Dans Log

Crew 624D1

Base Camp

Father & Daughter

June 24, 1997-Day 1:

After 21 hours on the train, and a one hour bus ride from Raton, NM, we had finally arrived. For me, this would be my fifth and final trip to Philmont, but for most of the others in our group, this was their first trip, and the culmination of over two years of planning and preparation. Twenty-four of us, seventeen youth and seven adults, broken into two twelve member crews, were finally ready to begin the adventure. While the bulk of our group were members of Troop 44 from St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn, IL., our crew, 624-D1, was primarily made up of members of my family. Myself, my son Chris (Life Scout), my daughter Davina, my brother Tom, his daughter Carrie, my sister Anne-Marie, her husband Ken and their son Eli (Life Scout), anchored our crew. We rounded out the crew with one life scout, Nick, and three star scouts, Bryan, Ryan and Eric.

As with all arriving crews, we were assigned a Ranger whose job it was to make sure we got through the myriad of paperwork, physicals, equipment issue, pack checks, etc., then to hike with us the first two days of our trek to insure that we knew what we were doing. Ashley did that well (Yes, our Ranger was a female!). After getting through registration and logistics, it was time for dinner. Later, after our pack inspection, we attended the opening camp fire where we listened and watched as the history of New Mexico played out before us. We also learned a little about the man who made Philmont all possible, Mr. Waite Phillips, who donated the bulk of the ranch to the Scouts back in the 30's. Then it was off to bed.