Thursday Evening

Not often does the entertainment of the Jamboree come to our back door. Last night was the exception when the BSA hot air balloons showed up. Many boys took advantage of the sight and visited with the men in charge. As a finale to their visit, the treated us to a "glow".

On the hillside overlooking the balloons was Ryan again tutoring a bugler.

On my way back to camp I noted that there was some serious patch trading going on even tough it was dark. While there is a lot of trading going on, these guys were pretty serious about it, according to the boys walking by. They had two tables set up, chairs, lanterns, a radio playing QBSA, a fan and "free water" for their customers. Pretty funny.

The patch trading frenzy has been taking place since day one of the Jamboree on blankets on the side of the road, under trees -- where ever the trader feels like they can get some traffic. This afternoon I took a spin around the far side of the Jamboree and noted that the trading was just as rampant there. Scouts were even bringing out their cots and using them as makeshift tables for their goods. Large crowds were gathered to take a look at the offerings.

Are you interested in hearing Sec. of Defense Robert Gate's speech from the Arena Show? It is a good read and very heart-warming to those of us who love the Boy Scouts of America. Check it out:

http://www.defense.gov/Speeches/Speech.aspx?SpeechID=1494

We have had a beautiful, mild day today. Nice cool breeze and only highs of 87 or so -- but little humidity. Fabulous.