Today is the day!

We leave on a wonderful experience TODAY! It seems like it was just yesterday that this day was a year and a half away. Time has flown and now it's double down day.

We had full house for our last summer show last night with three Boy Scouts troops spending the night, a group of Lion Club Exchange students, representatives from Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, family, friends and many others.

You should have seen it. The hoop fire dance was "Wow" and we had more hoop dancers than I've ever seen at the Kiva. Everyone danced their hearts out and the crowd roared with appreciation.

Early this week, Monday night, we danced at Pilmont Scout Ranch, in Cimarron, New Mexico. Their were over two hundred people in the audience. One of the guest was Native American and we saw her singing and moving to the songs. One of our Chiefs asked her to dance with him in the round and two step. It was so cool to see her and know that she felt at home with us.

If you've never been to Philmont. You need to go. It's my favorite place, not just in Scouting but in feeling, atmosphere and beauty. I took my Woodbadge there at Zastro Lodge, three treks as a scout and 2 as a Scoutmaster. I have wonderful and long time friends there, including Doug Palmer on staff, Buddy Morse a long time Cimarron resident, brother Cherokee and scouter and more memories than I can relive in several life times.

Brian R. Gray, Director, Philmont Training Center has been a long time friend and supporter of the Kwahadis. We can't thank him enough for all he's done for us.

Philmont brings out the best in all who hike its trails and has the greatest people working there. GO and see for yourself.

We/I want to thank the Amarillo Globe-News ( check out Amariillo.com for stories on our tour), Margaret Meyers, Features Editor; Brad Newman, staff writer; Steve Pair, New Dircetor at KVII Pro News ( we hope to have Skype interviews along the way on KVII) in Amarillo; Lucas Jefferson, Assignment Editor for KVII Pro News; Mike Wilhelm, The Net Works; and Steve Douglas, fellow photographer, writer and web designer ( this could not of happend with Steve ) for all their help, support and encouragement.

Okay, I'm out the door and off the Kiva.

Come along with us and see what we see through our eyes and words.

John Madden