Truck Scouts Prepare for Cascadia Days
Truck Scout Convoy 265 Celebrates “Hauling History”
With Cascadia Days quickly approaching, local Truck Scout Convoy 265 shifted into overdrive this past weekend to get their float ready. Truck Scout Fleet Manager Scooter McGee says the scouts had a great time getting the float ready. “They loved every minute of it. Whether it was duct-taping together the float, or using bubblegum to sculpt our founding fathers, they couldn’t get enough.”
McGee says the Cascadia Convoy received a lot of help from the Historical Museum. He wanted to keep the float top-secret, but gave a few hints: “They lent us a bunch of old mudflaps that you just don’t see anymore: the wooden girl mudflap is a hit with the dads, but the kids love the one with the cartoon character saying “Backeth Offeth, Thee Villain!”
Truck Scouts have a long tradition in Cascadia. Jerry Erickson, father of Long Haul Scout Eric Erickson, remembers 1974’s “Highway Haulers of Tomorrow” float. “When we built it,” he said,
“We joked about all sorts of futuristic ideas: a computer system that could give you directions, hydraulic clutches, reliable air conditioning, rack and pinion steering, and a seat that was like a recliner. Who’d a thunk how far we’ve come?”
The Truck Scouts also use the Cascadia Days float to work on their various badges. “My boy is learning so much,” said Sally Frogs, mother of Billy Frogs, who’s working on his Yard Safety merit badge. “Billy got to attach the fifth wheel to the float last week, and did it on the first try! He hasn’t stopped talking about it since then. He says when he grows up, he’s going to do all his driving in reverse. Kids can be so cute.”
McGee says that after they’ve delivered another load of fun for Cascadia Days, the Truck Scouts will begin working on their physical fitness merit badges. “The Parking Lot Dash is always fun,” he said. “Running 100 yards to a port-a-potty doesn’t seem very far until you haven’t made a pit stop in five hours. It’s actually more of a ritual than a test.”
