Dinner Party At Rory and Sara Lou’s. Racheal had her day off and fell asleep in her tent. She got severely dehydrated for the first time in 4 years. Rory got pizza and wings from Raton 5 large pizzas and wings Racheal threw up at Rory’s House – Spent the night in the infirmary Bruno’s Pizza No Uniforms at the party. Ann Louise flies away to be with her son at home Dropped Racheal off at Infirmary around 9pm. She was 2 courteous to complain at the party. A testament to her personality. Pepperoni x2, Margherita, Pinole e Pomodoro, Buffalo Chicken We also went to the Burrito Banquet. Racheal, Everett and I. None of us had ever been even though Racheal’s worked at Philmont for 6 years. Everett and I found patches from our local councils, three fires and his being … The Cradle of Liberty Council. Unami Lodge, One. We were number 1.
Wonders on Wheel’s at Nat. Museum. Woodblock prints. On way back from Chase with Joey. Josh and I went to the Cree Mee together for dinner. We also stopped by the artist in town he really likes (I forget his name).While we were out in town I stopped at Russel’s Groceries to get some soup for Racheal since she was still feeling pretty down after being dehydrated last night.
The piano is down at the Villa The drawer is out of commission Low tire with the Blurban
Susan from Villa Philbrook tours our home and hands out gifts of books and chocolates I ask her about permission for the photo Me and Rachel are the only ones working at the Villa – Rory is with Susan Final Call For Hiking – LAST CHANCE PLANNING
Planning for the Baldy Hike. We have the map spread out on the Villa table. Racheal helps a lot with planning everything. I do the last tour for the day. Joey, Everett and Rory go see Oppenheimer. Blugh! Racheal and Owen decide to see something else. When I’m done with my 4:30 tour the 3 of us drive to Trinidad, Colorado to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at the Tri Peak Cinemas. It was one of the greatest nights ever. Owen really wanted to hear the kind of music I played. Racheal drove, Owen and I alternated playing songs. I played Luxtos and he played Riptide. My second choice was Valhalleluja by NoS. my third was And Then I Noticed That She Was a Gargoyle. Racheal didn’t like that one as much. Owen said he liked how different all my songs were. From there I stuck with more laid back from Vuonna 85. We made it to the theater and it was awesome!! I loved the film. It was playful, lighthearted, action packed and cute. By the 3rd act I was pumping my fists, jumping out of my seat and having a blast! On our way out we saw a sign for Wrath of the Medusa. Too bad I missed out on that one, love the poster though. Before we drove back, we stopped at KFC for dinner. We went inside and I saw a sign for Taco Bell. Me: Did we go into the wrong place? I thought this was KFC. Me and Racheal are almost falling over as if were totally jacked on drugs and drunk when were probably the most sober of the entire group. We are totally bursting out laughing like were high as hell. Owen: At least it’s legal here in Colorado. Racheal up at the counter: I’ll take a number 7 please Cashier: Which one? Racheal: Ooh, Taco Bell lol Me: I’ll take a number 7 meal Cashier: Which one? Me: Oh, Taco Bell please Owen: Oh my god LMAOOOOOO Best Night Ever!
Everett goes to Ponil, 6 Mile to do rifle shooting and get a custom Ponil Nalgene. He likes it. He goes with Owens roommate. Owen goes up Baldy with Everett’s roommate (me). Katie Rose and I are at Chase. Everett says we may need to pick him up. He catches the bus back, we do not. I draw a picture of KR in her sketchbook, she paints a picture of me in mine. Me and Owen are together at Chase for the only time this summer. Just the two of us. We spend several hours playing our ukeleles and creating Chase the Fame! Soon changed to Chase the Life. Loosely inspired by DND dice rolling and Candy Land it is a fun board game for all ages.
The day was here, the day Owen and I complete the Great Hike Up Baldy. I was really nervous. I hadn’t hiked up anything in years, I thought I was out of shape. Worried I wouldn’t make it or would slow Owen (who was seemingly much more athletic) down. To calm myself down I sat in the bathroom for an hour at 3am listening to the soundtrack of Mulan. 4am, we leave basecamp. Racheal, thank you so much for driving us. Seriously, you are the coolest girl ever. Racheal dropped us off at Maxwell Turnaround at 5am and drove back to base. Off to a quick start. We finished the first few miles and got to Baldy Town (B-Town) by 7. This is so easy we thought. We’ll be down and back by noon. No problem! We finished 6 miles in 2 hours. The last 4 miles took 5 more hours. For a while I was singing songs from Mulan, having fun trying to bring energy to Owen and I. the closer we got to the top the less I began to sing. The last mile we walked 50ft at a time. 50ft. Pasue. Heavy Breathing. 5 minutes later. 50ft. Pause. Panting Intensely. Repeat until we get to the top. Boy, sure is windy up here I yell loudly. We ate lunch, took photos, saw geological markers, and said hi to another crew who made it to the top. We walked back down to B-Town. Took just as long as going up. We rested in Baldy town and saw a crew beginning to lose it. Not good. We walked slowly back to Maxwell. We thought we would have plenty of time to detour to Pueblano. Not quite. Walking back, it poured down rain. Glad we got off the mountain. We had to stop on the side of the path, standing under trees to try and stay dry. It didn’t work. By the time we got back to the turnaround we fell down on the ground soaking wet in exhaustion. I texted Racheal to let her know we were done. Owen’s phone was kinda broke, it only lasted about 40 minutes up the hike. His battery died before Baldy Town. By the time Racheal found us it looked like we were dead. She drove us back to base and we thanked her immensely. We stopped at the Cree-Mee for dinner and I happily bought her as much as she could possibly want to thank her for driving us both ways. Owen and I were so sore the next day. We definitely did not pretend to everyone (except for Racheal) that the hike was so easy and we weren’t sore at all, even though we were wincing when walking down stairs. Totally worth it.
