Palo Duro Campout 2019

By Phillip Pratt

Ah Palo Duro.....it’s Troop 451, remember us? If you don’t just think back to last year this same weekend where you decided to bestow a thunderstorm, hail, sand storm upon us. Yeah, you made us leave early and we never forget.

But hey, bygones will be bygones. We aren’t a troop to quit or to be pushed around. So we return, chests out and ready.

A Friday evening departure from the church took us to a familiar trek up 3E5 to Hwy 287. A rather mundane drive if you will but hey, we gotta get there. A pit stop in Childress to fuel up the vehicles and snacks for the group. On we travel to the Boy Scout Museum in Amarillo, a familiar stop for us as we travel west. The air-conditioned sleep would be our last for the next few nights, at least with cool air.

Donuts, coffee, and juice were the samplings of the morning. Once cleaned up, we were off to Palo Duro except we felt the boys needed to see and experience some art so we headed to Cadillac Ranch. Spray paint in hand we made our mark on the vehicles and hopefully not too many of the boys themselves. After their artistic expressions have been fulfilled, we head on the Palo Duro canyon.

Once arrived, we were checked in and off to the camp. A different campsite was chosen this year with strong memories of what happened last year. We were higher in elevation than last year so we would be in a better in case it rained. No bother, according to the locals and park rangers, it has not rained here since early June. Finally free from precipitation!

As we set up tents and whatnot, our grub master, Erik Ratcliff set us up with an assortment of lunch meats for sandwiches, chips, and cookies. The scouts also enjoyed their lunches as well sandwiches with the same accompaniments.

Well, the camp is set, bellies are full....you know what happens next right? Oh yeah, we going hiking! We are taking a trail that will lead us to the base of the big cave. All scout and adults head out to take our first hike of the camp. Landon Pratt was in charge of the map to get us where we needed to go, and after a rather long and tedious start, we were on our way. As we made the trek, some adventurous adults took the adjacent split in trail to try something different. Still unsure how we all ended up in a dry creek bed that, from the looks of things, hadn’t seen rain in months. The group decided to trek down the creek bed and off we went. And went and went and went...the walls on either side grew to around 12-15 feet and aside from the numerous flying insects that all had tho wonder what we were doing there, we trekked on. We finally got to a point where we had to make a decision to keep moving forward, or so we retreat. With uncertainty about the travels ahead, a decision was made to head back from where we came.

Finally, we emerge and head towards the cave. A stop to refill waters and take a much-needed break didn’t come soon enough. But alas, the cave was within viewing distance. Another half mile or so and we would be at the base. Once there the whole troop climbed to the entrance for a rest and pictures. Never to be still for long our trust Scoutmaster Steve Kral wanted to go higher. A slim trail around the front led you to the top where some of the older scouts followed. I don’t have much by way of a description as I am a sane man and say right where is was comfortable. Dinner time was approaching so we headed back to camp with those who didn’t want to keep hiking. Steve Kral, chad Kral, Austin Reid, and Winston Smith traveled on to fulfill their hiking wants.

Back at camp the scouts started to cook their meals consisting of hot dogs, grilled cheese, chips, etc. The adults, thanks to Erik, dined on cheeseburgers, and small potatoes cooked with onions, bacon, and butter. A sampling of fresh veggies collected from a home garden in Amarillo by Dee Hayden were also enjoyed. Grilled onions, grilled jalapeños, fresh tomatoes. But the potatoes, wow. Ask Erik for the recipe.

As we dined, we clear skies were as far as one could see, except for a little line of clouds to our west. Miles and miles away, some faint flicker of lighting. But no worry, it hasn’t rained here since we were at Geiger. Or parents, since about 2-3 weeks after school got out for the summer. Perspective. Hasn’t rained in months, were good.

Aren’t we?

As the night drew darker and darker....we knew. Nobody wanted to admit it, but we knew. Troop 451 has struck again. Rains a comin'. I bet if we camped in the Sahara, we could make it rain. We are THAT good at it.

Scouts went down around 9:30 or so and the adults weren’t far behind. There is zero cell service down here so there is very little Twitter browsing or sports scores available...nor a radar. But you could tell it was getting closer.

Right at midnight, it came. All of it. Small rain then big rain...except the big rain didn’t let up. Just kept coming....and coming and coming. No rain since June. It’s September. Troop 451 baby....we bring the rain (we need to copyright that, but that’s another night).

It finally stops....thank God. Literally, we didn’t drown and our camp was much better suited for this. Oh wait, there’s more. Oh, you like wind? Come hang with us then, we have it all. Feeling like Dorothy from the wizard of oz I just prayed that my rain fly would stay put. Aside from some small text problems, we all made it just fine. Some of the hammock folk did sleep in cars with assorted other adults because of malfunctioning equipment.

The next morning was beautiful with almost no evidence of the previous night's deluge. The 5:30 am hike was canceled so we got to sleep in a little.

Breakfast consisted of an abundance of bacon, scrambled eggs, and sausage for breakfast burritos. Oh so delicious, I happily guarded the bacon while it was being prepared. The scouts enjoyed pancakes and bacon.

Alas, we also got the news that the horseback riding has been canceled due to last nights weather. *audible groans* So instead, we hike! The CCC trail was our next mission. 2.7 miles of trail-tested both scout and adult alike. At the top of the trail was a lookout point where we all met to go to our next activities.

Well, they can’t stop us from zip-lining.....hope not at least. Around noon those who were daring enough to go met up and got strapped into their harnesses. We were then shuttled to the tower where the zip line takes you across a part of the canyon about 1/4 mile long. All scout and adults alike that attempted the long bridge to the top made the zip, some needing more prompting than others. Though when they got back, they were all ready to go again.

Lunch was the piece de resistance....pulled pork with ranch style beans. The scouts ate sandwiches, chips, and cookies.

The group of us rested while a small group decided to climb up the north side of the canyon this time. A rather ambitious journey but hey, when at Palo Duro...

The scouts cleaned up and played an assortment of games for the next couple of hours, using whatever energy they had left.

An early dinner of hamburgers, with a bit of guidance with regards to the doneness from Erik and Alex Cobb. The ca few hours rest before the night hike up the lighthouse trail.

Mother Nature ended up stopping that hike as the trail was damaged as a result of the previous night's rains. Upper Comanche trail was the 2nd option. A mile and a half trek as the sunset. A couple of the adults went to get ice and provisions...aka ice cream while the rest of the troop were hiking. We then drive up to a few lookout points to see the canyon from the top. An absolutely stunning sight. It’s one thing to be in the canyon, but at the top looking down, it was gorgeous.

We all returned to camp after dark to muse over the happenings of the day. It was a quick conversation as most of us were exhausted from the previous day's activities.

Wildlife certainly does rule this area and they aren’t afraid to let us know. Rattlesnakes, multiple black widows, coyotes (audible), scorpions, wild turkeys, millipedes, deer, lizards, roadrunners, rabbits, tarantula hawk, geckos, tarantulas, a thorny dragon welcomed us to their home.

This morning we had a quick breakfast of leftover sausage, pulled pork, and eggs made great breakfast tacos. Scouts had bacon and pancakes to fuel up before the return home.

Alas, we bested Palo Duro this year. All of us. Watching every scout grow each time we camp is the best part. So very proud of each scout, they represented themselves and the troop very well

Onward home...