The End of My Trip

Photo: Bridget Wilson
The waves rolling in just off the coast of the Torrey Pines State Reserve.

The Alternative Spring Breakers have officially returned to the frigid north. I have to say it was quite a rude awakening when we landed in Denver and the runway was lined with snow plows and we could see our breath as soon as we stepped off the plane, especially since we had been lying in the sun on a beach just about five hours prior. I guess all we will have now are the images of the San Diego sun to keep us warm until summer eventually comes to Wyoming.

But the purpose of this blog is not to talk about Wyoming’s freezing temperatures, but rather to wrap up my week in San Diego. It was somewhat of a long and exhausting week and yet it seemed like it went by all too quickly. I can honestly say I have never had an experience like the one I had this last week. Taking a trip across the country with a group of people I did not know and spending my spring break volunteering. It was definitely an experience I was not prepared for. We knew we would be spending the week getting to know each other while working out in the hot sun to restore state and county parks, something I had never imagined myself doing. Still, I think getting on the bus at 3 a.m. that first Saturday morning made us all wonder what we were really getting ourselves into.

It was definitely a week of hard work. I have had strength-training workouts that did not leave my muscles as sore as my week of digging holes and lifting rocks did. Physical attributes aside, I feel like I gained much more this week. First off, I understand how much patience volunteer work requires. I now understand you cannot expect to go in, knock a project out, and then be done with it. For example, replanting the native species in Border Field Park required a great deal of patience and care on our part. It was not just something we could rush in and do; it took more than that to complete the job. We had to work together bit by bit to help restore a part of Border Field Park. We re-planted over one hundred trees while in the park and helped to install half of the multi-sensory trail. I wish we could be there to see the rest of the trail panning out, but it is nice to know we at least helped it get off the ground.

Never have I ended a spring break so proud of what I accomplished over my time-off. I mean, I have never been one to go to Cabo San Lucas and get crazy, but this was still far from my normal break. With the exception of one trip to Vegas last year, the rest of my spring breaks were spent in the comfort of my own home. I have to say, it is a refreshing feeling to walk away from a break where I accomplished so much.

Well friends, I am sad to say this will most likely be my final blog entry seeing as how the trip is now over. I want to thank you for letting me give you a glimpse of what San Diego life is like and for letting me share my experiences with you this past week. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have and hope you are all well rested to finish out these next few weeks!

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