Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-16-2002 09:07 AM         

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We are taking the boys camping in the high sierras this weekend - for one of their boy scout requirements... It is going to be COLD... I hope I make it out alive

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Cliff Watson See My Prowler Page
2K1 Mulholland, Colorshift Flames, Mud Flaps, TGF Side Panels, TGF Bumper Covers, Eric Wolf Chrome Tranny Cooler, Blueberry Shimmers, Front Ceramic Pads, Homemade Top Brace, SSS Muffler, Weekender.
2001 Dakota SLT+ CC (Patriot Blue)
1998 Durango SLT+ (Intense Blue)
X - 1998 Honda Accord
X - 1991 Dodge Spirit
X - 1965 Ford Mustang (289)
X - 1994 Dodge Daytona Turbo
X - 1971 Ford Pinto (The Rust Bucket)

Posts: 36093
From: Mesa, Az
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-16-2002 10:07 AM         

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AC - no such luck. The boys need a 5 mile hike (thats Gina's job) for Second Class and one more campout for First Class. If they can get their First Class by the time they are 12, they have 6 years to get their Life and Eagle ranks

This message has been edited by CWatsonJr on 09-16-2002 at 10:08 AM

Posts: 141
From: Keyport, NJ, USA
Registered: AUG 2002

posted 09-16-2002 10:27 AM         

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Don't rush them. You don't need 6 years to make Eagle. It is nice though. I made Eagle 3 years ago at 17 and it is one of the greatest accomplishments.

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1999 Red Prowler

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-16-2002 11:16 AM         

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Matthew... congrats! What was your Eagle Scout Project? That is the reason I want them to be at First Class by 12, so they won't have to rush to Eagle.

The first three ranks are relatively easy because there are only a few merit badges and campouts and some other stuff that are pretty easy. This way they can really enjoy their scout camps too

Once they hit Life, I am going to have them start planning their Eagle Project.

Posts: 5419
From: Johnstown, PA, USA
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 141
From: Keyport, NJ, USA
Registered: AUG 2002

posted 09-16-2002 12:16 PM         

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Cliff,

For my ESP I "renovated" a trail at a State Park. I built and installed 2 footbridges, cleared brush, built a few small retaining walls to stop erosion, and then marked the trail. One key thing to remember about the ESP is the purpose of the project is not really to do something good for the community, that's what the scouts think, it is to have the boy plan and execute a project on his own.

Being only 19 now one of my tasks in the troop is to work with the Life scouts and help them make Eagle, so I know what you are in for.

This message has been edited by matthew46 on 09-19-2002 at 07:35 PM

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-16-2002 02:00 PM         

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Matt - thanks for the input. I may come seeking your advice in the future

Luckily the boys are in a troop that has a history of making Eagle Scouts (about 90%) and have 2 uncles that are Eagles too. I only made it to Star... (long involved story), so I am going to work hard with them to make sure they get all the way

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-23-2002 04:10 PM         

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Well, we made it back alive, nothing froze, nobody hurt, just a good ol' time!!

Here are some pictures if anyone wants to see them.
http://www.watsonworld.org/trips/twin_lakes/twin_lakes.htm

Enjoy

Posts: 288
From: Mechanicsville, Md, USA
Registered: JAN 2001

posted 09-23-2002 05:21 PM         

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Cliff,
It is my nature to come up with some quick witted line about the picture of your family around the campfire especially since I know you have a sense of humor but I want to tell you that it makes me feel good and gives me hope to see you two spending time with your children. So many parents nowadays don't even know anything about their children. One time a lady with unruly kids told me I was lucky to have such a pleasant, well-behaved daughter. I told her, "lady, luck had nothing to do with it!" So anyway, the pictures are awesome. Your boys have great parents!

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Posts: 18860
From: Rochester Hills, MI USA
Registered: JUL 2000

posted 09-23-2002 05:38 PM         

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Cliff..........great pictures..........brings back lots of memories from all the camping trips we made in Colorado when my boys were young. I actually miss camping....we haven't done any since we left Colorado......

By the way............who took the pictures of you and the family around the campfire?............the bear?

And I agree with Niteman..........spending time with their children doesn't seem to be high on parents' priority lists these days...........what a shame. My sister and I held a garage sale at her house this weekend and there was a young mother (mid-30's I would guess) who was looking through a stack of board games that my nephews had. She looked at me and asked me to recommend what I thought would be good for her children (ages 8 and 10). She said they were never a "board-game type" family but she thought that it was about time because her children were spending too much time in front of a tv playing video games. My family (my sibliings and parents) was always a family who played board games, card games, etc. We didn't have much, but it was a way for the family to be together. My grandparents were (especially my grandmother) into this also and when we spent time at their place on the weekends, it was spent with her teaching us card games, board games and making puzzles (must be where my spatial skills came from). I continue that tradition with my grandkids and we love it. I saved all my boys' games and now my grandkids play them with me! It makes for a great time. You and Gina are to be commended!

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-23-2002 05:53 PM         

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Thanks Niteman and CJ!

Niteman - let the quip rip (hey, I am a poet and I don't even knowed it)

CJ - not the bear... he couldn't hold the camera right. We mentioned to a friend that we were going and she wanted to come along too. She was the babysitter for the boys as they were growing up. She went off to college and became a nurse (that is her on the rock...) but her family and ours have stayed close. I guess it is always good to have a nurse along at a camping trip (use trip anyway you want LOL) with the Watsons

We did actually have a bear walk through the campsite on Saturday night (after we had all gotten in our tents). Good thing we took the advice of the rangers there and changed our clothes before bed and put them in the truck... he was hunting food. I think all he got were some Doritos and S'Mores makins' on the ground

Gina and I completely agree with both of you on raising a family. We do feel blessed that our boys are good but we know it wasn't happen stance (AC - that means luck). We are about to find out how well we did though... adolescence is upon us and that will be the test of fire

Posts: 8492
From: Oakfield, WI, USA
Registered: MAR 2002

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 09-25-2002 11:50 AM         

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Geno - it would have been AWESOME to have the kat up there!!! Perfect prowlin' weather during the day!!

I wonder if I would have been able to finally get the smoke smell out of it..??

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Cliff Watson See My Prowler Page
2K1 Mulholland, Colorshift Flames, Mud Flaps, TGF Side Panels, TGF Bumper Covers, Eric Wolf Chrome Tranny Cooler, Blueberry Shimmers, Front Ceramic Pads, Homemade Top Brace, SSS Muffler, Weekender.
2001 Dakota SLT+ CC (Patriot Blue)
1998 Durango SLT+ (Intense Blue)
X - 1998 Honda Accord
X - 1991 Dodge Spirit
X - 1965 Ford Mustang (289)
X - 1994 Dodge Daytona Turbo
X - 1971 Ford Pinto (The Rust Bucket)

Posts: 35
From: Johnstown, PA, USA
Registered: AUG 2002

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