2011 Hands-On Explorer Challenge – National Geographic Kids Blogs

National Geographic Society

The 2011 Hands-On Explorer Challenge begins tomorrow! If you’re a legal resident of the United States (excluding residents of Puerto Rico) or Canada (excluding residents of Quebec), and you will be between the ages of 9 and 15 by July 1, 2011, you could win a trip to the Cayman Islands. Enter before December 1, 2010.

Read the contest rules and find out how to enter.

Looking for inspiration? Read excerpts from the 2009 Hands-On Explorer Challenge winning essays.

Photograph courtesy Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Comments

Kenna
August 4, 2010, 4:44 pm

Hi everyone!
Wow, this is SO exciting! I wish the best of luck to everyone who enters the 2011 HOEC challenge. The Cayman Islands…what an adventure! I have friends from my school who live east of the Cayman Islands, and it sounds like such a fascinating area of the globe. I’m eager to learn more about the islands and countries near them. I’m very excited for you all! I will stay posted!

Best of luck!
McKenna ~ 2009 HOEC, Peru
luckstomper
August 4, 2010, 9:32 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Oh My God!!!!!!! Ahhhh! I’m wicked excited! Ahhhhhhhh! Whoop Whoop! Hi Kenna!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
luckstomper
August 4, 2010, 10:16 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Oh my gosh. I can’t flipping believe it! This is definitely the highlight of my day! Believe me if you had my kind of day, a lollipop could make your day. I will go into that later. While reading the mini-blurb under the picture above, I noticed they said 9-15. You know what that means right? They heard our sad cries and pleas, and extended the age limit because of us! We should all feel really proud of ourselves! I still can’t believe they actually announced it! Though now I am stuck with one problem: I was originally planning on entering the International Photography Contest for Kids, because I was done waiting for the HOEC contest to come out, and lost all hope, but now this has come along. I think what I’ll do is I will enter both and hope to win at least one. And who says I can’t win both? That was a little self-conscious, but whatever. I know that it is our turn to win this contest. It belongs to us this year! Everyone make the HOEC Contest a priority! We will win this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we have been presented with. I hope at least two of the bloggers here win. Fingers crossed.

So what I had said earlier in the comment about how this was a bad day for me,…it was, possibly one of the worst. It all started with baking a simple batch of nachos. I had turned my back on the oven (15 years old) for a couple of minutes to ask IM my mom how long are the nachos supposed to be in for. She said keep the oven cracked, and watch until the cheese starts to bubble. When I returned to the oven I could smell something burning. I’m like oh crap, there goes my lunch. At first I thought it would be a little black and I would have to deal, but when I opened that oven door, the flames started to lick the air outside the oven. The nachos are now blazing in a thick coat of fire all the way from the sheet pan to the ceiling of the oven. I immediately close the oven door and turn off the oven, and go and tell my mom. She told me to do what I had already done. But then she tells me to go get the fire extinguisher, but someone has moved the fire extinguisher and I am started to flip to panic mode. I go down to the basement to go look for now when my sister comes down and tells me the house is really filling with smoke so I tell my mom (now on the phone) and I ask do I call 9-1-1? She says yes. So now I’m trying to dial 9-1-1 and my mind has shut down, I am typing in 9-7-7, 9-7-1, etc. I get it after about ten seconds. The operator picks up and I spew out all of my information on where I live, what happened, who’s with me, how old I am, what’s my name,…everything. I open the doors (I know to contain the fire and to try to seal off any oxygen going to the fire) to let my cats have an exit if then needed one. I am in the front yard when the EMT arrives, shortly followed by two fire trucks, and two police cruisers. Then get their stuff on, which to me took ages, and marched inside and soon came out to grab an carbon dioxide chemical extinguisher for fires. They fire men soon tell my sister and I the fire is out, and they turned on a fan sucking all the blackish-grey smoke out of my house. About a half an hour after I called the 9-1-1 operator my mom arrives. She assures me that I did nothing wrong, and I have handled the situation very good. All I am thinking to myself is ‘is my house going to burn down?’ ‘are my cats okay?’ ‘are all of our priceless memories going to burn away?’. I almost start to cry, but I don’t. The firemen soon come out with our charred oven and tell us we are going to need a new stove (which wasn’t bad because my mom kept saying we needed one). Eventually after a time-lapse of 1 hour the fire men, police man and woman leave, and so do the EMTs. The two critical things that saved my house were two things: One being the show DC Cupcakes. For some reason I was watching that show and it was the episode where they were baking for the firemen, at the fire house, with fire men. And someone’s cupcakes caught on fire in the oven, and the fire man said to close the oven door and turn off the stove. That was one key element to know, and, Two, those school assemblies with the fire men did come in handy. I did know what to do and not to freak out. I am now very thankful for all the hard working firemen and women who risk their lives for ours. When we finally entered our house, we were blasted with the scent of smoke and saw the counter tops and floor laden with a decent layer of ash. I almost burned my house down! ME! But everyone keeps telling me, even the fire men, it was one of those freak accidents that happen. Now do you understand why this was possibly one of my worst days yet?

Well that’s all for now. Talk you guys soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. I’m getting brace tomorrow! Ahh!
P.P.S This may just be my longest post yet!
P.P.P.S Ahhh! The HOEC Contest has been announced!
cowgirlexplorer
August 4, 2010, 11:09 pm

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am freaking out right now! I cant even believe it!

I am sure there is more ot say but i cant think of it right now other that Oh My Gosh!

~Celeste~
cowgirlexplorer
August 4, 2010, 11:34 pm

Congratulations luckstomper, i do think that you have posted the longest post yet!

I cant believe you almost burned your house down ( i mean that in the nicest way possible)! That is really scary but the way you recounted it made it sound almost humorous, but i can imagine that for you it wasnt. Good thing nothing happened to anyone, except your oven of course. I wonder what caused them to just catch in fire like that? hhhhhhmmmmmmm…

So i just got back from New York/Virginia/Deleware/Washington D.C. yesterday. It was great! In Deleware we stayed in my aunts beach house and the ocean was just so beautiful! There were so many dolphins in the ocean just following the kayak’ers’ ( i am not sure how to spell “kayakers” the correct way, sorry) they were so cute and playful, i just love how all animals have a personality.

In Virgina, at my other Aunts house, there was a huge (HUGE)rainstorm, and the powere went out and a bunch of huge (HUGE) trees got know over like in the road and on power lines, it was crazy! AAAAHHHH!

IN Washington D.C. ( my grandparents live like ten minutes away from D.C. so it was quite convenient)-anyway- i got ot go the Smithsonian for the first time which was quite amazing. My favorite thing was all of the animal exhibits, like all the different spcies, especially the marine animals. Also, the huge (HUGE) elephant when you walk in was pretty cool too (for those of you who have been there and know what i am talking about).

Alot more awesome things happened while on the trip but they mostly have to do with my family and stuff, and im sure you guys dont wanna hear about that stuff… haha

In conclusion: CAN YOU GUYS EVEN BELIEVE THAT THE HOEC CHALLENGE IS FINALLY HERE!? I am so happy, and almost relief to know that its not over. am just overjoyed!

Oh, and hello to Kenna, nice to hear from you again!

Have a great rest of the summer. (whats left of it) (Write lots of good essays)

~Celeste~

P.S.- School starts in like two weeks for me, i think that deserves an AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
P.P.S- Luckstomper, what do you mean you get your brace tommorow?
cowgirlexplorer
August 4, 2010, 11:40 pm

Sorry guys, this is my third post in a row, but did you notice how on the rules is says that the trip will only be for seven days? Also, you have to incorporate water into your essay? Not that those are bad, just interesting. I am still so excited that they even announced it!

~Celeste~
P.S.- sorry again for “over commenting”
luckstomper
August 5, 2010, 6:58 am

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Wow, I’m seeming a little on the obsessive side, this will be my third comment in less than 12 hours. Well I would just like to give a little praise to all of my fellow explorers on this blog, that we persevered through all the ups and downs waiting for the new contest to arrive. And you know what? We did it! After a year of anticipation for the contest we were let down after hearing there would be no 2010 trip. Now after a year and a quarter of waiting we have all been rewarded with the long waited for HOEC CONTEST! Well that’s all for now. Talk to every soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. I’m basically changing my who entire look today. I’m getting braces in a matter of hours now, and I’m getting a hair cut. Won’t this be an exquisite day?…has to be better than yesterday, yikes.
luckstomper
August 5, 2010, 10:43 am

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Okay good, I’m not the only 3-post-in-a-rower here. Haha. Sorry CGE I meant to write “braces” (which are in my mouth right now!). They feel ginormous, but for the most part they’re fine,…for now.

CGE-I did notice that the trip is only for 7 days, and we have to creatively incorporate water into our essay. Now onto why I think it’s only 7 days. It’s mostly only 7 days because, if you looked at the retail value of each person’s grand prize, it’s $7,500. That’s about the same for the Peru trip,…I think. But hey, it’s still a week long, sure it’s not two like usual, but if we get to go, we get to go! Well hope to hear from everyone soon! Bye!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
Kenna
August 5, 2010, 12:56 pm

Hey everyone!

