This week, Marit and I drove into Switzerland to pick up our rental string instruments. We crammed 5 cellos, 4 violins, and 2 violas into my room!
Instruments for both returning players and beginners!
Intermediate Orchestra and Band start tomorrow (Monday). Marit will be teaching the Beginning Orchestra on Tuesday mornings, and I’ll be taking care of the Beginning Band, which is currently two students: a trumpet and a flute. I’m excited for the new challenge, and grateful that Marit is here to teach the beginners!
In preparation for the upcoming week of school, 6 of us decided to get away and hike up to the castle ruins of Sausenburg to camp for the evening. Ok, it wasn’t really preparation… we just wanted the adventure.
Hiking up. Emily was actually flying - here she is in the Superman pose about to take off.
As we hiked up, we could see clouds gathering. We made a fire despite the foreboding rain clouds.
Collecting bark for the fire
Upon reaching the castle, we scaled the walls, set up the tent, and meandered around.
That little red speck on the wall on the right is me.
As the sky went dark, a few of us sat at the top of the castle tower and watched the lightning show, God’s fireworks display.
Emily Kelly captured this electrifying moment. The lightning was probably somewhere over France or Switzerland.
When the rain finally came down, we decided it was time to retreat… into the cave of the castle!
Our head lamps provided an eerie light
We did Mad Libs, listened to jazz on Lexie’s speakers, and ate snacks. When the rain let up a bit, we dispersed to various places to sleep.
That's the cave. I slept in there. In the dirt. It was nice.
In the morning, we went up the tower, although we couldn’t see much of a sunrise.
Good morning!
Then we hiked down, showered, had coffee and crepes at Kristi’s place, and I made it to church in time to play violin for the service!
I’m afraid I will start taking it for granted that I live in such a wonderful place, full of forests and paths and castle ruins. I truly am blessed to be here, and even more blessed to have friends who share these memories.
