Monday, April 23

The Return of G.I. Jill

I couldn't sleep Friday night.
I lay awake in my bed, eyes wide open, trying not to move so that the sqeaky bunkbed wouldn't wake up my roommate. I was too excited and nervous about going to Yorke Island!
Sleep must have come at some point, but I woke up way before six, when everyone else started getting up.
Mike had given me some camo pants, and I popped on a few sweaters, thinking the thicker the better! In my bag I stuffed a waterbottle, rain-gear, and my camera.
By six-thirty we were at the lodge dividing into vehicles and heading off to the ferry.
And we were off to Sayward!
(At this point I realized it might have been smart to have eaten breakfast)
I think we arrived at the wharf at around 8:30-9:00 where the bright yellow barge was waiting for us. We piled all the paintball gear and personal baggage in and began the 1/2 hour ride to the island.
It was amazing! So much fun.
I haven't googled it yet, but apparently Yorke Island was used as a military base during WWII. There were 260 men living there, waiting for the Japanese to invade! It was a pretty small island, so I'm not surprised to hear the rumor that they all went stark raving mad living there for a few years without contact with the outside world!
When we landed we brought everything up to a clearing above shore.
It was very eerie knowing we were the only people on that island when the barge left to pick up group #2!
Fellow LOST fan, Zoe, and I were going nuts! It looked and felt exactly like that Island, and when we started discovering the old abandoned buildings, the only thoughts on our mind were "Dharma Initiative"!!!
Seriously, we wouldn't have been surprised to have a large dark cloud start chasing us...that or a polar bear.
Luckily there were no "others", though the boys did try and scare us a few times!
We started paintball almost as soon as group #2 arrived, and at first I wasn't going to do it, but then changed my mind.
Most of the guys there were like six feet tall so I was feeling pretty intimidated.
Once I started though it was addicting! The real fun began when Mike took me under his wing and showed me "the ropes".
It was a hostage situation.
Jeanette was captive in one of the buildings with six terrorists guarding her. We had 20 minutes to rescue her before they carried out their threats!
As soon as the game began Mike and I took the left "flank", and secured a stairway, where we met up with Bean.
A hostile was on the roof, but with some team-work, and "cover", he was taken down.
Suddenly Mike had moved on, and then I saw Jeanette booking it down the path! She made it to the safe-house and shouted "GAME OVER!".
We played until 4 PM, stopping only for lunch.
I only got hit once, and that was in the mask, so I STILL don't know what it feels like to get a "real" hit. And my biggest regret is that I didn't get anyone. ARGH!
But we're all addicted now, so I'm sure I'll get another chance.
I'm hoping to set foot on Yorke Island again, maybe with my Dad because I know he would feel like he'd died and gone to heaven exploring that island!

(Maybe I'll upload some pictures this weekend at Karissa's if she'll let me!)

6 comments:

Kriss said...

Of course I'll let you upload pictures, you just have to tell me when you're coming :P.

Anonymous said...

What a great storyteller you are! It sounds like you had a splendiferous time! Glad Mike took you under his wing. What great memories! I'm jealous, but somehow I don't think I'd enjoy that as much as you did. I'd probably go insane from the fear and suspense! But going to Yorke Island would be great fun! Hopefully one day.

Cardinal's Cove said...

Jill!

That's awesome! I'm jealous, again. Sound like so much fun down there!

Yay for Lost!! That would have been awesome, wow.. One of these days I will get out there with Tim and the guys from youth group who play here .. It is a lot of fun. Getting hit hurts a bit (worse depending on where you get hit), but not enough to stop playing. Sounds like so much fun! I have to admit, I was a little surprised you loved it, not many girls understand the fun of shooting each other. :) Very cool. :) Kudos for avoiding getting shot all day, well done!

Well, we continue to pray for you, and it sounds like it's going well enough. :) Can't wait to hear more stories..

Many Blessings to you Jill,

Ryan

Deanne said...

What a blast! I still haven't gone paintballing but it's on my list of things to do before I die! Sounds like you are having a great time Jill - good for you!

Anonymous said...

'nuther post please!

Anonymous said...

That sounds like SO much fun!! What a great story. It makes me wish I was tehre..