A Crazy Camping Trip

A week after the ice moved, four other people and I went on a camping trip. At first, my brother asked me if I wanted to go to St. Mary's, and of course I said, "Yeah why not?" So he told me to bring extra clothes, a stereo, good music, and a sleeping bag. I replied," Okay, but why do I need all these for?" But I did as they said, and brought all kinds of stuff.

Later on, I brought my big bag and stereo down to the boat. Anthony and Unga brought a grub box to the boat and there was a tent, a canoe, a tote with a net inside of it, and about a million bags! It was like we were moving some where, and I was confused I asked Anthony, " Why do we need all these things just to go down to St. Mary's?" He said, " Because we might break down some where in the middle of nowhere!" ( Then he laughed ) I replied, " I don't think that we'll break down with a new 90 horsepower engine!"

Anthony and I waited impatiently in the boat for my brother and the other guys. Finally after 45 minutes, they finally came down and we took off. When we took off, I was relaxing in the sun, with my sunglasses on. After about an hour we slowed down and I noticed we were inside of a slough. I asked if we were almost to St. Mary's. Unga said, " We're in Unkatagvik; we're going camping!" Then I shouted, " I thought that we were going to St. Mary's!" They all laughed. then I said, " No wonder you guys brought some tissue!" ( Hee, hee, hee.) But after a while, I thought that it would be just fine if we went camping.

After we finally got to the camping area and the guys pitched the tent, I started my famous fire. (Hee, hee, hee.) After that Anthony, Unga, and I went on a little walk while the others put the net into the slough. We walked along a portage trail, which led to a long marsh and a big giant lake.

When we got back and finally settled in, Unga shouted, " Look at that bear across the slough!" It was in the clearing, and he was so BIG, I totally freaked out! I couldn't believe they left alone, and it actually walked back into the woods after it took a leak.

Since it was so hot out and the sun was shining, and there was not a single breeze of wind outside, I washed my face and hair. But while I was washing my face, my bar of soap slipped out of my hand and fell into the clear water, and when Unga tried to reach for it, he fell in. Since I was sitting on the side of boat he pulled me in too. The water was so cold and it was also very deep. And when he tried to get out of the water, he used me as a step and almost drowned me.

That night the five of us stayed up all night talking and just having a "major hang time fun". (Ha ha ha) When my older brother fell asleep, the three "guyz" tried to go canoeing and almost floated down the slough with one oar. When they came back, Unga took off his socks and put them so close to the bonfire that they caught on fire and burned. They reminded me of marshmallows, they were so black. That was real funny. Then those guys were scaring each other about the " Boogie man in the trees." And they were freaking me out about the little men and that "Harry man dude."

Only once did my older brother get mad at us because he said that we scared away all the animals. I guess we were too loud!

That was a very fun camping trip!!

By, Norma Teri Evan