Blue Angels and Scout Camping

Last weekend, half of MFT (Merrick Family, Tallahassee) headed over to Pensacola with the Scouts to camp out. I say only half because for a variety of reasons the girls decided not to go.

So D3 and I made the long drive to Big Lagoon State Park last Friday, loaded down with camping gear. While driving through Pensacola, I nearly wrecked the car several times while distracted by the Blue Angels, who were flying as we drove in. At one point, there was an F/A-18 only about 500 feet above the road.

When we got to camp, it was 81 degrees and about 120% (yes, it's possible. This is Florida) humidity, and overcast. Not a great start. We got the tent up during a pause in the drizzle, and then he went to play, while I and the other Pack leaders made rounds helping families get set and (semi) comfortable. Since Pensacola is Central time, it was pitch dark by 5:20pm, making everything even more of a challenge.

It rained on us again that night, squashing almost any hope of an actual campfire. Of course, I thought I would try to build one anyway, resulting in me looking slightly foolish as I spent thirty minutes to produce a pathetic, smokey fire that put out zero heat. Of course, we were all sweaty and damp, so I didn't want to get any warmer. Note to self... never again try and start a fire (in the wet) while fifteen Cub Scouts are standing around watching you. It's not going to work. Ever.

It quit raining around 9pm, the cloud cover blew off, and the temp started to dip. By Saturday morning, it was windy and in the 60's and never strayed far from there all day long.

We headed out to NAS Pensacola around 9:30am (local time) and stayed until the Blue Angels were finished around 3:30pm. The skies were clear and blue, and except for the 25mph wind all day, it was beautiful weather. The air show was amazing, and I have a few photos to put up here at some point. The Blue Angels put on their usual awe inspiring performance, but we also got to see an F-16C Viper demo (loud), F-15C Eagle demo (louder), and an F/A-18F Rhino demo (stupid loud). The USAF put on their "Heritage Flight" with the F-15 and F-16 flying formation with a WWII era P-51D Mustang. That was really cool.

We got back to camp in time to start cooking, and the Pack fed over 70 people that night as we all relaxed and had a good time. The boys all practiced skits, and after dark and dinner we put on a campfire program that I think everyone enjoyed.

I slept like a rock on Saturday night, when it got into the 30's. Good camping weather.

Sunday was the chore of breaking camp, including dealing with a tent that had been pitched on wet ground and was now coated with dirt and mud, and driving home. Once again, I'm no fan of that 3 1/2 hour drive. I-10 through there is booooring.

The next camping trip is to Marianna, and the Florida Caverns State Park. I'm pretty sure the whole family will make that one, we'll see.

Crazy Squirrels

Holly and I are debating on the number of acorns in the yard. With all the oaks, we basically have a carpet of acorns from one side to the other. Wall to wall nuts. So what are the squirrels doing? They are burying acorns. Yes. Like there's going to be some recession fueled acorn shortage. Fellas, its a smorgasbord of acorns out there. Not to mention, if you run short, the government will surely pass the Squirrel Acorn Relief Bailout Act of 2009. So relax guys, you're covered.

Yes, this was useless filler. Actual content coming soon. Unless it doesn't. At which point I will promise more, and you will still come back to read. Funny old world, eh?

Quiet Here, Becuase Its Not Quiet Out There

We've been really busy lately, and I haven't found the time to write about much of anything since Halloween.   

We've wrapped up the soccer season, and I'll have a report on that shortly.

We are headed over to Pensacola this weekend to go camping (and see the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow).  Everyone is looking forward to that.  

More to come! 

Halloween 2008

We had a great time on Halloween, and the kids brought home a record haul of candy. The weather was great, and I know everyone had a great time.

Here are a few pictures from the event.