Sebastopol Boy Scouts 27 - Pack, Troop, Crew

New Backpacking Pictures

2009-08-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the July Backpacking trip have been uploaded. You can find them here.

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2009-07-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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More pictures

2009-07-14T16:14:00.001-07:00

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2009-07-12T10:24:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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Day 7 san clemente to the boarder of mexico

2009-06-16T13:53:00.001-07:00

85 miles! After 1959 miles we have completed our journey! Again city riding leaves a lot to be desire. So at your leisure Lift a glass of Korbel Natural Champagne, and celebrate our safe and fulfilling journey.

Now it is time to head for home. After much needed rest Joe will head north for another season with CAL FIRE in his best shape ever. A.J. Will continue to manage and operate his odd jobs and yard work business (If you need something done he can definitely go the distance, and I will return to work and thanks to a knowledgeable and hard working staff catching up will may not be as difficult as it might seem.
Rick Marson
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To journey or not.

2009-06-15T14:13:00.001-07:00

Is a bicycle venture a good outing for a venture crew or senior scout patrol? When my scout master, Mr. Estes first suggested I complete the cycling merit badge and ride a 50 miler to the Marin Cheese Factory, I never would have guessed that one day I would be able to say that I have bicycled from coast to coast and boarder to boarder. Now my oldest son can also say he has crossed our nation on a bicycle and his brother is soon to follow. Scouting does many this for a young man, but what it does well is it allows you to "Be Prepared". Is a bicycle trip right for a scout group? If the will is there anything is possible. It takes planning, proper fitting, special skills, and most of all desire. Would I prefer van support or carry all the gear and have a sense of independence? Personally I prefer to be independent but for this trip it worked well to have the van to support the efforts.

If your troop or crew is interested in such an undertaking give crew 27 a call, we would be delighted to present our journey and answer your questions. Just email us at rcmarson@comcast.net and we will see what we can work out.
Rick Marson
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Malabu to san clemente.

2009-06-15T13:58:00.001-07:00

115 miles. LA city riding, locking it up on the train tracks and flying over the handle bars, thorns and flat tires, the last camp site.
Today was the biggest day this whole trip. The end is near and ever ounce of energy is going into each and every mile.

It was 2:45 and I still needed to get a site for the night on a sunday night. Because we are on the move and subject to change due to many factors we are running we the luck of the irish to be sure we get a site. Well I get to the state park and the host say we have a site but they do not take personal checks and I had no cash. I said that is strange the other three state parks took my check and I thought the state took my check to pay my taxes. But the host insisted it had to be cash. So I raced across the street bought three candy bars and 40 dollars and got back to the site to learn they had one camp site left. The people that had it left earlier today leaving it vacant. The ranger said you are lucky, this campground is booked 7 months in advance.

Rick Marson
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Day 5 gavalota to malabu

2009-06-13T20:54:00.001-07:00

97 miles coastlines. Tired but only 175 miles to the boarder. We are camping on the beach front in malabu. The traffic, people and surfers have all increased the further south we travel. Thanks Pat the remedies suggested have helped to improve the knees.

Rick Marson
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2009-06-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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Day 4 Morro Bay to Gavlota.

2009-06-12T21:00:00.001-07:00

100 miles two 1000 ft climbs. Sore knees but the journey continues. When I got to the state park we were planning to stay I found out the whole coast was booked for the weekend so I back tracked on 101 to find an rv park with hot tubs and a swimming pool just what we needed. Because of the busy weekend I booked another rv site in malibu on the beach with hot tubs.
Rick Marson
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Day 3 big sue to Morrow bay. 101 miles.

2009-06-11T20:57:00.001-07:00

Two big climbs with equal down hills. Ever thing you buy seems like you are paying double. To take our minds off the ride we went out for pizza and watched the nba finals. Overtime what a game.
Rick Marson
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Day 2. Santa cruz to Big Sur. 75 miles

2009-06-11T20:38:00.001-07:00

Some head wind while peddling to monterey but turned into a decent tail wind once we turned south again. Mostly the terrain is flat farm land with lots of strawberries. As we reach the bluffs along the ocean we roller coaster along with no climbs being over 300 ft.

As I let my shin heal from last week and run the van support I see the trip from a new prospective. One my desire to be cruising down a 1000 ft decent will never go away, but to share the way of the road with my son's carries an unmatched joy.

