Cub Scout Day Trip, Basketball Season, Helene Fallout

Cub Scout Day Trip

The remnants of Hurricane Helene changed our plans for our fall Cub Scout camp out. Instead of cancelling it, we decided to find a shelter and let the kids play together just for the day. I brought a bunch of games and coloring books for the younger ones to stay engaged. The other Scouts fished in the rain and shot BB guns at the range. We did get everyone fed and recruited a few new leaders to help cook. I am ready to move on and let the next generation take the reins. That starts with encouraging others to step up and identify the willing who are just looking for an invitation.

The rain is much appreciated but wow there is a lot of it. The drought no doubt kept things from getting too out of hand like they did to the Southeast of us as far as flooding goes. Even though we received 3.5 inches of rain over those four days the creeks never seemed overly swollen, which is surprising. Our yard definitely needed it also and perhaps this well time rainfall will make for a more colorful autumn than what we were expecting for this autumn.

Basketball Season

Ben started another basketball season with Upward. His coach is really enthusiastic and knowledgeable and works well with the youth. It is so much fun watching these little guys practice basketball and work as a team. They are all excited. Ben enjoys dribbling down court and is fairly decent at shooting. When he practices he watches me watch him, so I try to pay attention and encourage him. He likes performing in front of other people and doesn’t think much about it. He is also a tenacious defender. The way he moves down the court and passes really makes me think he possesses the attributes of a point guard. I think if we can get him on the court more at Silverlake he can build out his skills more. He does enjoy doing that one on one with me, as opposed to my other son, where it is like pulling teeth. Perhaps we will schedule an extra night during the week to sneak over and do some drills together.

Hurricane Helene Fallout

We are watching the fallout from Hurricane Helene. Two of our favorite places to visit, and visit often, is Western North Carolina and Indian Rocks Beach, both areas hit hard by flooding. We found some video of the condo we rent at IRB and noted the storm surge destroyed the sand dunes, fencing, and most likely the pool. We saw sand piled in front of the lower condos and in the parking lot. I’m not sure how Leslie found the drone footage of it but it was disheartening. We are planning our spring visit and there is a deposit on the property that we may or may not ever be able to collect again. I will call down there later.

It also seems Hot Springs NC is wiped out too, and other areas we frequented to fly fish and explore. There is no doubt this flood affects the region and will for decades. There is a before and after here and it will take a lot of time to rebuild, if they ever do rebuild, given the lack of flood insurance being reported in the area. Absolutely disheartening for everyone involved.