My church’s youth group went to Turkey Run State Park. The trip had been planned for almost three months now. A big sign-up sheet was posted in the main lobby of the church on a huge bulletin board. The best part was that we were encouraged to take friends from outside of the church function as a way to help the church grow. When the deadline to sign up came, we had 40 plus people on board and I didn’t even know who I was taking.

I live a very chaotic, busy lifestyle. I move from one sport to the next. Therefore, my family seems to fill me in last minute. As soon as I was told I could take a friend, I wanted to take my boyfriend. However, apparently my dad thinks I need to make more friends, funny thing right? I texted Logan right away and gave her the scoop. She had a driver’s training practice drive scheduled for Sunday, so I wished her luck and moved on down the line. I texted Olivia next, anxious for an answer. She also had plans, family plans. A little upset, I waited until the next day to send out another invite. I texted my other friend Malley with my spirit in high hopes that I wouldn’t get turned down again. She was grateful for the invite and told me she would ask and let me know as soon as her mom returned home from work. Malley texted me late that night informing me that her grandparents from Florida were coming up to visit, and she was unable to go with me. Two days before the trip, Friday, Logan called back and told me her drive was rescheduled. I finally had an acquaintance for the trip and didn’t have to be a third wheel! With excitement, I speedily texted Logan all the details.

Sunday came and we left bright and early from the church at 7:30. Of course with my luck I got the luxury of helping the youth pastor load all the food, coolers, and equipment onto the two mini buses. The youth pastor provided doughnuts, so I guess it was worth it. After loading all the gear and taking a quick head count, we boarded the bus. Even though Logan and I hadn’t seen each other in what seemed like forever, we talked the whole time, there and back! I mentioned how weird all the boys in our school seem to be, and that topic seemed to last for hours. I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt and I couldn’t breathe!

We arrived at the park around 9:30 and were allowed an hour or so to explore before our small service. A group of four girls and I found a grown up, weedy trail and decided to really exaggerate our instructions to “explore.” I led the pack, providing entertainment to the girls behind me as I “tripped on lady bugs” and such. I walked down a short path to another path which was actually made for the electric poles and lines that were located there. My path led up to one of the many park roads. I walked only a few steps before finding a horse trail to follow. I wasn’t sure I knew exactly where I was, and not until Megan pulled out a map did I realize I don’t know how to read a map! On the bright side I found a large bathhouse compared to the small, one person bathroom located closest to our reserved campsite at Newby Gulch.

After a short “potty break,” as my parents call it, I led the girls back to camp. I may have trampled a few thorn bushes, but we made it! The youth pastor then led us in song and a short service followed. Note to self, don’t pick the seat closest to the fire for the whole sermon. I couldn’t help to laugh when Logan and I were squirming around during song because our backsides were practically on fire! The boys must have thought we were crazy, but they should have figured that out a long time ago. Meanwhile, my parents were in charge of grilling hamburgers and hot dogs that we would soon eat for lunch after the sermon.

Lunch time rolled around and we had a lengthy, talkative lunch. I ate and was pumped to go hiking. Almost everyone decided that we were going to hike Trail 3, the most rugged trail at the park. I was most certainly up for the “challenge.” I had been to the park with my family many of times and I’m quite familiar with the area. The girls and I totally out lasted the boys, who decided quickly that they were going back to camp to play football after Trail 3. The suspension bridge is always my favorite, it moves with every little step. I climbed up ladders, rocks, balanced on rocks to walk across streams, and walked up never ending uphill routes while trying to keep a balance between cold and sweaty. Yuck!

The boys tuckered out while the youth pastor, Jason, my dad, the girls, and I all hiked Trail 2. Logan, my sister, and I found a steep hill close to our camp and tried to climb down it. It became more of a slide when the leaves swept my sister down the hill on her then muddied butt. I wandered down the stream and held back my temptation to start singing “Over the River and Through the Woods.” After staring for a few minutes at some minnows, I thought we should probably mark where we came down the hill. To no surprise, I couldn’t find it. I found what the girls and I thought was it and tried climbing it. It was definitely not our trail, but it sure was a lot more fun. I learned the hard way, as usual, that if I stand in one spot for a second too long or make a risky move, the leaves slip right out from under your feet! Before long I found myself on my stomach grasping a sapling just within my reach. I laughed so hard that I couldn’t seem to pull myself up until I stopped my giggling. I did finally reach the top after a long struggle.

Finally, the time came to go horseback riding. I’ve always liked horses, especially riding them. The guide selected our horses for us according to our size and age. I was put on a brown horse named Spike. The guide told me that Spike was her old guy and that all I should have to do is sit there. “Oh joy,” I thought to myself. Who wants to just sit on a horse for an hour without getting to pull the reigns or give a little kick from your stirrups? Anyway, Spike and I managed fine for the long trip.

We arrived back at the saddle barn where I dismounted and “cowboy walked” with the rest of the group whose behinds were as sore as mine. I was more than ready when we packed up our supplies and headed home. Again, I talked to Logan the whole ride home. We exchanged girl gossip and such. I had a blast and once again helped unload the supplies when we arrived back at the church. We took Logan home and I went straight to bed still walking a little funny.