I got the opportunity to try out my brother-in-laws racing bike to day what a difference but at the end of the day I will have to say I will stick to touring and the granny gears. .

Rick Marson
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2009-06-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-10T19:13:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-10T19:05:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-10T18:49:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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Day 1 part 2 Golden gate bridge to Santa Cruz

2009-06-09T21:13:00.001-07:00

Had a great first day making it to santa cruz in 8 hours for 85 miles the city was a little crazy but all went well. AJ had a flat after 26 miles and was back up and running. Now AJ know what I was talking about when I talk about S.B. Tomorrow we climb to Big Sur over 1000 ft.
Rick Marson
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Golden Gate to the Mexican Boarder

2009-06-08T23:03:00.001-07:00

After four days rest and relaxation, we are beginning part two of our boarder to boarder bicycle adventure. The seconded half we will be joined by crew member A.J. We will be running with a sag wagon. The plan is to have Joe and A.J. ride the distance and I will drive ahead secure a campsite then ride back to meet them. Below is our itinerary the next seven day.

June 9

Golden Gate Bridge to New Brighton State park in Santa Cruz 86.5 mile

June 10

Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park 72.9 miles

June 11

Morro Bay 94.4 miles

June 12

Refugio State Park 85. 6 miles

June 13

Sycamore Cove 77 miles

June 14

Huntington Beach, Colonial Inn Hostel 77 miles

June 15

San Elijo State Beach 65.4 miles

June 16

Frontera Mexicana 45.3 miles

June 17

Sebastopol, Ca 630 Miles

Day 16 Salt Point State Park to the Golden Gate Bridge

2009-06-05T13:20:00.001-07:00

110 miles heavy morning fog to light rain, wet slipper roads on beautiful Sonoma and Marin Coastline. To be 12 miles from home and still 60 miles to go, what a dilemma. Joe did a great job of coaching me along even as my shin continued to swell. This trip we have had the opportunity to put many of our scouting skills to work like first aid, cooking over an open fire, stove repair, good menu planning, knots and many others.

It was great to see Stephen in the morning. He was a great inspiration and his encouragement gave me the extra I needed to go the miles ahead. It was good to see my parent, and the dinner at the Timber cove Lodge and breakfast the following morning was an added benefit.

We arrived at the bridge at 9:00 pm the City lights were lighting up the San Francisco Sky line like I have never seen before. The bridge was closed after 9:00 to only bicyclers, so it was just us on the bridge after completing over 1000 miles. What a trip!

I know this story has a few readers and as we take a few days off the ride before continuing the last leg of the trip to Mexico, we hope that you continue to enjoy the tales of the road.

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2009-06-05T13:00:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-06-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

Van damme to salt point

2009-06-05T03:37:00.001-07:00

60 miles rolling coastal unfortunately you can not take advantage of the down hills as the turns cause you to brake in the middle. My parents met us mid ride with a bucket of kfc and some cold drinks. The day started out with a shower, but the rain held off. Thankfully the breeze was pushing us most of the day.

We crossed the Navarro River which started me to wondering. Why am I riding a Novara and my son riding a Cannondale? Is it because during my youth in scouting I went to one summer camp, Camp Navarro, and during my son's youth, like many scouts in our council, he attended three and mostly out of council. We do not share the same passion for the camps we attended as he was unable to attend one camp while a scout do to the lack of a waterfront.

For nearly 100 years scouting has taught sustainablity. The 4 c's of the outdoor code and leave no trace. For our council to maintain its sustanability it needs our scout from Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Eureka, HealsBurg and every community in the Redwood Empire to be 100 percent vested in our council camps. We can do this by attend a summer camp session, by pledging to this bike a thon, and by showing an enthusiastic interest in building of the lake at camp masonite navarro.

Dick, Lee, Alan, Gary, Tim, Bruce, Ray and many others who grew up in our scout camps and worked as young adult in the camps know about sustainability as they are now part of the process that keeps it going.

