Rocketman

For our September campout we went to a 'camporee' with several other scout troops. We all got the Space Exploration Merit Badge, learned about astronauts, built rockets and of course, the highlight of the weekend, we shot rockets.

The location was near Superior, which is in the desert, so it was hot. Still, we had a great time.
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Friday night we arrived, set up camp and made dinner. The boys all brought Ramen Noodle Soup which is fine for them, but not too appealing to me. Fortunately, some of the camporee planners invited me to eat up some succulent steaks, chilies, potato salad and regular salad with them. That meal was probably the highlight of the trip.
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After dinner the boys all put together model rockets and then were shown many of the constellations. We also had a group campfire program, and the boys did a couple of skits. They turned out ok, the evening was entertaining.
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I woke up before anyone else and enjoyed a beautiful sunrise. After breakfast the rocket shooting began. I think everyone shot their rockets at least 3 or 4 times, and others probably launched their rockets 10 times.
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No pictures of me this time, since I didn't have a teaching or leading role this outing, I was mostly behind the camera.

Yummy dinner:

Roasting marshmellows:

Sunrise: We did have time to catch some ants....these were the brave 'volunteer' red ants who later fought a nearby black ant colony.
Shooting two rockets at once:

Humdrum

Is it just me or is the presidential election getting boring? I’ve always considered my civic responsibility of voting a sacred duty, but this political season is making it hard for me to want to vote. Both candidates are boring.

It wasn’t always that way. Early on, the primary elections were very exciting. Front runners from both parties lost the nomination in dramatic and remarkable ways. I think the excitement of the elections peaked in February. Super-star Barack Obama’s speeches were more inspiring and the hurdles under-dog John McCain was jumping were much higher.

I was intently interested in the Republican primaries and actually wrote several political blog posts that I never published. Basically the entire charade made me feel disenfranchised with the party and caused me to change my political affiliation.

The Sarah Palin VP pick did give my flat lined political interest a small jolt, but now that the novelty has worn off, I’m back to being indifferent.

I’m still going to vote, but I’m not yet sure for whom. Neither option seems like the best choice to me.

I could write more now about how I feel on this subject, but even considering the candidates this much is making me bored. I’ll for sure write more about this before Nov 4th, but it just may never get published.

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Who cares what I think anyway? (purely a rhetorical question)

Blogiversary

Upside Down Map turns two years old this week. I never imagined I'd keep at it for so long, but it's kind of addicting. Often I don't consider an experience 'complete' without blogging about it.

Anyway, in celebration of this special occasion I decided to take a break and relay what others have to say about the blog. If you'd like to add to the conversation, feel free to add a comment of your own.

Troy (a smart friend of mine getting his masters degree) says:

For your parent's fiftieth you wrote a poem. Here is mine for your blog's anniversary:

Tomorrow's your blog's birthday will be two
hopefully your readers will not be few.

Thanks Troy, I think a tear almost, sort of, started to try to form in my eye.

Jeff (of wavesandfields.blogspot.com) says:

Reading your blog reminds me of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, particularly when Alice encounters the Cheshire Cat and asks what direction she should head. "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. When Alice states that she just wants to get somewhere, the Cat responds "Oh, you're sure to do that...if only you walk long enough." It has been a pleasure to see where life has taken you these past two years, and I look forward to seeing where it will lead you in the future.

Very insightful, I'm going to add Alice in Wonderland to my library books to get list.

Jono (a old, high school, middle school, elementary school buddy) says:

“The Box Videos”

Not that they have anything to do with your blog whatsoever, but that’s what came to mind.

I think I like hearing about your scouting adventures the most. It’s cool to see “Lil’ Bro Big” developing in you, it’s impressive.

Maybe some of my readers will understand that. Hopefully.

My wonderful mother says:

Reasons why I like Scott's blog:

1. I most often read it early in the morning, when everything is quiet. It is like you saying, "Good morning, Mom. Here's what I am doing. I love you."
2. I enjoy the beautiful pictures of you and Lynette and the wonderful places you go.
3. Reading your blog keeps me in touch with the "real you."
4. I have always enjoyed reading the things you write -- starting in kindergarten.
5. I always think -- "I hope Scott makes a hard copy of this. It is a great history."

This comment reminds me of the first few episodes every season of American Idol. There is always some terrible singer who says: "But my family says I'm good." Ha ha. Seriously Mom, you've always been there to read and proof read what I write (from the story I wrote in first grade about Nathanial Hawkins (the Hawk) to my research grant proposal my last semester in college). I do often write my entries with you specifically in mind.

Ted (Author of The Lower Black River--An Outdoor Guide) says:

Of all the blogs I read and have read over the years, I have enjoyed reading yours the most by far. You always have great pics and great stories.

Thanks Ted, when are we going fishing next?

Jeremy (AZ Eye) says:

My favorite posts are as follows (not in order of best to worst):

1. Maxam the knife
2. Black River
3. Scout Outing on the Gila River
4. The one with Tomato soup (though my comment didn't get posted!)
5. Horsemanship
6. The card board boat race
7. Survivorman at West Clear Creek
8. Your truck without the doors

Thanks Jeremy, those are my favorite posts too. Sorry your comment didn't get posted...I'd rather have you mad at me than Lynette. :)

Fifth

Lynette and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last week. I did a little better on the gift this year, but I didn't hide it too well. She found it the day before our anniversary. I got her a jewelry box. That girl has a lot of jewelry and her old box was in need of an upgrade.

Lynette got me a guitar and promised me guitar lessons. I've said often that I want to learn how to play, and now I have no excuse. I'm looking for a guitar instructor, so if you know of anyone let me know. I'd like to give my money to an individual instead of a music store.

We took a drive out into the desert in search of good photo's and cactus needles. Lynette wanted some needles, so we collected them off a rather large Barrel Cactus. I like to explore new dirt roads, so I didn't mind the strange request. We got up there a little too early for the good light, so the pics are far from spectacular. We drove home through Salt River Canyon and tried to stop when the sun was low, but the sun set too fast.

All in all, it was nice way to celebrate an anniversary. We ate at Oregano's too. Good day.

Scott

Thankyou for the donation:

Black River Book

My nephew recently wrote a guide book for fishing the lower Black River in Eastern AZ. If any of you want to know about a good location to catch some Smallmouth river Bass this book is a must have.

Read about my previous fishing trips on the Black by clicking: 2007 and/or 2008.

Check out his site: http://www.blackriveraz.com/

Buy the book.