Luckstomper – I read your post and I am sooooo sorry about what happened to you! That had to have been scary. It sounds like you handled the situation really well, though. It was very smart to close the oven and turn it off, open the windows, get out of the house, and most of all, stay calm…I’m glad everything turned out ok. Your experience definitely just gave me some pointers on what to do if anything like that were ever to happen. Wow…what a day, huh?

Cowgirlexplorer – It’s so cool you got to go to D.C. and see the Smithsonian! When did you go? By any chance, did you get to go to the National Geographic museum?

Got to log off the computer, but I’ll talk to you all soon.
McKenna ~ HOEC, Peru 2009
cowgirlexplorer
August 5, 2010, 4:50 pm

Kenna- i went to New York/Virginia/Delaware/Washington D.C. July 17-August 3rd. I dont remember the exact day i went to the Smithsonian though. Actually, about the National geographic Museum, i almost went there (sort of ran out of time)but my dad’s friend used to work there so he could get me to see some things that other people couldn’t, which would have been really cool.

luckstomper- i am sorry that you got braces ( you will understand why i say that when you got to get them tightened periodically). I am glad that they aren’t too horrible right now though, especially after what happened to you. Thank god for D.C. Cupcakes, right? haha

I am still in complete shock that the 2011 HOEC challenge is finally here. i am actually really glad that they made it so that you have to include water in your essay, because it gives you a more narrowed idea of what to write about, and i think that i t also gives everyone a little bit more of a fair shot at it.

Well, i gotta go study!

~Celeste~
luckstomper
August 5, 2010, 5:40 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Obviously you can tell I’m being a bum today because I have posted multiple times today. Actually my house is being turned upside down, to clean every nook and cranny. Luckily my room was not affected by the smoke, but my sister’s room was. The cleaning people were amazing!

Anywhom, the whole water topic, I’m finding it a lot harder than usual to write a creative essay incorporating water. Aren’t you guys? But I know that all of us will eventually grasp a concept on it. Also did you guys also realize that now Canadians (except for Quebec residents) can now enter? More competition! Well I’ve got to go; we are going out to dinner because we have no stove and I need something easy for my mouth. Haha. Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
renaval
August 5, 2010, 8:15 pm

Hey,
Oh my Gosh! I’m so excited. Ahh! this is amazing. I really hope some of us win this contest, That would be soo cool.

Luckstomper, it totally stinks that you got braces and almost burned down your house. But now thanks to you I know what to do if the oven starts on fire. Thank goodness that the only serious damage was to your stove.

Cowgirlexplorer, sounds like your trip went awesome. I really enjoyed the smithsonians when i went there about a month ago. I really liked the exzibit “Written in Bone”. I think it was supposed to be taken down recently after I saw it.

I really like that they say you have to incorporate water into your essay. i think i have an is=dea of what i can posssibly write about. I am also so Glad that the extended the age limi. I CAN GO!!!

~Valerie~!
P.S. I used lots of exclumation points. But this is tatally worth them and more!
shastasteph
August 5, 2010, 9:34 pm

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just got home and turned on my computer and saw this when I came onto the site! I am super excited. The Cayman Islands, what a cool place to explore. Just as I thought, the location of the trip would either be in Asia, Europe, or the Atlantic Ocean region. I will read your posts and comment again later. I’m too anxious to read everything right now!
Welcome back by the the way McKenna. It’s great to hear from you again.
This is our year for us bloggers to turn our dedication to this blog and exploring the beautiful world around us into a trip of a lifetime! I know we can, and we WILL win. The National Geographic Society and the Hands-On Explorer Challenge organizers have even adjusted the age qualifications because of our comments. I know we will make these staff members proud. We will show them how deserving we are of this trip. Now let’s do this contest!
shastasteph
August 5, 2010, 10:59 pm

Hey everyone!
cowgirlexplorer and luckstomper, I did notice all those changes to the rules. I kind of wish Canadians couldn’t enter, but we can’t do anything about it. I just thought it was really unique how the HOEC contest was exclusively for U.S. residents. I thought U.S. kids should be given an opportunity to really show their passion for exploring. But now, this just makes it harder on everyone. The judges will have to go through more entries, U.S. entrants have more competition, and some great U.S. budding explorers might not get a chance to go on this once in a lifetime trip! Well, I guess it does allow more people to enter, but I hope it will exclusively be for U.S. kids in the future.
luckstomper, that is really, really scary. You handled the situation really well, and I’m glad your house didn’t burn down. I actually might get braces, too. Yippee. I’m not exactly looking forward to that. My teeth are straight, but I just don’t have enough room for all my teeth, because I have a small mouth.
cowgirlexplorer, it sounds like you had an amazing vacation. The Smithsonian is a museum I always wanted to visit after watching Night at the Museum 2. It’s also really cool that your friend’s with someone who works at Nat. Geo.
Kenna, how have you been? Thanks for all the luck and for just keeping up with the blog as well. You, Nellie, and Abbie from Australia are the only people who periodically revisit this blog. Thanks!
Splash Zone
August 6, 2010, 5:00 am

Ahhhhhh! (Huge happy scream) it’s here! I can’t a believe it! But, i have 2 problems. 1) I need t convince my parents to go. 2) I am a resident of the USA but i don’t live there so thats a big problem. but know what? I’M GOING TO WRITE AN AMAZING ESSAY, TAKE A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO, AND WIN THE CONTEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zoe
(Splash Zone)

P.S. I MUST WIN!!!!!!!!
P.P.S. Luckstomper I do find it harder to write. I am going to spend all day trying to make my essay super original and special. Good luck to everyone (Super good luck to me) and I hope I will see you soonish
shastasteph
August 6, 2010, 2:15 pm

luckstomper, I think it is a challenge incorporating water into my essay. There are just so many things to write about it’s hard to pick. I’m just going to tackle it head on. I need a really good picture too though. The picture I was going to use doesn’t look as good anymore.
I know we can and WILL win this contest! This is OUR year. It is the year of the bloggers!
ponygirl#1
August 6, 2010, 3:19 pm

good luck on contest
cowgirlexplorer
August 6, 2010, 7:06 pm

Hello Hello!

We just had a big windstorm (surprise, surprise(that’s Montana for you) It knocked the screen out my window and broke it, oh well, just a screen…

luckstomper- hows are your braces? Anyway, i am actually finding it easier to write about water, i like that they included that rule in the contest. I didn’t realize that Canadians could enter, that is so cool! But also kinda harder because we have less of a chance to win, unless of course we all write and incredible story, which we all will.

I think it would be so cool to meet you all in person, hopefully this year (well actually next year) we will be able to!

~Celeste~
wycombestar
August 7, 2010, 10:58 am

heyyyy!!! the age is raised! I could still enter! Hmmm… maybe I’ll try.
Let’s just say, I was pretty surprised to find this!
Wow, Luckstomper, that was a pretty epic story!
Datada
August 8, 2010, 1:20 pm

I’m going to enter. I stopped get the magazine for about three years (who knows why?) and then my grandmother decided to subscribe me again. So now I’m here, and entering. Sorry, less odds of winning for all of us, but whatever. I wanted to enter the Australia one, but never got around to it.

One time I caught my friend’s toaster on fire, but I think it still works. Only we managed to put it out with the help of her dad.
renaval
August 8, 2010, 9:36 pm

Hey,

I’ve written three essays so far. But two of them don’t incorpurate water that much. i’m just trying to write a few and then choose the best one then edit it like crazy to make it amazing. I’m going up to the “Island” this week (and I am sooo excited!) and i am really hopeing to find some good insperation for an essay.

The thing about cannadians can enter does kind of stink, but on the bright side if you win you could make good friends with someone that lives in another country.It would be so awesome to meet some of you guys face to face. that would be so cool if most the people from the blog won.

My family just got back from buying a jetski! So right now we have 1 jetski, 2 boats(not including row boat, 3 snowmobiles, and we sold our 4wheeler yesterday. I’m really excited to take the new jetski out on the water!

Good Luck Everyone!

~Valerie~
cowgirlexplorer
August 9, 2010, 4:16 pm

I tried to write a comment yesterday, but the computer kept like “logging me off” every five seconds… it was really annoying.

My mom needs the computer now, so i have to go, but i have lots to write!

~Celeste~
luckstomper
August 9, 2010, 5:56 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Hey guys, I just found a foreshadow towards the 2011 HOEC contest. If you look in the May issue of National Geographic Kids and on the inside front cover there is an ad for the Cayman Islands! It was really weird when I came across it. Because when I was flipping through old magazines I looked at each page and around the middle of the May issue I’m like what place was that Caribbean ad for, and sure enough it was for the Cayman Islands!

Today was my first day back at a camp I have gone to ever year since I was 7. I am now a Pioneer which is above a Camper but below the C.I.T.s (Counsellor In Training). And at Ropes we did trust games and the most ‘trusty’ one was where I stood atop a two-three foot tall end of a telephone pole and you stand with your back to the people below. Then you fall backwards at a 90 degrees angle to your catch. It was really nerve wracking.