We need a water front at camp to make the camp and the council are sustainable and by contributing to this bike a thon we can all have a vested interest in the success of the camp.
We are going to finish the 1959 miles from Canada to Mexico, so make your pledges emailed to rcmarson@comcast.net or send your contribution directly to the Redwood Council Service Center at 2240 professional Drive, Santa Rosa, Ca. Payable to the redwood empire council and memo bike a thon waterfront, scholarship, or both. If you want you contribution to be part of the troop challenge then indicate which troop or pack you are from.
Rick Marson
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Day 14 richardsons grove to van damme state park

2009-06-03T08:32:00.001-07:00

78 miles 3 1000 ft climbs and one 1500 ft climb. Of coarse for every exhausting climb there is a sweet down hill to follow. The last few days we have been biking with an engineer from the south bay. Who dropped his daughter off in eugene or. And rode his bike home. He has been a great inspiration and companion for joe and me. We will part company tomorrow, but I know we will meet again.

Almost at the bridge of all bridges the golden gate. Tomorrow my parents will meet us for dinner at salt point. What a treat that will be.

My shin has been giving problems the last few days. It does not hurt when riding only when I walk. Ibuprofen helps the swelling. The climbs really pushed it. We will see what tomorrow will bring.
Rick Marson
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Day 13 fortuna to richardsons grove.

2009-06-01T21:53:00.001-07:00

60 miles almost all up hill. Rode thru the avenue of the giants which if it is not on your bucket list it should be. If your are going for your cycling merit badge it would be a good route for the 50 miler but start at garberville and have it approved by your counselor .
Rick Marson
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2009-06-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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Day 12 prairie creek to fortuna, ca.

2009-06-01T03:27:00.001-07:00

69 miles 3- 4 400 ft climbs. We were low on fuel and food and the power was out in the area so we rode 25 miles for breakfast to celebrate being back in ca. Of course we both had a lumber jack breakfast and a strawberry shake. In the morning we ride to leggett, the tuesday to mendocino, then salt point state park making thursday a long day to the golden gate. Then sunday we well pick up the ride again at the golden gate for the ride south.
Rick Marson
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Do a good turn daily

2009-06-01T03:08:00.001-07:00

Why do people ride? Some ride to get some where, some are working on a documentary, Joe and I are ridding to raise money for camp masonite navarro waterfront and for my dad who is living with Parkinson disease, and Dave is ridding for his daughter's memory.

We first met dave as he was riding out of newport or. As I was passing him heading south. I ask him if he was ridding with another rider we had met in town. He was not very talkative, but I could tell he had a lot on his mind.
Yesterday some time in the middle of the night I rider showed up. When he emerged from his tent he asked if we had bike tools and could help him fix his bike. Joe pulled out his tools and fixed his brake which was lodged under the rim. Dave told us how he was trying to get to camp site down the road after dark with no lights when a person swirled front of him. He swirled to miss the car and hit the curve. When the bike hit the curve he flew over the handle bars and crashed into the guard rail. Once he got up and found he could walk he pushed his bike to a place that had a phone and call 911. They took him by ambulance to gold beach hospital where they checked him out and release him. The hospital gave him a taxi ride back to brookings where he pushed his bike to our campground.

He then told us he was making this ride in memory of his daughter angela who at 17 took her life after living with depression. His message was simple parent talk to your children try to understand. To learn more of dave's journey look at bikerideforlife@yahoo.com.
Dave was hurting both emotionally and from the accident, but by sharing his story he was beginning to heal.
Rick Marson
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2009-05-31T14:20:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-31T14:18:00.003-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-31T14:18:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-31T14:15:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-31T14:12:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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Harris beach sp brookings, or to elk prairie sp, ca

2009-05-31T09:18:00.001-07:00

69 miles + 10 miles self inflicted detour for rick (short cut) 2 climbs one at 1250 and one at 800. Confuse but never lost, do a good turn daily.
Rick Marson
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California here we come

2009-05-30T06:58:00.000-07:00

Last night after a great meal of bb q chicken, pena pasta, foil roasted red potatoes wit alf redo sauce, french bread, cherry pie, a nice hot shower, doing laundry, and talking with a fellow biker, I fell a sleep blogging. What a day!
Today we reach California which means I will have bicycle through 15 state only 35 more to go! I think the next state will have to be Hawaii.
The northwest is a great place to ride. The people we met along the way made it most enjoyable. Our friends at the port orford rv park were there when we needed them. If you tell them rick and joe sent you they will have coffee and homemade muffins for you in the morning. Just kidding they do that every morning. Joe made it to the bike shop and was able to get his rack fixed.
Now it is time to get going 60 + miles down the road to home.
Ben thanks for writing. I hope you and the other scouts are enjoying this virtual ride. How many troops can say that they have been on a virtual outing?
Rick Marson
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Day 9 port orford to brooking s, or

2009-05-29T22:43:00.001-07:00

55 miles 6 climb one at 800 ft fought the wind all morning and the hills in the afternoon. It was cold and foggy follow the w
190 the two days prior now I am beat.
Rick Marson
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2009-05-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-28T22:36:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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Day 8 winchester bay to port orford, or

2009-05-28T22:33:00.001-07:00

83 miles 8 climbs 7 of which are part of the 7 devils. Rear rack failure. Tent damage when rack failed.

