Traveling Thursday

Last weekend our pal Cat Scout Sammy's Travel Service took us on a trip to the Grand Canyon.  We all had a blast camping, hiking, mule riding, rafting on the river and more.

On Saturday night, Scouts who were being initiated into the Order of the Arrowhead were sent out on their own to fend for themselves using their Cat Scout skills with only an egg, a blanket and two matches. They had to go at least one mile from the campsite.

Each Scout had to come back the following day after breakfast, IF they made it through the night.  They would then tell how they managed to make it safely through the night and back to camp.

Here are Raz and Allie's stories of how they survived:

Raz's story:

I left the camp and starts looking for a good place to camp.  Along the way I saw a family of Elk and I was  afraid they would eat me but they just looked up and went back to eating the grass.

I  wandered a bit and dropped my egg.  I was in a panic but the egg started to roll...and 

roll....and roll....and it lead me to a cave up high where I knew I would  be safe all night long.  I was really  lonely and

a bit hungry but I decided I wouldn't  eat the egg because I was really grateful to it for finding the cave for me.   I wrapped myself up in the blanket and quietly sings the song the Scouts sent me off with.  I had a big meal before I left and isn’t too hungry.  I used a match to start a nice fire and wrapped myself tighter in the blanket  and went to sleep. In the morning, the egg started to shake and rumble and I quickly scoops up my blanket and  extra match and compass, put out the fire  and followed the egg.   After a long walk (watching out for cactus) I smelled the yummy breakfast Sammy has put out and followed the scent.  What a relief to see my Scout pals again.  Just before I got to camp, the egg stopped.....twitched a bit like it’s saying goodbye...and rumbles down a different path.  I'm  sure the egg is going off to help another Scout or a lost camper.  I am sooooo very happy to have survived the night and to be back here with my Scout pals!

Allie's story:

I was soooo scared when I left the Campfire.   Was I up to this?  Could I make it through the night?  Should I turn back?  NO!  I am a Cat Scout and I am brave and purrpared for anything....so on I went.  I walked and walked and walked....and then I saw a sign that obviously meant I should follow it....thank COD!  I found a great spot that had water and lots of plants.  Since I took the Botany test at Scouts, I knew which plants were safe to eat.  Still, I was lonely.  I wrapped my blanket around me and lit a fire to keep me warm.  After it got dark, I stood at the edge of the campsite I found and I could see other intitiate's fires....that made me feel better.  (at least I HOPE they were other initiates!)  For some reason, I couldn’t let go of my egg.  It was a reminder of getting sent off and a symbol of life....I knew I couldmake it if I could just hold on overnight.  All night long, I wrapped my paws around the egg and it comforted me.   When I woke up I munched on some of the plants around me, cleaned up my campsite and grabbed my match and got ready to leave.  As I picked up my egg, it cracked.   OMC I was horrified....until a beautiful Canyon Wren hatched from the egg.  The little bird chirped happily and flew all around me.  I knew right then that I would be okay.  The wren and I left the campsite and she stayed with me for the journey back.   I used my compass and found the shortest way back to the campfire.  How happy I was to see all my Scout pals again.

My little friend the Canyon Wren says hi to everyone.  She’s going to rest here with us a bit (I told her she’s safe here with us) and then go on her way.

Here are some pictures we took over the weekend.  We hope you enjoy them!

                 
Are you a Cat Scout?  If not, click HERE to join today.