Dad Survived Another High Adventure!

This is the first year that Dad has gone on a Scouting/High Adventure summer trip without any of our boys with him. Monday they traveled to the east side of Mt. Hood, set up camp and went canoing on a nice mountain lake. Dad's group took 2nd place in a competition that ended with Dad having to eat the banana that was used as a baton during the race. We hope Giardia doesn't catch up with him after eating the lake-water soaked banana.

The 2nd day they went white water rafting which was pretty exciting. The 3rd & 4th days we did a 22 mile backpacking hike up a mountain to another lake. Dad did OK but he struggled a bit. --WARNING--The following video contains a scene that may be disturbing to the non-outdoor wimps:

Dad's "Blair Witch Project"

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=47056555359743761&hl=en

The 5th day we did mountain biking. Dad decided not to participate in the ride but helped with a marshmallow blow dart challenge at the half-way point.

Finally, on the 6th day, we went rock climbing. Again, Dad choose not to risk further damage to his aging body and did not participate. We then drove home where Dad found Mom waiting patiently for her man to return. It was a good fun trip but a little different without McKay, Grif or Shay with us.

McKAY LEAVES FOR BOOT CAMP!

Another momentous event happened in the life of the Allen family. On Sunday, July 20th, McKay became the newest member of the Elder's Quorum in our ward when he was ordained an Elder by Dad. It is hard to believe that he is old enough and mature enough to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood. It seems like only yesterday he was ordained a Deacon! Where has the time gone? He also received his Duty to God award that day. He is the first young man from our ward to receive all three awards, Deacon, Teacher and Priest. We are so proud of him.

Saturday night we had a going away party for McKay out at the "compound". Cameron Merritt, his Marine friend, planned it for him and many of this friends were invited. It was fun to BBQ burgers and hot dogs while fighting off the mosquitos. McKay rode his dirt bike for the last time for a while, crashing into a blackberry bush, and returned with many scratches on his neck and arms. He was so PROUD!! The pictures below were taken at the party. It was a fun event.

Later that evening we delivered him to the Holiday Inn by the airport where he spent the night, awaking at 4 AM for his flight to Camp Pendleton in San Diego and Marine boot camp. It was hard to have him leave but he was excited and so we will always support him. He called the next day at 10:27 PM and let mom know that he had made it, when his training starts, when graduation will be (October 17), and that he will write us with the address. "Bye, Mom" were his closing words. The whole speech lasted about 12 seconds. We miss him but he will be home in 90 days and we are counting down every one of them.