Expedition Extra: Alyssa's Adventures

During one of several delightful conversations I had with Alyssa on this Expedition, I told her I'd taken so many notes on the escapades she alone had engineered, that I was making her the sole subject of one of my recaps. She thought it was a capital idea. It wasn't hard, as she is a quite newsworthy senior. So here it goes, though I already published several tidbits on Alyssa in my first two episodes.

Alyssa started pestering me back in middle school, and we've been buddies ever since. I think she likes it best when I tell her to love on her mother. On many retreats and expeditions Mrs. Hanson and I have had fun swapping stories about the latest antics our children have performed, thought she's been kinda busy running things on the last few LS trips. I think Denise has been staying away from me on purpose, knowing I'm constantly taking notes to feed these recaps. On this entire first Expedition Denise did little of note, except selflessly serve Mr. & Mrs. D. Hopefully I was more help than hindrance.

But back to Alyssa.

After lunch on Cumberland the groups hiked to the boardwalk on the southeastern tip of the island. It was low tide, and not too far away in the marsh a brown raccoon ignored us, instead busily digging for crayfish. Ever the scientist, Alyssa hypothesized that perhaps this nocturnal creature was boldly out during mid-day because it was rabid. Then Alyssa reenacted the raccoon scene from Elf. You had to see it.

On the beach Mrs. D taught on the beached Right Whale we discovered. Alyssa told me how the Right Whale got it's name: Because of it's size and amount of whale fat that made it float, it made the "right" whale to hunt. I'm not sure Mrs. D's definition was exactly the same. Later I tried to mess up the definition, but did a poor job.

While many played games on the return trip to St Marys, Alyssa and I had a delightful chat. We spoke of college, hair-styles, and how bittersweet the upcoming summer will be as the seniors go their separate ways. With or without our busy family members, her dad and I plan on attending our third annual Braves game together.

During another chap meeting Alyssa interrupted yet again. She thought the door was locked, and her face turned red when she couldn't open it. But when someone easily opened the door for her, her face got even redder. As we all laughed, she stammered "You...didn't...see...anything!"

Young Caleb was talking to his mother: "There are these two girls in the skit. One is the Servant Leader on my team. Her name is Kara. And the not so smart one..."

During Friday rotations, Kevin's group was headed to the weighing & measuring shelter. Alyssa approached, walking with Bailey. I brightened, smiled, and waved a huge hello. Loudly I hollered "HELLO BAILEY!" As Alyssa GLARED for several long seconds, I explained. "Hey! You're graduating! I need new friends!" "NO!" Alyssa said, still glaring.

Good thing no one's reading these recaps. Everyone would want their own!

The first Expedition I chaperoned was in 2005, when Will was in seventh grade. Since then I've been on eight more LS trips, watching this group of seniors grow from timid little squirts into fine young men and beautiful young ladies...Will's beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Each year's LS seniors have been great to work with, but I'd been looking forward to watching this bunch lead as seniors for a very long time. Great job, guys. Y'all will certainly be missed.