Camping on Bear Island

This past Friday, 32 Scouts and Scout Leaders from Troop 42 boarded the Troop Bus and headed for the Coast.

We arrived in Cedar Point, NC at around midnight and started to set up camp. After about an hour we had everything set up and it was time to get some sleep because we needed to get up at 7:00 am in order to meet our planned schedule for Saturday.

Well 7:00 AM rolled around pretty early, but everyone got up to start the day. The first order of business was to make breakfast.

The Cobra patrol, with James acting as head cook for the trip, was making scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Everyone ate well with a busy day ahead of them.


















After the breakfast was cleaned up we boarded the bus for the short trip to Hammocks Beach State Park. Once we got there we broke up into two groups. The 20 individuals who would kayak the 2 ½ miles to the island and the 12 of us who would take the food and supplies on the ferry to the island.

Those of us who rode the ferry got to the island first. Then we had about a half mile hike across the island to the beach. Bear Island is very pretty and isolated. It is owned by the park service and no one lives there. It’s original name was “BARE” Island, but it was arbitrarily changed years ago by a map maker to Bear Island.

While the scouts played on the beach and in the surf, another leader and I created a mile long orienteering course for the scouts to practice their compass skills. It took the boys about one hour to complete the course, but they had a lot of fun doing it.

Everyone had a picnic lunch at the beach and enjoyed the mild overcast day, which was warm, but not too hot.

At about 3:00 pm it was time to head back, but several of the boys who originally kayaked wanted to trade for seats on the ferry. James stepped up and volunteered to kayak back and was able to stay up with the lead group for the whole trip back!


















We drove back to our campsite and cooked a big meal for dinner. James’ Patrol made Spaghetti with meat sauce and everyone had plenty to eat.

That night, everyone was tired and had no problem sleeping. The next morning we got up, at breakfast and then started to break down the campsite and pack up. After all of the gear was packed, we held a short outdoor church service.

Finally, we boarded the bus for our return trip home. The weather cooperated for the entire trip and we all had a great weekend.

459.84 Miles from Home

According to Yahoo Maps, my one way driving distance to the home where I grew up and my mom still lives is 459.84 miles.

This trip can take anywhere from 7 hrs flat to over 9 hours, depending upon the weather, traffic, and calls of nature along the way.

This is a trip that I have made many times during the last 6 years since I have moved to North Carolina. I have made this trip by myself, with my family, and my family has driven it without me on occasion as well.

The route is certainly very familiar at this point and there is no need for a GPS to tell us which way to go. Pretty much any where along the route I can tell you how much further to our next landmark (like the Golden Dome to mark the halfway point) and how far to arrive at our destination.

Spending all that time in a car (or van as the case may be) gives you plenty of opportunity to notice and discover things along the route:

Animals, Animals Everywhere!
A favorite way to pass the time is to be the first to spot the animals as we drive by. Michelle is exceptionally adept at this skill and usually is the first to spot the animals. We have seen all varieties of creatures. From the basic farm animals like: Cows, Horses, Sheep, Dogs, and Cats; to woodland creatures: Deer, Groundhogs, Squirrels, Fox, Hawks, Owls, Wild Turkeys, and Buzzards; to the not seen everyday roadside animals: Turtles, Llamas, Coyote, Pygmy Goats, and a Camel!

I’ve Gotta Go!
We certainly can tell you which exits have restrooms, which exits have clean restrooms, which Fast Food places have clean restrooms, and which gas stations we should never try to visit their restrooms again. There are literally very few exits along this route that we have not had to make a stop at during one of our many journeys. This has led to many close calls, but we have always been able to find some place just in the nick of time.

I’m Hungry!
I’m now convinced there is no surer way to upset the harmony of a car travelling family than to ask the question “Where would you like to eat?” It’s not like we haven’t spent any time together before. For some reason there will always be at least one stubborn dissenter who has chosen this opportune time to voice their newly found dislike for the eatery of choice. I’m sure that sometime in the future they will tell me that they have just been playing a trick on me and they just do this for the entertainment value.

Do you have the money ready?
Our favorite game along the way is called “exact change”. It is paramount that we gather the appropriate funds to pay our three $1.25 tolls each way. The money must be readied ahead of time and handed to the driver in a particular manner or you lose. It is a moral victory, if nothing else to be able to minimize stopping time by choosing the shortest toll lane and handing them the exact change so that we can zoom off towards our next checkpoint. It’s the little things in life that make me happy.

