October 17, 2007

Nate and Mabel

Greetings from Arcadia!

Cold weather has washed over our yurt village this week. We now have heaters hooked up in our sleeping yurts, a fire is going almost 24 hours a day in the classroom and the sauna is rising in popularity. WE have become very good at celebrating birthdays this semester. Tucker turned 21 and Laura 20; songs, laughter and cake were shared by all.

Living on the edge of the wilderness is still exciting and rewarding. Yesterday our resident Bald Eagle flew overhead and landed in a dead white pine, staying for the entirety of Baylor's philosophy class.

Last weekend, in an effort to give something back to the land we use, we all participated in a day of trail work. We blazed about a quarter mile of new mountain bike trail near Wilmington, complete with a bridge over a creek.

With the coming of cold weather came the realization that we only have a month left here. This is not a happy topic amongst Arcadia. In fact anyone who brings it up is promptly shushed.

The transitional experience is really beginning to take shape now, as each student has submitted a proposal. The activities range from solo and group excursions to trail work, from woodworking to working at North Country Public Radio.

We hope all is well in civilization.
Keep the letters coming.

Until next week.......