To read part thirteen of day thirteen, click here.

We sauntered up the trail, back to civilization. Everyone was happy – we had showered, shaved, and we were going to be getting real food. There was laughter and yelling back and forth as we walked, the prospect of food making everyone cheerful.

Jen and Katie walked us through a building and onto the deck behind it. They left us there, going back into the building. As we stood there we could hear boyish laughter coming from somewhere below us, so we looked around, trying to locate it.

On a deck that was beneath us and to the left, Colter’s crew was playing a game. They had to stay on their feet, lean down, and pick up a box with their teeth. My crew leaned against the railing and watched, laughing with them whenever anyone failed.

Several minutes later, we were called into the Banquet hall. The boys on the deck below us came thundering up the stairs, rushing to beat us (and not quite making it. :D)

We were all pointed through the building to the clearing in front of it. We gathered ’round in a circle, two crews and about ten instructors. When it was time for Appreciations, everyone started speaking.

“I appreciate Jen and Katie for doing an awesome job at being our instructors.”

“I appreciate Josh for helping all of us.”

“I appreciate Corey for helping us with our rock climbing.”

When one of Colter’s crewmates said Corey, my crew all focused, looking around the circle to see who’d said that. It looked like Colter’s crew was all looking at Katie – or, they were looking at the guy standing next to her.

“That’s Corey??”

“Corey’s here?”

“You guys got Corey??”

My crew was all laughing, the girls thrilled that they’d gotten to see Corey. He was Katie’s partner, and we’d heard a couple of stories about him. Rebecca (who was standing next to me) whispered in my ear “You should ask Colter what Corey’s like.” I grinned and nodded. I never did get around to that…

When we were done, Josh addressed us all.

“So, everyone, are you ready to eat??”

All of the kids let out a cheer – when we were walking through the building earlier, we’d gotten a couple of clues as to what we would be eating. After eating out in the woods for weeks, we were SUPER excited for dinner!

*Everything here is from my own memory and may not be correct. Outward Bound is not responsible for anything I post here. Thanks too NCOBS for letting me use their photos.*