Vince's 1st Pack Meeting

This past Wednesday, Vince and I went to his first pack meeting. There, we had a cookout along with all the fancy fixin's.

As part of his Wolf Badge requirements, Vince had to cook a hot dog. He was a little unenthusiastic at first. But once the frank started sizzling, he began to take notice. Granted, he wouldn't touch the hot dog with a ten-foot pole when it was done. But he did insist that I eat the weenie and he eat the bun. (In other words, he fed it to me. ;-) Ah, food and Autism. Always an adventure.


After noshing down some vittles, the pack divided into dens and began their activities. Vince worked to the best of his understanding. Some things, like running in place, didn't make too much sense to him. (Can you believe that Cubs are supposed to do that for 5 minutes?!?) But when it came to playing catch or leap-frog, he really got into it.

Finally, the day ended with an award ceremony. Because of Vince's hard work during the day camp, he was awarded his Bobcat Badge. It's his first step in the awards ascension for Cubs.

Vince was also awarded his Archery and Geology belt loops for camp, too. It's strangely fitting, because Vince got a huge kick out of both slinging arrows and messin' with rocks.

Having an Autistic Cub Scout is a very surreal parental experience. On one hand, he's performing the deeds necessary to advance. But at the same time, I know that there are some activities that he just doesn't understand.

What should I do? Exactly what I am doing now.
If I continue to help him, continue to participate with him, something, some small part of his Cub Scouting is bound to stick with him and enrich his life.

Whatever good memories he makes are bound to last his lifetime. That makes all of the hardships worthwhile.

Our next step is trying to get him a uniform! Yeah, I'm excited too.

Vince's New Adventure

For the longest time, Lisa and I have bumped our brains trying to figure out how to give Vince new ways to interact with his peers. Now that he's finally old enough, we thought we'd give Cub Scouting a try. This weekend, Vince and I attended his first Cub Scout function, day camp.

It took a little to prepare for the day. Lis and I filled out forms, met pack representatives and gathered medical records so that the weekend would go off without a hitch.

Our first day was on Friday, 6-22-07.
Vince met his den buddies and pack leader before we departed for camp. I was really nervous because I wasn't sure how Vince would react to his new environs and companions. On that day, I learned that some activities were suitable for him while others weren't. He really enjoyed the obstacle courses and other physical events. But once things slowed down to concentrative subjects like cryptography, flag-raising and mapwork, I found myself having to maintain his attention with water breaks, juice treats and his Leapster.

We left a little early, when he started to get cranky. As we departed, I heard the uncoordinated sound of a hundred little voices saying goodbye to Vince. I turned him around and helped him wave to everyone, all the while fighting back tears.
In my opinion, the first day was a complete success. Vince had enjoyed himself. His denmates had accepted and interacted with him. And Vincent was eager enough to go the second day(6-23-07)!

That's when I made sure I brought the camera...

Vince really enjoyed the opening ceremonies and the skits put on by the camp staff. Here, he and his denmate, Sam, enjoy the staff's shenanigans.






Our first event that day was called "The Tower of Mr. E." Inside, the older scouts showed the cubs some spooky novelty lights and fake alien skulls in hopes of getting them in the mood for the camps spy theme.
Vince? He enjoyed the static electricity lights inside the tower. But the real treat for him was on top of the tower, where he got to descend on a rope ladder.


Here's our group proctor, "Zero," helping Vince get over the rail and onto the ladder.







It was a little tough at first...








...But once he got the hang of it, it was easy money.








Everybody cheered for him once he got on the ground.
Vince loved it!







How could I not be proud?








In between activities, we took water breaks and horsed around. Vince moved at the last minute!







Vince's favorite activity for the day were the push-carts. The boys would take turns riding and pushing their peers along a dirt track.
Vince got a kick out of riding and pushing!
Here, the Den Buddies push Sam through the Gauntlet.





And then it was Vince's turn!
From the Right, that's Sam, Bear and Drew. The kid on the Left was from another pack.






After everyone had gone, the kids gave their staff proctors a turn. It looks like "Jello" was holding on for dear life.







Lunchtime was every cub's favorite activity!
Eat up, guys.







At the end of both day, Vince looked the same. He was covered in dirt from head to toe with a big smile. This weekend really taught me how to successfully mitigate Cub Scout camps with Vince. Come next year, I know we'll be ready for even more fun.

Now our next scouting experience is coming this Friday with our first meeting.
Wish us luck!

Grand Junction, Colorado 6-16-07

The next day, Vince, Grandma and I spent the whole morning at the Monument.
Going in through the Fruita Entrance, we bought our patch and magnet at the Visitor's Center and then proceeded to drive the scenic park road to Devil's Kitchen trailhead for our hike. It was very enjoyable considering the heat....and Vincent's car sickness. (BAAAAARF!)
Our first stop along the road were the Coke ovens. Thousands of years of rain and wind turned these rocks into squat, fat formations that looked like ovens.
Check it out!





This picture really doesn't do justice to the magnificence of the formations. As for Vince, he was still jazzed to spend time with Granny.






