Twelve scouts and three adults from Troop 245 arrived at Retta Baptist Church at 9 AM on Saturday June 24th, 2006 on the Dan Diepert Charter bus to join 18 scouts and 11 adults from Troop 384 for the trip to Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch. Troop 384 loaded our equipment on the bus and we departed a few minutes before 10 AM for the trip to Palo Duro Canyon.

Twelve scouts and three adults from Troop 245 arrived at Retta Baptist Church at 9 AM on Saturday June 24th, 2006 on the Dan Diepert Charter bus to join scouts and adults from Troop 384 for the trip to Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch. Troop 384 loaded our equipment on the bus and we departed a few minutes before 10 AM for the trip to Palo Duro Canyon.

We stopped several times for snacks on the trip to Palo Duro and arrived at 5 Pm. We visited a dugout in the canyon that was used by Charles Goodnight before arriving at the amphitheater for dinner at 6:30 PM. The dinner was delicious and consisted of BBQ beef, beans, potatoes, slaw, and a drink. The show "TEXAS" was great and we returned to the bus at around 10:30 PM to continue our trip to Trinidad, Colorado.

We awoke at 7 AM Sunday in Trinidad, Colorado at the McDonalds for breakfast. After about an hour of eating and stretching we departed for our final destination of Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch in Walsenburg, Colorado. We arrived at SPSR at 10:30 AM and began the process of setting up camp.

Sunday afternoon was used to setup the camp and check in with the camp staff. We set up three dining flies for the heat and possible rain. It had not rained for more than a month, but it looked like rain to me. It rained quite a bit Sunday afternoon, but we were dry. The trek guys met and decided on their trek route and length Sunday Afternoon. The leaders met and finalized the week for Merit Badges and hikes. SPSR served dinner at 6 PM and we were off to a great week.

Monday morning started at 7 AM with us cooking our own meals with the food and menu that SPSR supplied. The adults did a lot of the cooking on Monday, and had to push the scouts a little to do cleanup. By Tuesday everyone had figured out the routine and were eager to prepare the meals and cleanup. The adults did little more at meal time than supervise the heat sources and meal preparation for the remainder of the week.

On Monday morning the Trekkers left at 5:50 Am for the trek. They were to return on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.

On Wednesday afternoon Shelia and Elizabeth took six scouts on a five mile hike up to the miners cabin. There was an elevation change of 2200 feet in the 2.5 mile hike to the cabin. HATS OFF to the ladies and scouts that made the trek.

On Thursday afternoon the Trekkers returned to camp having completed approx. 33 miles. It was determined that they would hike into Walsenburg, approx. 18 miles, on Friday to complete the "50 mile award".

On Friday morning at 5:30 AM twenty five hikers from Troop 384 and Troop 245 left for the hike into Walsenburg. By 2:00 PM twenty two of the twenty five had completed the hike with three being picked up along the way. Once again HATS OFF to all the hikers and especially Shelia and Elizabeth, who had now walked twenty four miles in forty eight hours. At 6:30 PM we ate dinner at the commissary cooked by the SPSR staff. At 7:45 Pm we assembled for the closing campfire and were surprised by winning "Best Campsite of SPSR in the 2nd week of Camp". We asked later and were told that we won because we were TWO Troops and our camp looked like ONE. Our Troops also won 2 of the three Scoutmaster Shoot Off events. George from Troop 245 got third place in Archery, first place in Shotgun and first place in rifle.

Saturday morning we woke at 6 AM to pack for the trip home. The camp was policed for trash by 8 AM and the equipment was loaded. We had breakfast at the commissary provided by SPSR and waited for the bus to arrive. At 9:30 AM we loaded the equipment on the bus and by 10 AM we were on our way to Texas. We stopped several times on the way home and arrived in Rendon at 12:30 AM Sunday morning.

THE WHOLE TRIP was a great success and everyone had a great time. I am especially pleased with the way the boys from both troops got along for the 8 days.