Priest Lake Canoe Trip 8/13-15-2009

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS-SAM AND MATT CAST OFF FROM THE PORTAGE LAUNCH AT BEAVER CREEK CAMPGROUND. FRIDAY MORNING.

A VIEW OF UPPER PRIEST WITH SENIOR PATROL LEADER ZAC MCMASTER AT THE HELM. A STORM IS A BREWING ON THE HORIZON.

SOGGY, BUT SAFE. BORDERS RAISES OUR SPIRITS WITH A NICE FIRE. WE ROASTED OUR HOTDOGS AND HAD SOME LUNCH. L TO R MATT, COLE, SAM, ZAC.

A PORTENT OF STORMS. WE HAD RAIN, HAIL AND THEN HAIL AND RAIN. WE CASTED OFF A SECOND TIME IN SEARCH OF THE PROMISED BEACH.

FINALLY THE LAND FLOWING WITH GOOD FIRE WOOD AND SANDING BEACHES. OUR HEAVY WEIGHTS HERE SHOW OFF THEIR STUFF. L-R SAM, STEVE.

SAGE AND SEASONED, CAPTAIN ASHBY WITH A VIEW OF UPPER PRIEST TO THE SOUTH DURING AN EVENING WALK ALONG THE SHORE.

NAVIGATOR HOWELL

MATT BORDERS AND ZAC MACMASTER. JUST A WORD OF CAUTION-DON'T EVER CHALLENGE ZAC NOR STEVE NICOLAYSEN TO A STAR WARS TRIVIA

HOW DO YOU SPELL CONTENTMENT? DRY, WARM, AND A WARM BURRITO. THANKS, COLE AND CHERYL. NEXT UP, A STIRRING DEVOTIONAL BY MATT BORDERS AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE TESTIMONY MEETING.

7 AM SATURDAY. STORM THREAT PURSUADES US TO LEAVE AT NEARLY FIRST LIGHT.L-R JACE AND STEVE. COLE AND HOWARD.

NOT WHAT WE IMAGINED FOR A SUNSET THAT WAS TO BE A SAILOR'S DELIGHT ( SUNSET AT NIGHT)

BACK SAFELY IN THE THOROUGHFARE BY 9 AM.

SAM AND MATT SHOWING US HOW TO DO IT. I WON'T TELL YOU HOW THEY ENDED UP ON A SUBMERGED LOG.

L-R SAM, MATT, JACE, HOWARD.

HIKING THE TRAIL TO PLOWBOY AND NAVIGATION. ASK ANY OF OUR SCOUTS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PINE, TAMARACK OR
FIR.

Hidden Lake Overnighter Troop 323

1976-2009 Wedded Bliss

On the eve of our 33rd wedding anniversary I came across this quote that is worth posting here for the world to see and ponder. All you that know me, know how far I have to go, but you don't realize how far I have come due to a loving, supporting spouse and the influence of the holy spirit (against my will most of the time).

“Nothing is more important than marrying the right person, at the right time, in the right place, and by the right authority.” We hope you will avoid too quick courtships. It is important that each of you become acquainted with the person you plan to marry, that there is certainty that each of you is looking down the same pathway with the same eternal objectives in mind.

By the grace of God, I did marry the right person (one who shared by faith in God) and in the right place (God's Holy House), at the right time (when I was an adult and prepared to take on fatherhood), and by the right authority (God's Holy Priesthood).

I am proud to say that this most important decision was carefully considered and carried out according to God's plan by each of our children. For that we are eternally grateful.

Chris

Great Day at Black's Creek

When spring comes we (mostly David and Bob) find their way on several Saturday's before the high country melts out at Blacks Creek to the South East of Boise, ID. This year I drove down to meet them and do just that. We were unbelievably blessed with almost no rain while we rode from 1-5pm. Boise on the other hand was hammered. ENJOY! We did! The title of this entry is a take off from the Spencer Tracy Movie: Bad Day at Black Rock.

Troop Meeting at Dishman Hills

We chose to do some litter patrol and take a hike for our weekly Troop Meeting. Here are a couple pics from the Dishman Hills Natural Area.

Spring Camporee

Troop 323 attended Spring Camporee at Camp Easton on Lake CDA, Idaho. The three aims of Scouting are: Build Character, Build Citizens and Build Physically Strong young men. The theme was Pioneering and we were building.... builders of the nation. In attendance were: Chris Howell SM, Tony Stenlund-SM, Sam Ramos-Troop Guide, Cullen Fletcher-Assistant Patrol Leader, Jace Culley-2nd Class Scout, Cole Shirley, Daniel Springman and Jacob Presley.

Click on the photos to enlarge them.


Jaceplanned and organized our meals, here he shows a baggy egg omelete. Cole and Cullen test their square lashing.
Tony and the boys did a full blown breakfast with pancakes, sauage, and eggs. We started Sat at 8:15 am with a flag ceremony and Cullen shows off the Badger Patrol Flat that has a tradition dating back to Jaden Long-now an Eagle Scout.
We learned to splice rope, tie knots, lash poles, build a bridge, create a bandage for a dislocated collar bone, or sprained ankle, operate a GPS, find locations, perform skits and start fires. Ask Cole to show you the 8 basic knots with his eyes closed.
Ask the boys their favor skits. Paper Cut or Is it time for Pucha?
They learned how to project and be heard on the stage.
Ask the boys about GPS and geo caching.

Give a boy enough rope to ...... himself.


Tony provided us a great dessert-Peach Cobler.
Tony not only made dessert he was pressed into service serving up lunch.
Building the tressels for the Monkey Bridge. Ask Sam to tie a clove hitch!

Jacob tests his faith and our knots and lashes by crossing the bridge.
Daniel walks the bridge too.
"Paper Cut"

Softy falls the light of day, as our campfire fades away.
Silently each scout should ask,
Have I done my daily task?
Have I kept my honor bright?
Can I guiltless sleep tonight?
Have I done and have I dared, everything to be prepared?