Happy New Year

We head back to Looe Key just one more time. It is so magnificent! We also stop and snorkel at West Sombrero. There really isn't a bad place to view some of the area's underwater wildlife throughout the Keys.

We stop and take a break at Marathon for some ice cream. We have steak for dinner. Huge steaks. The food aboard the boat is good and plentiful.

We spend much of the evenings just hanging out, talking, playing games. Don and I have been trying to win a 500 game at Rook for a very long time. We couldn't do it at Philmont. Hogg and I couldn't do it at Northern Tier. Finally, at the last moment in 2008, luck was with Don and I, and we finally won.

Identifying the fish can be fun.

A manatee swims by the VIVID.

Hanging out below deck.

Snorkeling

It seems that everyone wakes up and gets going around 6:45. Our guys are really starting to get the hang of this sailing deal. Sails are going up faster. Our navigational skills are getting really sharp too. We stop and snorkel at Western Sambo Key. Doug Ramey jumps in with his wallet. "Goffy" jumped in with his cell phone. Salt water and electronics do not mix.

We head up to Looe Key and snorkel some more. Snorkeling down here is like being in an aquarium. Colorful fish and coral are every where. Like a dream. However there are barracuda and sharks. They don't bother you, if you don't bother them.

Meeting on the bow.

Check your pockets before you jump in.

One that didn't get away.

Key West

We motor in to Key West due to the lack of wind. We get a hot shower and eat lunch aboard the boat. We get to walk around Key West and see all of the sights. All of the shops along Duval Street and Mallory Square. There are a lot of street performers. Magicians, jugglers, psychics, and arts and crafts. Kind of like "Hillbilly Day's" in the tropics! The sun sets right at 6:50 and it is wonderful.

Is this a High Adventure trip or a vacation?

"Goffy" on the helm.

VIVID docked next to a small dingy boat.

Don and Doug make a new friend.

Hulk Hogan and friend, cruising Duval Street.

Upside down straight jacket escape. Very cool!

Sailing Out

Camping aboard a boat is very different. Everything is always moving. Captain Kate is the first one up around 7:00 and if one person gets up, the boat really starts rocking, so everyone else gets up. We leave the dock around 8:00. The guys start to learn how to put up the sails. There are 4 on board the VIVID. The jib, stay, main, and mizzen. We also learn about maneuvering, charts, GPS, and various other instruments. We catch 2 good size mackerel. We pass by Munson Island, where we stayed last year, and see crews paddling in. We spend the night in Newfoundland Harbor behind Munson. We have chicken and rice and deep fried mackerel. We begin our evening Duty to God readings and Thorns and Roses.

Making way.

Full sail.

A break in the galley.

Flying Down

We stay at the Hampton Inn-Airport in Louisville. Up at 4:00 am. Everyone shows up on time at the airport. We make it in on time at Fort Lauderdale. Benjamin Alexander shows up about an hour later and we get on the bus. Finally stop for lunch at 3:00. We make it to the main Sea Base location on Islamorada Key at 4:00. We are rushed through check in, swim checks, and snorkel practice. We are all very tired, jet lagged, and dehydrated. The worst I have ever seen a group of Scouts. We get some supper and drink lots of water and we are fine. We meet our Captain for the week, Captain Kate from Ohio, and board our vessel, the VIVID. We hit the bed at 10:30 aboard the boat.

Personal electronic devices help pass the time.

We add our numbers to the wall of fame.

Gypsy the cross eyed, mean Siamese cat is part of the VIVID.

Sea Base

Heading back today to Sea Base. www.bsaseabase.org

Doug Ramey and I are taking a group on the Coral Reef Sailing trip, while Benjamin Alexander is taking the other group on the Florida Keys Adventure.

Pictures and stories from our trip when we get back. Ya'll stay good and warm while we are Scouting in sunny southern Florida!

Lost Traveler

I did a good deed today that is worthy of mention.

Some guy shows up at work and is lost. The girls holler at me, because I have all the maps and get people headed in the right direction all of the time.

Today is Christmas Eve and this dude is really lost. He started in Kingsport, TN west of here and is heading to southern Indiana, which is west. He came east to go west?

I print him a copy of the KY map and get him acclimated. He thanks me and I tell him that "helping lost travelers on Christmas Eve was the way this whole thing started right?"

Merry Christmas ya'll!

International Scouting

Can you name where this Scout badge is from?

The Republic of Singapore.

I received a very nice email from Henry Tan advising me that he had included this blog on his site. How very nice and flattering!

Check his site out at http://scoutslink.blogspot.com/

Who knows when we will be camping on the same ground?

A Good Run

My final Tomahaken Chapter meeting as Chapter Adviser was today. Kind of sad; kind of proud.

Good crowd with special guests. The 2009 Lodge Chief, Anthony Kenney and his Dad, Harold showed up. A very nice surprise indeed! Anthony presented me with the "DVD" award.

A few Chapter certificates of thanks and then some food and fellowship. We closed with the passing of the torch to Doug Ramey and Glen Felty, as Chapter Adviser and Associate Chapter Adviser. Good ceremony, except for when Don got the giggles. Only in the hills,...

It's special when it comes from a youth member!

Even a special pendant. WOW!

Cool Christmas Card

Scouty Claus

You know how you can tell when you spend too much time on the internet?

When Scouty Claus presents you with the Blogging Merit Badge!

Step Child

I guess that it isn't a big secret that our Council is looking to absorb 6 Kentucky Counties that are currently in the Simon Kenton Council. If everything works out, Bracken, Robertson, Mason, Fleming, Lewis, and Greenup Counties will soon be a part of the Blue Grass Council. A historical moment in our Scouting history.

I searched on the net and found http://www.troop221bsa.com/ out of Maysville and contacted Scoutmaster Dan Crum. Mr. Crum is a veteran Scoutmaster of 15 years and is currently an OA Chapter Adviser.

I was telling him how great our Camp, Lodge, and Council are.

He feels like they are the "step child". I explained the Lonesome Pine Council and Cumberland Council deal and told him that the Blue Grass is one big dysfunctional family of "step children" and since they reside on the KY side of the river, that they would fit in just fine.

Sometimes, a friendly phone call from one volunteer to another, can ease the pain.

OA Dues

http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/DocDownload.asp?id=49322

New PWD Wheels

I was checking out some of the new items on www.scoutstuff.org the other day and ran across these unique jewels. Colored Pinewood Derby Wheels!

Black, Ragin’ Red, Screamin’ Yellow, Outrageous Orange, and Blazin’ Blue.

WOW!

So now you can say, "When I raced the Pinewood Derby, we only had the traditional black wheels". Ah, change.

Now the big question is, are the orange wheels faster than the yellow ones?

I can guarantee you that it is probably being tested to the 1,000th of a second as you read this! Been there, done that, got that patch.

Winter Banquet

The final flap to end one of the greatest years in Kawida Lodge's history.

Stuff to buy!

Finally, a Winter Banquet with just a touch of snow.

No Swim Checks today though?

A proud moment in eastern Kentucky history, as a record of 5 from the Tomahaken Chapter were called out to receive the Vigil Honor. Congratulations!

Jambo Staff