Go See It! Hike

This morning Donovan and I joined up with the others from his Tiger Cub den for a Go See It! hike on the den leader's 40 acre spread south of Bismarck. We completed the three requirements of Achievement 5 - Let's Go Outdoors. These requirements are to go outside and watch the weather, to make a leaf rubbing with a crayon or pencil, and to go on a hike.

These photos are so fresh they are still warm!

The five tiger cubs heading out on the start of the hike. The land butts up to Apple Creek. It was a good distance to the creek and quite a descent to the creek bottoms. The boys sure enjoyed climbing down!

Here we are in the bottoms and someone found a deer skull. The boys main mission was to find good leaves from which to make a rubbing. The challenge was to find the biggest leaf possible.

On our climb out of the bottoms. This wasn't nearly as steep as the path we took down.

At the top. There is probably a 50' drop down to the creek.

On the way back to the house we cut through some open hayland. The boys are heading toward a pocket gopher trap.

There was much interest in whether or not a gopher was in the trap. There was not.

It was a nice hike. The weather was gorgeous, there was no wind to speak of, and it was good exercise. Each of the boys ended up with a turkey feather, a pine cone, and several leaves. A good time was had by all!

Girl Scouts, Tennis, and a Little Peanut

Yesterday afternoon, at Camp Neche, Aleah's Girl Scout troop had a meeting along with a "bridging " ceremony. The ceremony is for the brownies bridging over to juniors. Because of this, family was invited for the pizza lunch and the ceremony. Typically Girl Scout events do not involve the family - the opposite of Boy Scouts. Anyway, Aleah was one of those who bridged over.

Before beginning, the brownies beautified the bridge.

Some of the group waiting around for lunch to start. Because I was recording video, I don't have pictures of the bridging ceremony.

Samantha really didn't want her picture taken that day. I think she may be self-conscious about her red cheeks. She is the last of the kids to get fifth disease, of which red cheeks is a symptom.

Miss North Dakota USA, Stephanie Tollefson, took part in the event, by signing autographs and informally answering questions from the girls. You probably can't see her very well, but she is the blond at the second table from the right. Miss USA is the partnership between Donald Trump and NBC, along with Miss Universe and Miss Teen USA.

After supper we went out to play some tennis, a first for me and the kids. Aleah and Samantha are both participating in Bismarck Parks and Rec tennis this summer. Aleah is posing with her new racquet.

I am excited about this development. Hopefully more will come.