63 Days

I woke up to the sound of running water. The river was still next to us, its icy water rolling over rocks and logs as it headed toward Lake Powell. Birds chirped in the single cottonwood tree that stood guard in our little sandy island, and it was glowing at the top from [...]

I’m back. It’s a long story. More to come.

Don’t forget to vote. You know you’re appreciated.
Love you guys,
Alli

The next few days were relatively uneventful as fas as Challenger excitement goes. We walked, we slept, we ate rice and oats. We cried silent tears as we hiked endless miles in the desert. I noticed that the boys who came in acting all rambunctious were now beginning to mellow out. [...]

The day after the deer feast, I woke up to silence. Not a crackle of fire, not the snap of feet moving over fallen leaves and brush, not a sound out of a human mouth was to be heard. I sat up and looked around and everything was quiet. It was almost [...]

Six months prior to Challenger
“Get up Alli. You’re going to be late for seminary!”
My dad was pulling the blanket off of me by the foot of the bed. I grabbed the blanket and rolled with it onto my side, groaning and complaining about how early it was.
“Just get up. You’re [...]

“We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with
nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke,
and a presumption that once our eyes watered.” - Tom Stoppard
Today, yesterday….what a mess. I’m recovering, I hope everyone else involved in this situation here [...]

Don’t forget to vote. You know you’re appreciated. I should take you all out for slurpees. Yes, I most definately should…
Love you guys,
Alli

Four kids sat on a log in the dark, away from the rest of us. Their eyes little black glittering holes that held sadness and hunger in their gaze. I didn’t want the deer. I didn’t want to eat in front of them.
“Hahaha, look at those kids. HEY KIDS! Ya [...]

I’m in the middle of renovation, as you can see, and while I’m doing that, if you want archives, go to the bottom and work up, and start with #1. I’m sorry. We’re hurrying as fast as we can!
In the mean time, go to the forums and post, why don’tcha!
I’ll put up a [...]

I’m taking a moment away from the story to say one thing…I hope you don’t mind.
I was nominated for the Blogette Awards! I’m so honored and excited to even be there, so if you wouldn’t mind, would you just take a second and please vote for me here. Encourage everyone you know to do so [...]

I woke up with the flavor of peach wine coolers on my tongue. It took me a minute to realize that I was still in this hell, not at home with Jana. It was all a dream.
The other students were beginning to wake, their arms stretching above their dirty heads. The counselors were over by [...]

Fall 1986 - 2 years before Challenger
Mom and Dad took me over to the Jr. High School. It was 8th grade orientation and the school I was attending had just reopened after a year of asbestos clean-up and I could smell the new paint the second I walked through those heavy metal double doors.
WELCOME BRUINS!
The [...]

That night, as we all set our bedrolls up in areas designated for girls and boys to be separate, the counselors filled us in on what was happening with our journals from now on. We were informed that all of our entries were to be read and signed off by a staff member. Even our [...]

The next morning, all eyes were on me. The other students would stare at me out of the corner of their eyes, and I wondered what they were all thinking. I gathered my things to get ready for the hike when a tiny little brunette named Daisy came over to me.
“We’re not hiking today. We [...]

I heard them before I saw them. A group of people were walking towards my camp and I could hear some shouting, a few orders being given out. I sat up quick and listened to what they were saying.
“When we get there! I’ll have her! Pack her pack! None of you move! I WANT! ALL! [...]