We had a long hard day of climbing and after getting a bite of fish and chips in Bandon at 4:30, so we decided to press on which would put us in ridding distance of Ca. It was 6pm when joe called to confirm we were good to go all the way to the camp site pass port orford. We both agreed we were good to go.
In fact I was spending sometime smelling the flower on the trip as our new friend grandpa john told us to do when we visit him in lincoln city.
Minute later joe called back which went to voice mail. When I got it joe just said, "call me!".
When I got back to joe, he said his rear rack sheared off and the tent is destroyed. The rack holding all his gear snapped sending the gear to rotate backwards landing on his tent and stopping him as he was beginning to decent at a speed of 30 mph. By the time he stopped two holes were rubbed into the tent. He went on to camp after he lashed the rack back to the bike, then set up the tent to find the holes could be repaired. He was lucky because if the rack had gotten caught up under his wheel he could have flipped the bike at 30 MPH.
Rick Marson
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The bike shop

2009-05-28T06:59:00.001-07:00

The bike shop the best in town and the onlY one we have found for miles of newport, was a bike saver and maybe a trip saver. My rear derailed was having problems adjusting and it would slip at times when I changed gears. When I went into the shop the man running the shop was working on an older gentlemans touring bike that blew the rear cassette. He was biking with a 78 year old man from seattle to s. F. This was the first time he has biked prior in 500 mile sections he has hiked the pct and the continintial divide. You could tell he was proud of his accomplishments. And when I said it keeps you young by doing these trip he smiled with great intensity and joy.

The bike shop adjusted my bike at no charge and we were back on the road.

Lesson 15. Up date your bike repair skills before going on a trip.
Rick Marson
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Day 7 and 8. Lincoln city to win chester bay

2009-05-28T00:21:00.001-07:00

#5. 103 miles good tail wind. Day 7 was a rest day in lincoln city which we went wine tasting, hiked 3 miles on a nature preserve, walked the beach, took a nap, and went to dinner with friends.
To day was our longest day ever. But with a strong tail wind and a desire to camp at the spot my sister and I hit the coast in 83 when we bike across country. We picked up our new stove to day from fed ex which was great to have for dinner to night. Thanks stephen. We found a place that serve all you can eat fish and chips which we took advantage of.

It is good to be back on the road but it was hard to leave the comforts of a home and soft bed.
Rick Marson
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2009-05-27T23:54:00.000-07:00

Rick Marson
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2009-05-27T23:53:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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Trip Photos

2009-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

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2009-05-26T12:09:00.001-07:00

Day 6 cape lookout to lincoln city

2009-05-26T07:14:00.001-07:00

45 miles two climbs one at 500 ft the other at 800 ft Memorial Day traffic heavy.

The weather is in our favor and if all is well will be for the next 10 days. Except for the climbs my lag time behind Joe is improving.
We learned to day that Paul, one of our former scoutmasters, is recovering from a motor cycle accident. Paul our well wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery go out to you.
Our friend Robin has a good friend judy who lives in lincoln city has graciously opened her door to us. We are going to lay over here an extra day then ride long on Wed. to meet the fed ex and we will end up a little ahead of plan. It sure is nice to know that people will take you in and share what they have. It is also nice to sleep in a bed for two nights.

Well I had a Benny Hill moment number 3. I was climbing the 800 foot climb at the end of the day and I started thinking what would happen if my front tire hit the 10 inch cement burm to my right. Keep in mind I am going about 4 mph and I have about two feet of road space between me and the traffic. Moments later my tire hit, but I was prepared so I thought. This time my left side was unclip and I was ready, but the angle my tire hit and the weight on my bike tipped me to the right side causing me to flip to the right side and down the bank 4 to 5 feet. Because I am clipped in the gear took the impact. Once I determine that nothing was broken, I picked the bike got it back on the road and started walking it past the burm. A few minutes later a man in a van pulled up beside me. First he asked if I was alight, then he said did he hit you! He told me he had the license of the car. I told him to my I was not hit. Maybe it was my guardian angel moving me out of the way. What ever it was thank you all for those thoughts and prayers.
I guess this is lesson 8 and 9. Always leave your helmet strapped, because you just never know. And do not think about hitting something.

