One thing that I found especially interesting and exciting about this semester, was our field trip to Silverton. Growing up in the San Juan mountains, I have always taken notice in the streams of yellow water and never thought to much about it. Although, through my chemistry class I was able to learn just why those streams are yellow, and even the neat science behind this beautiful place where I live. The reason behind it is due to the abandon mine tailings in high elevations. The mine tailings sites create highly acidic head waters for the Animas river. This is a huge problem because it disturbs the not only the life in the Animas river, but also disturbs soil so that vegetation does not grow. This is a problem that not only effects the San Juans today, but also in the future. So when the Mountain Studies group in Silverton allowed us to come and work with them, we were able to collect samples, and spread biochard around the sight in hopes of creating vegetation. This field trip really explains why I have fallen in love with Animas High. We took what we were learning inside the classroom, and applied it in a real life way in our very own backyard.