Remember Me?

That's a good question and a good title to this blog!

I was going to call it "Not Having Pasta for Dinner" until blogspot asked "remember me?" and I flashed back to the last time I blogged and wondered...will anyone remember me?! Of course you do, so technically the question is will anyone remember to check our blog and read it.

So, back to the pasta thing. Taryn texted me today from Adventure Science Center while I had my visiting teachers over. She said she was dissecting sheep's brains right then. Ewwwwwww. And she didn't sound all that unhappy about it. Maybe I'm wrong, but that text felt exuberant.
Could be I'm mixing up anxiety with excitement. It's hard to tell in texting. A little "ewww" clue would have helped. My reply was "nasty" btw.

Can I just say it feels good to be able to blog? For a very long time I didn't have it in me to be my funny little self. (tears in my eyes). I didn't even think I would be able to today either. Grief is just hard to explain. But on the way home from the massage I finally cashed in on today I felt a blog coming in on me courtesy of the Farm Town server crash and Taryn's sheep brains and the possibilities for posts starting winging through my head again. So if I can't check MY brain at the door of Farm Town and sort through my emotional overload by harvesting, plowing, planting, and moving my barn around and catching my wayward sheep (whoa, that was kinda a creepy connection) then I guess I am forced to jump back in where I left off in the blog of Ringo's World.

We leave for a few days on our Waterworld adventure- the 4 days of lake fun with the scouts. Let's all hope and pray that the deluge of rain we are having today and is forecasted to remain with us with a 60% chance of storms until 8/6 is just WRONG. Or it will go down as the muddiest Waterworld on record.

I will try to bring myself to update on everyone before we go since it's been sooooo long!

Philmont Part 3

Day 5 -- Today we went to the Tooth of Time, it was really hard to get there though. It took forever to get there because he had to hike past all the other peaks there and when we saw each one we were confused as to whether it was the Tooth or not. This was a side hike so we only carried day packs to carry food, water, and rain gear. It was a tough hike up though especially right before the top it was all rocks

I took this one from the top and what see here is
only about 1/5th of the distance we had to climb.

I climbed up Spider-Monkey style which basically is jumping rock to rock using my hands and feet. Its easier and fun to do than just walking up. I was the second one up after Christian. Here are some pictures of what it was like to look around on top.

As you can tell from the first picture a storm was rolling in so we decided it would not be a smart idea to stay eat lunch up there because it looked like we had about ten minutes until we were completely soaked by rain. So we got down about a fifth of the way when it starts to hail on us. So I fly down the mountain until I was at the bottom because hail hurts when it hits you. I would not think that hail would hurt so much but apparently it does. So I go take cover under a tree and put on my poncho which made the hail not hurt as much. I look up to see how my tree is doing on branches for hail coverage. There are like No Branches What-so-ever! So after waiting 20 minutes for the rest of my crew we decided that it would be best if we start hiking again so we can get the blood pumping. Its no longer hailing as hard so we head out. About 10 minutes into the hike it stops and now its all nice and sunny and I walking and thinking wow the weather here is so weird! We ate lunch and after that part of our survival story is that we survived off Jalapeno Squeeze Cheese.

Day 6 -- We hiked overall about 4 miles today mostly down-hill so it wasn't a tough hike. About a mile later we stopped at Charles's Fork (Staff Camp) to get water because we stayed at a dry camp which means there wasn't any water there. So after we got our water fill-up we hear that they have branding here, I got on my jeans (required to wear long pants) and went over there to brand my hat. Now I always have a reminder of my experience at Philmont. We got to our camp Cimarroncito at about 11 and signed up for the 2:00 secession for climbing. We ate lunch at camp and then at 1:50 headed down to the climbing place. When we got there it nice and sunny after we got all our gear on and went over the safety rules it was all yucky outside. Three kids got to climb and then it started to rain and thunder :'(. So climbing was canceled, but we got to go to this climbing gym with like 7 ft walls and then it went upside down and all sorts of directions. It was cool but not as cool as the actual rock climbing. OH WELL!

This is the end of today's entry but stay tuned to learn more about the PHILMONT EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

also I am going to be gone for EFY for a week so no more Philnont stuff for awhile.

