Thursday. Last day at Philmont

Thursday morning after breakfast I met the group of 18 other women who were going horse back riding. I had won the lottery. Fortunately, both my friends Janice and Deb did, too. Deb was on my ride. We took a short bus ride to the stables, and then a two-hour nose-to-tail ride through the sagebrush. I hadn't ridden for a long time and it took me back to the days of being a counselor at my uncle's dude ranch in Southern Utah where I took groups out on rides in similar country.
Deb and I donned our helmets.
My horse, Moon.
I had to put my reins around the horn while I took these daring shots on horseback :)


When we got back we picked up a box lunch and went outside on benches under a large tree for another women's session taught by the Dahlquists and Sr. Matsumori of the General Primary Presidency.

Then we got our group picture

and practiced our Silverado's song for the 'campfire' program that night.


Then we had a closing session with the men--which was like a graduation ceremony for them from finishing their training. Each man also got a hand carved wooden face neckerchief slide. Dave was in the men's choir that sang for that, and it sounded great.


We all went back to put finishing touches on our crafts and Dave, Andrea and I met the Maughan's for a tour of the Villa Philmonte. (Meaning mountain home of the Phillips.) It was the 1920s summer home of Waite Phillips who owned an oil company (and whose brothers started Phillips 66). He donated the home and the vast acreage to the Boy Scouts.







That night after dinner


we went to meet Daniel and the group of young people coming home from their 5-day trek.

They hiked with packs "not too far", Daniel said--about 30 miles.
Daniel with President Dahlquist, who commented on his great tenor voice


That night was a closing ceremony with skits and special numbers from each group.



Friday morning we got up and packed and said goodbye to Philmont.
Andrea said goodbye to a new friend.

How did Julia and Jocelyn manage to buy the exact same T-shirt?

We loved it!