ChimpersCage

Tomorrow is the Friday before Memorial Day. Memorial Day was originally created to pay tribute to and remember those who put their lives on the line so we can all enjoy the freedoms we have in the United States of America. Let's all stop to remember that on Monday. Memorial Day in the last generation or two has become more of the unoffical start of summer - 3 weeks shy of the summer solstice which really makes that beginning. The Friday before, brings lots of people out after the long winter and dreary wet spring to begin that early start to summer even earlier. The beginning of summer also marks the start of camping, hiking, climbing, barbque, vacation and a host of other "seasons" we hold precious in the times of good and warm weather. Many of those activities take us to the many state and national parks for picnics and day activities with family and friend - in addition to those listed above. Starved Rock State Park in Illinois is about an hour to the north of my r...

As much as I love to be out taking pictures, it is always more special when you are shooting something you care about or believe in. Today was one of those times. I was blessed with an invitation to another Troop 3 Eagle Court of Honor. This time around it was for #144 of Troop 3 - Wesley Humphrey. I've been fortunate to have been hanging around Troop 3 since my son joined the troop in 2003 (or so). He is #142. Troop 3 has been Chartered since 1919 and is one of the longest running troops in Central Illinois. The first time I remember meeting Wesley was in the parking lot getting ready to go on a camping trip. Wesley was still a Webelos scout and was attending the campout as a visitor. Troop 3 holds one of these campouts every year so that Webelos and their parents can attend and see if they would like to join Troop 3 after crossover. Wesley and his dad - Chuck - both attended. I think we went cabin camping (it was December) at an old scout camp on the outskirts of Peoria....