[Philmont] How often do we go to Philmont

As a Scout I never got a chance to go to Philmont ... or most of the
other fun adventurous things that most of this list find to be common.

I was in a very very poor troop. My SM piled 6-8 of us in the back of
his truck once a month and got us to one of about 15 or so stops within
100 miles or so of our home town. But he got us out EVERY month to some
place and paid for it with his overtime wages working at Mare Island
Naval Shipyard.

Fast forward to January 2006. Me is 39 still with no great hopes of
ever getting to Philmont as my troop just is not getting focused on such
adventures. When, out of the blue, for no good reason Calvin Gray
invites me to join him and his crew for an Autumn Adventure. The trip
started on my 40th Birthday.

The money for the trip got to him well before he could change his mind.
The discussion with my wife ended well before I had a chance to ask if I
could go.

We have joked on the list about the blizzard at Beaubien, how Black
Mountain tore me up and how the clouds cleared long enough at the top of
the Tooth to present a magnificent view.

We have talked about my lost luggage and the look the ranger gave me
when I asked if I could take a quick jog to the top to the Tooth from
basecamp while waiting for the others (it looked like a short day hike
from basecamp).

We have talked about the sense of friendships and bonding between
friends from Texas who welcomed me as one of the family even though I
wandered around like a silly gawking Tenderfoot.

We have talked about how my trips have had an impact on the lives of
Scouts in my troop who are now getting a more adventurous outdoor
program, one that may not have come without Calvin's encouragement.

What we cannot talk about is my appreciation and respect for those who
kept the dreams alive for the 25 year delay it took me to get to the
ranch the first time and allowed me the chance to return in 2007 and
again this October.

It is not about the tents, the mountains, the camping, the hiking, the
food or the patches. It is much much more. If I have to explain it you
would not understand and if you understand then you know there is a
mighty dust storm brewing up in this hotel room.

Thank you all for what you do. Both to those who I have met and hope to
meet in my future travels across this great land.

Mark Liechty
ASM Troop 160, MC Pack 160 & 573
Philmont AA 2006, 2007, 2008
Eagle Class 0f 82
Lincoln, CA

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
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Received on Thu Jun 5 23:33:56 2008