Epic Novel, The Philmont Edition Part 2

Day 3 -- This was probably the worst day of my Philmont experience. One reason was we had to get up at 5;30 in the morning, not cool. Also we had to hike up about a mile in elevation to Lookout Meadows. (look out for the bears!!! wow mom) There were no bears or anything scary there unless you count a couple of deer and a mini-bear scary (you never know with the mini-bears) no flash floods either. It rained a little bit to, nothing too bad just a drizzle. Although I didn't have a sufficient pack cover. Then after we finished the huge incline to the first meadow before ours we thought the worst was already over, but NOOOOOOOOOOOO after we filtered water from the stream in the meadow we had to climb up the huge hill which was really steep uphill, not fun at all. Some of the highs of the day were that we got to milk a goat at Abreu, Ryan was the only one who wouldn't do it except the adult, or as Philmont likes to call them the advisers (said in a scary voice). We also fed the chickens there some granola from our breakfast it was really funny to watch.

Today was also the day we were tested by our Ranger to make sure we were back country ready to survive PHILMONT!!!!!!!!!! We had to show him we were capable of the fundamentals of backpacking like hanging bear-bags and stuff like that. We passed with flying colors (secretly Mario, our crew leader, was given a pound cake for "his and my birthday" later we learn every Ranger gives a pound cake to there crew for setting up camp in under 45 minutes).

Later, that evening, Evan took us to the middle of that huge meadow and told us about the wilderness pledge, which basically meant we keep the leave no trace, to ensure that this meadow and other amazing sights of Philmont last for many other Scouts to enjoy as well.


Day 4 -- Our Ranger left us this morning to fend off the mini-bears, and many other scary things of the back country, by ourselves. This first thing we did after breaking camp (No, not literally breaking apart camp Will, like putting away tents and repacking all the stuff back into our backpacks) was hike up a huge peak we went from like 9300ft to 9900ft. That might not seem like a lot but it was really steep and hard to climb with full packs on, but it was worth the extra blood, sweat and tears, well maybe not tears but you get the point. The view was amazing! I would like to point out that it is higher then the Tooth of Time in elevation I thought that was pretty interesting when I heard it from Mr. Kunz and not just because he has a funny accent.

We got to our next camp, Miners Park at like 5 pm which is really late so all the rock climbing slots were filled but that was okay we figured we would just do it at Cimarroncito in two days. Oh I forgot to tell you this a Staff camp, basically crews can do activities, raid swap boxes and just hang out in very comfortable chairs on the porch, We had our "birthday pound cake" after dinner because Mario didn't want to carry the extra weight in his pack. It was really good, but still not as good as my mom's cooking ;). Afterwards we played cards and eventually went to bed.

And this concludes today insight on the PHILMONT EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Epic Novel, The Philmont Edition Part 1

This is a reading from the journal of Gib written on a scrap of paper while on the bus ride to the Albuquerque airport. Please enjoy the feature presentation.

Day 1 Base Camp -- Today was really boring. We did all the prep work and medical stuff and we're still not done; there is more tomorrow. The food here is okay I guess, definitely not as good as my mom's LOL. I went to the trading post - the ice cream is really good there. At 8pm there was a campfire that was awesome (I really like to look at the flames). During the campfire the staff that worked there had many different skits that explained the history of the land which I thought was pretty neat, although I have always loved history. When we went to Tent City (it's where all trail bound and home bound people sleep at base camp) the beds were really annoying because every time you move they make a loud noise like a screech.

