Before we even got off the ground in Syracuse, I was impressed with the scout troop's fund raising efforts. The kids did a remarkable effort in the different ways of fundraising. Everything was positive from the kids, not once did I hear a complaint about : "we got to do this again".

Troop 14 is a special collection of young men.

My thoughts on the quality of these kids improved even more on the trip -- looking out for each other in the airports, assisting each other in troop activities (character building exercises on Sunday at Camp Wilderness, offering words of encouragement to scouts (and grown-ups as well) when we were hiking/climbing Lee Viking Peak as well as Mt. Warren. The overall camaraderie of the Troop 14 scouts and adults who went on the troop was fantastic.

Of course, the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada's is overwhelming.

I, for one, am very thankful that I went on the trip.