ipl-logo

The Trail: A Short Story

1731 Words7 Pages

“DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!” Their voices thundered in my ears as I cautiously peered over the cliff’s edge at the churning, foamy water below. I felt as if the entire world was urging me to jump, when in reality it was only a small group of shivering boys. I looked up at the tropical blue sky and listened to the palm trees whispering in the wind behind me, it seemed so peaceful and calm in comparison to the agonizing dilemma I was experiencing. Taking a deep breath of pure determination and willpower, I made up my mind. This was happening. No going back. I took a few steps back, careful not to slip on on the muddy, algae covered rocks in my trembling state. I glanced one last time at the seemingly endless drop off calling to me from a few short …show more content…

One thing I learned about Hawaii very fast was that it was very very wet, especially for an Arizona boy. Everywhere I stepped on this trail there seemed to be a puddle or a patch of mud that sucked you in like quicksand. As I hiked up the trail I could feel my feet squishing into the ground with every step. However, Hawaii easily makes up for it with its stunning beauty. Everywhere I looked there was green: green trees, green vines, green plants, green lizards, green bark, green everything. It’s a very stark difference from Mesa. As we climbed higher I could hear the ocean roaring below us. At the top, the trees suddenly disappeared behind us, giving way to muddy, sharp lava rocks. About twenty feet from the treeline the ground dropped off into a steep cliff that fell straight into the ocean below us. I ran to the edge and carefully checked to see how high it was. I felt relief rush through my entire body as I realized it wasn’t nearly as high as I had imagined. For some reason, I had been picturing something along the lines of base jumping off Mount Everest or skydiving from 20,000 feet into the ocean. In reality, I was only about thirty feet above the water. It was pretty high, but I had jumped off higher before and I knew for a fact that I would be

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Down The Santa Fe Trail

    1028 Words  | 5 Pages

    Writing Assignment #4 Book Review: Susan Magoffin, Down the Santa Fe Trail and into Mexico Susan Magoffin’s diary is a primary document that accounts her experiences traveling along the on the Santa Fe Trail (the Trail). Magoffin, being the first female to travel this trading route, was able to give a true insight to readers of how the conditions of that trail were. Her diary is regarded as the first substantial account of life on the Trail, however is criticized that Magoffin’s white privilege is what made her experience as it was. The critics argue, that the experience of traveling along the Santa Fe Trail as a non-Euro-American, would differ drastically then that of Susan Magoffin. I agree that being an upper-class, white woman, Magoffin

    Read More

  • The Bloody Benders: The Santa Fe Trail

    118 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Bloody Benders were a murderous family living in southeast Kansas near the Osage trail; later being known as the Santa Fe trail. It was during the 1870 's when the benders had their occurrences with the locals and travelers of the southeast Kansas area. The family had a small home that was occupied with locals and travelers being located on the Santa Fe trail. They housed and fed anyone they could that was moving westward, then killed them when they least expected it. Taking their personal belongings and burying them in their apple orchard was a usual concept to the benders.

    Read More

  • The Chilkoot Trail

    172 Words  | 1 Pages

    During the Klondike Gold Rush (1896 to 1899), the Chilkoot Trail operated as the main transportation route into Canada’s interior. The Chilkoot Trail was the most direct, popular, and least expensive compared to other overland routes to reach Dawson City in the Yukon. If prospectors could not afford a carrying outfit for their possessions, they faced the back-breaking task of carrying their own essentials over the summit of the Chilkoot Pass and to lakes Lindeman and Bennett. The Chilkoot Pass faced frequent cloud cover, bad weather, and deep snow. “Blizzard-like conditions often closed in for days at a time, trapping travelers in an areas lacking both tree and sustenance” (Gates 1994).

    Read More

  • The Oregon Trail Francis Parkman Analysis

    120 Words  | 1 Pages

    “The Oregon Trail,” written by Francis Parkman is a description of the experiences traveling into the unknown depths of the American west in 1846. The story is told from the first person point of view of Parkman, a scholar from Boston who embarks on the great expedition of traveling into the west in hopes of studying the lives of the Native Americans. His journey is also one of the first detailed descriptions of the beauty and the bounty of a largely uninhabited North American territory. But one of the most critical elements of the story was Parkman’s encounters and recruitment of members to his band of travelers who ultimately play a major role in the success of the western journey.

    Read More

  • Oregon Trail History

    497 Words  | 2 Pages

    This book is a wonderful that relates the history of the Oregon Trail. Coupled with that history is the experience and personal history of the Rinker Buck who decide to traverse the entire trail in a covered wagon with his brother, Nick. Rinker Buck brings an historical bend to the trail portion. Not only does he give it is history, but Rinker Buck often puts the trail in its unique perspective as a molder of USA and reflection of much of our psyche. Spreading west and expanding ?

