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Mugdha Gurram / youthjournalism.org
The sunset at Wesley Island State Park
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By
Yelena Samofalova and Mugdha Gurram
Reporters
WESLEY
ISLAND STATE PARK, New York, U.S.A. – As first-time campers, we were a bit wary
of what to expect the first time we spent the night in the woods.
ISLAND STATE PARK, New York, U.S.A. – As first-time campers, we were a bit wary
of what to expect the first time we spent the night in the woods.
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Mary Majerus-Collins /
youthjournalism.org
The Toronto Tour 2014 logo
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Of
course, we’d heard about all the usual stuff: sleeping in tents, roasting
marshmallows, eating dinner by the fire and all that.
course, we’d heard about all the usual stuff: sleeping in tents, roasting
marshmallows, eating dinner by the fire and all that.
We anticipated
an authentic camping experience and felt prepared. And while we knew we were in
good hands, there was also that one concerning camping stereotype where the
bear comes and eats all the food.
an authentic camping experience and felt prepared. And while we knew we were in
good hands, there was also that one concerning camping stereotype where the
bear comes and eats all the food.
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Mugdha Gurram
Canadian wildlife spotted
in a New York state park!
(Click on photo to enlarge.)
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Luckily,
we avoided this particular cliché.
we avoided this particular cliché.
We
arrived at the campsite just in time to see the sunset, which we had a beautiful
view of from our spot by the river. We would have had a beautiful view of the
sunrise as well, if we’d been able to get up early enough.
arrived at the campsite just in time to see the sunset, which we had a beautiful
view of from our spot by the river. We would have had a beautiful view of the
sunrise as well, if we’d been able to get up early enough.
Our
site was right on the bank, with a postcard-worthy view of the water filled
with fishing boats and sailboats, surrounded on all sides by trees.
site was right on the bank, with a postcard-worthy view of the water filled
with fishing boats and sailboats, surrounded on all sides by trees.
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Mugdha Gurram / youthjournalism.org
YJI reporters and advisors set up camp.
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We
couldn’t help but stand and stare out at the water at times. In the morning we
went down to the river’s edge, getting a scenic view of the water unobscured by
trees.
One of
the best parts of the night was going out to a field near our campsite to look
at the stars – something we don’t get to see often in suburban Connecticut,
where city lights never let the sky get too dark.
the best parts of the night was going out to a field near our campsite to look
at the stars – something we don’t get to see often in suburban Connecticut,
where city lights never let the sky get too dark.
Craning
our necks, we tried to find the different constellations and planets. We could
even see the Milky Way in one part of the sky.
our necks, we tried to find the different constellations and planets. We could
even see the Milky Way in one part of the sky.
Of
course, no camping trip would be complete without those pesky mosquitoes. We
waged a furious and courageous battle against those blood-suckers, and ended up
victorious in the end.
course, no camping trip would be complete without those pesky mosquitoes. We
waged a furious and courageous battle against those blood-suckers, and ended up
victorious in the end.
And by
victorious, we mean our legs became buffets.
victorious, we mean our legs became buffets.
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Mugdha Gurram / youthjournalism.org
A view of the water from the bank near the campsite.
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