I haven’t even started my essay yet. I’m waiting until I have solid quality time that I can focus on it. I’m also waiting for inspiration to hit me. Well that’s all for now! Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
jindo2108
August 9, 2010, 8:10 pm

First of all,Lukestomper, you I think had the longest post ever written. I kept reading and reading, and your post didn’t ever seem to end!!! Never the less, I read it all, and boy, that sounds like on scary situation!!! You must be one calm person if you handled a thing like that, and, with your mom not around? Wow.
Cow Girl Explorer and Lukestomper- Do you guys follow HOEC closely? I have never paid to much attention to it.
I am unsure if I will enter. I just got the magazine today. Hmmmmmmm…………….decisions decisions.
shastasteph
August 10, 2010, 6:52 pm

Welcome to everyone new to the blog. Sorry, I don’t have the time to list every one of you.
reneval and wycombestar, that’s great that you both can enter again! More veterans of the HOEC blog are coming back to win this thing! We on this blog will win. I know we will. Now let’s show Nat. Geo. what we’re made of as passionate explorer!
luckstomper, you are definitely a dare devil. I think I would be pretty scared of just falling like that. I’m not sure if I would be able to trust them to be able to catch me in addition to taking the impact.
I’m still trying to find more inspiration for essays. The essays isn’t exactly the hard part for me though. It’s hard getting a picture. I’ve had ideas, but when I look at some pictures I had taken previously, they’re not as good as I would like them to be. I guess I just have to keep trying.
cowgirlexplorer
August 10, 2010, 7:05 pm

Welcome to the blog jindo2108, and yes i do follow this blog closely, its really cool.

I haven’t started my essay yet either. i know what I’m going to write about, i just cant get that translated onto paper. Oh well, i have time.

It has been overcast here for ever now! well ever since i got back from Virginia. i am so sick of the clouds! come on sun…

~Celeste~

CAYMAN ISLANDS here i come! haha
luckstomper
August 10, 2010, 9:53 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here.

Jindo2108, thanks for the feedback. I know there have been really long posts in the past, but I think mine is in the top three, if not first. I was very calm, well sort of. I started to panic, because I kept thinking to myself that my house is going to burn to the ground. But I never expressed it physically, sure I paced back and forth until the emergency teams arrived, but other than that I guess I was pretty calm and all. And about me and Cowgirlexplorer, yes us, along with others such as Shastasteph have been following this blog since, up to, 2008 believe it or not. Shastasteph is the oldest right now on the blog continually commenting, I being the second oldest here. But yes we do follow this blog very closely, very, very closely. If you have any questions just ask! Oh and by the way, it’s Luckstomper not Lukestomper, but no biggy, I misspelled Shastasteph’s name the first couple times too, but spelling it something like Stashasteph. Well all make mistakes.

I’m wicked tired right now, like I am ready to pass out and conch out. But, with all the limitations my body is throwing at me, I am still able to manoeuvre my fingers and type. Camp and my running club, left me spent by the end of the day. Today I got 7 bullseyes, make this week’s total a whooping 11 bullseyes because I got 4 yesterday. I feel really proud of myself. I’m not sure who is the archer here, but I’m pretty sure it’s Cowgirlexplorer, you have to admit for an amateur I did pretty good. Then I ran 9 miles this evening with my running club. But, this week is almost over (thankfully), and I can’t wait to scream at the top of my lungs “TGIF!!!” Haha. Well, that’s all for now. Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. Still haven’t started my essay, none of the less my photo, haha.
luckstomper
August 11, 2010, 9:50 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. I really, really want to win this, I truly honestly do. Some might say I don’t deserve this because of the trips I’ve been on. Okay, yes, that is true, but that’s not the contest. I am a passionate explorer whether or not, I have been on trips or not.

If you read the magazine article about the 2011 HOEC, it tells you some of the things you get to do on the trip. One thing I noticed was an excursion to Grand Cayman’s World-Renowned Stingray City. Believe it or not, on my first trip to Antigua (a Caribbean island), I went to Stingray City. Antigua and Grand Cayman are the only places in the world that have Stingray City. As a matter of fact I have a shirt from Stingray City too. Being in the water with all of those stingrays was nerve wracking. It was too much for my sister and me, seeing we were about to lose it trying to get out of the water. Stingrays are like cats, they’ll come right up and brush right against your legs without notice, in large quantities. But I will overcome my fear for the contest, who wouldn’t? Well that’s all for now. Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
shastasteph
August 12, 2010, 12:19 am

cowgirlexplorer, I know what you mean when you talk of the unending dreary weather. Where I live it is foggy all the time, even in the heart of summer. It’s kind of nice because it is cool in the summer, but it makes the winter rains ever colder. However, I have learned to like it because in my area we have some really unique animals that only live in this climate. I’m sure you’ll find something good about all those clouds!
luckstomper, I just must congratulate you still on your amazing calmness during that accident. I’m not sure if I would have been that calm at all. You really made me think more about how I should respond to emergency situations, so thank you. One thing I would like to make a point is that I don’t think you don’t deserve this contest. In my opinion, the ones who deserve to win this amazing trip are young kids and teens like us who really love nature and are eager and passionate to explore all Mother Nature has to offer. If you think you are that person and really know that you reflect a budding explorer like that, than I think you deserve to win. Ask yourself that question. Is that you? That’s really cool that there are two Stingray cities. I learn something new every day! That does sound intimidating with all those stingrays, but like you said I would definitely do it for excitement of the 2011 HOEC contest trip.
I hope everyone is enjoying their last few days of summer!
monique_9
August 12, 2010, 7:02 pm

Hi you guys
waterlily
August 12, 2010, 9:26 pm

OMG!!!!!!!!i cant belive it’s here!HOCE!any way I start middle school the eighteenth.I’ll be a sixth grader.this year i’m determined to win a spot on the HOEC expedition team.bye now.waterlily.(reilly
cowgirlexplorer
August 13, 2010, 3:10 pm

Hello Hello everyone!

Welcome to the blog monique_9, and hello to you too!

I was driving home (well I wasn’t driving) but anyway, it was really dark, and we hit a HUGE porcupine! I was enormous! It was really sad though, it made me like sick to my stomach because i wasn’t sure if it had died right away or not, it was horrible! there was a bunch of quills in our tire too.

The County fair is this weekend, and i am very excited. My sister and I entered a few of our chickens in the fair. 1st place is $3.00, whoo-hoo! Anyway, it is very fun too see all the different animals that people raised.

I start school in the nineteenth of this month! It feels like summer is already over, and it hasn’t even started yet!

~Celeste~
shastasteph
August 14, 2010, 12:26 pm

cowgirlexplorer, I am so sorry that you hit a porcupine! Hopefully it is okay. Those animals are usually pretty hardy, but I’m not sure how much impact it received. Porcupines are usually very big, though many people portray them as small rodents in books and cartoons. The North American porcupine, which is the on you most likely encountered, can grow between 2-4 feet long and can weigh between 15-30 pounds. That’s just the average measurements, too. I hope you win a prize in the county fair! I haven’t been to my county or state fair in a long time. I don’t even really know if there’s is a county fair for my area!
cowgirlexplorer
August 15, 2010, 8:45 pm

I Made 6 dollars at the fair, whoo-hoo! Both my chickens got first place, and first place is three dollars. It was a lot of fun.

Today at the fair, i went to a demolition derby, and it was so fun! It is hilarious watching all the people crash into each other! I love the county fair!

~Celeste~
Michigangirl14
August 15, 2010, 11:15 pm

OMG i cant believe they did this for us!!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought since i am 14 that there is no way but there is way to go nat geo
Michigangirl14
August 15, 2010, 11:34 pm

hey you guys…
i have not comented in like who knows how long!!! i stopped comenting back in like may when i heard there would be no 2010 HOEC!! so i thought i would just check out the sight, i dont get the magazine because my suscription just ended..so i checked the site and i was blew over my mine..i think i cried a little bit.. i was able to enter this contest and i was soooo happy! but better yet i was going 2 be able 2 express my love for water and swimming. I just cant wait. im sorry for all of you who have 2 start school soon..i am nervous for high school.
luckstomper- i am srry for what happened to your house and hopefully your house is okay. and sorry about your braces (i got mine in july and trust me they are not the most fun thing in the world) they definatly hurt.
cowgirlexplorer- hopefully you had a fun time on your trip
Kenna- McKenna i am glad to hear from you again. you are my inspiration to go forth with this contest. i loved reading your posts from peru.
well its late so got 2 go
~Brooke~
cowgirlexplorer
August 16, 2010, 11:19 pm

I went on a hike to the top of baldy mountain right where i live. (you can look at pictures of it online). when i walk outside it looks like it right on my front porch, but i had no idea how big and tall and steep it was until i got up there. On the very top of the mountain at the highest point there is a jar with the names of all the people who have made it to the top. It was really cool to be able to put my name in there. Also, from the top, you can a town that is a hour away from my town, which is pretty cool. You can see like 5 different towns that all just look like little specs among the huge expanses of farm land and green grass. It was so beautiful.

the only thing i didn’t like about it was that i had a really hard time getting up there because it was really steep and i have asthma, so i had a hard time breathing. also the elevation up there is so high so the air was really thin.

