Scared Scared Scared!

This past week we had off unexpectedly due to a low camper enrollment. VACATION! I was so excited! I gave my aunt a call and went and stayed with them in New Jersey for half a week. It was WONDERFUL! I can't describe how badly I have missed the following luxuries:

A shower with adequate water pressure/temperature
Edible food
A bed
Air Conditioning
Civilization

I definitely enjoyed myself and got to see some of my family that I haven't seen in over 9 years. I also got to meet my little cousin Tara for the first time, what a joy! We wrapped up the week with a trip to the boardwalk where I ran into some familiar faces:

We spent the night eating too much ice cream and watching fireworks, it was so great! Also, a special congratulations to Team Essington for defeating the claw game and winning a sweet jersey.

After leaving my Aunt and Uncle's house, I got on a train and headed out to Philadelphia. A few friends and I had planned to celebrate the 4th there, so they were going to drive up and meet me. I had it all planned out to where I would take the train in, get on the subway, then walk to the hotel. Unfortunately, I got on the WEST route instead of the EAST route...I realized my extreme error when the Fresh Prince theme song started playing over and over again in my head.

I texted Alyse and decided to get off at the next stop. Mistake number 2. I got off (carrying 3 pieces of luggage, mind you) and found myself in the heart of the West Philadelphia ghetto. I thought about staying in the subway but decided against it after people started following me around asking for money.

I parked it next to a pay phone on the brightest part of the street and waited an agonizing 25 minutes for them to come find me. It was really one of the scariest moments of my life and you would have had to be there to fully understand what I mean.

Anyways, after my friends rescued me from my poorly planned subway fiasco, we arrived safely at our hotel and spent the rest of the night with Queen Latifah, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and the Jonas Brothers. We rounded out the night with an awesome fireworks display, an authentic Philly Cheesesteak and a mob of rambunctious rioters. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! (give or take a few days)

Summer Bucket List:

Jump in the pond here (wait until you see it)
Celebrate the 4th of July in Philly
Canoe down the creek
Find a sweet spot for my hammock
Find an entrance to an underground railroad tunnel in the woods
Use every latrine on camp
Stay a night in Bell Manor
Identify all of the mysterious berry bushes around camp, then eat them