Camp Floyd - Jonston's Army Experience

This last week-end we took our scouts to the historic Camp Floyd, which is next to Fairfield, Utah. The best write-up I have found about the history of Camp Floyd, here. If you like reading about history you will enjoy this well researched article about Camp Floyd.

Here's a picture of our breakfast with our Sergeant. Here's a picture of the Stage Coach Inn which is one of only two structures that remain from Camp Floyd. There's an interesting shotgun hole in the wall they say was done by Porter Rockwell.

We got to shoot .56 caliber muskets. We build the bullet packs at camp before we shot the guns. On the picture on the left is our Captain.

The young men are preparing to give their family history and their understanding of the declaration of Independence. We didn't just stay at Camp Floyd we worked on the American Heritage merit badge and completed it.

Jim and Carl are intrigued with the messages being given by the scouts. We were grateful to have the wool jacket and hat as it was getting chilly out there. Carl looks like he could have been in the US Army in 1861.

We were called to attention by the Sergeant. I think Christian is thinking about she who shall not be named.

Sam is excited to give his family history.

Here's a picture of Sergeant Pike's gravestone. He was a member of the US Army who was shot in SLC that nearly lead the US Army into a riot in SLC. Here is a link to the Pike /Spencer issue, here. Again this is interesting reading for how things happened with the US Army when Utah was still a territory. I have more pictures but these were the pictures off my cell. phone.

Dry Canyon, Alpine Utah

On Friday the 16th, Troop 25, of Lindon, Utah started out their overnighter at the mouth of Dry Creek Canyon, just above Alpine, Utah. In the first picture you see Scoutmaster Jim Peters with Jordan, Travis, Ethan and Weston. You see me in the second photo. What was I thinking wearing a black shirt. Sure it was a dry wicking shirt but still, I digress.

This is what the beginning of the trail head looked like. Here's a tree that looks like it growning right out of a rock. The scouts were happy to take the break.

I got up early Saturday morning to see the water run-off in Dry Creek. The creek was not so dry. Moments before I took this picture a black bear ran behind me and up the mountain.
It was the closest I've been to a bear in the wild.

Early in the morning we hiked up to the falls on Dry Creek. You can see how excited Ethan, Travis, Weston and Jordan were when we finally reached the falls. The scouts were pretty tired after we (the Scoutmasters) beat them in Ultimate Frisbee the night before.

I took a picture on the trail as we were heading out early in the morning. You can see civilization in the distance (Alpine, Utah). This was the first required hike we had for our Scouts. We are planning on going to Havasupai, later this summer for our super activity. There are some wonderful water falls at Havasu Falls. To learn more about this area, go here.