettiest sunrises and sunsets."
- Sienna Rush, Denver, NC

"The sun rise was so beautiful I had to surrender my chance to sleep in so I could see it one more time."
- Lillian Harrus, Mooresville, NC

"Good boots are the key to happiness."
-Will Kampmeyer

"Grand does not even begin to describe it"
- Logan Haskins, Gastonia, NC

"Pretty poggers ngl"
-Noah (Kat) Powers, Huntersville, NC

"I stole a rock from there, hope it all goes well (for legal reasons this is a joke)."
-Taylor Lankford, Gastonia, NC

"Best sleep on the trip so far."
-Denver Lamb, Mt. Holly, NC

"6 miles in the Grand Canyon was the most rewarding hike ever."
-Claire Bankston, Gastonia, NC

"Still not convince it wasn't a green screen"
-Betsy Taylor. Eden, NC

"The Grand Canyon is so unbelievably beautiful I couldn't stop from tearing up the first time I saw it."
-Ruth Perry, Troy, OH

"Seeing the sunset was a once in a lifetime experience."
- Meg Larson, Raleigh, NC

"The Grand Canyon was a breathtaking example of God's beautiful creations here throughout the United States, and is just one of the phenomenal places we get to see on this trip."
- Cooper Payne, Mount Holly, NC

"Telling people we hiked rim to rim (AKA six miles)" - Mattie Queen, Gastonia, NC 

"They were right, words and pictures will never amount to the beauty that can be seen in person... i am still in awe. " -Abby Houser, Mount Holly, NC 

"The best view, with the best people!"-Kaitlyn Ledford, Belmont, NC

"It was so amazing to see, it didn't look real! I am so glad I got to see it with my friends!" -Ava Pelter, Raleigh, NC

"I like how it was a canyon." (Thumbs up)
-Driggs Mitchell (aka BBL Driggsy) York SC

"Thats one big ditch" - Jonas Boyd, Snow Camp NC

"I couldn't believe my eyes, it's truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen."
-Kaela Smith, Stanley NC

"I went down the canyon and realized I had to come back up" 
-Ryan Conrad, Lincolnton NC

"Most beautiful place in the world! Happy to say I've seen it twice and it is just as amazing both times."
-Riley Ashley, Harrisburg NC

"I loved it and it was the most majestic, aesthetic, athletic, and exotic place I have ever been to, the sunrise and sunset were absolutely breathtaking, just like my gf." -Davis Spargo, Gastonia, NC.

"A lapse I will retrieve in my memory bank and thank our creator for. Appreciation for a time of deep reflection. - Manny Price, Charlotte, NC.

" I got lost and it took three hours to get back to camp, overall it was the most gorgeous thing I've ever laid my eyes on. Rating 6.5/10" - Kory Grossman, Gastonia, NC.


"The camelback aint gonna suck itself. Drink your water"- Violet Lucas, Mooresville NC

"The grand canyon was breathtaking, literally."- Megan Byrd, Clarkton, NC

" Every time I saw the canyon I gasped at how gorgeous it was". Calee Childers, Union, SC

"Seeing the canyon for the first time took my breath away." - Sarah Nessell, Rockingham, NC

"It was indescribable and all I could do was stand in awe of God's beautiful creation." - Emma Daniels, Stallings, NC

"It was so breathtaking that I thought it was fake." - Joe Ackerson, Raleigh, Nc

"It was very pretty and worth the hike to see" - Piper Tobin, Belmont, NC

"It was an amazing experience i'm so glad I had it with these people. Most beautiful thing i've ever seen" -Maryella Griffin, Mooresville, NC.

"I actually couldn't believe we were there. V told us all about it and how beautiful it was. It didn't disappoint. I can't wait to go back." - Blythe Jaworsky, Denver, NC. 

"It's incredible to think that God created the stunning Grand Canyon, and thought the world needed one of you too...Also,  I HIKED THE GRAND CANYON!!!! -Renna-Davis Linn, Granite Quarry, NC

"Yo, we are in one massive ditch! How amazing is our God."- Max McGee, Greenwood, SC

"Holy crap, this is absolutely beautiful. I can't believe I'm actually here!" - Mackenzi Clemmons, Hallsboro, NC 

You know that canyon was quite grand, also one of the most beautiful sights i have ever seen. - Daniel Mitchell, Charlotte NC

"That john was mid, big dogs eat, little crying puppies sit on the front porch." -Thomas Price, Columbia SC.

