Philmont Trip Day 3

I inadvertently lied. There are charging ports at base camp for adult advisors which means I don’t have to be on airplane mode to conserve my battery until tomorrow.

The tour company told us we needed to be packed and ready for breakfast by 5:45 this morning. When I didn’t hear any of the scouts moving about or heading into the hall by 5:38, I decided to knock on their doors. It’s a good thing I did since most of them were still in bed—G3 included. There was an instant flurry of activity and while the adults were all at breakfast on time, the scouts tricked in slowly. However, they all managed to scoff down some food before boarding the bus. The drive from Colorado Springs to Philmont in New Mexico is approximately three hours. At least we were on a comfortable bus with reclining seats and ports to charge our phones.

The ride south through the plains with the Rockies rising up on the horizon was pretty. Definitely a more scenic drive than anything we’d get on the main highway back home. I read for most of the drive. I had hoped to sleep, but I wasn’t tired enough. I suppose my excitement had my adrenaline running on high. The scouts were surprisingly quiet for the first three hours or so. But once we crossed the border into New Mexico they became much more chatty, playfully insulting each other as kids do.

The drive was about three and a half hours which got us to Philmont a little after 10:00. A staff member boarded our bus to give us instructions. We had to line up our packs and cover them with our rain covers before gathering around a picnic table to receive our introductory packet and preliminary instructions. When we finished there, our ranger led us into tent city and showed us to our sleeping quarters—two to a tent. However, scouting rules dictate that I am not allowed to bunk with a male, so I scored solo sleeping quarters for this evening. The extra space is appropriated.

For cafeteria type food, lunch was good. It was much better than the crap they served at Great Wolf Lodge. We had orange chicken, fried rice made with much too much soy sauce, spring rolls, and salad.

After we ate, we had to swing by registration to check-in, and then the ranger let the scouts loose in Tooth of Time Traders to drop money on souvenirs. G3 got a Philmont belt buckle, neckerchief, and slide. I got a bright orange tee shirt—moisture wicking and perfect for our upcoming summer travels.

Our medical checks went quickly. After all the jokes at home that that I might not make weight, my weight was not an issue, neither was my blood pressure. We picked up our crew gear and food for the first two days. It took quite some time to sort through the food to ensure we had everything we need so that we aren’t hungry on the trail. Once that was done, we emptied our packs onto our cots and sorted through them to ensure we had everything we will need and nothing that will add unnecessary weight.

Dinner was ick, but I was too hungry to object. We talked about which religious service we are going to attend tonight. Our choices are: Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, or Jewish. All very Eurocentric. One Indian scout in our crew seemed dismayed when the scouts asked where he wanted to go. I commented that it wasn’t quite right that so many faiths are not accounted for. There are no places of worship for Hindu, Muslim, or Buddhist scouts. At the very least, I said there should be one place reserved for meditation or for scouts whose religion is not represented so they have a place to go to sit quietly with their own deity, their own prayers. The Hindu scout nodded in agreement. I’m not sure which service we decided on. I suggested we not go to the Catholic service. It didn’t seem fair to go somewhere some scouts would be comfortable but others would not.

Following dinner, we had some free time. I got my hat branded and I am now sitting in the advisor lounge blogging and charging my phone. Gray clouds rolled in shortly after we arrived and thunder was rumbling in the distance. The sky just opened and rain is beating down. I’ve no desire to get wet for church. If it doesn’t let up, I might sit here to stay dry.

Of course I walked through the storm, but I was dismayed the crew went to the Catholic Mass. I don’t like forced religion, and when we all need to attend together that’s what it becomes.

Tomorrow we head out after breakfast. We need to be on the bus by nine to depart for the trail so our trek can commence.