To my sisters 8th graders that are follow the trip "bien dias"
Rick Marson
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Memorial day 2009

2009-05-25T08:06:00.001-07:00

Today we honor our countrys unsung hero we put out american flags, pay our respects at cemataries, have picnics and bbq. Today we should also remember those that serve us in our communities. Those that pledge to protect and serve, and those that give countless hours to community service. This bicycle trip is in part to honor one such man.
I first met Harry D Estes when I was 11 years old he was the scoutmaster of our troop in Gualala, Ca. It was a small troop in a coastal town in Mendocino County. Harry had just retired after working for Shell Oil for over 40 years, but more importantly he worked for a company that gave him the freedom and flexibility to be a scoutmaster for two troops one in New York City and one in Houston for over 20 years.
He was raise in Colorado then moved to California some where in there he joined a scout troop and made it to second class scout. He graduated from Cal Tech in chemical engineering. Then went to work for Shell. During the depression he took a leave from Shell and earned his MBA from Harvard.
In his 25+ years as a scoutmaster he taught camping, cooking, swimming,first aid, knots to countless boys. Mostly he used his knowledge and the scouting principle to teach them to lead. Many times I thought he knew B.P himself.
Harry was not only active in scouting at a troop level, he was on SMAC council executive board, a brown sea and wood badge coarse director. In his spare time he was the Sea Ranch fire chief.
As I grew older he became one of my great mentors and friend.

One question I may never find the answer to but would like to know is: If Harry Estes dedicated 30 + years to scouting how many of his scout have gone on to lead there own troop and how many of the 2 million Eagle Scout are out there that are linked to his leadership?

I know in our troop there are at least 15 and soon to be 17? If you can help answer this question, please reply.
Rick Marson
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Day 5 Nehalem bay to cape lookout

2009-05-24T19:22:00.001-07:00

45 miles down the coast we road. Passed the Tillimook cheese factory, past Rockaway which celebrate Memorial the away Sebastopol does with main street lined with american flags.
Good job scouts in putting out the flag this weekend I know the commuity appreciate it as much as I do. If you took a picture please post it in your reply.

The only lesson learned today I which I learned 26 years ago when I was having trouble with my knee and my doctor at the time suggested I stop ridding so I did. Now with the same problem I was mentor to raise my seat streatch before, during and after the ride and what do you know my knee stopped hurting. Now if any one has a cure for SB let know. If you are wondering what SB is and you will figure it out.
Rick Marson
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Day 4 rest day Saturday

2009-05-24T18:19:00.001-07:00

After all the miles we thought it wise to give our bodies a rest. After all we are a day a head of schedule.
After sleeping in and going out to a tradional breakfast, spent the after noon working on our bikes and getting food for dinner. Because we are so far north it stays light until about 9:30.

Here is a first class question for you. If you loose your stove, what can you do to cook your dinner?
Rick Marson
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You are what you eat

2009-05-23T12:56:00.001-07:00

Our tour leader informed me that we need to look at everything we eat. You may be able to loose weight on a sub way diet but it won't keep you going on multiple 85 mile days.
If you have some good recipes with stove and with out please reply so we can try them out. Thank to our quartermaster we will pick up a new stove from our friend at fed ex on Wed.
Rick Marson
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Lessons learned

2009-05-23T11:38:00.001-07:00

Lessons learned, but first two 2nd class question. We always teach what to do if lost, what should you do if someone is missing?
You have a pack packing stove that catches fire, what should you do?

If you are looking at a SM conference soon I expect a reply.

Lessons learn number 5 at our last camp we met a father and son traveling by bike that bicycle from wash to eureka,ca. The first day we met he told me he was doing the father son bonding thing which I can relate. Then the next day as we prepared to leave on our soon to be known as an epic ride, he told me he could only do about 30 miles an because that is all he could take with his cancer. So guys as you set up for relay for life think about this father son as they rediscover life in a whole new way.