It’s our Philfiesta Celebration!! Everyone really loves the Buffalo BBQ “Delicious” (Well I do anyway). Rory and Sara Lou hand out gifts and awards. Epigrams, the pink duck, and other things. This is Owens last day.
The little yellow duck finds a home in the marble fountain. Because it’s Owens last day for the summer, after some convincing we all got drinks at the St. James. Before we get inside Snap! Racheal has become the Racheal, Destroyer of Worlds and Door Handles. Racheal orders an awful seltzer “Blagggghhh, disgusting”. Joey says the bartender recommends the worst one. Racheal got the one they recommended. We get a great last photo of all of us.
Birthday Party for Rory @ Nat. Museum. Dee Dee provides the cake and snacks. We tried to take new photo with Katie Rose but we forgot to bring the Blurban to the national museum. Welp. We got a good photo anyway. Dave took it for us. We found Sara Lou’s tile and the one from Racheal and her parents.
Racheal got into a fight with a chair and won. Death of the blue folding chair at Chase. Owen Leaves for Iowa after his dad runs in the trail race. It goes from base, up the Tooth and back again.
Me and Racheal Murdered at the Villa. I should create a game of CLUE Based on the Villa. Katie Rose was the only witness. She took a phot that makes it look like were crawling up the wall to the celling. Katie Rose brought Sara Lou to justice!
It’s Drain the Tank night At the Cantina! Free root beer and food until everything is gone. We all go. 7:30 – 8:30 with an interesting star shaped fire in the fire ring. A lot of scouts join in too and other staff from the backcountry.
I do my laundry for the last time this Summer. I see Kearney there with a Pallbearer shirt on. Nice! We talk about death metal, melodeath, going to concerts and more. He went to an Eluveitie concert and a Mongolian Throat Singer performance. Cool! I go to the craft center to finish my leather straps with memories of my time to match the ones Racheal has on her backpack.
Before Hunting Lodge Racheal and I go into Cimmaron to look for gifts for Emily. I get to sit in her front seat though. I also see she has a Cliff Bar For Emergencies. I Love It!! No luck. Danielle also gives me a ride to help ship my package back home. Its’s the final Field Trip to Hunting Lodge. The only trip without Owen all summer. Sad face At Hunting Lodge, we see remnants of the staff that summer and explore the dark interior. We also get to see Cimmarancito. We fjord rapid streams, see an abandoned cemetery, and open locked gates. The dynamic tag team, Villa Incorporated.
Katie Rose’s sister picks her up. They’re so cute together. Get in Sis she says from there VW Van. Time to go home. Back to Salt Lake City. That Night Racheal and I watch Lord of the Rings part 3 on VHS but only the 2nd half. We don’t have the first VHS.
It’s the final day of the summer. I get a signature from Owens roommate Quinn. I stop by the Nat. Museum to say goodbye and get a photo with Josh. I forget my watercolor sketchbook at the national museum. Have to sprint back to the museum to get it. Thanks Kennedy (The gift shop clerk and manager in her 20s). I stop by the Villa to say goodbye one last time to everyone. Sad Face ☹. I miss being able to see Rachel, I’m sad about it at first but that’s okay. I get on the bus back home. Joey drives back to LA. Everett gets the bus to Denver at 5am ready to fly home. Me and Everett sign the clipboard left in our tent by other staff through the years, we write If our beds were together we would have had 10 children Rory: Well ya’ll – this group chat is officially out of service for the summer. Thanks for all the great work, times, and memories since May. We truly couldn’t have done this awesome summer wouthout each and every one of you. Best of luck wherever life takes you next – you’ll be missed! But don’t be a stranger. Always excited to hear what you’re up to and assist in any ways I can. Until next time! 350 clear. Racheal: Ya’ll are going to make me cry ☹ It’s been really sweet working with and getting to know all of you this summer! Sara Lou: It was the best Villa team Rory and I have had these past 3 years! And it was because of ALL OF YOU! 😊
Racheal, Kim and Danielle all leave for home.
Sara Lou leaves for the Summer. She takes a photo and erases the whiteboard. The best summer ever is official over. Rory sit’s alone in the Villa for the winter.