Day 2 -- Finally finished all our prep work although I had to run back to grab medicine in my pack (oops). I forgot to mention we met our Ranger yesterday his name is Evan Bowser (Mario is our crew leader, he is hilarious by the way, says Peach is hiding somewhere) he is pretty cool but really monotone. He teaches all the academy rangers and was taking a break from that and took out a crew (OURS) to take a break from it all. He chose our crew because we have a sweet itinerary. At dinner I accidentally left my nalgene in the cafeteria - that was embarrassing. Finally we took a bus to Zastrow turnaround and on the way there we were told all about Philmont with a lot of jokes about the mini bears (A.K.A. Chipmunks) like the make excellent toilet paper replacements when you run out. When we got to camp a mile later at Rayado River Camp Evan made sure we knew the basics of backpacking. He also taught us what the sump was. Basically you dump your dishwater and spit out your toothpaste in it. It has plastic netting aound the top and there's this thing called the sump strainer that looks like a frisbee, but it isn't. The dude who gave to us at the equipment check out place yelled at Ried for calling it that. Not like yell-yelling but like no it isn't a frisbee. After that Evan told us the secrets of the backcountry that keep you alive like how to not get hung up in the bear bag (pssssssssst the secret is to not tie the knot around your foot). We made our powder food into actual food (somewhat) we had chicken and rice and mashed potatos. We used tortillas to make burrito-like things. It was okay I guess. Then we played cards and went to sleep.

This is the end of today's entry. Stay tuned to learn more about the PHILMONT EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life is Precious

Our blog has been temporarily suspended as we help a dear family and close friends in the terrible tragedy and loss of their husband and father who died of a heart attack. Monday night we got the emergency call and took off in two cars. I went to their house to take care of things with another friend and Mike went to the hospital. Things were under control at the house, so I stayed there alone and my other girlfriend joined them at the hospital. After many hours where things were touch and go, they were able to give a blessing, prayed and prayed, but sadly the husband of my friend passed away in the wee hours of Tuesday, July 7.

We have been pleased to be able to help while family arrives and a son who was a week from finishing his mission returned home to a very bittersweet reunion. Blessings have been landing on heads like crazy and the Spirit of healing is strong but the pain is immense and a family with 5 kids age 21 to 5 have a major loss to adjust to. A graveside service is planned for this weekend so I expect the blog will continue on Sunday. Please keep this family in your prayers and be proud of Mike. From what I hear, I can never complain about him again to my friend after what he and she went through together because he was beyond wonderful.

What I'd Write Home About: Part 1

I've discovered that there is a wealth of information about Philmont just waiting to be plucked from the Internet like a nugget of gold in a mountain river. I know you're all on the edge of your seats now, realizing I am about to share...and did you just glance back up to the title and see the words Part One? Yes, my friends, it's true. I struck the mother lode complete with photos! As we go through what I imagine to be Gib's journey through Philmont, we will learn the lingo and see the sights as only I can gleam them.

Boring factual stuff first:

Philmont Scout Ranch is a large, rugged, mountainous ranch located near the town of Cimarron covering approximately 137,500 acres of wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of northern New Mexico. The ranch, formerly the property of oil baron Waite Phillips and now that of the Boy Scouts of America, is currently in use as a National High Adventure Base in which crews of Scouts take part in backpacking expeditions and other outdoor activities. It is the largest youth camp in the world by size and number of participants.

Cripples - Whenever you walk around base camp at Philmont Scout Ranch during the summer you will see the "cripples": Boy Scouts, mostly adult leaders, who have broken down on the trail and had to be removed from their crew and evacuated from the backcountry.

I think some of them chucked their worthless boots over the sign in frustration. Here is a photo from 1979. You can tell people had more decorum back then because only a couple idiots did it.

But a tradition grew out of a temper tantrum, and now a whole bunch of guys do it and probably say that a bear ate their boots when mom gets mad that $100 boots are missing. Well, she better not ever see this photo and Gib's boots better make it home!

Mexican Homestead a quaint way of saying you hiked all this way to see a dusty old log cabin and some bricks mortared together with spit and hay. Oh, and you get to work there like it's the 1800's and come out smelling like a goat which will only attract bears tomorrow. When the day is done you and your crew visit the Mexican cantina and indulge in some root beer...if you have enough pesos. There'll be some rootin - tootin' good times at the ol' campfire tonite!! And on the trail the next day. I feel sorry for whoever's downwind! That would not be a good day to lag behind!

The official brochure reads as follows: Day 3 at Abreu your crew will visit a working homestead. The staff will help you learn early day skills such as railsplitting, shingle making, primitive farming, log structure construction and care of farmyard animals. In keeping with the southwestern spirit of the program, you will be instructed in preparing a special Mexican meal. You also have the opportunity for thirst-quenching root beer in a Mexican cantina. You can buy a pitcher of root beer for your whole crew or a cup for yourself. Ole! (OK, I added that!)

