The Only Bear I Saw!

This is the only bear I saw while in New Mexico. A bear rug in a trophy room of the Waite Phillips Villa Philmonte tour. Philmont, you see, was named for the Phillips family who once lived there. They donated the land to the Boy Scouts of America. They were pretty well-off....okay very well-off. You've heard of Phillips Oil, haven't you? Well that's them. Waite Phillips said, "The only things we keep permanently are those we give away."

My husband went to Philmont for Leadership training and my 17-year-old son, Todd went on the 30-mile Mountain Man Hike. We had a wonderful time. I was surprised and how great it was. It was nice to just pause for a week from my busy life and enjoy nature and the beauty of Philmont.

What I learned:

1. You must drink 5 bottles of water from your Nalgene bottle or you'll get altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is a very real thing...not just imagined. I know this by experience!

2. Tents can get very hot!

3. Tents are not 'luxurious"...at all!

4. Always be prepared for sudden thunder storms by keeping your tent zipped up tight. I know this by experience, too!

5. If the dining hall offers salads, eat plenty of them!

6. Only take what you really need in your backpack! (My son learned this!)

7. Don't get a mani/pedi before you go camping. It is a waste of money. Wait 'til you get home!

8. Ted Turner owns a big ranch near Philmont. I looked for him (you know me!) but didn't see him. I saw lots of the bison though!

9. If you ever go to Philmont Training Center, bring a fan and an extension cord!

10. Look for the 'outhouse' before you start to pull down your pants in the wild. I know this from experience, too!










Now back to quilting...and Julie's wedding is in two weeks!