The Weather Forecast is ……
I have now made this trip in all kinds of weather, during the day and the night. I can honestly say that I enjoy the drive much better when the weather cooperates. There is nothing like driving 70 mph through the mountains of West Virginia during a 32 F freezing rain at night. Although the one that probably tops them all is the drive from Ohio to NC during a snow storm where I couldn’t see the road for a 150 mile stretch of snow covered, 1 lane, freeway driving.

Orange Barrels and Holiday Traffic
I’ve learned first hand why they say to avoid Holiday Traffic. It will suck the Holiday spirit out of you faster than you can say “Happy Thanksgiving to you too, buddy!” Construction barrels are like rabbits as they always seem to multiply. Traffic grinds to a halt as it tries to merge into a single lane usually combining with the “I gotta go now!” crew declaring that although they didn’t give me warning as we were passing all of those convenient exits, they really gotta go!

Achieving the Zen of the Long Drive
One of the best things about these mega-highway experiences is the opportunity to relax and reflect upon the world. While the kids are watching their movie and Michelle is looking for wildlife, I have the opportunity to relax, think, dream up new blog subjects, and unwind. There is certainly something to be said for having the ability to take some time to be alone with your thoughts in this busy, non-stop multi-tasking world.

Maybe those long drives aren’t so bad after all.

Talented Baker Discovered - Shares Her Secrets

I had the opportunity to recently to interview the newly discovered baking prodigy as she showed off her current specialty: "Amish White Bread".

LJTW: Thank you for being here. That bread smells wonderful.
MPC: Thank you, I just made a couple of loaves of my Amish White Bread.

LJTW: So tell me, when did you start cooking?
MPC: My first cooking memory is when I was 6 and attempted to make French Toast in the toaster. I've improved a bit since then.


LJTW: I certainly agree with that! What inspired you to start baking?
MPC: One day I just decided that "I wanted to cook!"


LJTW: What is your favorite item to cook?




MPC: You're looking at it, my Amish White Bread.



LJTW: Can you tell me about the process for making your now famous bread?
MPC: Basically I follow the recipe, but I make some minor changes to the amounts of the ingredients and my special secret is to use the Kitchen Aid mixer first and then knead by hand.

LJTW: Can we share the recipe with my readers?
MPC: OK, here it is:


Amish White Bread


Ingredients:

• 2 cups warm water (110 F)
• 2/3 cups white sugar
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Stir in yeast. Allow to proof until it resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl and turn doughto coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has risen 1 inch above the pans.
4. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.
5. Makes 2 loaves.

LJTW: Thank you for sharing. What will be your next great cooking creation?
MPC: I'm planning on making my grandmother's recipe for Cinnamon Rolls.

LJTW: One last question: Is this a hobby or will it be a possible career choice?
MPC: Although I enjoy cooking, it's just a hobby for me.

LJTW: Thanks, It has been great talking with you today.
MPC: You're welcome!

James (J.Leo) Collins - My Role Model

Role Model is not a title that one can bestow upon themselves.

It is a title that has to be given to you by someone that admires your qualities and actions, and aspires to be like you.

J. Leo Collins possessed many desirable qualities:

Industrious & Energetic: He was a hard worker that was always engaged in a number of projects. He loved to multi-task before the term was invented. His energy encouraged me to approach life in a similar fashion.

Intelligent: He used his logical approach to problem solving to help him become a mechanical engineer. Dad was also a voracious reader. He always looked to learn more and gain a better understanding of his interests. From a young age, I shared his love of reading and always knew that I wanted to grow up to be an Engineer like my Dad.

Competitive: He was a competitor in every endeavor he entered into. This included Drag Racing, Golf, Bonsai, Rabbit Raising, among many others. His competitive nature drove him to improve, learn, and strive to do his best. These are all traits that I have tried to incorporate in my life.

Engaging Conversationalist: Dad could carry on a meaningful conversation with anyone on a wide variety of topics. I was always amazed how easily he could find something in common with someone and have productive conversations.

Teacher: He really enjoyed sharing what he knew and has learned about his hobbies and interests. He had a great ability to teach without belittling or talking down to someone. It was always done with the interest of helping someone understand or improve themselves.

I am very proud to say that my Dad, J. Leo Collins, is my Role Model!