Blue Mesa Adventure 2018

The boys are off - headed out at 5am this morning on their Blue Mesa Adventure/Lewis & Clark Camp, 2018.  I hope it all goes well - meaning that the boys are tried and tested.  Oh, and that they have fun!

Here is the letter Ben wrote and mailed out to all the boys and men going (8 youth, 3 adults, 1 semi-adult).

Blue Mesa Expedition 2018

July 2018

To scout ______ of Troop 471 of the Boy Scouts of America,

      You and your troop are hereby commissioned to proceed on an expedition to obtain useful information and experience to be of benefit to you and your fellow countrymen.  You are to cross the great waters of the Blue Mesa and proceed up the creek known as Cebolla creek to its entrance into the Blue Mesa.   You are then to proceed to the top of the great mesa west of Cebolla creek to discover if there are any aboriginal dwellings atop the mesa, and to determine the latitude of such dwellings.  You are to describe both the flora and fauna pertaining to the area and to provide a map of your travels.  You are to proceed across the great plains of the plateau to the fabled Gateview Campground to determine if the natives have established a trading post and to determine the quality of the goods to be obtained at said trading post.  You are to consider God’s creations and ponder what you will do in life to respect the Great Creator.  You are to return and report the knowledge and experience gained from this expedition to Bishop Crim and his counselors at a troop council meeting to be held no later than September 1^st, 2018.        May you be courageous and diligent in this assignment and may the hand of Providence guide you on this journey.

      Report to the Montrose Colorado Stake building on July 17^th at 5 am to embark on your expedition.

Sincerely,

 (Ben had the bishop sign them all )

Executive officer of Troop 471 and Bishop of Black Canyon Ward

Jonas used his cool wax seal from a Harry Potter set to seal the letters.  Very cool and Lewis & Clark-ish.

Ben, Randy, and Ruston (Randy's grandson - the 16/17-year old semi-adult) went up on Monday night to drop off some supplies and set up Randy's teepee at the base-camp site.  They will get to base-camp on Wednesday.  I think they'll love it!

The boys come home on Saturday (but the girls and I will get a sneak peek at them on Friday . . . )