My friends might be moving to Australia in September. I am really excited cuz then i have a greater chance of going to Australia if i have someone to stay with and that kind of thing. My dad has already been looking at tickets! I am in love with Australia… the culture, the scenery, the… everything! I want to go so bad, almost as bad as i want to go to the cayman islands!

~Celeste~
Z
August 18, 2010, 9:05 am

Oh my gosh I’m so excited for this challenge! Way across the meadow next to our house there are woods and in the woods there is an old foundation well.Under it runs a little stream and in the stream there are little bright green clover things. Deer come to drink all the time!

p.s. I love birds
p.p.s just spotted a hawk
p.p.p.s Luckstomper-I’m getting braces too!
renaval
August 18, 2010, 9:31 am

Hey,
I was on vacation so i haven’t commented for a while. I went to that island i told you about earlier.As always we had lots of fun. My mom found a skull with the jaw bone still attached so i carried it on a stick for about a mile long walk through the woods. We are not positive what the skull is from but my couzin (who works in a vet office) believes it is a racoon skull aand she checked in a mammel book. But my uncle still says it has to be something else. my aunt found another skull just like it except it didn’t have the jaw bone. I think I’m going to start a skull collection. I know it sounds creepy but i really enjoy animals and i think their bone structures sre very interesting. i also saw otters when i was there My mom saw them up close and by the time i got there they were almost gone and all i could see were their heads, but it was still reeally cool to see them.
Copwgirlexplorer, you are so lucky I would love to go to australia. I think it is so beautiful down there. I did a project on the area in seventh grade and it seems like a really cool place.
Some of your schools start really early. i believe, by law, my school cant start till september 1. I’m starting highschool and I’m a little nervous. But I got all of my information a few days ago. And mine and my brothers lockers are ten away from eachother (hes a seniour) andd we have study hall together. Isn’t that funny.
~Valerie~
cowgirlexplorer
August 19, 2010, 9:47 pm

Hello Hello!

Welcome to the blog Z, it sounds like you live in a really cool place! Are you gonna enter the contest?

Reneval- i cant believe your school doesn’t start until September 1st…WOW! I wish my school was like that. today was my first day at school (high school) For the most part, it was pretty horrible, except for my Ag class. I am now in FFA so that is good.

~Celeste~
shastasteph
August 20, 2010, 1:40 am

cowgirlexplorer, congratulations for winning first place for both your chickens! It sounds like you had a ton of fun at the fair. It also sounds like your hike was really worth it even though it was probably grueling. I know the feeling you had. I once did this one hour hike at my annual Lake Shasta trip. Everything was either really steep and rocky, slippery, or muddy. It was hard getting to the top, but when we got there I saw the most beautiful natural waterfall/slide. It was also a lot of fun sliding down.
reneval, that’s cool that you found some skulls. I think a skull collection is a great way to explore and learn more about different animals. I actually found some gopher skulls and bones one time. It was really neat. Just make sure you sanitize them a little, so you don’t get sick.
Michigangirl14, we all were really excited that our fellow bloggers who were one year too old could now enter. I’m glad you checked back here. Unfortunately, my subscription ended as well, and my mom hasn’t had the chance to renew. At least you can enter again!
Z, welcome to the blog! I hope you will share some more information about yourself and your explorations. We love having new members come into our exploring family.
I started school on Monday, and I’ve already been having homework every day. I might not be able to comment as frequently because of that, but I might also not have as much time to explore. I’m so sad. Oh well.
Michigangirl14
August 23, 2010, 1:11 am

shastasteph,i am so glad that we are able to enter this contest again. i cant believe so many people started school all ready. i think its way to early. i dont start school intil the 7th of september. i am so nervous for highschool. i plan to write my essay soon.
cowgirlexplorer, its nice to hear that so many of u guys are starting highschool. most of us could not enterbecause we exceded the age limit. its nice to hear that someone else on this blog is exploring with Asthma. i personally have asthma and i hate it when it stops me from continueing exploring.
Z, welcome to the blog! i see u have an intrest in birds. i had an intrest in them but soon found my true passion of water animals (reptiles, amphibians, and watermammals) hope you are excited for your braces. i have them and they will be worth it in the end but they hurt.
renavel, it must have been cool to go to an island. some people get grossed out by the insides and inside structures of animals but i guess u are not. hopefully you will find a ton of bone skulls

so excited that i get to soon go to the lake and look for bull frogs with my cousin. going to be fun

~Brooke
Skimp27
August 25, 2010, 6:34 pm

HOLY! I was at camp for so long i didn’t even know about it! This is so exciting. Man luckstomper that was quite an experience. I hope you get a nice stove. I completely understand. I’m a military kid and I’ve been all over Europe, Asia, and North America. You’re not greedy for wanting to go on this trip so much. HERE”S TO THE EXPLORERS!! This will truly be an opportunity of a lifetime. I want it so much. If I do happen to impress the judges and win, hopefully i’ll get to meet some of you. Later
Skimp27
August 25, 2010, 7:38 pm

I am about to post twice in a row which is kind of weird but i have to admit, I got this blog yesterday. I’ve been almost obsessive over the HOEC since after the Africa trip. I was going to enter for the Australia trip, but I got so obsessive and stressed trying to write an essay that I broke down and lost it. I thought I was so terrible at writing. for the 2009 trip to Peru, I started writing but once again got really stressed. I gave up, my biggest mistake. I was so revved up for the 2010 contest. I spent hours writing different essays on different topics, revising, editing, rewriting, and exploring to get more info about my topic. Then they announce that there wasnt going to be a trip for 2010. Now here we are and I’m so excited to enter this contest. I’m finally confident in my writing capabilites and we have a new topic. But, like I said, I’m confident. Well, kudos to all you big time-bloggers like luckstomper, cowgirlexplorer, and michigangirl14. Later
cowgirlexplorer
August 25, 2010, 9:07 pm

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the blog Skimp27, that is so cool that you have lived in so many different places. Where do you live now? It sounds like you are definitely in the running among us bloggers to soon be in the Cayman Islands.

I met a girl today who had just come back from the Cayman islands and she said that it was amazing! Shae also said that the water there is so turquoise, and that you don’t think that water that beautiful could ever exist but then there it is just looking at you. I want to go so badly!

~Celeste~
luckstomper
August 25, 2010, 10:40 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Wow, I haven’t commented in awhile. Welcome to the blog Skimp27! That’s wicked cool you have visited all over the world! Where was your favorite place? Is it hard to be a military kid, and was it your choice? Are you a guy? If you are, a sigh of relief because I have been the patriarch of the blog forever. It would be nice to see another guy on here too. I also don’t blame you for getting stressed on writing essays. You should’ve been here from the fall of ’08 to mid-winter ’09, it was complete chaos of, ‘Is my essay right?!’ ‘What about my photo?!’ ‘What if my entry got lost in the mail?!’ ‘Did I follow the rules?!’ It was truly complete chaos. If anyone else was also here you know what I was talking about.

Cowgirlexplorer, that’s so cool that you now have an inside look towards the Caymans through your friend. I know exactly what your friend was going through when she encountered the turquoise waters. The pellucid, sharp, glass-like water was like a doorway into another world. I have experienced this 4 times, most recently was this year in Belize. We were a ways from shore and all you saw were the white caps breaking at the emerging barrier reef and the glass water beneath you, and when you took that initial plunge into the water you can’t even begin to fathom what you will see. But once the air bubbles retract and all you see around you is life. It’s like stepping foot in the Garden of Eden, except underwater. I still have vivid images of everything I have encountered and experienced on my tropical vacations. Well that’s all for now! Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. I really haven’t commented in a long time, yikes.
P.P.S. I start school this coming Tuesday, August 31st! I can’t wait!
moongoddess_60
August 26, 2010, 5:23 pm

Sounds really exciting!
Skimp27
August 26, 2010, 9:30 pm

Hey guys. Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, I am a guy. cowgirexplorer, I live in Maryland right now. Luckstomper, my favorite place I’ve been is probably Austria/southernGermany.Real nice there in the Alps. It really wasn’t my choice. My dad was in the military since before I was born. I’ve probably been getting so stressed because when the essay contests start my dad’s usually deployed. my dads been gone since last November and isn’t coming back till next March. I’m actually jealous of you. Although I’ve been all over the world,I’ve never been to the Carribean,central America, or South America. That’s the only place I have on my wish list. How do you get to travel like that? Nothing else to say. Later
luckstomper
August 27, 2010, 8:17 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Welcome to the blog moongoddess_60. Thanks for the feedback Skimp27, I appreciate it! I know it’s going to seem like I’m hammering you with questions because I have a few more questions about your ‘avid’ life. I hope it’s not too personal, but do you enjoy being a military kid? Or would you rather be doing something else, and how does school fit in with your life? Now onto your question for me about how do I get to travel like that. To tell you the truth I am lucky to have such a travel-savy mom. It also helps that my family is fortunate enough to have two parents with two well paying jobs. My mom is the mastermind behind it all. She can find deals no one else can find. It’s the main reason why I have been to the Turks and Caicos, Antigua and Barbuda twice, Belize, and Canada. I praise my mom and hope to learn everything about finding bargains from her. It was also in my part that we went to Belize. It was a few years ago when I brought up the topic of going to Belize, and sure enough years later my mom surprises us with the trip to Belize, and she even told me it was because of me that we went. Well that’s how I get to travel like this.

