To the Boy Scouts who took over the Cochise East Campground this weekend.. you, yeah, you, all 80 of you, and your scoutmasters: Please go find another place to occupy, one where I wouldn't be going after 8 hrs of driving.

(Yes, I realize I can stealth camp near the Wasteland parking- in fact- this is what I did. But my partner was psyched for the campground, after having had memorable times there in the past. Set a bad tone to the whole trip.)

Is this a fee pay campground? Do they take reservatoins for group sites are anything?

I sympathize. Years ago on a whirlwind cross country tour of New Mexico and Colorado, my scout troop arrived at the Carson National Forest. We were a rambunctious and poorly behaved group, given to loud talking and uncouth language. In the midst of a restless night of no sleep, a woman's voice called out to us and stated, "It's quiet time!" To which one of our ilk replied, "Suck ma wang!"

I would recommend you just hit those kids over the head with a log next time. Their parents won't miss them, I assure you. And the scoutmaster's explanation of "black bears" or "lost without a trace" will settle any questions.

LOL...Tim, I relate. I was also a scout leader. We tried to get the boys as far away from the public as humanly possible. Wherever they go, they're going to raise hell.

At least they weren't climbing (or were they?). I remember once getting to the base of the Durrance Route on Devils Tower to discover 15 explorer scouts in line ahead of us. Fortunately, this group had their act together and actually moved up relatively quickly.

I've had a group decide to play a game of football at my site--at 7:00 in the morning. And yes, they do "climb."