Boy
Scout Troop 73
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South
Florida
Adventure The Show
Another day, another adventure! The flight out of town for the scouts and most of the adults is on Sunday February 18th. But the trip begins on Friday February 16th for two of our hearty leaders; Scoutmaster Michael Bennett and Assistant Scoutmaster Dr. Jon Rie. They loaded up the van and trailer with all the duffle bags and supplies for a fantastic Southern adventure. They're on the road and will be there at the airport when the scouts arrive in Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday. Another brave leader, Assistant Scoutmaster Joe Oates, is flying down on an earlier flight to help pick up the rental vans the troop will be using while in Florida. Boy these guys really know how to organize a trip!
(Note: Click on small pictures to enlarge them) The day begins bright and cold here in White Plains. With a few spins of the tires in the icy snow, the Troop van and trailer finally dig in and get under way a little after 8 am for the ground trip to Florida. Michael and Jon soon joined a few thousand of their closest friends on the Interstate headed south. All went well till they hit some really awful traffic on the south side of Washington which lasted all the way to Richmond. They finally shrugged off the congestion and are back on track as they make their way south. Here are a few of their driving moments:
They are already in northern Florida... and it's still COLD! The first day or so will be a little nippy but the rest of the week looks like the temperatures will be back to normal for Florida in February. They started the day in Georgia and ended up at the campsite in the Everglades. Not bad!
Everyone was there at the WPMS parking lot packed and ready to go. Not too bad for a 4:00 am meeting time in the bitter cold! I saw lots of smiles mixed in with those sleepy faces and I think everyone is ready for some Florida fun. The flights are scheduled to leave on time; 6:00 am from Westchester Airport to Atlanta and 9:35 from Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale. Michael, Jon and Joe will be there to meet them at 11:35 am. They just landed. The flight from Atlanta (Flight 73!) was delayed about 30 minutes. Michael, Jon and Joe are there at the gate waiting for them. Our guys arrived all in one piece and got right on the road to the Everglades! The sun looks great and the temperature is getting warmer. They ate lunch, they hiked, they saw some native plants and animals and then set up camp. After a great campsite dinner they'll catch up on some much-needed sleep for tomorrow when the adventure continues - the Troop 73 way!
The day started out cool and sunny but warmed up quickly. Our guys got up, ate breakfast and headed out for the local Miccosukee Reservation. The tour is interesting and the "wrestling" show with the alligators is fun to see, but the really big attraction here is the airboat ride. Everyone had a great time... it's a good thing they hand out those earplugs, though. Those things are loud! Then it was back to the Everglades Park for a hike, some campsite activities and an evening program. My prediction -- everyone will get a good night's sleep!
Breakfast in Campsite It was a beautiful sunrise and an early start to the day. While many of us are grateful for the warming temperatures that are just starting to melt the icy snow, our scouts are enjoying a scenic canoe trail (with alligators nearby) and a fantastic hike through the Everglades. Ask Tom about the one that didn't, or wouldn't, get away! They're seeing plants and animals they've probably never seen before like those big crocodiles in the bay! Me? - I'm just happy to see my sidewalk again! It's all in how you look at it... and from where you stand. Latest report from the Troop... the boys took down their tents and are sleeping under the stars tonight. Nice. Tomorrow they pack up and move to the next campsite in the Keys. It just keeps getting better (and warmer!). Purple monkey dishwasher...
Breakfast in Campsite The guys broke camp this morning, ate cold cereal, put gas in the vans and drove south to Key Largo to learn about dolphins. The group split up so half the scouts went swimming while the other half enjoyed a nearby nature preserve. Then vice versa. After the dolphin introduction the scouts got to jump into the water to swim with them. They really seemed to like swimming with Sean D., Travis L. and Tom L.! After the swim they drove to the campsite in the Keys and set up camp. Then they cleaned up a bit and drove into Key West for a night on the town. Victor C. got to celebrate his 13th birthday with his Dad and friends. They all turned in early so everyone can get a good night's sleep... reveille is at 6am!
Breakfast in Campsite Good morning from paradise! It was an early reveille to make their boat to the Coral Reef. The ride was terrific and it was a great day out on the ocean spending time up close and personal with sea life on the Reef. The guys got to see some barracuda, a ray or two, and a couple of other colorful fish. After the snorkeling trip the guys went back to camp for a quick change into dry clothes and then back down to Key West for a visit to all the sights. We hear both Travis and Mr. Clancy got to star in the street shows with "Silverman" and "Escape-Artist Guy". Funny story... the Escape Artist Entertainer picked Mr. Clancy from the crowd to "assist" him with his chains, locks and handcuffs, if he only knew he picked a police officer! After the full tour of wild and wacky Key West, they went back to the campsite for a late night barbecue and beachside campfire. Very cool!
Drive to Key West Today is really going to be fun! They left camp after reveille and reported to the Sunny Days dock for the Catamaran trip to Fort Jefferson. This is the most remote National Park in the United States. After spending the day touring the Fort and having a picnic lunch, they'll get a chance to do some snorkeling and spend lots of time in the sun. Then it's back on the Catamaran for the ride back to Key West and the final dinner out together before packing up and getting ready for the flight home tomorrow. That's going to be some duffle bag of dirty laundry... Get ready Moms!
Light
Breakfast The boys and most of the adults come home today. They are on their way to the airport now in West Palm Beach. What a week it has been! I know we've all missed them but I'm glad they had such a great time! They are going to have some really great stories to tell and some wonderful memories. All I can say is... I wish I were there! The scouts and adults boarded the plane in West Palm Beach Airport after a quick lunch and the flight home was on time; thank you AirTran Airlines. They are now home, safe and sound. Michael, Jon and Joe returned the two rental vans and brought Joe to the Ft. Lauderdale Airport where he flew home. Whew! The Troop van had some power problems that I hear got temporarily fixed with a hammer, screwdriver and a saw... Yikes! I just don't want to know. Anyway, Michael and Jon are on their way home via the good ol' Interstate. Drive safe guys!
The Drive Home for the Ground Crew They just arrived home, and not a minute too soon with nasty weather closing in on White Plains. The van, the trailer full of duffle bags and our road warriors, Scoutmaster Michael Bennett and Assistant Scoutmaster Dr. Jon Rie (our photographer extraordinaire!) are back safe and sound. Another fantastic high adventure trip for the Troop is now a memory, I can't wait to hear all of the stories! Welcome Home Everyone!! |
White Plains, NY
