The flights were very long and very tiring.

Thank you to all those involved in getting this programme to work, especially Gillian, Iain, Liz, Derek, Sue and Ceci, and all those at the Yosemite Institute. The kids have certainly made this trip such a memorable two weeks.  Thank you everyone!!

We went to Alcatraz this morning. We counted 21 students on to the boat, and 21 off again, so I suppose that can be described as a success.

The best bit was being able to hear about the attempted escapes, seeing the holes in the floor from the granades during a riot, and looking the convicts in the face (even if it was only photos). We all went into the cells to find out what it felt like, and which was scary and sinister.

It was amazing to think that people were held in the jail longer than we have been alive, and it was also unbelievable that people grew up on the island too.

It was a shame that we couldn’t leave the students behind, but the money you paid us to do it just wasn’t enough! Better luck next time in getting rid of them.

We’re off out tonight for dinner in Hard Rock Cafe, then leaving at 5am tomorrow morning to come home.

Put the kettle on for lunchtime on Tuesday, I’ll call the school from Edinburgh Airport to let us know a closer eta.

After most of the money was spent (and requests were made for more shopping time tomorrow), we made our way to AT&T Park for the baseball.

Giants v Dodgers……

It was a slow starting game, which gave us all a chance to watch the other in-house entertainment in the form of hot-dog bars, shops, big foam hands and arrests (but not of any of our wonderful group). As the game went on, Dunbar became more and more committed to the Giants, and by the 7th innings were leading the chants, which obviously was the real reason behind the 5 - 2 win. Great banter, our name up on the big screen, lots of shouting, and lots and lots of junk food. All in, a great night!

Apparently, they got a loud cheer from all the crowd.

This morning, we packed up the School ready for the next part of our trip to San Fran.

Brett kindly arranged for our luggage to be taken to the bus station for us, and as we were all walking to follow it, a bear popped up to say “Goodbye” from Yosemite.  It ran across the playing fields outside the school, then posed for photos, as you can see.

It made the trip complete, as it had still only been the staff who had seen a real bear, and not just scratches on a tree!

We have now made it safely to San Francisco, and have had a great evening soaking up the party atmosphere.  This was topped off by a fireworks display over the water, which we were able to watch from outside our Youth Hostel.  It was the best fireworks display I have ever seen, and with my pyrotechnics interests, I should know!! Stenton have a lot to live up to next year!!!

 After all the excitment and exhaustion of the last few days, we all took it easy, and all of us ended up relaxing in the pool.

We’ve got a few sunburnt, but other than that they are all still doing great!!

Last night, we all sat under the stars for the last time, enjoying the sounds and the sights of Yosemite…. I am sure that many people in this group will be back!

 The bus journey will be our one last view of everything around us…. for now

Andy piped us through Yosemite Village, and we ended up with people following our Scottish procession, thinking we must be important people if we had a piper and lots of flags!!

 Thanks very much to Ceci and Brett for having us, both at their house, and at the school.  We really appreciate the hospitality.  (And thanks for the pizzas the other night too!!!)

To keep this short and sweet, Team Chaos (Jack, Liam, Luke, Mairi, Lily, Linzi, Iona, Kelly, Laura, Liz, Iain and myself), so named by Luke Triscott, had a real experience hiking. Personally I’m a little sad to leave the mountains of Yosemite, but really glad it’s over.

Day 1: We hiked 6 miles to camp in Glen Aulan

Day 2: 3 miles each way to Waterwheel Falls

Day 3: Back to the bus.

3 days without a shower provided many greasy hairs - but also many happy campers. The real amazing part for me was sleeping under the stars, and I’m sure many will agree. I was genuinley surprised by my lack of exhaustion, and so proud of every single member of the Team for making it (I’m looking at you Laura, with your twisted knee.) I could go on about the stunning views and incredible experiences but I’m sure you’ll all see many a photo and hear many a story from your own kids. So, instead, I’ll share some of the priceless banter that kept me going over the past few days (as it is easily forgotten):

Kelly: “Where’s the moon?”
Laura: “Oh, didn’t you know there is no moon in this country?”
Kelly: “Shut up.”

I had stuck a mosquito into my journal with Prit Stik (as a warning to all other flaming mosquitos) when Kelly, being deadly serious, pipes up:
“All you need now is an ant… oh and a bear feather.”

Luke also genuinley brightened up my hike with his stream of utterly garbage conversation. Quotes were known to be told from Anchor Man, Family Guy, and The Lord of the Rings - to name but a few. Both brilliant and hillarious, however cannot be repeated online.

Anyway, I was asked by one of our guides Betsy to think about 3 reasons to come back hiking. The most important to me were

1. The amazing sense of achievement hiking brings (often allowing you to forget the pain you’ve suffered to get there.)
2. Incredible views - especially waking up in the middle of a mountain (Jack found this in particular).
3. Sleeping under the stars is simply beautiful and worth every step you take.

I will finish off with a riddle our other tourguide Dan told us - just to drive you crazy.
A man rides into a castle on Sunday, stays for 6 days, and rides out on Sunday. How can that be?

Thanks for reading
(Mum, love you, see you soon.)

Molly
Proud member of Team Chaos.

The grass was our floor, the mountains our walls, the sky our ceiling; the trees,the rivers and the animals our teachers. Yosemite was our classroom with so many lessons to learn. Jordan Kerr, Mary McIntyre, Megan McArthur,Laura Blyth, Eilidh Anderson, Eilidh Wood, Ellen Wilson, Charlie Wilson, Nick Knaggs, Andy Badger, Alice Clubb, Gillian Williams and myself set out on an adventure to follow in the footsteps of John Muir.

The trip was tiring and challenging with undescribable rewards. During the hike,with our mountain like rucksacks and layers of lotions and potions, we took part in a spirit walk. Our wacky but fabulous guides Mark and Nicky gave us the chance to walk on our own and embrace our surroundings.

To start…the scenery was almost overwelming. It was so different from the world we live in today. The colours where fresher, the water was clearer and the sounds where not hidden by moving cars and technology. It really made us appreciate the beauty of such places as Belhaven Beach and John Muir Country Park and how lucky we are to have these. The spirit walk gave us the chance to think, but what some people liked most was not having to think at all and having the chance to escape.

Being in Yosemite opens up your senses and is an amazing place to look at externally but a great oppertunity to look at yourself internally. The group was asked to describe what they would take away from this trip: Pride, appreciation, respect, a sence of achivement and excitement to share where only a few of the amazing things the group had to share. And each individual became part of a team which together embraced qualities such as respect, co-operation, compassion, patience, ambition and motivation. I’d just like to say thanks to Nicky and Mark on behalf of D³ and to Alice for giving us this once in a life time opportunity and well done to D³ you seriously rocked my socks!!

Life is not without living
For God put us on Earth to live not to exist
So love pure
Follow your dreams
Listen to your heart
And one day
Reach for the stars
Jordan Kerr

The Future Belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Rossevelt

We all sit down to meals together, in a room which acts as our dinning room, bedroom and lounge.

I thought some of you might want to see where we’re at. 

It may not look glamorous to you… but it’s much more comfortable than we’ll be getting tomorrow night.