To read part seven of day thirteen, click here.

It looked like losing a baby seal wasn’t the best thing. “Yeah, we did. We have no idea where it went.”

She went back to inventorying, and I went back to cleaning.

A couple of hours later, we were done. We filed into the building that we were working next to and everyone started grinning – our duffel bags were in there! They were locked in a storage unit, all of them piled on top of each other.

“That’s mine!”

“I see mine! It’s all the way in the back there.”

“I don’t see mine – it must be buried under all of yours. I hope it didn’t crush my  pretzels!”

“Okay kids, here’s how this works. You’re all going to get the things you need out of your duffel bags. Please do not touch your electronics, food or anything else. Just get your clothes and toiletries. Got it?” Maggie looked at each of us, making sure we understood.

“Got it.”

Maggie unlocked the door and we all surged forward to grab our bags. “Only a couple of you at a time – don’t push!”

I grabbed my duffel and moved out of the way. I grabbed my things, zipping my duffel back up and bringing it back to the cage they kept them in.

When everyone was ready, we headed for the building where the showers were.

“Listen everyone – the hot water here is limited, and there are several other crews that also have to shower. So please, be considerate.”

There were only four stalls, and six girls, so we “called” showers. I got fifth shower.

When I finally got into the shower, it was so amazing. I can’t even describe how amazing it felt. I was able to shave, wash my hair and face, and it was HOT water. Do you know how amazing that it?? It felt like heaven right then.

Despite being the fifth girl in, I was the third out. I got dressed in my clean clothes and put on clean socks, grinning as I put my feet into my sneakers.

I brushed my teeth and retainers, praising God for running water as I did so. I combed out my hair and then left the bathroom with my pile of dirty things, bringing them back to my duffel bag.

When I came back out of the building the duffel bags were in, I walked over to join the guys, Jen, and Katie. They were eating lunch, and I was starving!

The closer I got, the weirder everyone looked. I finally stopped and stared at the guys – why did they look so different?

*Everything here is from my own memory and may not be correct. Outward Bound is not responsible for anything I post here. Thanks too NCOBS for letting me use their photos.*