Editor's note: The Sun-Sailor introduced readers to Ella Beaudoin, a student at Groves Academy in St. Louis, in February after she won a National Geographic essay contest to go on a 10-day expedition to the Galapagos Islands. She and 14 other students from across the country left on the expedition in May. Upon her return we asked Ella to write about the experience.

BY ELLA BEAUDOIN - SPECIAL TO SUN NEWSPAPERS

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Ella the Explorer has been chosen to be a participant in the first National Geographic Kid's Expedition to the Galapagos islands. Read the story, then visit Lindblad Expeditions.

Ella throws the atl atl at the Jeffers petroglyphs, but mom was the recipient of the buffalo hunter award. This is a must-see destination with over 2,000 rock carvings - buffalo, turtles, thunderbirds and more from Indian cultures up to 5,000 years old. Wonderful walk and informative interpretive center.

Nettle Scar climb has beautiful Sioux quartzite jugs, crimps & nubs.

Two sides of Linda: Intrepid camper and accomplished children's book writer. few know that she is this year's winner of The Shabo Award for Children's Picture Book Writers. (In fact, she'll kill me when she learns this has been made public on the World Wide Web, but it's worth it - I'm counting on the royalties for a comfortable retirement.) Here's a link to the winning story, Another Dog.

Scary Spider (V5) successfully climbed on 3rd attempt (and spider removal).

Ella and the leaning tower of boulders at Blue Mounds state park.

Sleeps more soundly when camping.

Sunrise stone skipping.

Going, going, gone muddy.

Big smile for an early morning.

Beats the view at the office.

Pre-sunrise at Upper Sioux Agency where you can stay in a teepee.