Philmont Scout Ranch - Day Nine - Ponil
Early the next morning, we struck camp to make our 8am appointment with the Pueblano boys. We were going to learn how to climb logging poles. In the center of camp, four fifty-foot tall poles stood like monuments to some long ago logging god. We sat in the morning sun, and listened as Shane and "Boss" explained to us the proper safety procedures for climbing these poles.
The first step was donning the equipment. To each leg, we strapped a pair of gaffs, which is basically a three inch knife protruding from your instep. Then, a harness, which cinches around your crotch like a rappelling harness might. Finally, a helmet and the safety rope.
Everyone took turns climbing and playing donkey for the other climbers. Donkeys are apparently bad listeners, and get distracted easily, so the climbers were instructed to shower their donkeys with compliments to keep them compliant and aware.
We were getting tired and sloppy. It was pretty miserable, walking that road in the hot desert sun all day, but we finally rolled into town dusty, sweaty, cranky and overheated.
The kids immediately hooked up with the cowboys and set out on their horseback rides through Ponil Canyon, while we five adults stayed behind and had blessed, wonderful, Oh-God-it-can't-be-this-good, showers! And after showers, we did laundry! My God it felt good to be clean again. And once clean, we were suitable to now enter the Cantina, where a lovely girl in a gingham dress served draft root beer. $1 for the first cup, and 50 cents for each refill. I drank three in the span of ten minutes, they were so good!
After the boys got back from their horse rides, I made them all wash their hands (so I didn't come into contact with the horse dander), and we set off for the shooting range. We received a brief safety lecture, whereby the boys were instructed in the use of a Colt 45 Peacemaker pistol, a 38 special Winchester rifle, and a 12 gauge double-barrel shotgun. We each got five shots with the pistol, five shots with the rifle, and two with the shotgun. I was pleased that I hit all the targets except the first, although later someone remarked that the targets were awfully close. Hmmph, what a killjoy.
I had to hit the first aid station after supper. My feet had had enough, and I feared I might have to abort the rest of the trip. Luckily, the good cowboy doctors were able to lance and treat my blisters sufficiently that moleskin and more Vitamin I could get me to the next two camps.
Once dinner was complete and my feet were treated, we set up camp and sent the kids to the showers. These kids stunk! Most of us had been taking bandanna baths all week, but the kids were largely unwashed and absolutely foul. Getting them cleaned up was really important!
After the showers, Ponil had a Cantina show, with live performances by the camp staff of piano and fiddle playing and dancing. I went to bed early, but the kids rolled in later content and laughing with stories of the night.
Tomorrow we'd be heading to our last camp, Dean Cow, and it'd be nearing the end of our trip. Funny to think how quickly it all went by.