Well I have officially started practicing for the fall cross country season. Oh yeah I’m running for the high school varsity, not the middle school cross country team. Then after the school season is over I move over to my club cross country team for training for the National Cross Country Championships. What sports are you guys doing this fall, if any? Well that’s all for now. Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. The two hour season finale of Whale Wars is on in about 20 minutes! Can’t wait! Then on Sunday is the television premire of The Cove, which kicks of the mini-series Blood Dolphin$ premiring on September 3rd!
cowgirlexplorer
August 27, 2010, 11:36 pm

Hello Hello!

Welcome to the blog moongoddess_60! — and yes, it IS really exciting! haha

Luckstomper, i have to say that you last blog post… for lack of a better word, truly beautiful to me. I am sure you will have no problem making your way to the Cayman islands in the very near future.

Skimp 27 – i can only imagine how hard it would be to be a military kid, and not seeing you dad for such a long time. It your mom in the military too or just your dad? It also really cool to have another guy on the blog. How old are you?

I was just laying in our yard yesterday, which is actually a field, and looking around. It occurred to me just then how beautiful it is where i live, and where all of you live i am sure. I also got a little discouraged because i also realized that a camera would never be able to capture the world as we see it. And so quickly, a moment of beauty can be taken from you, and you can never get it back. How the sunset that you see, is completely different from one minute to the next. And how the things that you see in life can only happen one time, you can never see the same things with the same feelings that you once had, ever again. ( this may, and probably does, sound really confusing… sorry)

Well those are my thoughts for now! talk to you all later!

~Celeste~
renaval
August 28, 2010, 10:22 am

Hey,
I haven’t blogged in awhile, not much has happened lately. I’m just waiting for school to start. It begins on wendsday sept. 1. I’m qwite nervous because im starting highschool. During my morning classes I have no time to go to my locker. The school is huge! And I literally have to go from one end to the other. I have to go back and forth, back and forth. I’m going to look pretty dumb speed walking to all my classes and carrying all my stuff.

I have typed up a first draft of my essay but I havent done much else. I have not been motivated enough to put some real time into it.

Skimp 27, Thats really cool that you travel all over, but it does stink that your dads in the military. My sister went to germany and she thought it was really cool also. The closest I,ve been to being out of this country is looking over lake superior and try see Canada.

I hope all of your summers have been wonderful.
~Valerie~
shastasteph
August 28, 2010, 7:32 pm

Wow! I haven’t blogged in a long time. I have just been so busy with school. I have a lot more homework during the week and on the weekends, and I also need to spend a lot of time studying for tests. I’m definitely going to make it a point to blog at least once a week, probably on the weekends.
Michigangirl14, actually, even without the age extension I would have still been able to enter the 2011 Hands-On Explorer Challenge contest. I’m still happy you and some of our other older bloggers could enter. Just relax about going to high school. I know going to a new school is a little nerve-wrecking, but I’m sure you’ll be fine and will do well.
cowgirlexplorer, that is so cool that you met a girl who visited the Cayman Islands! You must really be psyched to win this trip now. From the description she gave you, it sounds like this place is really beautiful just like the past contests’ countries.
luckstomper, I totally agree that during the time when we had already mailed off our entries, everyone on this blog was really nervous and anxious. Everyone wanted to make sure their entries were perfect and would amaze the judges. I still think you’re really lucky that you got to go to Belize. I guess I must still wait before I can explore a country.
Welcome to the blog moongoddess_60 and Skimp27.
Skimp27, that’s really cool that you are a military kid. It must be really neat getting to visit and explore so many countries around the world! Due to financial issues, I have never been able to travel to international locations. I actually have only been to areas in my home state and right over the border of the neighboring state! In that case, I sure your wanting to travel to Central America, South America, and/or the Caribbean. I’m hoping to win this contest because I would really like to be able to explore another country. It is one of my dreams to just experience another culture of a unique place. Also, exploring is truly one of my passions. Doesn’t everyone on this blog agree that when you’re out in nature, you just feel so relaxed? The sound of the birds singing quite tunes, the rustle of the leaves, the earthy smells of the dirt are filled with amazing things. Nature has so much to offer, and I really want to discover all it has to share. Also, I was wondering if it ever gets lonely being a military kid and having to move a lot. Is it hard making friends?
I can really feel the excitement vibrating through these posts. This is the year many, if not all of the bloggers on here win. I can see the passion in the words everyone has written. I know we will win! Hopefully I’ll get some inspiration when I have more time to explore.
lala212
August 29, 2010, 9:50 pm

HI PEPOLE how are u thanks for posting that i am so going to sign up next year
luckstomper
August 30, 2010, 1:07 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Wow, that took awhile for all of those posts to feed through. I kept on awaiting for more comments to appear because I know I had posted one and it hadn’t shown up for quite some time. Then when I saw 5 new comments I knew I wasn’t the only one.

Welcome to the blog lala212! I’m not sure what you mean about “going to sighn up next year” because you don’t sign up for the contest, you enter it with an essay and a matching photo. But it’s great to see more and more people every day join this blog and take part in these discussions. If it weren’t for this blog I don’t honestly know if I would have enough motive to enter the contest. Like you reneval I haven’t had enough motivation to sit down and just write. One thing I had just realized after reading your last comment cowgirlexplorer. I haven’t just sat outside and wandered aimlessly. I think after I am done with this comment and finished watching Transformers 2 I will take a long walk outside and really think of the topic of this year’s contest and wait for that spark to ignite the creative juices and tell me the message that this topic is trying to tell me.

One other news, I start school tomorrow the 31st! I will be entering eighth grade with most of my friends, the rest on the other team. New teachers, new facts, new information. I love school, I don’t care what everyone else says, I do.

Shastasteph I completely agree with you. I can see the excitement vibrating these posts! I also agree that if not one but many of us will win the judges over and get to go on a trip of a lifetime with National Geographic! Well I hope that everyone gets that spark that will inspire you to write a winning essay. Well that’s all for now! Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
naturephotographer
August 30, 2010, 6:30 pm

Aha this is were everyone went!!!! I was wondering what happened to you guys when no one was commenting….. I feel so ridiculous right now.

Anyway I hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer. I went back on August 25th. So far so good… I am taking all honors and my backpack weighs…… 30 POUNDS!!! I get a pretty good workout walking up and down the halls.

Wow I can’t believe it has been like a month since the last time I commented. Since then I have been to Rhode Island, NYC, Plymouth, MA for a whale watch, Cooperstown, NY, Belmont, NH, and Boston, MA.

Plus The HOEC was announced!!! WOW!!!! It is great that they upped the age cut off date…. The bad thing I am still too old my 5 days… Oh well…. Maybe my little brother will enter..

NYC was AMAZING!!!! My godmother and I went from August 5th, 6th and 7th. In that time we went to; Radio City Music Hall (took a backstage tour, and met a real Rockette), Dylan’s Candy Store, Serendipity’s the restaurant, Rockefeller Center, Top of the Rock, Times Square (went into M&M World, and Swarovski Crystal Store), took a cruise of New York Harbor (around the Statue of Liberty and Elise Island) (the line was like 4hrs long to get onto the boat that actually brought you to the islands), Ground Zero, Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy, Soho, Greenwich Village, Central Park (at night, and during the day), F.A.O Toy Store, walked through The Plaza, saw Mary Poppins on Broadway, and finally Planet Hollywood.

Then my aunt and I went on a Whale Watch on the 9th. We saw 5 different types of whales. The most common the Humpback. I saw one in the distance jump clear out of the water. Among the whales was a mother and its calf!!!! I would say it was cute, but I only saw its back. And it was NOT small at all…. I got a couple good pics of the tails!!!

Then my mom’s side of the family drove up to Cooperstown, NY were the Baseball Hall of Fame is. It was AMAZING!!! I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes/loves baseball. It is in the middle of no where but worth the trip. Everywhere you look there is baseball.

After Cooperstown we drove with my grandparents to Belmont, NH were they have a summer cottage on a little lake. I love going there because it is small and personal, and no one can bother you with txt or phone calls because you don’t get any bars.

We only stayed in NH for 1 &1/2 days because we had to go to my oldest cousin’s going to college party…. I am going to miss him. He is going to a college in PA, for theater/play writing. My uncle has a joke that my brother is the son he never had. This is what he tells people, “Most sons come home from school and talk to their dads about sports. Mine comes home and talks to his mother about makeup.”

