by Deon Ben
Spring break 2010 has come and gone, but for many spring break lingers in sunburns, souvenirs, and thoughts for next year. Here in Arizona we don't have the ocean nor the beach but we do have the Colorado Plateau, and places in this region that sure can accommodate spring breakers.
For the University of Wisconsin, Madison, ten students traveled across the country in hopes of seeing the Grand Canyon, getting some serious tanning, and to experience the lifestyle of the southwest cultures. As expected, the ten students got what they wanted plus more. The students experienced the lifestyle of western ranchers while spending a couple of days on Kane Ranch. The ten amigos had a round of southwest altering weather as many of them worked in the spring sun and enjoyed the famous Arizona sunsets. As the spring winds hit Kane Ranch our group of ten withheld the 60mph wind gusts and worked alongside the tumbling invasive tumbleweeds. As the cold front hit the ranch the ten spring breakers hit the river, the canyons, and the cliffs.
With a week full of accomplishments in building a cedar fence, trail work, chopping wood, repairing tools, repairing fences, installing a gate, breaking ground on a new native plant garden, and the group enjoyed the landscape and all it had to offer. As the spring break week came to its close, the group of ten Bucky Badgers traditionally celebrated the grand finale by engaging in rounds of s'mores and charades along the Colorado River. So, I would say the ten travelers may not have arrived in Mexico, but Arizona sure gave them a spring break to remember; including the sunburns, shell/turquoise jewelry, stories and plans for returning to volunteer with the Trust next year!
