Dear Parents,
This weekend the clients split into two different groups of four and went on two different trips. Overall, both groups had a great time on their respective trips as physical limits were pushed and emotional bonds grew stronger between the boys.
The first group awoke at 6am Saturday and packed both vans with the necessary items for the trips. We departed from the house at 8:30am smiles and excitement among us all. After a 2 hour van ride Group A arrived at the Red Mountain trailhead and enjoyed a short 2.5 mile hike to a scenic sandstone landscape. After exploring the area we journaled about our most influential past relationship. We then hiked back to the van and drove another hour to Grand Canyon National Park where we set up camp for the night. After eating a delicious and nutritious dinner of top ramen and box macaroni we held our own A.A. meeting talking late into the night about addiction and our hope for recovery. The following morning we woke at 5:00am, ate a quick breakfast, and caught the 6am shuttle to South Kaibab trailhead. This hike was 12 miles with 5,000ft elevation change. It was a strenuous hike but extremely rewarding when finished. After completing the hike we arrived back at our camp at 4:30pm. We then circled up and shared our journal entries about our past relationships. After having some deep meaningful conversations we enjoyed a dinner of ravioli and hit the hay as we were all very exhausted from the hike.
The second group, aka dem boyz, headed to Sedona and marched about three miles down along West Clear Creek, to a beautiful creekside camping spot where we frolicked and cooked hearty American dinners of Ramen noodles and Kraft mac n cheese. The next day we rose to the sunrise and enjoyed a splendid hike up the river, crossing back and forth several times. We had a great deal of fun dancing across the rocks and rapids even though some of dem boyz got their boots soaked. We stopped to climb at random spots, found a delightful swimming hole and a world-class tanning spot. Afterwards, we headed back to our campsite for dinner and a round of campfire talk. Friendships were deepened, bonds made stronger, laughs were cackled and the group had a wonderful weekend. Love and you miss you.
-The Boys