    Read More

  • Essay On Santa Fe Trail

    1002 Words  | 5 Pages

    Thoughout its existence, the Santa Fe Trail provided more then just trade from Missioury to the far southern reaches of the western lands of the United States. From 1821-1846, the Santa Fe Trail was an internatial road for many diverse people looking for something new. This trail leads through Kansas into Colorado, to La Junta Colorado. Where the Spanish and Native American cultures thived. this reflected a diverse community of traders, trappers, farmers, ranchers and gatherers that all collaberated to the biulding of small settlements: Las Animas, La Junta, Rocky Ford, Manzanolla.

    Read More

  • Into The Woods Hero's Journey

    982 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Hero’s Journey in Into the Woods The world is an objective place. Yet, each person’s individual world is extremely subjective. Mythology gives life meaning; the way in which it affects each person depends on their views of the world.

    Read More

  • Freedom Trail

    674 Words  | 3 Pages

    On the guided tour of the Freedom Trail, specifically the Allegiance to Revolution tour, the retelling of the American Revolution concentrating on the white, upper class male allows for a dramatization and limited perspective of American history. The tour, which traveled from Faneuil Hall, to Paul Revere’s home, and finally the Old North Church, focused on the events between 1774 and 1775 that led the New Englanders to switch from trying to remain loyal to Great Britain and wanting a revolution for freedom. Instead of providing a complete portrayal of the New England people and their involvement in the events leading up to the American Revolution, the tour guide mentioned only men, specifically highlighting those in high social classes and

    Read More

  • The Influence Of Purpose To Travel On The Oregon Trail

    122 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Oregon Trail was traveled by over five hundred thousand people between 1841-1869. Many people wanted to travel on the Oregon Trail in hope of better health. They did not bring many supplies; they only brought the bare necessities. The pioneers traveled in covered wagons, called prairie schooners, pulled by oxen. The journey started in Independence, Missouri, and ended in Oregon City, Oregon.

    Read More

  • Oregon Trail Research Paper

    732 Words  | 3 Pages

    From Misfortune to Oregon From around 1811 to 1840, a 2,200-mile trail was made, going from Missouri to Oregon. This trail was made by fur trappers and traders, and would soon be called The Oregon Trail. In 1846, thousands of men, women, and children began traveling to Oregon along this road. They had high hopes of finding fertile land, where they could set up large farms.

    Read More

  • Personal Narrative: My Journey To The Oregon Trail

    120 Words  | 1 Pages

    After years of waiting and preparing we started on the journey to the west. We made our way to Independence, Missouri to go on the Oregon Trail which was laid by traders and trapers. While there I became familiar with George Wilson who was also a working family man. A lot of families left together making the trail busy and causing jams..

    Read More

  • Essay On Appalachian Trail

    667 Words  | 3 Pages

    I have decided to observe and study the effects that humans have on the Appalachian Trail. With so many hikers coming through year round, there will most definitely be traces of humans along the trail besides just trail markers and signs. Things such as trash, lost supplies or other items that may have adverse effects on the environment are likely to be seen on the trail, my goal is to clean these things up and at the same time get a better understanding of the true impact humans have on the trail. The Appalachian trail, while still relatively unfamiliar to me intrigues me. From as far back as I can remember, my family and I have been traveling up to New York to the Adirondack mountains to camp, hike, swim and so much more.

    Read More

  • Explored In Three Day Road, By Joseph Boyden

    1912 Words  | 8 Pages

    The ability to rise above past difficulties and experiences and move forward is an underappreciated ability, that can ultimately lead to success in future situations. In Joseph Boyden’s Three Day Road, a novel about three young indigenous people, Boyden displays the importance of rising above personal difficulties through the characters’ efforts to overcome the racist mindset in Canada at the time, as well as their struggles throughout the first World War . Though many attempt to bury their difficulties in the past, the inability to do so often contributes to a person losing connection with the real world and their loved ones. In this context, real world refers to the everyday life of a typical person in Canada, peacefully with their family

    Read More

  • Oregon Trail Diary Of Hattie Campbell By Kristiana Gregory Summary

    649 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell by Kristiana Gregory is a fictional story set in 1857 that tells about how the immigrants from the new colonies traveled to Oregon to restart their lives with their family. Along the way, immigrants suffered from poisonous foods, exhausted animals who pull the family’s wagon with all of their belongings, and the struggles of illnesses and the loss of friends. On the trip, people from the new colonies traveled in wagon trains and made giant circles when camping overnight. Along the trek to Oregon, numerous people died, some drowned or were sick, and some got lost looking for food for their meals. Some women would get ill too, but would later find out they were pregnant and would have a baby during the journey.

    Read More

  • Narrative Essay About Six Flags

    864 Words  | 4 Pages

    Growing older the similar feeling occured when being suspended high up in the air. I hope for one day to overcome this fear. The opportunity finally revealed itself in the summer of 2017. I would soon change my perspective. It was just a couple days after school had ended for the year.

    Read More

More about The Trail: A Short Story

Open Document