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After breakfast we repacked our gear for the trip home, then visited the library and took the tour of Villa Philmonte. We got to hear the story of Waite Phillips again. I hadn't realized that he had only used the Villa for about seven years before his activities elsewhere made it impractical to summer in New Mexico. The place is quite impressive. I wouldn't mind living there, though keeping the place clean would be quite a chore.
Some of the exhibits in the museum reminded me of how the Boy Scout camping tradition has changed over the years. It's evolved from a "mastery over the wilderness" attitude to the "leave no trace" ethic of today. One of the displays was a poster about how to make a ground bed by collecting huge bundles of evergreen boughs and arranging them to form a bed. Of course you only use the tender branches with needles. I remember that the Handbook still had instructions like that when I was a kid, though we never actually did it. It would be a useful technique in a true survival situation, though.
Our bus to Ratón leaves at 3pm, and at noon (as I write this) the train is only 25 minutes late. (I called.)
After lunch was kind of a slow time, but fortunately entertainment was provided at the Welcome Center. One of the crews had a Frisbee (or Aerobe) that they were throwing around to pass the time. One of the Scouts threw the thing onto the roof of the Welcome Center, much to the irritation of the rest of the crew. To get it down, he tied his Scout shirt around a rock, tied the two to a rope, then started throwing the shirt-wrapped rock onto the roof, trying to snag the thing down. (He eventually switched from his shirt to a towel, but not until after several holes had been torn in the shirt. I'm sure Mom and Dad were pleased.)
He couldn't see the roof or the Frisbee from where he was standing under the eave. So picture this: One Scout standing under the edge of the roof with his shirt and a rock on a rope, throwing same up onto the roof; about twenty others standing back where they could see the whole roof, all yelling (often conflicting) directions. Then, there was yet another group of onlookers (mostly advisors) standing farther back, watching the whole spectacle. If the thrower got close there would be cheers. If it got the rope onto the Frisbee but it slipped off there would be moans. This went on for at least a half hour. Great fun.
At three, we caught the bus to Ratón to meet the train. We arranged for the bus driver to take us to the station and then drop us at the local Pizza Hut. (Don called our order in with his cell phone from the bus, and it was waiting when we got there.) We enjoyed the chance for real junk food.
The train arrived just about an hour late, not bad.
After an MSG laden food stop and a general harassment of the Wis. Scouts, we boarded the CITY to go Nawlins and hear some jazz. (Matt the Meistro of Func + the Master of Jazz)
Train and supermarket stop before the train. All physical training earned at Philmont gone by Junk Food. Sleepy on the train. Hearts are fun. (EP)
We made it home. A great trek with a great crew!
We're in Chicago now. We bade a final goodbye to the troop of the drag queen and "Jackass." Me and Andrew played video games and got Chinese takeout. (PR)
We're almost home, still sore and tired, but definitely "up." This was a great itinerary with a great crew, led by a great crew leader. It was definitely my favorite expedition to date. This crew worked together better than any I've been with! Great job crew! (DW)
We're on our way home. Yeah! (MD)
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