Lesson 6 when communicating with text or cel service it may save you a trip back up the mountain. As cel service is spotty contact a person out side the area that can be a relay between parties.
Rick Marson
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Day 3 bay center wa to manzanita, or

2009-05-23T06:52:00.001-07:00

Whow! 85 miles one 4 mile bridge one tunnel starting at 8:30 ending at 9:30, flat tire, stove melt down, searching for late rider, hot showers for free.
I know I have a few lessons learn from this day.
Right now I am walking abeautiful beach watching the sun rise knowing my son would risk everything to make sure I ok. It is a great day!
Rick Marson
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Day 2 elma to bat center 75 mi

2009-05-22T06:32:00.000-07:00

First Class question if I am riding in the morning and my shadow is to the right of me which direction am I going?
Another great day. We had strong head winds for about 10 miles and about 6 good climbs. We are now on 101 heading south. The weather has been great for riding.
Joe is a great trip leader. As he is riding ahead most of the time. Ok all of the time he has lunch ready by the time I get there, and the camp site selected and the tent up at the end of the day.
We played around of disc golf at the hostel we stayed at. Not a bad game I can see a coarse at Noyo and Navarro. Great fun and a work out to go along with it.
Washington is a great state. The people go out of there way to lend a hand. One of the reason for taking this trip is the connections you meet along the way. When my sister and I road across country in 83 we found the people we met to be the most memorable. To this day we have fond memorys of Lazy louie, shorty, and the strawberry lady that drove home cleaned the berries an returned to find us miles down. Experience like these can't be found on a car trip.
Lesson 4 know when to call it a day. We had riden 50 miles when we stopped for lunch about 2:30. We had 45 to go toreach our planned destination, then we turned into the wind which I would estimate was blowing at least 20+ mph. So to make along story short joe found a great KOA with hot showers and we stop 20 short of our goal.
Rick Marson
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2009-05-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Seattle sky line 6AM today
Rick Marson
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Day 1 5/20

2009-05-20T22:15:00.001-07:00

We ferried out of seattle this AM at 6. Having little sleep the night before, this has been one long day.
However, with the sail the troop gave us, we made great progress and reached Elma by night. Fortunately the days are longer up here. Two lessons learned from the trip so far: if you get email at night do not look at them untilmorning. Doing so may cause you to loose a night of sleep. 2 if you are clip in and you are carring a lot of weight on your bike and you try to make a steep climb, and you stop clip out very fast or you will fall over in the middle of the road.
Rick Marson
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Camp Masonite Navarro Bike-a-thon

2009-05-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

May 17, 2009

Dear Friend of Camp (Masonite) Navarro B.S.A.,

There are few times in our lives that we are given the opportunity to give back to those that help us get to where we are today. Camp (Masonite) Navarro is a special place, where for over 50 years Scouts and Scouters have called home. We are the fortunate ones. Camp has always had many basic needs, but the two needs Troop 27 of Sebastopol would like to focus on are one, the current needs of the aquatics program and two, staff support. Traditionally these are the fundamentals of the programs that keep our council troops returning year after year.

Members of Troop 27 are planning a 1,959 mile bicycle tour of the west coast of the United States from the Canadian to the Mexican border crossing three states and climbing to elevations from sea level to over 2,500 feet. Our goal will be to turn our personal goals of cycling into a means to raise money for the camp through a bike-a-thon.

All funds raised will be used to support two purposes. The first, will be the needs of a waterfront to boating and swimming. The second, is to create a scholarship fund that would support staff members pursuing higher education. This would be a memorial fund dedicated to the Scoutmaster’s that took a real interest in individuals, communicated that they had high expectations of them, assured them that they would provide support when needed, and then stepped back and let them do it. You knew they cared. You knew they were watching and that was a great incentive to show what you could individually accomplish. The scholarship would will be named the Harry D. Estes Memorial Scholarship Fund after my Scoutmaster who was a big influence in my life as well as many of the leaders of the Redwood Empire Council.

If you would like to contribute to this ride, please join the others by completing the attached pledge sheet and return it to rcmarson(at)comcast(dot)net. If you know of other friends of Camp Masonite Navarro that would like to contribute to this cause please forward this on to them.

Also, if you would like to follow our historic ride from Canada to Mexico starting May 21, you will able to watch our adventure unfold on the Troop 27 web site at sebastopolbsa27.org find the index and look up Troop blog. If your troop would like to enter the troop challenge indicate your troop number, so your contribution may be logged appropriately.

