Oh well.....no one lost their life over the fact that I didn't share it last night. Or at least I hope not!
Our morning started off with an AMAZING, and energetic worship here at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska with their reverend Dr. Alonzo Patterson preaching for the 8 AM service we attended. There were a few of our youth whose comments were things like, "I loved the worship! It was different, passionate and loud!" ---or---- "I am really tired and I was trying to sleep, but every time I would start to dose off, the preacher would get really loud!" ---or--- "It was kind of cool."
After service the church treated us to a yummy brunch before we headed off for another part day of exploring the downtown area. It was a nice day for a walk with the rain giving us a little break and the sun even came out a little later in the afternoon! I broke down and had to put my sunglasses on for a while. There was a street marketplace set up there with a lot of local artists, crafts and local merchandise......I found a wonderful photographer named Dennis who had some beautiful images of the Northern Lights. There was food and entertainment as well as plenty of shopping for our youth to get rid of the money that was burning a hole in their pockets. Heather Michel even found a wall that she was allowed to paint on!
We had dinner at a place called "The Sourdough Mining Company" and it was ......Yummy, yummy BBQ chicken and brisket, corn fritters with honey butter, potatoes all served family style and ice cream for dessert. We even got to meet some reindeer up close and pet them while at the restaurant!
We then headed to our next adventure to hike up the "Flat top." If you make it to the top of the mile and a half hike you are supposed to be able to see Russia on a clear day. Well, no chance of seeing Russia yesterday! As soon as we started our ascent the fog rolled in and covered the mountain tops with an beautiful and mysterious mist of ocean mist and clouds. It was a very cool feeling walking in that mist---that is of course until you get a little turned around if you are not paying attention! Many made it to the top, several made it part way and a few chose to walk an observation loop that gave a somewhat less spectacular view.
How far did I make it, you ask? OK, I have to be totally honest.....when we first got there I had not intention of even doing the hike. I was tired, sore and really wasn't feeling it. I figured I would walk around the short loop and hang out with the kids who "forgot" to bring the right shoes (flip flops were not on the list for the walk), or didn't bring a jacket because "I don't need a jacket, I never get cold." (While they are standing in front of you shivering but trying to act cool). Well, I guess God had a different plan for me because while I was standing at the bottom of the stairs that head up the trail Vicki, an adult leader from Prairie, Deena and one of their youth walked up talking about the hike and trying to convince the young lady that despite her fear of heights and nervousness she should at least try to go part of the way. As we were discussing it, I changed my mind and started walking with them. Vicki suggested to her that we just go to the first clearing at the edge of the trees and take a look from there as the view was much better (our fog had not yet reached us to hinder seeing quite a distance). We then made it to that landing and Vicki picked another spot up ahead as her goal, and then at reaching that goal another goal higher up still. I was snapping pictures of their hike, we were chatting, talking to her about how best to ascend the hill ahead of us and making new goals. Before we knew it we were at the top of the first big hill and over the other side! We kept making our way up as the clouds kept coming and we declared that we were "walking on a cloud!" We made it about half-way when I finally decided that I had gone far enough. Getting cold, tired and knowing my knees, legs, other body parts were not going to want to work later and today after coning back down if I went all the way to the top. Besides.....It was so dense at that point you couldn't see anything any way. I waited for a few of our group to come by on their way back down as the three ladies continued upwards towards the summit, and headed down happily snapping photos along the way. The three of them ended up making it all the way to the summit and back down again safely....even if they were the last ones off the mountain late in the evening.
It took much longer to hike up and back down than anticipated because of the fog and a little disorientation from hiking participants but everyone made it down safely we only a few muddy pants bottoms and a couple of scrapes here and there.....include to this experience a couple of really cool moose sitings and you have one exciting way to spend a Sunday night!
I will try and be diligent in getting updates done each night, so stay tuned for this evenings edition of Calvary Youth in Alaska!
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