BSA Troop 451, Lewisville, TX

By Philip Pratt As we finished up dinner to the sight of growing thunderstorms we were blessed with some of the most stunning skies New Mexico has to offer. Luckily most went north and south of us but as we prepped for bed the winds came.  Strong gusts took at least 2 tents down (including yours truly) but were quickly repaired. Scattered showers around 1am made for a good nights sleep. 6:30 or so the camp started to awaken...coffee brewing, breakfast prep, and campsite tear down. Breakfast burritos with sausage or chicken, scrambled eggs, peppers/onions with cheese and salsa.  Needing to leave by 9:00 the camp quickly cleaned and packed up in anticipation for our upcoming rafting adventure. Prompt arrival at our meeting spot to load up on a soon to be retired school bus. We were bussed to the drop spot to go over all rules and regulations. Safety protocols were explained with regards to life vests, helmets, paddles, etc. We loaded up into 4 rafts.  Groups of 9,8,...

Day 1 traveling to Abiquiu for white water rafting... By Philip Pratt Boys are doing great, very proud Day started early with a rise and shine and breakfast of champions...donuts and coffee with milk and juice for the boys. After cleaning up the museum of our 451 mess we were on the road. A quick stop miles down the road at Cadillac ranch.  Doug Mahdak generously brought 7 cans of spray paint for the boys to add their own mark.  If paint shows up on clothes, I blame him.  😂 On the road again from Amarillo to New Mexico led us out of town but not before the smell...if you’ve been through here, you know it. Special thanks to Lance Brooks for rolling down the windows.  (I still smell it I think). A rest room break turned into a roadside lunch. Turkey, ham and chicken sandwiches were quickly inhaled, young and old alike.  Lettuce, tomato, pickles, chips and cookies.  All off the tailgate of Steve Kral and David Woehler. Arrival at camp 2 hours la...