2011 Smokies Trip - Wednesday

Wednesday we traveled to Cade's Cove where we rented bikes.  The Park closes the 11 mile paved loop to automobile traffic until 10:00 AM, giving people time to hike/run/bike the loop.  Afterwards we drove the loop to the Abram's Falls trail head.  We hiked the 5 mile round trip to the falls and back before returning to camp.  At camp that evening, Judd Rambo came to speak to the campers.

As you begin biking around the loop the wildlife is abundant.  It is best to go early in the day. 

There are several places to stop and rest.  Most are historical sites about the valley.  Here Brett and Quint take a break on a bridge.

Near one of the mills this black snake was seen crawling through the grass.

Here, a mother bear and cub walk through a field close to the road.

Another bear is seen in a different field with the mountains in the background.  We saw seven bear while biking the loop and another four bear while driving it.

Pictures do not do justice to the beauty of the Park.  Here is one of the many streams that feeds Abram's Creek.

The Rhoda Dendren were in bloom, gracing the trail with colors and scents.

We crested a corner and were treated with a view of the creek below.

When we first saw the falls there were three girls swimming in the pool below.  It look very inviting.  Next time we will bring swim suits.

Here is our group, minus Kerry Weeks, Tyler's father, who took the picture.  There were a lot of people around, I don't know why we did not get them to take the picture.  Doh!

Back at camp Tyler and Connor got a little fishing in.

Judd Rambo is demonstrating a Chinese Button knot as part of his presentation.

2011 Smokies Trip - Tuesday

On this day we hiked to the top of the Chimneys and to Clingman's Dome.  The Chimney hike is two miles up hill with an elevation change of 1700 feet in those two miles.  The last little bit is rock climbing.

This is the sign that tries to discourage you from hiking the trail.

Here we are at about the halfway point.

Same sign only nobody is around.

The last little bit is some climbing up steep rock.  At first it can be a little intimidating.

One of the view from on top.

There are two chimney tops.  This is a view of the second, from the first.

From L-R: Bryan, Tyler, Justin, Brett, Quint and Connor.  I don't know where Zach and Anthony are.

This is Dan, my assistant scoutmaster.  He does not get enough credit for all he does.

As you drive through the park, you never know what you will see in the parking lots.

As we were hiking up to Clingman's Dome, we saw the storm coming our way.

Finally we could see the dome and we hoped it would not rain.  The dome is only a 1/2 mile hike from the parking lot and is paved. 

Hey you guys ... You Ugly!  (lyrics from the Buffalo Dance)

L-R Anthony, Brett, Tyler, Quint, Me, Justin, Bryan.  Where is Zach and Connor?

At first we thought this might turn into a funnel cloud, but it did not and we started hiking down because ...

... it looked like we were gonna get wet and we did.  The storm went right over us.

2011 Smokies Trip - Overview

June 20-25 of 2011 saw us traveling south to repeat the Smokie Mountain trip of two years ago.  The boy enjoyed the last one so much they wanted to do it again.  Monday and Saturday were travel days.  The weather cooperated with us almost perfectly.  We had rain in the evenings, but not during the day when we had activities - except for Tuesday.  As we were hiking down from Clingman's Dome we had a refreshing rain shower.  When it was time to pack up, we were blessed with dry weather.  Friday was dry, but on Saturday there was no dew anywhere.  We prayed for good weather on this trip and were granted this wish by the Good Lord.  We did the same two years ago and it worked then also.

Neglect

There have not been any posts for a while.  We had a fund raiser in the spring where we auctioned on service hours of the troop to gain funds.  That along with the Chili Cook-off replenished the Troop funds.

The troop has had some fun activities over the summer, beginning with our High Adventure Trip to the Smokie Mountains.  We had 8 youth and 4 Adults attend this year. 

Two weeks later was summer camp, attended by seven scouts.  We joined up with Butler, Greensburg, Cranberry, 4th Ward and Slippery Rock units, making a total of about 40 youth in the camp.  It was a huge success.

More posts will follow.

Summer Camp 2010

Here are a few images from summer camp this year.

Here we are waiting in the Chow line.  You can see Tyler and Quintin with Stevie not facing me.

Kenny caught this catfish, the biggest of the week.  He said it was 2 feet 9 inches, but maybe it was just 29 inches.  Either way, it was the biggest fish and a nice catch.

Lunch time in the mess hall.  L-R: Matt Biernesser, Quitin Goettman, Connor Ward, Alex Neeley, Nate Rambo (hidden by Alex), Zach Tame, Kenny Sumpman, Justin Petrosky, Tyler Weeks, Steve Neeley

As we took down the flags on the last day, a bat was lodged among them.  Tyler decided to pick it up.

On the last morning we could not do flag raising because someone pulled a prank.  It was NOT my scouts.  I actually suspect it was staff, but we may never know.

The Program Director Dominic Lehman.  He is a talented Director.

This is Reverend Tim Lehman, the camp director.  He runs an outstanding camp - he is a man that I have immense respect for.  The camp is fun, the staff is enthusiastic, the young men have a great time.  Thanks for a great week.

 Camp this year was the hottest I have attended.  Temps were in the 90s every day except Saturday.  Still it was a good experience for all.  Nate Rambo and Connor Ward joined us from other scout troops.  We had five units from the Pittsburgh North Stake camping together this year.

Oil Creek State Park Backpacking Trip

At the start of the trip we had lunch.  Here Matt and Brett are making peanut butter sandwiches.

Dan is completing his final checks before we get on the trail.

Justin is hiding in the shade before we get on the trail.

Typical shelter.

Dan has found something interesting to photograph.

This is what he found.

I thought the subtle hues of these greens were pretty.  Other than that it is typical ground cover.

The boys sleeping in the shelter.  It sometimes takes a lot to get them going in the morning.

On the trail, I always seem to lag behind.

Tribute to Steve

On March 30, we held our Court of Honor in which Steve Neeley was awarded his Eagle Scout.  As a tribute to him, here are some pictures from his camping career through the years.

 

Thanks Stevie for your service, leadership and participation.  We had some great times.  The memories will last a lifetime.  I just wish I had a camera sooner.