"I've always thought the canyon was spectacular, but seeing the sunset over it is even more beautiful" - Luke, Cramerton NC

"The canyon was so beautiful it was hard to believe it was real, it looked like a green screen. You could never get used to the view."- Kira Dugdell, Raleigh NC

"I was more scared of the rabid squirrels then falling in the canyon." - Ella Queen, Gastonia NC

"It felt like I was looking at a green screen and I couldn't believe I was there. Just seeing it was amazing but hiking it with my new friends was even better! - Kendall Bynum, Mount Holly NC

" The canyon took my breath away! i could not of ever imagined how incredible it would be looking up after we hiked down!- Macy Crum, Mooresville NC

"I was always told the canyon was huge and holy! it very much was it was so wide it didn't look real!
-Nolan Buda, Mooresville NC

"It was like looking at a green screen, it was so unreal but so beautiful! I could not believe what I was looking at." - Winter Dixon, Reidsville NC

"When someone says they don't have words to describe the Grand Canyon, believe them" - Hannah Bauer, Belmont NC 

Day 6- The Grand Canyon

Day 6: Grand Canyon

Hey everyone! Today everyone woke up when the stars were still out at a brisk 4:00 in the morning, but we all were so happy because it meant that we got to hike 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. There were 3 hiking options- 1 mile, 3 miles, and 6 miles! There was such a variation of what hike people chose to do. The sun began to rise as we were headed towards the hike! We also ate breakfast on the way! We all had some yummy bagels! The easy part was going down, going back up was the challenge! 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. Every step was worth while with the breathtaking views all around us. Today we learned what true teamwork was along with never leaving anyone behind! It is something that the TWB participants will never forget!

The 3 mile group ready to take on the canyon! We were all super excited!
The 1 mile group was so ready for the beautiful views!

The group posing in front of the Bright Angel Trailhead! The sunrise made the picture!

The breathtaking views of the Canyon! Pictures will never do it justice!

The 6 milers ready for their long hike!

Once we were in the Canyon, we stopped for many pictures!

...and more pictures!

2 miles down for the 6 milers!

Manny striking a pose at the bottom of their hike!

...and Taylor...

...and Claire...

...and Will...

...and Daniel...

...and the rest of the 6 mile gang!!

6 miler group heading back to the campsite post hike!



After the canyon... we ran to SHOWERS AND LAUNDRY!

LAUNDRY TIME!!!
YAYY for clean clothes!

The best bus driver ever, Boyce, helping with laundry!

Thomas and Field waiting for their clothes to dry!

Charley and Emma folding their clean clothes for the next week!

Making friendship bracelets while waiting for our laundry!





We can't forget the DEATON STEW - oh my goodness, this mixture of whatever is heavenly.

V and Grant with Ranger Dave... he loved the stew too!!

A lot of work goes into preparing the famous stew!

The cooks helping set up!

Posing with our new friend, the park ranger!

We finally got to call home for the first time, many happy tears!!

So many emotions!

Shopping time at the Grand Canyon!!


Time for a SING ALONG!

Our musicians doing a little practice before the sing along!


Time for research presentations! Samantha is up first!- San Antonio

Next up is Jonas!- The Alamo

Next is Kendall!!- The River walk

Megan is up!- Texas

Braylen is ready!- Schreiner University

Now we have Macy!- Carlsbad Caverns

Kiera presenting!- New Mexico

Emma giving all the information on her research!- New Mexico Military Institute

Mara presenting on the UFO's!

Blythe giving her presentation of the Grand Canyon!

Last but not least, Cadence presenting her research!- Arizona

We ended the night with more singing and a team meeting going over the next few days!!


We all got to call home, which was the highlight of many peoples day today! Not being able to call home for 6 days was super hard, but we pushed through! We get to call home very few days for the rest of the trip! A little over 2 weeks left! 

Today was also the first day we were able to do laundry (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). We spent another night under the stars, many in hammocks and others in sleeping bag, it was pretty cold, actually colder than many were expecting! As we all drifted off to sleep we were excited for tomorrow’s Vegas trip.