I think that is all…….. I hope I didn’t bore you too much.

Elizabeth
shastasteph
August 31, 2010, 12:49 am

luckstomper, that is really neat that your mom is able to find all those great deals. I’ve never even heard of some of the places you have traveled to! You are very fortunate. With this contest or with some luck in the future, I too hope to be able to travel abroad outside the borders of the U.S. That would just be a dream. Good luck with all of your cross country trainings, events, etc. I remember you had gone to the Junior Olympics last year, so I hope you make it onto the National Team. My brother runs cross country and track for his high school team. You must be amazing to run varsity for high school considering you are only in the eighth grade. I am very short, so I don’t really have the legs for running. However, I’m not completely horrible at it. I think I want to try out for my school’s track team in the spring, so wish me luck! As I’ve been saying, I agree with you that at least one, hopefully and most likely many if not all of us bloggers, will win this year. Besides getting to travel to another country, it would be amazing to meet you. I hope I get the chance to do just that.
cowgirlexplorer, just as luckstomper thought, your words really struck me. As I was reading them I was just thinking how true it was. Nature is always changing, and if you’re not fast enough to capture that image on paper or electronically, it just goes away. However, I also think that’s what makes those moments so special to you, yourself. Sometimes you see things that no one else sees, yet that moment is imprinted on your own mind. It’s special to you and no one else can really imagine what it would be like. I for example, saw a bald eagle soar out onto the crystal green waters of Lake Shasta and ever so carefully pluck a fish from its water. It’s talons were so masterful in its movements that it made barely a splash. As it returned to the trees with the rainbow trout still wriggling to get free, it landed on a large branch, the bottom of the bird hidden by coniferous needles. Then there was a burst of squawks and baby bird calls. I then knew that female eagle was feeding its chicks. Though I wasn’t able to capture it on film since I was swimming, it will forever be an experience I will never forget.
reneval, that stinks that you don’t have time to go to your locker. I’m lucky because my school gives us an eight minute passing time. Also, the class that requires me to have the most books and supplies isn’t until after lunch, so I can leave it in my locker for all my morning classes. Also, all of you are so lucky to start school so late. I started on August 16! Oh well. I really enjoy it now since I switched schools. It’s just much freer than my previous one.
naturephotographer, I am so sorry to hear that you were only five days away from being able to enter. However, it does sound like you had an amazing time during your New York trip. Even though I’ve lived by the ocean all my life, I have never been on a whale watch. I hope I can someday though. Your experience sounds really neat. It makes me want to go so much more. It is also kind of frustrating when my dad returns from is annual week-long fishing trip with his friends along the coast of Baja California. He always has amazing videos of common and grey dolphins cruising all the waves the boat makes. Also, he even has captured times when humpback whales swim right along the side of the boat or are just migrating with their pods. Besides marine cetaceans, my dad has also videotaped pelicans and various other birds diving into balls of sardines and anchovies. Oh how I wish I could witness these sights with my own eyes! I guess for now I will just have to be satisfied with the excellent documentations of Life, Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and other nature shows.
Skimp27
August 31, 2010, 6:47 am

Hey guys. Well Luckstomper, I honestly love being military kid and there is no other life I’d rather have. School? Well I’m starting my fifth school in a row that I’ll only be at for 1 year. Cowgirlexplorer, it’s only my dad. About the age, I’m not alowed to give away too much friendly info. sorry. Shastasteph, sorry you do’nt get to travel that much. I hope you win almost as much as I want to win. Don’t worry about the personal questions about me. If it gets too personal I won’t answer, but I usually don’t mind. Later!
renaval
August 31, 2010, 8:30 am

Hey,
Naturephotographer, sounds like you had a really fun trip. What was your favorite part? I’ve never been on a whale whatch, but I really want to.

Sounds like most of you have gone back to school already. I don’t go back until tomorrow september 1. I am very nervous.

I am saving up for a new camera because i only have a point and shoot camera. I hopeing to get the Nikon D5000. I now clean the hole house and wash all the floors and windows and vacuumm every day. I do a hole bunch of other stuff too, but i get paid a good amount.

My sister planned a two week trip to washington and alaska. And she was just doing it for fun but my parents didn’t say no, but they didnt say yes either. They are acually considering going on this trip! We would fly to seattle and see the red woods for a day or to then drive to vancouver. We then start a four or five day cruise up the coast of alaska. After that we get dropped of in some city and then we would go to as many national/state parks as we can. it sounds so awesome. Me and my brother told my mom that before we go on this trip we need to get a good camera. she didn’t really like that idea.

My mom taught me and my brother how to use her old camera. its one that uses film. So we both have been trying to take some pictures with it. its quiet hard to get all the settings right.

~Valerie~
melinie10804
September 1, 2010, 10:21 am

what is there names how did they get chosein? wre al did you go to get there? good ride and by the way grea t piture
oceangrl101
September 1, 2010, 12:57 pm

I am so excited!!! New to blog but like it already! : )
Skimp27
September 1, 2010, 3:53 pm

Wow renaval, That sounds like it would be an awesome trip. Alaska is very beautiful and my brother was born on the north coast. I understand. I need a new camera to. My old one broke last year. I don’t have enough money for a good one. My mom says the D5000 is one of the best around.
Later.
2 cool 4 u #1
September 1, 2010, 5:05 pm

cool! I’ve always wanted to be in a kayak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cowgirlexplorer
September 1, 2010, 5:53 pm

Hello Hello!

i HATED school today! As some of you know- i live in a very small town. I am the only girl in my class and the guys in my class are ssssssooooo mean. I hate them!

Anyway… welcome to the blog– Melinie10804, and oceangirl101.

Skimp 27- i think that your life sounds so cool. I think that it would be so cool to be able to say that i have lived all of those places when i am like 40. Not many people can say that.

Not much to really tell about… oh- sounds like a really cool trip naturephotographer, esp. the whale watching thing.

~Celeste~
shastasteph
September 1, 2010, 10:22 pm

I guess my other comment didn’t get posted yet, but it’s too long for me to rewrite it. Oh well. Hopefully it will show up soon.
Skimp27, I can’t afford an amazing D5000 either. It’s way over my budget. However, I do have one of those small portable digital cameras. Though it’s definitely not as good as cameras like the D5000, it has proven its worth by it being sufficient enough for the photos I have taken with it. Maybe you’ll be able to get that camera soon, like when you win. That would be a dream come true to win this contest. Hopefully I, you, and many others on this blog will all win, so we can meet each other. It must be tough moving to a new school about every year. I hope you make a lot of friends!
reneval, I hope your parents agree to go on that trip to Washington and Alaska. I heard it is very beautiful there, especially in Alaska. However, it also might be freezing cold since winter is coming around. I hope you make enough money to get your D5000 soon!
cowgirlexplorer, do you think you could travel to another class? That’s really unfair that you are the only girl. There should at least be one other girl in your class since you do go to a coed school. I hope you can get something changed.
Welcome to the blog melinie10804, oceangrl101, and 2 cool 4 U #1.
melinie10804, the names are winners of the last HOEC contest. Their prize was a trip to Peru. They had to write an essay and take a photograph for the entry to try and win the trip.
oceangrl101, I’m glad you already like the blog. I hope you will post more about yourself and anything you’ve seen in the world.
luckstomper
September 2, 2010, 7:43 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Well right now I am on my laptop in my closed room with the air conditioner on right next to me. Why? Well let’s see,…up here in the Sahara desert I saw a camel cross the road to day in the 100 degree weather. Okay so the camel was a lie, but you almost expected a camel to cross the street like it was nothing. The past three days (also the only three days of school so far) we have had a heat wave. A real full out heat wave. All the days were at least 95 degrees fahrenheit. Today was the hottest peaking at around 100 degrees. But in the school it was hotter, WAY, hotter. I’d say it was a 10-15 degree difference between outside and inside. Our school was built in like 1630 so our school is falling apart and we’re still to cheap to buy air conditioning. It’s unacceptable right now to me and others. All three days of school so far I have sweat right threw the back of my shirt. It’s really gross and sticky. Then comes the bus. Luckily, I’m only on the bus in the morning and not in the afternoon because of cross country. In the morning there is give or take 78 kids on our bus. I’ve heard in the afternoon it gets up to 84 kids. Every seat from the middle back is three to a seat and in front of the middle of the bus its a combo between 2 seaters and 3 seaters. It’s ridiculous, I don’t even live in a city! I live in a suburb of a city that has half its land as forests! Anywhom that’s my daily ramble.

Welcome to the blog, melinie10804, oceangrl101, and 2 cool 4 u #1. It’s always to nice to see more and more people discover this blog.

Reneval, that’s a pretty ambitious task you are trying to complete. I praise you for striving for something you want. The Nikon D5000 is the up there as one of the best. My personal opinion which makes no effect on your decision what so ever is that that’s a professional photographers type of camera. Like a photographer who would work for National Geographic might have that camera. What I did was a got a professional camera or a SLR, but a lower class one. I got the Canon E0S Rebel XS, where as my mom got the same except she got the XSi. Don’t get me wrong you could have a phenomenal gift in photography that we don’t know about and you have taken classes on photography. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I think you will be overwhelmed with the amount of settings there is. I still am overwhelmed. I’m still just getting use to the aperture settings, white balance, shutter speed, manual focus, and much, much more. Again what I said to you is just my opinion and everyone’s is different, so do what YOU want.

