Must See Stops 7: Philmont Boy Scout Ranch Day 51 of 83

Introduction: John and I had plans to travel. We had plans to find a way to become full-time RVers, but in reality we knew that this would probably have to wait for retirement due to his medical conditions. When he was diagnosed with angiosarcoma cancer in May 2017, he ended up being trapped in a hospital room for 83 days. He was admitted for six different hospitalizations in four different hospitals in three different cities before unexpectedly dying in the hospital on Oct. 5, 2017. You can read about the day he died Part 1 and Part 2. I then made Big Plans to take a trip to the places we had wanted to go and see together. For months I planned the trip: an 83 day trip in my RV with my two youngest daughters, almost 14,000 miles around the United States in 83 days! Each day would take back a day that was stolen from John in the hospital. This is one of 10 stories from my “Must See” destinations.

He Realized His Mistake

It was obvious that he had made a mistake. As he emerged from his canvas tent each morning he was greeted by families, men with their wives and children, all getting ready for another day at the ranch. The women and children had activities to fill their days while the men were at leadership training. Who would have thought? How could he have known that this would be the case if his wife and children had taken the almost 1,300 mile trip to the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch with him?

He wouldn’t make this mistake again.

Another Try

For the next trip, they all came. Him, his wife, their son, and their daughter who was only about 3 years old. They played, they laughed, they ate, and they learned, together. And four years later, he died and the family became a family of three. A mom and her young children. A family without a father, without a husband. That little girl would grow up and sadly gain more Perspective about that kind of loss.

A Must See Stop

I knew that I had to go back! I had to find the place where that picture had been taken. The picture that I had stared at my entire life. The picture of a father and his kids in a doorway surrounded by ceramic tiles typical of the architecture of the area, an architecture so very different from any that could be seen in their home so far away. So I awoke in Albuquerque and drove along the beautiful scenery of New Mexico slowly ambling into the ranch. The Philmont Boy Scout Ranch.

I found Villa Philmont easily, it was the largest building on the ranch. After having done some research, I guessed that the picture had been taken somewhere around this building. I was graciously granted permission to wander the ranch and relive a memory that I actually didn’t remember – a memory that was only remembered by that picture. I parked near the villa and instantly recognized the architecture from my childhood picture.

It Wasn’t To Be Found

As I saw the same doors and the same windows, I knew that I was in the right place. But I didn’t see any doors with the tiles surrounding it. To my right was a courtyard area that had been taped off for construction, so I started searching the outside of the building in the other direction. The villa is quite large, and as I turned each corner I could feel the hope and excitement build. Maybe the doorway would be around THIS corner. Except that it wasn’t.

I had walked around the entire villa and was back at the courtyard area. I had two choices, sneak under the tape to investigate that area or walk back to the camper and leave, feeling defeated.

And Then…

The girls and I lifted the construction tape and carefully stepped over the ripped up pathways, around tools and construction rubble to enter the archway. And then…. I saw it.

I asked the workers if they would take my picture in the doorway. We had to remove rubble and tools first, but forgot to remove one sharpie marker which remains in the picture. I had found it! The workers seemed touched by my story and took several pictures of both me and me with my girls in the doorway that had become iconic to me since I was a little girl. I cried, I smiled, and I thought to myself, “Daddy, I’m back.”

And I think that he was smiling, too…….somewhere.

If you would like to go RVing, here’s Everything You Need To Know!

If you, or someone you care about is dealing with grief, here are some tips for coping with grief from people who are dealing with it themselves!

• Must See Stops Series
• Stop 1: Kansas City – Day 2 of 83
• Stop 2: Taylorsville, CA – Days 9 – 13 of 83
• Stop 3: Seattle, WA – Day 21 of 83
• Stop 4: Zion National Park – Day 36 of 83
• Stop 5: Grand Canyon South Rim – Day 42 of 83
• Stop 6: Albuquerque, NM – Day 49 of 83
• Stop 7: Philmont Boy Scout Ranch – Day 51 of 83
• Stop 8: Galveston, TX – Days 55 – 58 or 83
• Stop 9: Exeter, NH – Day 73 of 83
• Stop 10: Acadia National Park – Day 75 of 83