Mels 2009

On many of our troop excursions to this location the weather has been less than cooperative.  Cold, snow, rain, gloomy, were words that described those campouts.  None of those describe what happened this weekend.  The weather during this trip was absolutely perfect.

After arriving safely to the farm and setting up camp, we took a midnight down into the valley.  We were prepared with enough mix for 20 gallons of hot chocolate.  Because of the mild weather, we consumed about that much "bug juice."

After a hearty Saturday morning breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage biscuits, the scouts headed down to the rifle range for a full morning of target shooting.  For lunch they had hot dogs with Mac & Cheese, then decided to continue sharpening their shooting skills all afternoon.  For dinner the troop feasted on Mosticolli.  Each year, in recognition of Veteran's Day, the scouts perform a Flag Disposal ceremony.  Many hundreds of worn & tattered US Flags were properly retired.  The scouts spent the rest of the evening around the campfire playing Mafia.  Some took another midnight hike.

Fresh coffee and hot chocolate water were heating up already by 6 AM Sunday.  As the light from the stars gave way to the morning dawn, Mr. Pearson noticed some clutter left over from the Saturday night campfire.  So he began tossing it in the fire.  (Included in the clutter were some spent fireworks shells.)

By then a few of the scouts were already up and warming themselves around the fire.  Because it is not uncommon for some of the scouts to sleep in until 8 AM, the rest of us were trying to be courteous by deliberately staying very quiet.

Apparently, not all of the fireworks shells were totally spent.  At about 6:10 AM, one of the shells exploded (quite loud) in the fire, instantly shattering the early morning silence.  Everyone around the campfire began laughing  hilariously (along with Mr. Pearson).   And thanks to that surprise, everyone was out of their tents and thinking about breakfast by 6:15 AM.  Breakfast consisted of Troop 374 donuts.

Troop 374 thanks Shirley Pearson for preparing the Saturday evening pies, Clara Wolf for preparing the Saturday evening dinner and Diana Pearson for assisting with the pre-trip setup.  The troop also greatly appreciates Mel for inviting the troop to his farm each year.

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