----- Forwarded message from Duane Wheeler <[email protected]> -----
Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 15:15:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Duane Wheeler <[email protected]>
Reply-To: Duane Wheeler <[email protected]>
Subject: Switchbacks!
To: Royal Ranger List <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
My outpost was an outdoor adventure outpost when I grew up. I lerned a
lot from ADVENTURES IN CAMPING during the meetings, but what realy helped
was when we went on a camp-out and put it into practice.
We had lots of different camping experiances where we might drive to a
campsight and unload a pick-up truck right there in the camp..like most
family camping.. and different camping..out in the desert, under the stars.
We camped down at the beach once right on the sand...and went up to the Mt's
and camped in cabins while it snowed...
But by far the BEST campout I went on was a week long trip in the High
Sierras in Yosemite Nat'l Park. We parked in the Valley and began to load
for the hike.. Just the basics to get by and split the food among us..
and away we went...UPHILL! We used the mule trail instead of the foot
trail to Vernal Falls and on up to Nevada Falls. If you ever wondered why
it was called the mule trail...just look up and shortly you'll step right
on the answer! Hehehe..
Ok! Saddle up! Lets hit it! and we'd struggle to get into our packs and
up and up we'd go heading for the rim of Yosemitie valley...on to Nevada
Falls for a lunch break.. (What a view!) and on into Little Yosemite
valley to camp past the half-dome cutoff...beside the Merced River.
We had just sleepin'bags and ponchos for ground cover and like is common
in the high country.. a summer storm kicked up at sundown.. Cdr.Hank and
Cdr.Bob (my Dad) had us cookin chili-w/weenies..(Ranger POWER food!)
and we had sat down and was beginning to finish when the sprinkles turned
in to rain and then turned into a FLASH FLOOD! we grouped togather...
under the trees and then the lightning! began to CRACK! and the wind
kicked up! whooooooo...WHOOOOOOO...
and the sun went down and it was BLACK! No moon! We built up the fire..
and the wind would blow sparks all over...and whip the flames! suddenly,
as the wind would build it would hold....and CRAccccK! wooosh/TUMP!
TREES BEGAN TO FALL! Allaround in the dark!!
*RangerBuddies! ->A-No.1<- was a tad scared....You scared too??
"...boys, I do beleve we need to say a prayer...right now,
that the god of wind and wave will spare us tonight any harm.."
said Cdr.Hank.. and we all said.."AMEN!THAT'S RIGHT!" well, in the LTC
it's called a "Teachable" moment and Cdr.Hank didn't lose his thought!
he went on out in the night as the clouds broke and made his point..
"Guys..you cannot keep from growing up..and tonight the wind and rain and
trees tried to put FEAR into our hearts... and that is natural,...and
not a sin!" He paused...
"But GOD has not given us the spirit of FEAR. He is the overcommer,
the waymaker into the land of PEACE,and FAITH!"
Our Father in Heaven watches us HERE!..and at home and ALL OUR DAYS...
just like you saw him watch out for us tonight...
He has sent a COMFORTER... to dwell with us. The Holy Spirit!
How many know you walk this trail, and any trail...
not alone... How many WANT TO BE SURE...you are a child of GOD?"
and he led us..in prayer, First to be SURE our hearts were right for the
trail of life ahead..and next for the POWER to walk the right trail without
any shortcuts accross the switchbacks!
...The stars came out and the ground dried up and when the sun came up it
was a brand new day, funny we wern't scared of that storm from last night...
That was a LONG Time ago, I didn't know that I would
not travel that trail again for so long...for I have NOT been back since.
Guys...you have your own trail to walk. God has it laid out before you..
somehow he will show it to you if you are honest and want to know. You
can "Buck" at the reins, like a runaway colt...
and you can take shortcuts and act like you are wild...but an Honest man will
take it as it comes...The good and the Bad, for with Gods help...we can
do all things.. Just put your trust in your heavenly Fathers plan..and
put one foot down and pick the other up as you GO FORWARD in LIFE!
That was a great Back-pack trip! We caught Rainbows, swam in the river and
had a *Shinein'Time* fer sure! I never forgot that storm...the black night
and the sound of falling trees.. or the warmth of the campfire and the
words of my Commander....
Thanks...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
****>A-No.1<****
FCF Charter Member July '66 **** Pioneer Commander Outpost 207
"Royal Rangers - a lifetime adventure!"
*================> Where were you in '62? <=====================*
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
----- End forwarded message -----
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