Venture Crew 3’s ‘Epic Western Expedition’ – Ready to Launch

Back in the planning stages a couple of months ago when we were trying to decide the name of this adventure, I pretty much insisted the word "Epic" had to be in the name, of course, it's not up to me, the naming of this trip would be decided by the BSA Venture Crew 3 members. They did the right thing though... because any trip that involves 17 people in 3 vehicles, lasts 9 days and covers approximately 3375 miles needs to have the word "Epic" in the title.

So, being the smart young men that they are, the title of "Crew 3 Epic Westen Expedition" was chosen. I think it fits very nicely.

• Day 1: It begins this Saturday morning early, with the first drive of the week going 8 1/2 hours to Amarillo, TX. Including stops along the way that will be almost 10 hours travelling on the first day, and we're not even out of Texas yet. God Bless Texas!
• Day 2: Leave Amarillo early and head for New Mexico for a whitewater rafting trip on the Rio Grande. Camping near the river that night.
• Day 3: We're off to Flagstaff, Arizona. Along the way, we have stops in Albuquerque, where we must make a left turn (See Bugs Bunny below). The Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Winslow, Arizona, where we have to stand on a corner because apparently there's a "very fine sight to see" (Eagles "Take It Easy"). Then on into Flagstaff.
• Day 4: We're off to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. That night after we get back we're going to the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.
• Day 5: Long ahead as we head off to see the Hoover Dam and then back to Flagstaff will take most of the day.
• Day 6: We're leaving Flagstaff and heading Northeast toward Four Corners, then onward to Mesa Verde, and finally spend the night in Durango, CO.
• Day 7: Up early and on the road to The Royal Gorge Bridge, then a beautiful drive to Trinidad, CO for the night.
• Day 8: Headed to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico to see a couple of museums there, then we head back to Amarillo for the night.
• Day 9: Back home to good old Texarkana, USA!

For many of us, me included, this is a trip we have wanted to take all our lives, I've seen the Grand Canyon from 35,000 feet, but it's just not the same thing. I've been to Vegas, been to California a few times, but I've missed all that great stuff between here and there. We won't see all there is to see on this trip, but we're hitting as much as we can.

Wish us luck!