As I sit in the tent at 5:30 AM, watching the sunrise, I have an incredible number of things to reflect on. The past 12 days at Philmont were the culmination of a year and a half of planning, training, and dreaming. A year and a half of working with, and sometimes fighting with, the boys in the Troop. Trying to get them to believe in the training program I'd set up. I still believe that this is the only way to prepare for a trip like this, but after watching several of the boys during the trek, I wonder if it was worth it. The two boys that didn't do much, if any, training didn't seem to have too many problems. But we never really "gelled" as a crew, and I believe that is due to the fact that we never got everyone together for any period of time beforehand. Part of the problem was due to the fact that the crew leader didn't come through and take charge as I thought he should. Because of this, everyone else tried to be a leader, resulting in a lot of turmoil. But even with these shortcomings, things went well. The boys and the advisors all had a good time. There were no major injuries, and everyone is smiling today. I guess that you really can't ask for more.

After breakfast, we took our packs to the welcome center, and then walked to the Seaton museum, and then to the Villa Philmonte for a tour. Quite a place. We were back at base camp at 10:15 AM. The guys took a last quick trip to the trading post, and then we loaded the cars and headed for home.

I for one had a tear in my eye as we drove away. But I'll be back. I'll be back because Philmont is a magic place. and Philmont is now a magical part of my life, and is a magical part of my family's life, too.

Home | Philmont | Trek '96 | Trek '99 | Wood Badge | Sandia |Local Hikes| Links