Well that’s all for now. Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. Hurricane Earl is going to hit dead on where I live tomorrow. Which means 40+ mph winds, lots of rain. It’s rare for this much of a hurricane at this force to hit inland Massachusetts. It will be wicked fun!
timbautista
September 4, 2010, 6:36 pm

wow! the cayman islands has wonderful islands! when my family has greencards we must go there i said!
Mesa
September 5, 2010, 3:58 pm

8D sgklhskf!
I’m so excited for this!!

I really want that nikon, and the trip must be really amazing too!
I have one of those cheap digital cameras that don’t focus very well. But I don’t think NG is looking for top quality photos are they? Just photos that relate to the essay well?

I finished my essay … a month ago and now I just finished revising. Hopefully it’s good enough.
haha. I really hope I win a spot. @-@
luckstomper
September 5, 2010, 6:53 pm

Hi Everyone!

Luckstomper here. Welcome to the blog timbautista! I’m glad you also think that the Cayman Islands are as wonderful as us! And what are “greencards”?

Today was finally a nice and normal day, seeing this past week was a dry-spell heat wave. So in honor of this fine day, with my dad, step-mom, and sister we climbed the 2nd or 3rd most climbed mountain in the WORLD, not U.S., but the WORLD! This mountain is Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire. We took the White Cross trail up to the top. Let me tell you there were a lot, of rocks. Little, small, large, and wide, there were rocks. At the top it was crazy windy! I stood at the peak for a wile just standing there with my Sea Shepherd hoodie on trying not to blown away! Haha. On the way back down there was a fun “rock slide” that you could just sit on and you would slide right down. I don’t know how we missed it on the way up. I highly recommend climbing a mountain near you. It’s totally worth it. The view is amazing. Plus it’s neat to eat lunch up there like I did! Well that’s all for now! Talk to everyone soon!

~~~~JON~~~~
(luckstomper)
P.S. I got this past Friday off as well as this coming Monday off too for Labor Day! How ’bout you?
cowgirlexplorer
September 6, 2010, 5:34 pm

Welcome to the blog timbautista and mesa.

I had to clean out our boiler today- and now i am covered (COVERED) in black ash. and i then i had to help dig a trench, so on top of the layer of ash, i have a layer of mud.

The weather is finally getting better here… yes!
Not really much to say. Oh, do any of you watch the TV show, the colony? I luv that show! haha- just thought I’d ask.

~Celeste~
naturephotographer
September 6, 2010, 7:00 pm

Hi, everyone…. I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend!!!
Luckstomper that is sooooo cool you got to climb Mt. Monadnock!!! My mom’s family used to climb that mountain all the time when they were younger….. I have never been though. Have you ever been to Kangamangus Highway?
If anyone has the opportunity to go, GO!!! It is sooo much fun!!! It is the White Mountains of NH and is all natural. Except for the actual road you drive on. The “highway” is actually a 34 ft river that flows down from the mountains, and it forms waterfalls, and swimming pools. The water is sooooo clear!!! If you were to stand on a ledge and look 30ft down into the water you would be able to see the water as if it was 5ft below you. The water is also very refreshing because it is coming straight down from the mountains.
School is going well for me… How about everyone else???
Okay so last weekend I was babysitting one our family friend’s little boy. He is 8 yrs old and SWALLOWED A PENNY!!! So that is normal for a 2 or 3 yr old, but he is 8 yrs old!!! I wasn’t even at his house of a hour and a half……

I think that is all…..
Elizabeth
renaval
September 6, 2010, 7:03 pm

Hey,
Happy Labor day! Luckstomper you are very lucky, I only get monday of for labor day. That mountain climbing sounds pretty cool. Sadly there are no mountains any where near me. I live in the midwest so there is absolutly Zero! mountains. But i did climb two bluffs (The closest thing to a mountain around here) It was at Devils Lake. My family and I hiked around the whole lake which was probably about five miles and there were two bluffs. We saw some very cool rock formations Like the Devil’s Doorway. Me and my sister climbed up into it. We had to accually climb up it was it tall for us to get into easily and if we would of fallen we would of fell a LONG way. We also went down a really step path that was practicall;y straight down the rocks made almost naturally steps that were cemnted together to stop them from falling. it was a very cool expirience. Also on the way back home we took a fairry over a river and we stomped at a vinyard. I’ve never been to a vinyard befor and it was very cool.

I’ve read 30 plus reviews on the D5ooo all of them said it had a great auto setting and was a easy camera to use for people who were starting with SLRs. Luckstompeer I will take what you said into consideration and do alot more reasearch and talking to people at the stores about the camera and how it works for beginners before i decide to buy it.

i am so happy because my parents let me get some pet fish! We already have a tank and everything for them so it wasn’t that much of an expanse. I got four little ones that will grow up to 2 inches.
Three of them are Glofish and one of them is a Zebra Danio. I named them Zora(from Zelda), Linus(from Lost and Charlie Brown), Gormagon(From Bones) and Luna(from Harry Potter). They are all really bright colors.

I don’t like highschool very much so far it has been all right but the classes i was most looking forward to didn’t turn out so great. I have no friends in my Agriscience class and my Biology teacher is horrible she gives us a ton of homework everynight and on the first day of school she gave us about three hours of homework. Its crazy. She doesn’t really teachh us much either she just talks the hole class then gives us homework right before we leave and it doesn’t even relate to what she’s talking about. I hope everyones school time is doing better then mine.

~Valerie~
Skimp27
September 7, 2010, 3:26 pm

Well, everyone has climbing stories and I guess I’m gonna chip in with one of my own. My younger brother and I discovered a deer trail right near the potomac river a few days back. We did a little exploring and the trail leads to a 40-50 foot sheer plunge into the river. The scenery is some of the best you could hope for when you’re trying to take pictures. the trail goes to the left and starts to slope down into a massive gully. There it splits into several trails that go down the gully and up the other side, up to the edge of the cliff, or down to the river. the first day we went up the cliff. I came so close to falling and I thoiught my life was over. yesterday we got another brother to go down the trail to the river. from there we walked under the cliff and decided to attempt to free climb it. From there it was us scrambling up thirty+ feet of loose gravel at like a 75 degree slope. we got up to l ledge and realized we couldn’t make it. The cliff started to hang over us. going up was suicide, going back down was suicide, going to the right was suicide because the ledge fell away. The only option we had was going to the left and using tree roots like ropes and swinging /scrambling to the trail 10 feet away. Teamwork kept my brother from dying. Yeah it was dangerous, but if fear gets in the way of exploring than who will experience these things.
reneval, it’s gonna pay off in school. Personally I have some bad teachers too (except my engineering teacher.) I’m sure things will get better. Don’t give up on the D5000. Naturephotographer, how does an eight year old swallow a penny? Kangamangus highway sounds like a cool place (that ledge sounds like it would make an awesome high dive.) luckstomper, sounds like a great adventure. personally, as of yesterday, I don’t think sliding down loose gravel is very fun. Cowgirlexplorer, sounds like you got really dirty. I hope you didn’t go to school like that. welcome to the blog mesa and timbautista.
long post but thats all. Later
I am Ian
September 7, 2010, 8:36 pm

Hi everyone! It’s Ian from the 2009 challenge and I just wanted to wish everyone good luck on the contest. I’m glad they’ve announced this, because my sister is finally old enough to enter. I wish everyone could go on this trip. Good luck to all the loyal bloggers.
shastasteph
September 7, 2010, 11:08 pm

luckstomper, it must have been really hot during the heat wave. My area has also been having some periodic heat waves. This is the first time we’ve had so many in a two-month time frame. It sounds like you had a great time climbing though. I probably won’t be traveling anytime soon, but hopefully this year’s Hands-On Explorer Challenge will allow me to do so.
timbautista, it sounds like you had a great time at the Cayman Islands. Do you mind maybe sharing more about it with us on the blog? It would be great to learn more about the country many of us may soon be visiting.
Mesa, don’t be discouraged. I too only have one of those small, cheap cameras. It’s capabilities can’t even compare to that of cameras such as the Canon Rebel or the D5000. However, still be glad it can at least do the job. It’s better than nothing! I can’t believe you already finished your essay! That means you finished it two or three days after the contest was just announced. Good luck!
cowgirlexplorer, you must have gotten really dirty! I’m sure a nice warm shower fixed that though. At least, or at least I hope, you won’t have to do those jobs for a while. I watched one episode of The Colony a long time ago, but I don’t watch it. However, I have seen many commercials for it. That’s great the weather is improving.
naturephotographer, the mountains you climbed sound really neat, just like luckstomper’s. School isn’t too bad, but I always have a lot of homework. I stay up late finishing it, doing projects, and studying for tests. This leaves me barely any time to comment on this blog periodically, let alone explore and work on my 2011 Hands-On Explorer Challenge contest essay. I hope I have more time to work on it. Anyways, I’m still trying to find inspirations. Anyone else thinking of ideas? My weekend was actually a lot of fun. I finished my homework early, so I got to sleep over at a friend’s house with our other friends for two nights in a row. When we were lying down in her backyard, it was fun just watching the birds and trees move with the light breeze.
