Hey friends, just wanted to let you all know that I'll be offline for the next two weeks beginning Sunday afternoon. We are taking 21 Boy Scouts (co-ed Venture Crew) to Philmont Scout Ranch and Explorer Base in the Northeast corner of New Mexico for 12 days of backpacking. After literally a year and a half of planning since we were notified we got a slot for this summer we are definately ready to begin our adventure. We'll cover about 80 miles while we are on the trail. Elevations range from 6,000ft to 12,441ft. Temps 35deg F should be our lowest night time temp, and about 90 deg F our highest daytime with most days in the low 80's.

Not taking a kilt on this trip, but I'll try to post a couple of photos of our crews when we return. My wife is going as one of the assistant advisors. We have a great group of 15 youth and 6 adults including a co-ed Crew from our Venture Crew, and a Crew from the Scout Troop. It should be a very enjoyable time conviening with nature and getting away from electronics for a while.

Since both our children are working there this summer it'll be a mini family reunion for the Standards! Can't wait to see the kids, and also to share a place near and dear to my heart with a new group of Scouts.

See ya all on the 22nd.