Day Log 07.02.05 Saturday

For a day that didn’t need to be rushed we were up and out of the motel
by 9:00 AM, mostly because of the folks above us who seemed to be in a
rush to leave for their next destination at 6 AM and didn’t mind
letting the whole world know. We ate a little before leaving and
decided that somewhere down the road we would have a late breakfast
which was in Raton, NM 100 miles later. As it turns out we drove past
the name brand restaurants and ended up in a little joint that had
plenty of seats, great food and was not in a ruch to kick us out. We
took our time and ended up driving on at about noon arriving at
Philmont Training Center at 1:15 well ahead of the scheduled
registration time. Along our trip to the camp we must have spotted at
least 100 head of Antelope, some in singles and some large groups as
large as 12-15. The heard of Buffalo before entering the City of
Cimarron was large enough for this eastern boy to stop and take a few
photos. As we entered the Camp just in front of the main gate a spike
mule deer walked in front of us and acted as if he owned the road, camp
and whole countryside. The camera was in the back seat so I missed
another shot for the folder. It was about 150 miles from Pueblo into
the camp so someone driving and short on time could make it in four
days and three nights on the road.

We started the registration process right at 2 and by 4 PM were in our
tent, a 10x12 foot tent on a raised wooden floor, out in the middle of
40 more tents with the sun all around us. The car was easily parked on
the road with only two rows of tents between us, so I was able to
unload with out too much trouble, It also makes a good safe to leave
all the food and other valuables so the wild and human animals don’t
have a reason to come visiting. The tent must be about 125 in the
middle of the day, but the evening seemed to be just right for sleeping
if the neighbors had just left their DVD player home and paid any
attention to Taps at 10 PM. The supper meal was at 6:15 as we are in
the second shift of dinning hall number two. The kitchen staff are very
good and the salad bar has all that is needed to keep us alive for the
week. The roast pork was very well done, and the drink ar allows us to
get ice for our bottles at each meal.

At 7:15 the camp staff and Church staff put on a orientation with
instruction, skits, music, welcoming remarks, inspirational talks by
the Church YM’s Presidency and Primary Presidency, also a short one man
show about Badon Powel and how scouting got started here in the US. At
the end of the hour and half we all headed back to the tents to get
ready for bed. If it hadn’t been for a short nap at about 5 we would
have not been able to drag ourselves about. The air here at 6780 feet
is thin and Mom is having the effects of heat and no air. I expect in
the morning she will be feeling better. Any way at about 10;30 we will
be turning out the light for the night. Each tent has two plugs with
one allowed for the hanging light. Good for light but one has to keep
the tent door closed to keep the flying insects from joining you for
the night. I am putting in a small night light so us old folks can get
the bathroom at night. By the way the facilities are not but 30 feet
away. I think they did this for all us old folks. The families with
little kids are also in this same part of tent city south, so quiet is
not one of the things we will hear for a few days, and I thought the
folks this morning were something to be sore about. They also have tent
city east which is about the same size. Showers are private and have
warm water, so we are at least doing to smell better at the beginning
of each day.

I have seen better thoughts so best I close for the night.