reneval, sounds like you have some pretty good times exploring the bluffs. That’s cool that there are natural steps. Everyone’s trips/explorations sound like a lot of fun! I really like the names you gave your fish. School for me is also pretty tough, but it will help my learn better habits for the future.
Skimp27, it sounds like you had a very daring, but fun climb. That is pretty dangerous, but I totally agree with you on your motives. If you don’t ever try, you really never will know. I congratulate you and your siblings for being willing to take that risk, and I’m glad you are all safe.
I am Ian/Ian, hi! How are you? It’s really awesome that you took the time out to comment on this blog again. Thanks so much for the luck. I know many of us bloggers are really hoping to win this since we’ve been inspired and encouraged by your previous posts about the Peru trip. Thank you so much again!
I guess I’ll share my climbing tale. There’s a super small mountain called Mt. Corona. It only takes fifteen minutes to reach the top, but the view is very nice. Also, there’s this rock formation at the top. I’m pretty sure it’s natural, but it’s obvious people have distorted many parts of it by chipping, littering, and marking the formation in many ways. My real story is one I have told before. Again, it takes place in Lake Shasta. There’s this one and a half hour climb I did last year with everyone on the trip. It was really neat because there were crystal-clear springs and little waterfalls everyone. It was very fun climbing it, and at the top there was a natural water slide made from the snow melt. It was amazing sliding down. I hope to do that climb again when I return to Lake Shasta someday.
I hope everyone is doing well in school and in general. Good luck on all your 2011 Hands-On Explorer Challenge entries!
renaval
September 11, 2010, 11:09 am

Hey,
Sounds like evryone has been exploring some mountains and cliffs lately. i wish I had more geological features that I could explore.
Mesa and shastasteph, I have a pretty simple point-and-shoot camera too. But i am still very thankful to have it. I’ve always wanted a camera and since I’ve gotten mine I have had a lot of cool expireinces with it.
School has been getting better. My one teacher that I don’t like is a little better. She’s not that bad but the amount of homework she gives is horrible. I also have a class called Informational technology and literacy. It’s where you learn how to use microsoft word and some other stuff. I thought it was going to be really pointless because i already know lots about Word But surprisingly I really like the class. It’s not much work and I’ve learned a lot of cool and interesting things that I can do to Documents.
What is your favorite place to explore? I really like my grandparents farm. I don’t get to explore it much because they about an hour away and whenever we go there we spend time with them instead of exploreing. The have alot of feilds with beans and corn and a few barns. But my favorite part is brhind there feilds they have some woods with paths through them and a opening with grass and a little creek runs through it all. It’s very pretty. Hope everyone is haveing a good september.

~Valerie~
cowgirlexplorer
September 13, 2010, 10:09 pm

WOW! A lot of comments. I fell like i haven’t been on this blog for ever!

Nice to hear from you again Ian. I really want to make it on the trip this year.

Sounds like everyone has been going hiking lately, or some sort of climbing adventure.

Luckstomper– that is really cool that you got to hike that mountain.

My class might take a trip to my house to do livestock judging. I am pretty excited. I luv my cows!– haha

Well… not much has really been happening lately , so i guess that’s all.!

~Celeste~
shastasteph
September 17, 2010, 1:55 am

Wow. That’s really neat that your class might go to your farm for a livestock judging. Since I live in the city, we don’t really have experiences like that. Anyways, I would be a little unsure about having all my classmates and my teacher come to my house. How’s everyone been? I guess comments haven’t been put up yet.
renaval
September 20, 2010, 6:22 pm

Hey,

Doesn’t look like very many people have been commenting lately. I’ve been busy with school. A recent offer my Honors Biology teacher told us about is that that she and another teacher are going to Belize and are takeing kids along with them. She asked our class if anyone new where belize is. Due to Luckstompers recent trip there I was the only one who knew. Sadly it like over $2000 dollars so I don’t think i’m going.

Not much is has happened lately, but The trees are begining to change colors here! I really like fall because it’s not to cold and not to hot. Also all the trees become such pretty colors. My favorite season is winter because there are so many fun things you can do. I really enjoy cross country skiing, down hill skiing, sledding, and playing in the snow. I also love it because my birthday is in witer and of course christmas. What is everyones favorite season?

My dad’s work has a photo contest every year and I am entering in it soon. Last year was the first year i entered. You can only enter 2 photos and I won first in one catagory and second in another. I hopeing todo just as well this year.

~Valerie~
Skimp27
September 21, 2010, 4:26 pm

You know reneval, not many people have been commenting. School is getting pretty tough and I’ve got alot of homework. Sunday I got home from Ohio. I ran in the air force marathon 10k (go air force oorah!!) Next year I’m probably running the half marathon. I have a baseball game tonight so this is the only time I have to comment.
Later.
naturephotographer
September 21, 2010, 4:34 pm

Hi, everyone. Wow it has been a while since anyone has commented, including myself….. School has been REALLY hard for me. Yesterday, I had 4 tests!! That is a test in every single class. I was pretty stressed. Other than school I really haven’t done anything really interesting. This weekend I am flying up to Connecticut to visit a family friend who is turning 81 on Saturday. Then next Saturday I am going to be cleaning up our local lake. It is an annual event were volunteers are dropped off on different islands, and they pick up as much garbage as possible.

That is it for now…
Elizabeth
jindo2108
September 21, 2010, 9:54 pm

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! School can be so annoying!!!!!!!! Plus, we had the latest starting date: September 13.GRRRRRRRR!!!!
I have a confession to make: I have not ENTERED!!! I just don’t really like to enter contests that much. BUT…………… if one of you wins, YOU HAVE TO POST IT!!!!!! I want to know!!! I sure hope you guys win.
Hmmmmmmmmm……..
-jindo
shastasteph
September 22, 2010, 11:46 pm

I’ve been checking this blog every other day, and the number of comments posted each day has definitely dwindled. School is also very hectic for me. I have at least two tests each week, hours of homework, and only one extra activity for an hours after school. I’m already really tired and not getting enough sleep! I don’t know how I’m going to have time to try a sport, explore, write my 2011 Hands-On Explorer Challenge contest entry, and do any other activities. There’s just not enough time in a day, even in a week.
naturephotographer, I hope you have a nice time visiting your family. My whole family lives relatively close to me, so it’s really nice.
Skimp27, that’s cool that you ran a 10k. I’ve done three before. I was going to do it again this year, but unfortunately there were already too many participants. Wow. A half marathon is much, much longer compared to a 10k. Good luck!
reneval, my Spanish teacher also showed us a study abroad program. The places we can visit are Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, or Spain. I want to go to Spain, but I really want to go to the Costa Rica one. However, it is also a little bit more than $2,000. I’m going to try to save up money, so I can maybe go when I’m a few years into high school.
VannahExplorer
October 9, 2010, 6:43 pm

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!! IT IS BACK!!!!! I GESS THEY REALLY DO REA OUR BLOG AND EXTENDED THE AGE LIMIT!!!!! HAHA IM SOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!! XD!!!
anyways so im sorry i havent been on for like 2 month! it is all of this school! haha who knew you could have so much homework! XD lol anyways the only thing that upsetted me about the contset is that it was to be about water i had this whole thing ready for like a year and now i cant do it well anyways i guess it is WAY better than nothing… SO I WISH YOU AL THE BEST OF LUCK AND I KNOOOOOO WE CAN ALLLLLLLL DO THIS!!!!! HAHAHAH SRY IM FEELINA BIT SPAZZY RIGHT NOW XD! HAHA

LOVE YOU BYE
naturephotographer
October 12, 2010, 5:26 pm

Hi everyone it’s Elizabeth. Wow it has been FOREVER since I have blogged. School is just too demanding! I have had a test practically every single day!

I never thought that I would ever see the day that my parents let my brother and I get a DOG!!!! She is 1 1/2 years old, pure Boarder Collie, and we are going to name her Bella if she doesn’t already have a name….. We are not quite sure because a guy from my dad’s work rescued her and does not have all the paperwork yet. We do know that she has white paws, a black torso, black ears, and a white face!!! My dad is going to pick her up on the 18th!!! Only 6 more days!!!

I have wanted a dog for the last past 7 years, and began to loose hope, but I have been blessed.

How is the weather where you live? Here in NC the weather is starting to scare me…. I wake up one morning and it is 38 degrees, but by noon it is 85, and the next morning I can wake up and it is 69…… Some parts of the trees are starting to change. The smaller trees are farther along in the color changing process.

I think that is all….
Elizabeth
watermelon
January 5, 2011, 9:22 am

i dont evan like those things

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