Camping with the Boy Scouts

I am the Assistant Scout Master for Troop 49. Last weekend, we went on a campout up to Aldous Lake, some 50 miles north of Rexburg. I felt I was very well prepped with my backpack (it is a 1.5 mile hike up and in). Just as I was leaving the house to go to the meeting site, the heavens opened and a torrential downpour insued. We were to meet at 4pm in the church parking lot and the rain started at 3:45pm. I waited 5 minutes in hopes it would calm, and it did a bit. So over to the parking lot to get everything ready. The rain continued as we got loaded up and headed out around 4:30pm.

After a 1.5 hour drive, we started the hike up. Slathered in bug spray and with my backpack on tight and comfortable, it turns out the hike was barely even started when we arrived. I could have hauled my pack another 5 or 10 miles - easy.

When we arrived at the campsite, it started to rain. The boys, as boys will be, didn't seem too interested in getting things setup or taken care of. In fact, 2 of the boys left their packs out in the rain. Not sure why they would do that. I got my gear under a temporary tarp and immediately got started on the fire - we had dinner to cook. It was one of the toughest fire starts I have ever done. We fought it for about 30 minutes before we really had it going well. Everything was damp, it was chilly. It was a challenge, but we got it up and going and we got our dinner cooked.

The rain stopped around 9:30 and we enjoyed a nice fireside program of scout skits and stories along with some scout/camp songs. I went tentless - just a tarp draped over a rope tied between two trees. The boys finally slowed down and I hit the sack at 11:45pm. I'm guessing I was out just after midnight. I was awakened at 5:30a to the sounds of one of the boys puking. He hacked and coughed and gagged. Then he spent 20 minutes analyzing what was in it. I never got back to sleep and finally got up around 7:20a.

Saturday, after breakfast of instant oatmeal mixed with filtered, boiled lake water, we hiked up to Hancock lake which is up near the continental divide, right next to the border of Idaho and Montana. The boys fished and played, some of the leaders fished as well. There was no fish to be had up there, and we headed back to camp around noonish.

After cleaning up camp, we headed down the mountain and we were home by 2:30pm. Not a bad campout for how it seemed it would start.


My camping points of wisdom to share:

#1 - Always bring a poncho, even if the weather says it is going to be good. They are really light. Carry them in an accesible place while hiking.
#2 - Bring plenty of bug spray.
#3 - I'll be happy to carry a tent next time.
#4 - Don't forget the Itch Eraser. I was fortunate not to get a single bite, but if I did - I'll want this stuff with me.
#5 - Bring a lightweight shovel.
#6 - Carry an easily-accessible hatchet with a good edge - you may need it on the hike. I'll be strapping mine to my leg on our next hike (in two months).
#7 - Carry more food then clothes. You can always wear the same clothes the next day, but you can't eat the same food the next day.
#8 - Boy scouts can be woefully unprepared, so be prepared to assist in things for them.
#9 - Bring a hat, and sunscreen.

We Are the World

In 1985, Michael Jackson worked with Lionel Richie to write a song to benefit Africa. The result is 'We Are the World'. This has always been a favroite song of mine, and now, in todays world, the video is easily watched on dozens of websites, including on YouTube.com.

Further research brings up the Wikipedia page that gives detailed information about the song, the writers, the singers, and all involved in the song. Read about it - it's a 'feel good' story and has some interesting trivia.

The King of Pop is Dead.

As a Billion and more people now know, Michael Jackson is dead. As a result of an apparent cardiac arrest yesterday, June 25th, 2009. Truly, a legend is gone, now no longer able to provide us with some of the very greatest music the world has ever known.

While at work yesterday, I noticed the headline 'Michael Jackson Rushed to the Hospital'. I followed the story, keeping with TMZ.com, who first broke the story. TMZ first reported his death, just before I had to go into a company meeting at 4:30pm MST.

The death of Michael Jackson will be akin to the Challenger Disaster, The Death of JFK, and the Fall of the Berlin Wall. You will always know where you were and what you were doing when it happened.

Michael Jackson, in life, was able to take down gargantous audiences in concert. In death, Michael Jackson was nearly able to take down the Internet.

I love the music of Michael Jackson. As for the guy himself? He went a bit off the deep end. I believe the fame and fortune got the best of him and it's a shame. No matter what your personal opinion of the man, you can not deny the power of his music.

So I say - Rest In Peace Michael. Be free of the prying eyes of the public. Finally, be free.

Local Business Report - Update

I went back to Cherry Glass & Aluminum in Idaho Falls yesterday to get a piece of metal for our project (additional reveals are forthcoming). When I showed up, Bart wasn't in (out on a jobsite), but his co-owner/sister was there. She was more than willing to help me with what I was looking for and was helpful in getting the piece hemmed as I needed it. The service shown by Cherry Glass and Aluminum has been outstanding, all around.

The price of the metal that I purchased is another story. Much, much higher than I was expecting, but I chose not to fight that battle at that time. We'll see how things go next time I stop in there.

Local Business Report

I'm working on a project at home. I'm looking for some corner trim and despite plenty of thought, I can't decide what is the best way to do what I need to do. (I'll post about the project when it is complete.) So I searched for some aluminum this morning and found a company here in Idaho Falls called 'Cherry Glass and Aluminum'. I called and the lady said they probably have some stuff in and to come in and look at it.

At lunch today, I went over there and met Bart. He is a co-owner of Cherry Glass and Aluminum and he was the nicest, kindest, most helpful person I think I may have ever met. He gladly listened to my dilemma and made suggestions. We went through a number of ideas as we focused in on the best solution.

In the end, he let me walk out with a couple of pieces of aluminum to try it out, free-of charge. Fantastic. I was amazed that there are still businesses who care, and want to help. I'll be back to Bart, with an order and to cover the cost of materials and time that he already lent me.