[Philmont]: Blue Sky Adventures?

We used Blue Sky Adventures this past year (728M). We went for the
Extreme Adventure. We flew into Albuquerque on 7/25.

We debated the pre-philmont tour for a while before we decided to go for
it. Several advisors were still not completely convinced when we arrived
in Albuquerque. But afterward they all said they were very satisfied.
Logistically everything went off without a hitch. As you can see from
my comments below the guide was very flexible. We added some stuff and
changed one night's dinner location. This did cost us a little more but
it was worth it. We had collected a small contingency fund from
everyone. That paid for it.

The hotels were very good. The food was a little hit or miss, but mostly
good. Also, we did Itinerary 28 at Philmont. The 3 extra days at
altitude certainly helped with acclimation, which we needed!

Here's my take on each item on the itinerary.

Day One
· Rendezvous with your Blue Sky Adventures tour guide at the
Albuquerque Sunport airport or train station.
                ***** Guide was on time and very pleasant. We were the
only crew on this tour. I understand sometimes (often?) there is more
than one crew together. We had 12 large scouts and scouters. The 15
passenger van was OK but a little cramped. They had a trailer for out
gear. All in all it was fine.
· Lunch at Blakes Lotta’ Burger, a tasty New Mexico tradition
                ***** Enjoyed lunch very much
· Experience the Manhattan Project and learn about it’s secret
cities and scientists; see “Fat Man” and “Little Boy” nuclear bombs from
World War II at the National Atomic Bomb Museum
                ***** The adults enjoyed this a little more than the boys
· Walking tour of lively, historic Old Town Albuquerque, established
in 1706 and the heart of the wild west in it’s day (stores, street
entertainers, historic and cultural sites, native American artists)
                ***** Souvenir opportunity!!!!! Bought some jewelry for
my wife and daughter.
· See every known variety of rattlesnake and a fascinating snake
film at the one-of-a-kind Rattlesnake Store
                ***** I didn't go in but the boys got a kick out of all
the snakes.
· Trip to the top of Sandia Peak; a breath taking ride on the worlds
longest aerial tramway to the 10,400 foot mountain peak
                ***** We all enjoyed this. It a great view and a nice
little nature walk
· Good food and lots of it--- A taste of the Southwest with dinner
at Pancho’s Mexican “all you can eat” buffet!
                ***** Most didn't care for this food all that much. That
being said some went back for 3rds and 4ths!!
· Check in to hotel in Albuquerque (indoor/outdoor pool, fitness
center, sauna)
                ***** Hotel was a Marriott. It was VERY nice. Hot tub
and pool were great.
Day Two
· Hot breakfast buffet at hotel-all you can eat!
                ***** Great buffet breakfast in hotel lobby
· Early checkout and departure for Bandelier National Monument
---climb into actual, ancient Indian cliff dwellings and climb 140’ up the
canyon wall to the Ceremonial Cave; see the Bat Cave, summer home to over
10,000 bats
                ***** Excellent stop. Boys had a great time climbing
into caves. Especially the Ceremonial cave which is a 140' climb up
several ladders. The signs say don't try it if you're afraid of heights,
which I am. I did it and it wasn't so bad. (I'm 50, by the way) I would
recommend everyone give it a try!
· Box lunch at scenic Bandelier
                ***** BSA did a great job with having lunch, snacks and
cold drinks available. The box lunches kept us on schedule - the days are
pretty full!!!
· Whitewater rafting on the “Racecourse” section of the Rio Grande
River. Conditions and group size permitting, scouts will raft in two man
rubber “funyaks”
                ***** The highlight of the trip. We're used to the
pretty placid Delaware River here in New York and this was quite a thrill
· Dinner in Taos, New Mexico, the soul of the Southwest
                ***** Ate at Michael's Kitchen. It was pretty good. We
liked it enough to go back the next night.
· Check in to Taos hotel
                ***** Hotel was a Quality Inn. It was fine.
· Evening spent pool side at hotel
                ***** Beautiful view of mountains from pool. Some of the
boys went down the street and hit some fast food joints. They hit a movie
that night.

Day Three
· Hot breakfast buffet at hotel
                ***** Breakfast served in hotel restaurant. Standard
American breakfast. It was fine
· Mountain biking on the west rim of the Rio Grande Gorge, a 12 mile
down hill run to the Rio Grande River-it’s not hard but it is a blast!
                ***** Another highlight. Unfortunately I missed it as I
had to drive on of our scouts to Albuquerque to fly home for a family
emergency. The rest of crew said it was great.There were even a few
"crashes" which apparently added to the memories.
· Riverside deli style sandwich lunch
                ***** No information but I assume it was another fine box
lunch
· A walking tour of historic Taos, home of Kit Carson, famous Indian
fighter and guide
                ***** We added Taos pueblo to the tour. The pueblo has
been continuously inhabited for 1400 year.s It was very interesting.
                ****** The Kit Carson museum was a bust. Apparently it
has been sold and has few artifacts left. It was basically a movie. It
would skip it and substitute the pueblo
                ***** Another souvenir opportunity. Great Ice Cream!
                ***** There is a UPS store right across the street from
the hotel. We packed up the things we had bought and some extra clothes
we used on the tour and shipped them back home.
· Pool side pizza party
                **** Being from New York we were afarid to find out what
they called pizza in New Mexico <G>. We went to Michael's Kitchen instead.
  Enjoyed it again.
· Evening spent pool side at hotel
                **** Very relaxing after a hard day

Day Four
· Hot breakfast buffet at hotel
                ***** Breakfast served in hotel restaurant. Standard
American breakfast. It was fine
· Transport to Philmont for arrival before lunch
                ***** The trip is pretty quick. Left hotel at 7:00 We
arrived at Philmont around 10:30. We had plenty of time to get checked in
and set up.
· En route to Philmont, visit the Viet Nam War Memorial in Angel
Fire, New Mexico
                ***** Another highlight. Angelfire is a pretty emotional
place for anyone connected to the Vietnam war. I am not, but several of
our more senior ASMs served and they were pleased we visited.
Last Day
· Early morning pick up at Philmont
                ***** Bus was right on time
· Transport to Albuquerque Sunport airport
· Box lunch en route
        
Christopher Lord
SM - Troop 1
Greater New York Councils
Philmont -- '03, '05

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Received on Mon Nov 7 12:00:54 2005