Fourth of July

Today was by far my favorite day we've had so far at SEI. The Fourth of July is
always a big deal here in Sewanee, and I am so glad I got the chance to take part in
it!

The first event of the celebration was the dog show this morning, and although I
slept in and missed it, I heard that it was adorable. The show mainly consisted of
dogs from the surrounding neighborhoods, dressed up by their families and competing
to win a giant trophy. The show also sponsored the local animal shelter, which had
its own booth there selling t-shirts ands other merchandise.

Once I was up, I went with my friends to the crafts fair, which lined University
Avenue near our dorm, and we had a great time browsing the wares of local merchants.
Their products ranged from jewelry and clothing to pottery and art, and a few booths
even sold items as obscure as Native American styled bows and matching quivers.

After we shopped for a while at the fair, the time came for the parade to begin.
Various cars and floats began to pass by while those riding within threw candy and
small souvenirs to the crowd.

Finally, after the parade was long over, we made our way to Lake Cheston to hear
local musicians perform and watch the firework show. The show was the perfect way to
end the day, and as the fireworks lit the sky, I couldn't help thinking how much I
would miss this place when it was time to leave.


Julianna

Another busy day at SEI

Today started out with an early breakfast, then everyone headed out into raging heat with their field gear on. Group A headed out to the archeological site to dig up old forks, bits of bone metal and glass, survey the land, and sift for treasures (and by treasures I mean rusty nails). Somehow in the midst of all these exciting adventures, a group of us got a bit lost and ended up hiking the perimeter trail for quite a good bit. I would know… After a lovely lunch we headed back out along the fire trail, this time to measure trees! We divided up into groups and measured and counted a variety of trees in a forest plot recently restored by the Sewanee forestry department. After a wonderful meeting with the cross country coach, dinner, a free concert downtown, the games began! A hilarious time was had by all, followed by hand-churned ice cream. In short, it was a splendid day!

Alison

Digging up some history

Today we observed trees and we dug in the archeology site. Some things we looked for in the archaeology site included nails, pieces of pottery, and glass. During the tree observation we observed white oaks, black oaks, poplar trees, and maple. It was very boring, but interesting in some ways. Archaeology is way better than it seems to those who look down upon the fascinating subject. The thrill of finding rare objects can really excite you and possibly turn your other interests to archaeology. During free time today there was a fun concert! We all walked around town and hung out while enjoying the music. This camp is fun!

Blanton

Big day for a Monday

Big day for a Monday. We discovered this morning before breakfast that our groups had changed...sad face. So to be quite honest today has been kinda weird because the group dynamic isn't the same as it's been the last..wow..7 days. But so far it's been very good!

We started this morning on our kinda mystery project of finding out what the story behind the King's Farm. We used a GIS (don't ask me what it stands for, I don't remember) system to mess with all the picture maps to see that over time that place was used for farming and then pine tree harvesting it looks like..so far. Strange. Anyways, after a yummy lunch we had a talk with the director of Environmental Science and he basically tried to recruit us for Sewanee (and let me tell you it was verrryyy tempting!)

Group A (the one I'm in) :D got to go canoeing this afternoon!!! It was SOOOO much fun!!! The guys were tipping everyone left and right, but my group luckily got away...for a while. Eventually we got tipped about 4 times. It was super fun though :D.

After dinner tonight we shall go on a night hike, basically a nightmare of invisible snakes and writhing poison ivy for me and a relaxing moonlit stroll for the rest of the group. YIKES! If anyone is actually reading this, we are amassing more bruises and scrapes every day, though no poison ivy or tick bites yet thank heavens. Emma and Clark are doing better with there cuts from the bike crash a few days ago, and are healing more and more every day. I can't speak for EVERYONE...but for the most part we all are having SO much fun and already becoming a bit sad about this whole thing coming to an end. Sniff sniff :'(

Mary

Taking a dip, sharing a laugh

Monday started bright, early and anticipated as we suited up for canoeing at the GORGEOUS lake Dimmick.  We paired up and set out paddling although we only canoed for about twenty minutes, because it didn’t take long at all for the tipping to start. I was this first one to be thrown into the cold lake water and was followed immediately by our two girl counselors, Ellie and Margaret.  This resulted in a tipping war that ended with soaked clothes, missing sunglasses and abandoned paddles.  IT WAS SO FUN!

Our final session of the day took place in the computer lab in Spencer Hall where Dr. Van de Ven taught us how create maps using a GIS. This was especially interesting, because the maps we constructed were of the King farm (a farm we will have to analyze, determine why it survived during the Great Depression, and then later present our hypotheses to the group).

Today at dinner a couple of us decided to eat outside and it was so nice and refreshing due to the (finally back to normal) cool weather. We finished dinner quickly and spent the rest of our time joking and talking.  It’s so crazy how you can force different people from different places to live together and those people (who would have never interacted with otherwise) become your best friends that laugh together, play together and somehow find a sweet harmony together. Here, during this unique experience, everyone not only gets along, but can’t wait for any chance to hang out and just chat with their new found friends. I can’t wait to see what this new week brings!

Kristel

Guest blogger - Dr. David Haskell

And now to share some of Dr.David Haskell's ramblings.

New experiences on this Sunday

Today I took advantage of the well-known and revered chapel on campus. I went to my first Episcopal Church service and witnessed different traditions unlike the ones I practice at my Methodist church. It was an enlightening experience that showed me a new perspective on faith! I was surrounded by beautiful architecture that only heightened my experience. Afterwards my friends and I were greeted by Rachel P. who was kindly handing out lemonade. It was a refreshing surprise! 

The rest of the day consisted of free time and relaxation. Around midafternoon the entire group left for a swim at the res that kept us sane in the insane heat. By the time we returned back to Hoffman dorm it was almost time for dinner! 

Today was also a pivotal moment in the cafeteria because of the transition to a self-op program which allows Chef Rick to take control of all the food options (many of them organic/local). So basically, everyone is now nutritionally satisfied and pleased with the food. To round off the day’s ventures we had a discussion with Dr. Evans about our impact on the world and the constant change that is occurring simultaneously. It really opened my eyes to the issues that face my generation (and generations to come) in the near future.  All in all, it was a great day filled with new experiences, play time, great food, and learning!

Olivia