I returned this last Monday from a fantastic trip – a week on staff at the national Scout Jamboree in W. Va., followed by a 4 day driving tour of 5 states (~1400 mi.). I’m including some pictures. After over 50 years in Scouting, this was my first national jamboree, so I was excited. And a brand new permanent jamboree site, w. lots of great new high adventure & technology activities, as well as some traditional stuff. Some 45,000 total – about 7,000 staff – so the 2nd largest city (tents) in W. Va. While it involved a lot of walking, there was transportation (buses) for several thousand every day for offsite activities (white water rafting, day of service in the community & return from a trek), as well as for visitors. And my job in transportation logistics was to coordinate this traffic & loading/unloading. But I had plenty time off to explore the jamboree, and connect w. my nephew from Massachusetts. We had unusually heavy rain & lightning, so there was plenty of mud & humidity, but not too hot generally with the elevation. Beautiful country. I was in a 4-man staff tent, on a bunk cot, and slept surprisingly well. And my solar shower took the chill off. WiFi & cell phone service was great. The dining hall fed some 2,000 at once. Some 5,000 at the LDS church service Sunday morning where Elder Anderson spoke, 60 priests prepared the sacrament & some 200 deacons passed it. Monday night was a big LDS celebration of 100 years of Scouting in the Church – I got to meet the General Young Men Presidency, and the National President of BSA, who is LDS. A great bunch of service-minded people at the jamboree. My driving tour went south past hillbilly & Hatfield & McCoy country, thru the Cumberland Gap to Knoxville, and through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Then along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and detour thru N. Carolina to S. Carolina (barely). Then up to Roanoke VA, east to historical Appomattox, and north to Monticello (Jefferson’s estate). Then thru Shenandoah National Park, and church in Winchester. Back then to W. Va. To close the loop, to Seneca Rocks, and a mountain lodge near Elkins, w. a great view from a fire tower. Then I flew out of Charleston, where I’d flown in nearly 2 weeks earlier. I added 4 states to my list, so only 6 remain of the 50. ---- Mark
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 03:35:05 +0000
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