Mormon Trail Bear Journals

Diary Entries:

 March 3, 1998 - Enfield is located 10 miles West of Ithaca, NY. The weather is still cold and snow is often in the air. (During the summer it is hot and in the 80's, while in the fall the leaves turn orange, red, and yellow. In the spring it rains a lot and everything blooms again.) Enfield is surrounded by forests and fields. The town is located in the country amidst the hills that border Cayuga Lake. Enfield does not have a lot of stores so people need to drive to town for goods. There are two classes of 14 fifth graders here and they have fun. They have fun in math and gym. The fifth graders are also studying social studies, health, reading, science, and library skills. They have nice teachers and worms for pets. The students have just started playing basketball against other schools in the area. The fifth graders here are preparing for an overnight trip to the Thousand Islands. They have already spent a lot of time raising money for their trip. {I hope it goes as well as mine.} During the 1800's in Enfield there were many farms and dirt roads. Many of the houses built during that time still exist. I am now moving on to Alpine Elementary School in Columbus, OH. I'll write more then.

April 18, 1998 - Over one month has past since we last heard from Jingles. We are a bit concerned about a rumor of his having teamed up with the Donner party. We can only hope that these rumors are false and that Jingles will write soon.

Diary Entries:

November 15, 1998 - Enfield is a small town out in the country a few miles away from Ithaca, NY Which is in the Northeastern part of the country.  We are in the Finger Lakes Region of NY.  It is called the Finger Lakes Region because there are many lakes that are long and lined up next to each other like fingers on a hand.  We are at the southern end of Cayuga lake which is the longest of the Finger Lakes (about 40 miles long).  The lakes and hills were created by a giant glacier that covered this area a long time ago.  As a result of the glaciers there are many beautiful gorges in the area.  They are fun to hike in. Enfield is a farming community in the hills outside of the city of Ithaca.  On the hill opposite of Enfield is Cornell University and on the other hill is Ithaca College. I have been with Mrs. Wirt's 5th grade class since school started.  In this class there are 27 fifth graders.  The kids here are a lot of fun.  They are very supportive of each other.  I saw this when I went with them to the Cayuga Nature Center and they got to help each other on rope climbs and pole jumps.  They really like field trips, they'll be going to New York City later this year and the Thousand Islands.  Since there are so many kids in this class Mrs. Wirt is helped out by Ms. Dykoschak and Mrs. Sposito.  We also have a student teacher named Mr. Novick who is great but will be leaving in December.  I will miss all my friends here who have asked me to never forget their school motto - Enfield Shines. I'll write from the next school I visit - A. E. Stevenson Elementary School in Plum, PA.

December 19, 1998 - A.E. Stevenson Elementary was unable to help me as I journey West.  They were unable to send you a journal entry for me.  My travels have been delayed for so long that I will have to pass through the mountain regions during the heart of winter.  This is not a wise idea but I will probably be able to make it with the help of new friends I will meet along the way.  I will write you from Iowa!