Yours in Scouting,

Rick Marson

Scoutmaster T27

Camper/Staff 1971-1981

rcmarson(at)comcast(dot)net

P. S. In the words of Monty (Mayo) Meyer “I remember the dinning hall filled with friends of mine ……” Please remember Camp (Masonite) Navarro for all the good fortune and friendships it has brought to you.

CAMP MASONITE NAVARRO

CANADA TO MEXICO

BIKE-A-THON

PLEDGE

NAME___________________________________________________

ADDRESS_________________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS ____________________________________________________

SUGGESTED PLEGES: $0.01/MILE ____ $0.02/MILE _____ $0.03/ MILE _____

$0.05/MILE ____ $?.??/MILE _____

ALLOCATION OF PLEGE:

_______ AQUADIC PROGRAM

________ HARRY D. ESTES MEMORIAL STAFF SCHOLARSHIP FUND

TROOP CHALLENGE: _______________________________

If you would like to dedicate your pledge to an individual leader please indicate his or her name: _____________________________________________

Please return you pledge card to rcmarson(at)comcast(dot)net and we will contact you at the end of the trip to tell you how to complete your pledge.

Trip Itinerary

2009-05-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Journey 31 days? Tue 5/19/09 Thu 6/18/09

Flight to Seattle 1 day? Tue 5/19/09 Tue 5/19/09

Canadian Boarder Victoria ferry 1 day? Wed 5/20/09 Wed 5/20/09 5

"Potlatch, WA" 1 day? Wed 5/20/09 Wed 5/20/09 64

"Twin Harbor, Wa" 1 day? Thu 5/21/09 Thu 5/21/09 75

KOA Bay center WA 1 day Fri 5/22/09 Fri 5/22/09 52.8

"fort Stevens, or" 1 day Sat 5/23/09 Sat 5/23/09 55

Cape look out state park 1 day? Sun 5/24/09 Sun 5/24/09 85

"Lincoln City, Or." 1 day? Mon 5/25/09 Mon 5/25/09 35

Strawberry Hill Or. 1 day? Tue 5/26/09 Tue 5/26/09 58

"umpqua state park, Or." 1 day? Wed 5/27/09 Wed 5/27/09 53

"CAPE Bl anco, " 1 day? Thu 5/28/09 Thu 5/28/09 70

"gold beach, or" 1 day? Fri 5/29/09 Fri 5/29/09 35

"Mill creek campground, ca" 1 day? Sat 5/30/09 Sat 5/30/09 65

Claim beach county park 1 day? Sun 5/31/09 Sun 5/31/09 54

MARINE GARDEN CLUB GROVE 1 day? Mon 6/1/09 Mon 6/1/09 65

Standish Hickey 1 day Tue 6/2/09 Tue 6/2/09 48

"manchester, Ca" 1 day Wed 6/3/09 Wed 6/3/09 82

Russian river willow creek 1 day Thu 6/4/09 Thu 6/4/09 60

korbel/Sebastopol 1 day Fri 6/5/09 Fri 6/5/09 25

"Sebastopol, ca REST DAY" 1 day Sat 6/6/09 Sat 6/6/09 0

Golden Gate 1 day Sun 6/7/09 Sun 6/7/09 65

Santa Cruz new brighten state park 1 day? Mon 6/8/09 Mon 6/8/09 76

Andrew Molera State park 1 day Tue 6/9/09 Tue 6/9/09 68

san simeon sb 1 day Wed 6/10/09 Wed 6/10/09 72

oceano 1 day Thu 6/11/09 Thu 6/11/09 52

gaviota sp 1 day Fri 6/12/09 Fri 6/12/09 62

"Pismo Beach, " 1 day Sat 6/13/09 Sat 6/13/09 0

el capitan state beach 1 day Sun 6/14/09 Sun 6/14/09 80

McGrath state beach 1 day Mon 6/15/09 Mon 6/15/09 53

Huntington Beach hostel 1 day Tue 6/16/09 Tue 6/16/09 85

south carlsbad state beach 1 day? Wed 6/17/09 Wed 6/17/09 58

Imperial Beach Mexico 1 day? Thu 6/18/09 Thu 6/18/09 55

Troop 27 west coast bicycle trip May 19 to june 19, 2009

2009-05-06T14:43:00.001-07:00

Rick Marson
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