Photo by The Joneses The new Boy Scout — Nick. He's holding the "Arrow of Light" — a symbol that they have reached the Boy Scout rank. SLIDE SHOW: A ceremony to remember — — — View Larger Map
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

After completing all the requirements and earning merit badges through the Cub Scout ranks as well as being a Webelos, he was ready to become a Boy Scout. The ceremony, called “crossing over” was held two weeks ago and, of course, Ralph and I attended. It was held in conjunction with the Blue and Gold Banquet — an annual Cub Scout award dinner.

Since we are in Florida this banquet was held at a cookout in a state park at the Tampa Bay. The boys and their fathers spent the weekend camping in the park. Unfortunately, the moment we (Robin, Ralph, Jordyn and I) arrived at the park, it started raining. Let me rephrase that — it poured and in no time the parking lot looked like a lake. The good thing is that when it rains here in Florida it doesn’t get cold and nasty and the rain usually doesn’t last more than a few hours or so.

The banquet went on in the pavilion with my son Richard serving as the master chef, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. After all the Cub Scout awards were handed out the “crossing over” ceremony began.

One of the leaders, who was wearing Indian Headgear, read an Indian story with a message to the boys to always strive to do their best and go as far as they can go.

The boys then walked over a wooden bridge and were handed the “Arrow of Light” — a symbol that they have reached the Boy Scout rank. It is a very nice ceremony and not only are the boys proud that they have come that far, so are the parents who have worked very hard with their sons. Any of you who have/had Girl Scouts or Cub/Boy Scouts know how much work it is to keep the kids focused and helping them earning their badges. My two oldest boys are Eagle Scouts so I know what I am talking about. It made me very happy to be able to watch Nick becoming a Boy Scout.

On the way home we stopped at Apollo Beach at the Manatee Viewing Center. There is a small cove where the warm water from a power plant flows into the Tampa Bay. It is a favorite spot for manatees – some of them (I read) have been living there for many years.

Robin said many of them have their babies there and you can see the mothers and their young ones swimming (more floating) around. But, again because of the rain that had stopped by then, the water was very murky and we couldn’t see much. Every once in a while we saw a manatee head coming up for air. I think Ralph and I will go there again if we get a chance — our time in Florida is getting short. We will be leaving here the end of this month.

Last Saturday we went to see the ‘Stars on Ice’ show. It was at the same arena we went to the ice hockey game we attended a few weeks back and again we sat at the suite of my son’s company. We almost had the suite to ourselves — I guess ice shows are not as popular as hockey games.

But for me, a lover of ice skating (just watching) and has watched many competitions and always every competition at the Olympic Games, it was a real treat.

The show was fantastic, most of the skaters were Olympic medalists. The star was Sasha Cohen, a U.S. champion and Olympic silver medalist. Other performers were: Ilia Kilik, two-time Russian champion and Olympic gold medalist; Todd Eldredge, six-time US champion; Xue Shen and Hongbo Zha eight-time Chinese champions and two-time Olympic bronze medalists;[ Michael Weiss, three-time US champion and two-time Olympic bronze medalist and several others.

It was truly a magnificent show that – by the way- will be in Baltimore at the 1st Mariner Arena on April 3.

On Thursday, Ralph planned to play at one of the Disney golf courses — he can so excited. These courses are absolutely beautiful and also very expensive to play. For cast members the cost is very reasonable if your tee-time is after 2 p.m., so Ralph is taking advantage of it.

He is playing with Ken — new friends who also work at Disney — while Rose and I are going to one of the parks and meet the guys later for dinner. Life is definitely good!