Anyone who has ever been in charge of putting activities together knows one very simple rule: when you have a chance to go on an activity where you won't be in charge, you jump on it. That's why I went on the Senior Trip. Myself and 30 others hopped on ab us, and then a boat to spend three days and two nights on Catalina Island.
We arrived at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24, in the gym parking lot, grousing about having been woken up too early. About three hours later, we arrived at Newport, just in time to wait some more for the boat. Soon, we were traveling on the Catalina Flyer, letting fly all the bad Titanic impressions we could and impressing a Union-Tribune reporter.
At about 11:00, we arrived at the Catalina Lodge, where we were unable to check in until 1:00 p.m. Undaunted, our troops declared martial law and seized the remnants of the continental breakfast. When we could check in, I learned my roommates would be Jason Neese (who I used to kick around with back in my AMS days) and Ryan Webb.
From then on, we were on our own. I quickly discovered the arcade and something called Pokereno (think Skee-Ball with poker strategy and you get the idea). Tearing myself away from winning prizes left and right, I also discovered the world's weirdest miniature gold course and a woord products shop.
Others bicycled, kayaked, paddle-boated or just laid out during the day.
During the night I was really not doing too much. I had forgotten my state ID and I couldn't even enter anyplace on the island after 9 p.m. I was even denied the opportunity to do karaoke, which anyone who knows me can tell you is a tragic, tragic thing.
The highlight of the trip, though, was Saturday night, when we pulled all the various lawn chairs around and talked about our experiences over the last four years. It settled down into a time of some real sharing and fellowship.
Too soon, it was over and we had to board the Catalina Flyer again. "No matter what happens, promise me you'll stay alive!" I yelled at the people on the pier. Then it was back on the bus. We were zooming south and watching The Three Amigos. The trip and The Three Amigos ended with a whimper, not a bang, when the final scene of the movie just wouldn't play, despite all my technical prowess.
Collin Fischer and the rest of the Senior Class Council really did an excellent job putting this all together, and those of you seniors who didn't go really missed out. I'll certainly go on next year's, in what I hope will be my last Senior year. This time, though, I'll bring my ID.