All school years should begin this way. I assumed I'd consider the first day we did "actual" school to be our first recorded day of the year, but in hindsight, considering this day as our first fits so much better with my slowly growing understanding of what it looks like to teach (and to learn) from rest. And that's what this day was. Rest.

We arrived at Pisgah Education Center and hiked in to a spot we had found when we hiked the five mile John Rock trail last spring. We made a plan that day to come back when the weather was warm and when we'd brought along enough food (and books, and hammocks, and apple cider doughnuts from Sky Top) to last the day, and just stay there. Right in that one spot.

The kids talked about it incessantly, anxious to get a date on the calendar. It went on our Summer Bucket List, and remained unchecked through June and July. We planned a date and then got rained out. Finally, just before we were set to start school, both a day in our week and the weather cooperated at the same time, and it was magical. I guess that's what a whole day spent outside in beautiful weather with good friends and nothing on the agenda but cooking food over a campfire, building a town, nominating and electing various town officials, reading in hammocks, eating doughnuts, and playing tag can feel like when it gets a chance to slow you down.

So, two days before we cracked a school book or logged into our math curriculum, we started a new tradition. From here on out, all of our school years will begin in the best way I can think of. With rest.

days 242 - 250