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Page 18 September 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
Adventure of a Lifetime
Carie Stafford
Boy Scout Courtesy Photos were
Troop 270, awaiting.
Troop 1011, The next
and Venturing stop on the
Crew 270 journey
planned was at the
and trained Kwahadi
for a whole Museum
year for an of the
eleven-day American
backpacking Indian,
experience Amarillo
at Philmont Texas;
Scout Palo Duro
Reservation in Canyon in
the Sangre de Canyon,
Cristo (Blood Texas,
of Christ) which is
range of the Rocky Mountains in in the world; Garden of the Gods Colorado on the Durango & the largest canyon in Texas, where
Cimarron, New Mexico. in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. they learned how Texas became
The groups planned a twenty-six- Arches National Park in Moab, Upon arriving at Philmont Scout Texas; Oklahoma City National
day adventure that took them across Utah; Dinosaur National Monument Reservation, the three groups split Monument, Oklahoma City;
the United States to Cimarron, in Dinosaur, Colorado, where the into two crews and experienced Memphis Tennessee to the largest
New Mexico, and back home. On visitor center was built around two different hikes. Crew 702- Bass Pro Shop in the United States;
the way out to New Mexico, they real dinosaur fossils in the rocks; R01 took on itinerary 9 and hiked and lunch at B.B. King’s on Beale
stopped at President Lincoln’s home Pikes Peak (14,110 feet above Sea sixty-one miles, and Crew 702- Street. Did you know that Beale
and toured the museum dedicated Level) in Cascade, Colorado; and R02 took on itinerary 17 and Street in Memphis Tennessee is
to him in Lincoln City, Indiana; Great Sand Dunes National Park hiked sixty-seven miles through a National Historic Landmark?
stopped at the Eagle Scout Memorial in Mosca, Colorado, where they beautiful back country for eleven Then they were on to Adventure
Fountain in Kansas City, Missouri; sandboarded down the dunes and days. Their treks were similar in Science Center, Nashville, Tennessee;
The Gateway Arch in St. Louise, then took a ride on an antique steam routine, but different in scenery Cooter’s Garage of the Dukes
Missouri, which is the largest arch engine from Durango to Silverton and activities. In those eleven days, of Hazard TV show, Nashville,
they backpacked in the morning Tennessee; and to Mammoth Cave
to a new camp each day, and each National Park, Mammoth Kentucky,
camp offered something different. where they took an incredible tour
They learned search and rescue of 792 steps and learned about
skills, trek survival skills, fly fishing, cave and natural rock formations.
horseback riding, lassoing cows, The final stop was Thurmont,
chuck wagon dinner, COPE course, Maryland—Home Sweet Home.
archery, knot tying, gold mining, the This trip could not have been
Civil War, blacksmithing, shooting possible if not for the support of
muzzleloader & .30-6 shotguns, the Acacia Lodge No.155 AF &
branding, drinking homemade root AM, Thurmont Ambulance Co., the
beer, rock climbing, and rappelling. Thurmont Community, Boy Scout
They also did a conservation project and Venturing Crew Leaders, and
along the way, which included Mr. John Ruppel. Thank you, to
stump removal, rock moving, and all of you who made this trip of a
trail work. Their hikes brought them life time possible for Boy Scouts in
up to 11,000 feet above sea level Troop 270, 1011, and Venturing
and gave them the most beautiful Crew 270.
overlooks of the Rocky Mountains.
Each trek allowed for beautiful
views and rugged mesas. Hiking
Mount Philips and the famous
Tooth of Time to the Trail of Tears,
working as a team and learning that
you are only as fast as the slowest
person in your trek. Meals were
similar to MRE’s of the military, and
they packed those in and out. Each
person backpacked their own gear
and food. They set up a camp every
night and bear bagged their food
in the trees. After days on the trail
and surviving the Trail of Tears, ice
cream and a shower was heaven.
The morning heading out of
Philmont Scout Reservation was
bittersweet, but more adventures
