A Day of Fun around the Southeast!
I’m happy to report that our Chief 2’s arrived home safe and sound last night about 8PM CDT. Spirits were high as they reported a fun and challenging trip. They definitely returned a bit more smelly than when they left. Boys and counselors alike were excited to read 4 days worth of mail and get a good, warm shower. Before arriving home their bus stopped off at a local pizza eatery in Murphy, NC for all the pizza they could devour. Can you imagine how much pizza they must have eaten? Prior to pizza, their trail trip ended near the Nantahala River and the Nantahala Outdoor Center outpost. Inflatable kayaks were the preferred mode of transporation as they rafted the day away in the cool, mountain waters of the Nantahala.
Mrs. Gail treated us well and greeted us with warm piles of pancakes, served with sausage this morning. A welcome return to camp for all the trips. If you didn’t know yesterday was “Trip Day” for all of camp. It’s a day spent out of camp on chartered buses enjoying some of finer touring spots in the Southeast.
After a quick 7AM breakfast of eggs, grits, and toast, buses were packed with necessities and loaded by campers. Then we called roll and were off!
Hunters and Trappers embarked on an adventure to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park near Chattanooga, TN. It’s a combination amusement park and waterpark, perfect for a hot day. Boys and their counselors spent the first part of the day enjoying rides like the Oh-Zone, a 14 story drop, and the Cannonball wooden roller coaster. Carter and I stopped by Lake Winnie and enjoyed some rides with the boys. Carter rode the Oh-Zone and the giant swings that spin through the air. I opted for a ride on the Pirate ship that swings back and forth and the log ride boat chute where we definitely got wet. After a few hours of fun in the sun, the cooler temps of the water park were welcome. Boys enjoyed the lazy river and multiple giant water slides. When they returned to camp a Papa John’s pizza dinner awaited them, much to everyone’s delight.
The Scouts spent the day in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee as they enjoyed their day at Dollywood, seeking all sorts of fast thrills. Campers returned proudly exclaiming that they’d ridden rides like the Tennessee Tornado and the Wild Eagle! Another fan favorite from our crowd, was the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, the Lighting Rod (top speed: 73mph!!) I’m told that the park was unusually slim in numbers yesterday with little to no wait times on rides. Burgers and fries and milkshakes were enjoyed in the park at the end of the day.
It was off to white water raft for our older age groups. The Warriors headed to the Nantahala River for their rafting trip. After enjoying a sack lunch, they were briefed with safety instructions and off they went. The Nantahala is near Murphy, NC and is a perfect beginner rapids course. The river is cool and refreshing and Nantahala Falls, at the end, provides a big thrill. On their way home they enjoyed a piping hot pizza dinner from a local pizza company in Murphy, NC. For most boys, whooshing down the river rapids was the highlight of the day. Others couldn’t stop talking about how delicious the pizza was.
For the Braves and first year Chiefs, it was down the Ocoee River. They enjoyed floating down the river, surfing the rapids, and riding the waves. The Ocoee is a dam controlled river of the TVA with more adventurous runs. After their rafting run, they headed to The McCallie School in Chattanooga for some swimming and Mr. T’s pizza (a local favorite in Chattanooga).
By 9:30 PM everyone was home and tucked in bed in their cabins, that good kind of tired after a full and fun day out.
Today we are back in the swing of regular activities, after a much needed late Reveille. Richard allowed us to sleep until 7:40, with breakfast following at 8. Head counselors held morning watch devotionals after breakfast rather than before. The sun is shining as we DANCE (hint, hint) into the weekend. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend, Glenn