Lookout Meadow: If you take away the pine trees and add a more Lion King-esque terrain and a stampede, doesn't this place seem familiar?! And the name! Lookout!!!! If I was standing here with Gib, all I would have to do is turn to him, look him in the eye, and say, "Shall We Run For Our Lives?" and he'd smile and say, "Yes, Let's!". He'd get it. So what do you suppose they're supposed to be on the Lookout for? Bears?! Flash flooding?! Now that I take a second look at it, it does kinda look like Raging Waters. Don't camp there people.

The Rayado stream offers excellent trout fishing. A little time and skill spent along this stream may yield you a delicious trout supper or breakfast. It may also yield you a surprising visit from a black bear followed by an unplanned swim in the river.

What's that smell?

Is it a trout? nooo

Is it a boy scout pretending to be a goat? maybe...

Is it a bean burrito? could be...

Hmmm, I'm getting hungry...

Where in the Wilderness is Gib?

This is the map of Gib's trek. He is on Day 3 today. To the left is a bar that shows you the miles and elevation they will hike each day. If you look at the Itinerary below, you can see their destination and what they'll be doing at camp and follow it on the map. The total trek is a rugged 71 miles - the Mt. Baldy hike on day 10 looks like it put the double GG in rugged: grunts and gasps for air may be all the sound the guys will be capable of. But I think all the hiking they did beforehand put them in great shape for Philmont and Gib will probably run up Mt. Baldy. Double G will forevermore stand for Go Gib!!!
I was thinking of pulling a Kristin and making up a blog post each day on behalf of Gib. I really enjoyed the ones she did for the cruise. Mike said NO, he didn't think it would be funny, but I think I could go pretty far on refried bean jokes from the Mexican Homestead they stayed at today.

You Know You're Old When

Mike went to the grocery store yesterday and realized after he checked out that he had been given the 5% off SENIOR CITIZEN discount for shopping on a Wednesday at Publix!!! How hysterical is that?!

And I have a new pair of spiffy reading glasses that are black with red and white polka dots on them...they're so cute!! Very Minnie Mouse-ish. I hope Mike has to borrow them when he can't read things. I always have to lend him mine.

Taryn's Off

Taryn flies to Florida this afternoon to spend some time with Grandpa Fred and Jan. Then she will go to EFY - a week long church youth program offered at the Eckerd College campus in St. Petersburg. She is looking forward to her vacation!

Yesterday, I got to spend a little time with Taryn and her friend Donielle. Before school let out, I jokingly promised Donielle on facebook that if she cleaned her room and got Taryn to clean hers as well, that I would take them both out to lunch. She was happy to take me up on the offer! They both cleaned their room that day, but Donielle left town before we could go out to eat. They didn't forget I owed them a lunch though, so before Taryn left town for half the month, they decided they better take me up on this offer while it was still out there. Amazingly enough, Donielle cleaned her room again before we went out to eat. Taryn is still working on hers. I hope it is done before she leaves for Florida! We went to the Russian place. If possible, the Russian waitress speaks even less English than the last time we went there. And she pretty firmly believes that Mello Yello is Yello Mello which sounds rather fun in a Russian accent. Taryn and Donielle went with the Chicken Kiev and I tried Piroshki. It was okay. Next time I'm going to try Russian dumplings.

The girls went bowling afterward, I didn't go so as not to make them feel bad with my outstanding strike after strike skill set. Then they watched the first part of Confessions of a Shopaholic while putting a blue streak in Donielle's hair. We didn't have time to finish the movie before Donielle had to leave. Taryn watched the end while I was at Bible Study so I have to finish it today by myself. It's pretty funny. Here's a photo of the girls.

Last night Mike and i finally got to meet Taryn's new beau! His name is Josh in case anyone didn't notice it on her facebook! Shame on you!!! It's been there like 2 weeks or something! She's been on my case because I didn't see that. But I have to say, I didn't need no facebook to know there was a "relationship status" change in my daughter's life! He is a cutie and very nice and polite. Her friend Alyssia introduced them.