Day 8: Fishing in Hope and Hiking to Gull Rock

Today we went to Hope, where we had the choice to either fish or go hiking. We started our day at the Ed Center, like every other day. It was funny to see how many people brought pillows and blankets for the ride. After everyone changed their shoes, got their backpacks and the bus was loaded up, we got on the bus. We finally started our 2 1/2 hour bus ride to Hope.  The ride seemed like forever because Kili N' Friends (Kili, Nick, Janely, Jasmin and Chantz) were really loud laughing, talking and even singing. You could tell everyone just wanted to sleep.

We finally got there and everyone had to help set everything up. We had lunch then the hikers left, the people fishing got their gear on and went out. People were catching fish left and right. Some people even  maxed out their fishing limit. After awhile of fishing some kids started to clean, fillet and vacuum seal the fish they caught. Everyone came back and started to roast hotdogs for dinner. While people were waiting to eat, a group gathered in a circle and started playing the game "Big Booty" that we learned the first day. Of course someone just had to join in the game, none other than the first Big Booty, our teacher Ben. The circle got bigger and bigger. After dinner everyone started making their s'mores. Not long after it was time to clean everything to pack up and go. It was again a long bus ride back to Anchorage, but the day was finally over and it was good to go home to sleep.

Once the hikers got to the trail we packed up and got ready to go. Once we started the hike I didn't think it was going to be that bad, but it was one little trail so we all had to play follow the leader and hike. The hike was nice, especially when we got to Gull Rock. It was the hike back that killed me because I could feel every nerve in my feet just aching. Even though we had 9 hikers, it was nice and peaceful and quiet. I heard we were the second group to make it all the way and once I heard that I felt accomplished.

I really liked the hike, but the trail got to get steeper and steeper. I mean, one false step and you could be falling a couple stories. We made really good time, too, because we bareley took any breaks. The only breaks we took were just to drink some water and catch our breath. If I were going to hike this again I would bring a tent because we found the perfect camping spot. It was just beautiful, standing there looking out at the ocean. Once we got back we had some hotdogs and s'mores and we got to talk and hangout, but when we packed up and left everyone on the bus just passed out.