Just a mere 9 days until Halloween and the morning is crisp—a startlingly sunny day amidst a period of perpetual rain.
Today is a day of courage, adventure, and trust. I, along with 2 bold ICO leaders, a middle school librarian, and 9 middle school students, will be valiantly embarking on a journey through the Snoqualmie tunnel. For those not familiar, the Snoqualmie tunnel is an abandoned railroad winding 2.3 miles through the mountainside. Once inside, the only indicator of life is an infinitesimal pinpoint of light poking through the darkness many paces away.
The day begins with breakfast at Washington Middle School. One of our mighty ICO volunteers has brought bagels, cream cheese, yogurt and fruit – a tasty tool for waking up students who arrive a bit groggy. With food consumed, gear distributed, and introductions made, we jump in the vans and head for the mountains.
Standing before the tunnel, the kids are squealing. The entrance to the tunnel is properly spooky; cool, damp air carrying distant voices flows out from the threshold in one chilling exhalation. “Headlamps on everyone!” The leaders call out. Like a small swarm of fireflies, one by one, our kids light up. Together, we take the first few steps inside.
As the light dissolves behind us, I have to commend our group’s bravery. Real talk—this is a creepy tunnel. Naturally, the kids are thrilled; they take delight in the faded paint that drips down the walls and old rusty electrical boxes disassembled years ago. We move through the darkness, exchanging jokes and untangling riddles, all the while eyeing that light at the end of the tunnel that promises us both life and lunch.
A proper celebration is had as we approach the other side—the kids rejoice in the light of day and chatter about the happenings from within the tunnel, boasting of their unconditional courage. We feast on sandwiches and bask in the sun as we prepare for our return trip.
Back inside the tunnel we have the great fortune of running into another ICO group who happens to have glow sticks. Now this is a game-changer. Suddenly the tunnel is aglow with neon lights as the kids toss them in the air and watch each stick illuminate the space around them. We are all thrilled. This is perhaps the perfect boost of energy to get us all back to the vans, where, upon entering, a chorus of snores arises from the back seat.
When we return to Washington Middle School, the kids run to their parents excited and already gushing stories about our adventure. I smile. It was another successful ICO outing.
Kate Hall
ICO Volunteer