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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Photo Blogging Challenge (April 2013): Transportation

April is almost done already! It's hard to believe. Spring is generally a pretty busy travel time for me. We have a few conferences we usually attend but those numbers are down this year. I'm glad, it gives me more time at home.

April started out with a backpacking trip to Pedernales Falls SP. We are working on the Backpacking merit badge and needed a 15-mile hike. We didn't plan to do 13 of it in one day but that happens sometimes when you are boy-led.


Next, our troop attended a Merit Badge college at the local technical school. It's one of the better ones in that they offer merit badges that are hard to come by like Welding and, in this photo, Auto Maintenance.


Work took me to a conference in Key Biscayne, Florida. We have a business associate who lives on Fisher Island. His company was celebrating 20 years with another business partner and threw a dinner party on a little boat. It was pretty nice.


 I have all sorts of photos of airplanes, it's not often I'm around helicopters. As we were leaving Florida the one in front had just landed and the one in the air was circling to land where we were parked.



April ends similar to how it started. The Troop kicked off the Hiking merit badge with the first of four 10-mile hikes. We call this one our Urban Hike, it's a good loop that is all paved to get the guys used to the walk.


I can't wait to see what adventures next month brings.  You can see the other participants at PJ's blog.

Monday, April 08, 2013

Pedernales Falls SP – 15-mile Backpack Hike




Pedernales Falls SP primitive area, April 6, 2013, 10PM






















We started this morning about 7am. We got settled in and hit the trail. 

We passed our camp area and kept on going. We were looking for a path running along the creek the ranger told us about but ended up in a area that was closed to allow for revegetation, Twin Falls.









We realized our mistake and quickly and carefully left the area.

We finally spotted our river crossing and headed up for the 4 mile loop. It was long and uphill all the way, literally. I don’t know how. The day was really starting to warm up, too.







 




After returning to the river crossing we broke for lunch. The decision was made to stick to the road instead of trying to return the way we came. Our 9-10 mile first day turned into a 13 miler, setting a record for our troop besting the previous of 11-miles. Later we made it back to the primitive area. I had an opportunity to find a nearby cache. We had a great "campfire" the boys told stories and jokes and told us their most memorable scouting moment.








 

We had a little less than a 3 mile hike back to the parking lot Sunday morning. After sleeping in a little and breakfast, John led the troop’s Sunday service. He did a nice job.











   

Carter helped him out with a song. We made it back safely and got back home around lunch time















I had the opportunity to try the prototype of the Alpine Hammock in hammock form. I found it quite comfortable. I wish there was a hook inside to clip a small stuff sack and it’s a little stuffy when it’s humid out. It’s a really nice product though.

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Photo Blogging Challenge (March 2013)

I decided I didn't have enough on my plate so I added PJ's Photo Blogging Challenge The first month's challenge is My World and due to the activities in my world, I missed the deadline, but here it is anyway. 


nassau_2013_3030030
Steamboat_2013_8562March started off with a bleasure plusiness trip that was minorly work-related to Nassau, The Bahamas. It was abnormally windy and cool but we dove some and played a little golf as well as visiting with some old friends. 

 





Steamboat_2013_7349 The next week brought us to Steamboat Springs for some spring skiing for the boys' spring break. We had two days of snow and two days of warm spring ski. They are getting really good. 









In Steamboat, we found this cool place called Ice Castles CO where they have built this huge structure out of ice. 










377_Canoe_MAR2013_3230150 
After returning home, the Boy Scouts of Troop 377 did some canoeing on the Brazos River during our March camp out. The boys did conoes while many of the adults kayaked. It was a great day on the water but a cold weekend.
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Just last week, myself and a couple of local cachers decided to go after a cache that has been on our watch list for some time,
Necropolis of Britannia Manor III. We had a good time on this puzzle cache and ate some fantastic barbecue for lunch. Easily one of the best finds in my list.





EASTER_2013_7614 And since I've already "broken the rules", here is a sixth picture out of five. Our March ended with an Easter egg hunt with the cousins and a friend from up the street. Next month, I'll try to be on time!