Day 7 travel to Wellpinit 7/15/17

So we left Wenix's house leaving Umatilla going to Wellpitit. While travel to there, our car started to listening to this podcast called " Welcome to Night Vale ", which was humorous. we did laundry on this travel day ( luckily ). Also while traveling to Wellpitit we stopped at this dam on the (  McNary Dam, fish view site and visitor center ).  It was a very enjoyable day.

( McNary Dam )

Day 6 culture sites, yoga, and feast

Wenix took us to these different places and talked about the different things affecting the plants and wildlife how they are working to change that. She would also tell us about different cultural uses, practices, and the way of life that it used to be like. She told us some of the struggles the plants and the native people go thought like that a different people have come and raked the huckleberries and makes it harder to grow, she also said that they used to use fallen tress ( fuel ) to dry the foods a certain way. After these discussions we went to this lake to have lunch, some of the people went swimming. Where was this one person (Alexis ) that jumped into the lake, but in the shallow part        ( she okay now ). then we went to a yoga class, which was great and relaxing. The instructor was Wenix's sister Acosia Elk.

After we were done with the relaxing yoga, we came back to Wenix's house and finished the feast. Today was pleasant and enjoyable.

Day 5 presentation, volunteer work and glass work

Today we went to the Umatilla governant center to have a presentation about “first foods” and the importance of why we still need them. That food is more then just what it is, that food plays a part in the society of a culture.

Then after we were done with the presentation, we went to this plant nursery to volunteer and help out. They gave us a tour of their facility, then they assigned each one of us a job. One of the jobs we did was a group effort trimming small trees ( saplings ) and moving them. The first job I was assigned to was transplanting tiny little plants ( spouts ), which was a little difficult.

My group finished early so we were assigned to sifting, which is taking soil out of cones. The team I was with enjoyed being competitive, so we got a lot of work done. There was this time when this one person in our group ( Christina ) would always get to competitive, and would “ shower “ us in soil and dirt.

After we left the nursery, we came back to Wenix's house, where her Loveda Elk showed us some glass art. It was a fun day of laughter, work, creativity, and dirty.

Day 4 travel day to Umatilla

So we were leaving from Bend heading toward Umatilla, and staying in the back of Wenix Red elk's house . This was the longest drive of the whole trip, we were on the road all day. This is a great experience so far, got to meet new people, see beautiful sites, and most of all get to know myself better.

Day three volunteer work

Today was just amazing. Coming together with the people I came with was the best part of the day. working Hard, getting stuff done, and laughing a lot. Today we worked in groups, taking out fences and clearing out a trail.

 Then the high light of my day was when we were all done with our work and then we went swimming, and one of the people that came ( Jose ) could not swim, so me and another person were “ trying “ to teach him to swim, which did not go well.

 But one of the best things that I learned today was that if you don’t know anyone you could always laugh again.

Day two volcanic exploration

Today we awoke in a very pleasant way in really cold weather. Today we went to Lava Lands and my favorite part was the view. Looking at the beautiful landscape, and the lava flow. 

Day 1 starting day

So today was alright and a very exciting day. So, my friend asked me and another person to come to this trip for two weeks. My first thought was okay then, this will be fun to do; she goes and tells me that we leave the next day. Even though we were late and had a few things to do before we arrived at Heritage University I enjoyed it. This morning we were running late. We were supposed to be there around 9:30, but we got there late. That’s okay, I’m just happy to be here this is a great experience so far. We were on the road most of the day, and it was lit because I was riding with some funny people including myself. After all the riding around we got to the camp site and started to put up our tents and what not. So yeah it was good and I enjoyed spending time with people.