When you are sending boys off to Philmont Scout Ranch, there is a lot of standing around – waiting – on the day of departure. We arrived at the Gleannloch Farms church building just before 3:00PM for a final gear check. Then it was waiting for the bus to arrive at 4:00PM for a 4:00PM departure.
There were a lot of boys standing around talking. Andrew and Kyle were just chatting it up. Andrew was actually making sure that all of the boys on their crew were there and accounted for and had everything – vital and important.
Andrew (left) playing it cool. Drake Rowe (left with his back to us). Kyle (right with his back to us).
This is what Andrew does when he does not want to take a picture. Instead of putting out the hand or covering his face, he gets in real close. He knows that I will take the picture anyway so he might as well just move his hand…he has learned. I will take his picture. He has learned that I will take the picture even if it is a crappy picture. Today, Andrew’s eyes are green.
Kyle has started doing the same thing as Andrew. He, however, does not get in quite as close. He just does the really close shot. Looks like Kyle has a healthy case of teenage acne going for him there. Take a good look at that upper lip, however. I do believe that we will have a 3rd person shaving soon. Not to worry, I have already started stocking up on razors for the occasion.
More boys have shown up – left to right – Andrew (back turned), Hyrum Cruz, Kyle (back turned), and Drake Rowe.
The crew is almost complete. Left to right – Andrew, Raul and Hyrum Cruz, Kyle (back turned), Drake Rowe (face palming something Kyle said), and Landon Lee.
The bus finally arrived! The bus was accidentally sent to the wrong church building. They sent it to the Klein Stake Center just a few miles away instead of the Gleannloch Farms church building where we were all gathered. Fortunately, it was a quick and easy fix and the bus arrived only a few minutes late. This was a good thing as we were starting to get a little worried with the very dark clouds rolling in. The thunder and lightening was starting to really kick up in intensity. We had a lot of gear out on the sidewalk and a lot of excited kids ready to get on the bus. They were all really excited when it pulled up into the parking lot.
Left to right – Andrew Sansom and Park Anderson
I think this is the most excited I have seen Andrew about this trip. It has been touch and go for the past few weeks with his asthma. He caught pneumonia and that really flared up his asthma. A few changes in asthma medicines and we managed to get his lungs cleared up and him feeling good again. Andrew got his final “lung clearance” from the doctor’s office on Monday afternoon.
Park had his own medical issues with is scoliosis in his back. I am happy to hear that he was able to get his medical clearance to go as well.
Tyler McMullin and a really big smile. Tyler had a medical scare in his family shortly after we started the whole Philmont preparation. His father was diagnosed with brain cancer. His father was supposed to be joining them on the trip but is unable to make it. I have to say that I think that his father looks good considering what he has been through the past few months. I hope that Tyler enjoys himself on this trip.
To the right on the picture, you can see Ben Sansom with his head turned.
We had a good group of kids heading off to Philmont this year. We had 2 crews from our Memorial Springs Ward heading out. Both of our crews were Boy Scouts heading out on High Adventure. There were 2 girl crews going from the Parkway and Champions Wards. I am not sure who else was there, but there were a lot of kids ready to get their gear loaded on the bus when it pulled up. They wasted no time at all.
All of the kids loading their stuff on the bus and loading up.
My three guys! Left to right – Kyle, Ben, and Andrew.
I have to say that I am very proud of my husband, Ben. He lost 78 pounds so that he could join his two oldest boys on this Philmont trip. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make and he did it! Way to go honey, I love you!
He not only pushed and encouraged a group of boys to get ready and do this, but he kept me mostly sane when it came down to spending all the money to get all the gear – times three. He was my reality check from time to time. He kept telling me it was worth it and it would be okay and everything was going to work out. I knew deep down it was worth it, but the rest of me was still working on the it would be okay and everything was going to work out.
They look happy and ready to go. They did let me take a few pictures though. I love these guys!
We cannot forget Drake Rowe. We helped his mother, Stacia Hunsaker, keep her sanity all the way around when it came to Philmont. This is a big task to undertake for anyone, but doing it as a single mother is just a mountain by itself. She totally rocks, by the way! I think Drake’s face says it all. Stacia, your efforts totally paid off with that half smile right there.
Just one more picture….Left to right – Kyle, Drake Rowe, Ben, and Andrew.
The final chit chat and gathering of things before loading the bus. I got my hugs and kisses and then they were off. Lance was admiring the sheer size of the bus. He was in awe. Left to right – Lance Sansom (in the yellow t-shirt), Jerry Lee, Landon Lee, Kyle Sansom (with his back to us), Drake Rowe, Kristen McQuay, I am not sure who the grey haired gentleman is, Brian McMullin (with the black t-shirt with his back to us), Hyrum Cruz, Park Anderson (with his head turned behind Hyrum), Clint Humphrerys (in the white t-shirt in the distance), and Andrew Sansom (with this back turned).
One more of the gathering of the crew. This is most of the boys in the crew that Andrew is the crew leader for and Ben is the adult leader for. Lance is in the front. Left the right – Park Anderson, Hyrum Cruz (with his back to us), Andrew Sansom, Drake Rowe, Kyle Sansom, Landon Lee, Raul Cruz. Sister Kristen McQuay in the long sleeve light blue shirt with her head turned is on the far right.
The Cruz men – Raul, Sr., Raul, Jr., and Hyrum. What a great family! Raul, Sr. is the other adult leader on the crew that Ben is helping with. They are excited to go!
Don’t these guys look happy and ready to go? Left to right – Raul, Sr., Raul, Jr., and Hyrum Cruz.
Loading the bus….
Waiting for them to close the door on the bus. Last minute checks on the bus.
Doors closed. Waiting for them to pull away.
Waving good-bye!
More waving good-bye as they pull away.
And they are off!
They are off for great adventures. They should arrive in Cimmaron, NM (aka Philmont Scout Ranch) sometime early tomorrow morning.
It was a tight turn into the parking lot at the church, and it is a tight turn out of the parking lot…
We made it! Things fell together and we got everything packed. Ben lost all his weight. Andrew’s lungs cleared up. Everyone stayed well. The stuff fit in the bags. We got everything together and where it went. Things just worked out.
They are off to adventures and to climb mountains. They are doing 68 miles of hiking in 12 days.
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