Jordan's Eagle Project

Anybody who has a boy who has participated in the scouting program knows what an accomplishment it is to earn your eagle scout award.  Before we left Rapid City last year Jordan was challenged by his scoutmaster to earn his eagle scout award before he turned 14.  He also received a lot of encouragment from his parents to hurry up and get it done do the same.  It is usually a lot harder for the boys to get it after they 14 because by then they are heavily involved in sports, school and girls other various activities.  He made it, barely.  His project was scheduled for June but had to be rescheduled due to a forest fire near the area where he was to do his project, so it got put off until July.  July 13 and 14.  Jordan turned 14 on July 18. :)

Here are the boys, ready and willing to work.

 Jordan's project I think was pretty cool.  His project was to remodel the Colcord fire lookout tower.  This is the view from the bottom looking up.

This is the view from the bottom looking up.

 That is A LOT of stairs to climb!

From the top looking down.

The forest ranger assigned to help us with the project kindly reminded the boys that if they fell off they would more than likely die.  This managed to scare the mom (me) pretty good, but the boys seemed unfazed.

The view looking out over the rim. Pretty amazing, huh!

Jordan had hoped to get his project done in June, before the start of the Arizona monsoon season which generally runs from June 15 to September 30.  For those not familiar with Arizona weather the monsoon season means it rains, a lot.  The rain is often accompanied by thunder and lightning and wind.  Of course, on the day of Jordan's eagle project rain was in the forecast.  Not long after we began repainting the tower we saw this.

Storm rolling in - rather quickly!

It was moving fast and was headed right towards us.  Again, the mom (me) panicked slightly.  We are at the top of a METAL tower which is significantly higher (83 feet high to be exact) than anything else around it so they can easily see OVER the trees for signs of forest fires.  Now, I love a good thunder and lightning storm, only I prefer it from the comfort and safety of the ground, far away from anything that might easily get struck by lightning like a big metal tower standing 83 feet into the air!  The forest ranger seemed calm and unworried so I tried not to panic worry.  He assured us that the tower was grounded and that we were perfectly safe, even as the thunder was getting closer and louder.  Sure enough, the rain started and the thunder and lightning grew closer.  I do have to admit it was an awesome sight experiencing an Arizona monsoon storm from 83 feet in the air.

During the rainstorm

After the rain stopped and just when it seemed to move on we were surprised by a very loud crack of lightning that struck too close for comfort.  That was cool and a little freaky at the same time.

The remainder of the afternoon went off without a hitch.  Jordan did well leading the boys and getting them to work together to get the work done.  They stripped the paint on the inside of the tower and repainted the inside and outside.  There was more work to be done, but it would have to wait until the next day

Having dinner before heading home.

I am grateful that I was able to be a part of Jordan's project and to see him in action with these boys.  He did a fine job and i am so proud of him for his accomplishments over the years in the scouting program.  Now we just have to finish up the paperwork and have the court of honor.  Way to go Jordan!