After the Coke Ovens, we traveled to some of the other overlooks in the park.
This one's from an overlook called "Cold Shivers."






And this one was taken at the Ute Canyon overlook.
They were all absolutely gorgeous.







Noticed Vince's clothes have changed? Yeah, this pic was taken "post-yack."
The only bad part about the trip was that it was hotter than Hell when we got to the trailhead. But even though it was hot and he'd left his breakfast along the road, Vince still wanted to hike. What a trooper.



Even though Devil's Kitchen was our shortest hike, I still think it was the hardest. The heat, dust and bugs combined to make a hard trip. Thankfully, I had learned my lessons from Antelope Island. Sunblock, bug spray and water for everyone!





Vince has become fond of crawling into nooks and crannies in the rock. That's him taking a water break.







Devil's Kitchen is a really unusual rock formation. It's essentially a large horseshoe-shaped alcove of towering sandstone with walls on three sides. It's also has plenty of shade, making it a great place for lunch!





My other fellow hikers agreed! Incidentally, that crack between Vince and Grandma led to a hundred-foot drop to the canyon floor.






Once we were done eating, we busted out the cameras and started making memories. Here's me and Grandma's finger on top of the large boulder situated in the alcove.






Here's a picture of the balanced rock near the opening of Devil's Kitchen.







This crack went down some slickrock and back onto the trail. It eventually served as our exit from DK.







That boulder that I was sitting on had tons of little holes carved in it. Vince couldn't help but explore them all!







DK was the perfect little hideaway from the hot desert sun. Unfortunately, things started to get hotter as the sun rose. That gave us plenty of incentive to get back on the trail.






DK was a lot of fun for Vince and Cheryl. I think they really learned a lot about each other.
Hopefully, she'll want to hike with us again!






Going back to the Hotel meant getting in the pool.
How could I refuse?







Once we finally cleaned up, it was time for us to go meet the train for our trip back to Old Salty.
It was late as usual, but it went by a lot faster.
The biggest treat for me was getting Vince to fall asleep in a bunk on our way home. I thought he'd be too wound up because we were on the train. But in the end, fatigue won out!



I love spending time with my son.
I love the challenge he gives me in helping him mitigate the world around him. Most of all, I love the affection he rewards me with when we do something enjoyable.

This trip was an incredible adventure for both of us. And while he might not remember every detail of our voyage, I know that I'll never forget the smiles and laughter he gives thanks to my efforts.
That's what I call incentive.

Grand Junction, Colorado 6-15-07

Our GJ trip was the brain-child of my Mother-in-Law.
In a nutshell, Vince and I followed Grandma on her Amtrak leg to Colorado.
Once there, we used the layover time to go hiking, swimming and touring the Grand Valley.
It was one of the greatest trips of Vince's life!
We had to get up pretty early to meet the train. Even then, it was still very late.
Here, Lis and Vince give their goodbyes.






For the most part, Vince was very excited to get on the train.
I really think he remembered the trip we took to Denver all those years ago.
Oh yeah, you better believe the stick came with us!





Once we got on the train (and it started moving), Vince and I settled in. The trip took about eight hours.







I think the most unusual feature of the trip for Vince was getting used to seeing Grandma at work. He'd often crane his head into the hallway only to catch a glimpse of her pouring over paperwork or talking on the radio.

Naturally, Cheryl spent as much time with us as she could. But for the most part, she kept her game face on.


It didn't stop Squirt from having a good time, though.
He loved exploring the train and looking out the window.







But by the end of the trip, cabin fever started to set in and we were both ready to get off the train.







Once we finally offloaded, we had our first experience of the dry Grand Valley heat. Vince was a little confused as to where we would go from the Train Station. But once Grandma finished all her work, we headed out to the Hotel.





Amtrak employees in GJ stay at La Quinta. It's nice. Real nice!
Our room was already cooling when we checked in. After a small respite, we packed up and headed for the Monument!






We reached the trailhead pretty late...about 6pm.
But after all those hours of being cooped up in a train, even Vince was up for a walk in the fresh air.






Now that Cheryl was off duty, she could be Grandma all over again! Mom did a great job of making up for all the lost socializing on the train. As for Vince, he loved every minute of it.






The CNM was one of the most beautiful parks I've ever visited. In a way, it gave Vince and I a different perspective in our hiking. You see, usually we're at the bottom looking up...






...but here, we were on top and looking down!








We were treated to a great view of GJ, the Book Cliffs and the whole Grand Valley. We even saw a UFO that looked surprisingly like my thumb!






The trail meal serves as a great turnaround benchmark for Vince. Since we were going to get pizza later, we kept the trail food down to a light snack. In the background, Cheryl and her coworker enjoy the view.





Vince was in great spirits the whole time.
Here, he took a brief break from Grandma-lovin' to have his picture taken with me.






On the way back, the sun was well behind the mountains and gave us some great shade.
I believe the scenery was grand enough to command Vince's attention.





There is no greater reward for a hard-day's hike than a dip in the pool.

After a cool swim and some dinner, Vince and I passed out on our beds and prepared for the next day.