Got up at 3:00, surprisingly stiff and sore!  56 degrees and mostly clear skies, almost no breeze.  Did a quick run-through in the bathroom, and started in on my final personal packup, waking the Crew at 3:30.  Surprisingly, everyone got moving immediately and without complaint - as designed, we're now acclimated to early wakeup calls.  Despite the efforts of last night, there's still lots to pack, including sneakers and boots, plus the clothes that Hank took to the laundromat, in addition to the sleeping bags, pads and carry-on gear.  Kept the noise down as best we could to avoid waking the Alabama Crew.  I called off the time left `til 4:00 in 5 minute increments, an obnoxious but effective method for getting people to move it! without having to yell.  Ready to roll at 3:55, and we ended with a "floor sweep" before exiting and letting the door lock behind us.  Out the parking lot at 4:00 on the nose.  Since it was still dark, Clay drove.  Most of the Scouts fell asleep again in less than 10 minutes (as hoped.)  I'm sure it was the same in the red van.  Rick drove one of the cargo vans; Tim A. drove the other.  On I-25, we cranked it up to 75 mph once we were south of Colorado Springs, and just flew.  Switched the radio to KILO, and enjoyed the slow loom of dawn to the east starting at 4:30.  Lots of construction in Pueblo, so even slower than usual.  Some early morning cloudiness on the peaks west of I-25, but clear skies overhead.  Stopped at our usual McDonalds in Trinidad; the manager had an even better technique for handling groups, writing each order on a take-out bag.  Worked very well, no problems.  I held a PLC towards the end of breakfast, giving each Crew Chief his map and other paperwork, and giving some pointers and hints about the trek planning process at Basecamp.  Gassed up the vans at the Texaco across the street, again with premium.  Back on the road, and south to Raton Pass and New Mexico.  The vans certainly appreciated drinking premium for this part of the trip!  Once we crested the pass, we lost KILO, and switched back to Chris' CD's.  Most of the Scouts fell back asleep again, but a few watched the scenery.  South of Raton, we headed west on Rt. 64 to Cimarron.  Saw a few antelope, a large buffalo herd, and many herds of cattle.  Lots of calves in both the buffalo and cattle herds.  Also saw an impressive number of hawks, perched on the telephone poles alongside Rt. 64; seemed like one every 4 or 5 poles.  Approaching town, the mesas to the right were shrouded in low, misty clouds.  I pointed out Baldy, Tooth of Time, Black, Bear and Cimarroncito peaks.  South on Rt. 21 and into the Welcome Center at 8:00 sharp, excellent!  Our earliest arrival ever at Basecamp.  No other Crews ahead of us, so we're well ahead on the paperwork chase.  Just about everyone exited to stretch and check out the scene.  Sunny skies, but not blistering hot yet.  The last of the 628/8 am Crews were just leaving as we stretched, so the Welcome Center was fairly sedate.  I took Eric, Tim W., Chris, Rick and Tim A. into the Welcome Center to check in.  We waited a few minutes on the Rangers, but (remembering `98, when we waited more than an hour) quickly decided to at least get started on unloading into our trailbound tents.  Eric, Tim W. and Chris stayed at the Welcome Center while we drove the vans down to the far end of the parking lot and did the "stuff-dump."  Just as we finished up, our Crew Chiefs came up with 3 Rangers in tow; a lot faster than last time (maybe reflecting a response to some Advisor criticism on the evals, hmmm?)  Crew 1 had Rob Aldredge from Vandalia, Ohio; Crew 2 Trent Weatherwax from Morton, Illinois; and Crew 3 Laura Goetz from Fairborn, Ohio.  My second female Ranger.  Hazel eyes, light brown hair in mophead bangs, and glasses; she was a staffer at Baldytown last year.  Had also been a Girl Scout, plus had completed an Outward Bound course (Hurricane Island, Maryland) her Junior year of high school.  An impressive "pedigree."  One of her friends was a Training Ranger - that's how she got interested in Philmont.  [A little later, we found out that she had just been named "Ranger of the Week!"]  After the intros, we chatted briefly on whether any trek enhancements were possible, or if Logistics was really being hard-core.  While sympathetic, Rob, Trent and Laura all confirmed little chance in any camp changes.  Oh well....  We'll at least try for an 8 am bus and a dropoff at 6-Mile Gate.  Heading over to our sites, the Philmont veterans all remarked on the new trailbound tents - brownish colored, with large velcro straps to close the fronts, internal metal frames, and a triangular "window" in the back which was sealable with a zippered flap.  Certainly an improvement over the older style (which, unfortunately, were still being used on the homebound side.)  Hank and I had A67; the rest of Crew 3 was in A63 - A66.  After everyone got their stuff packed away, we headed off immediately for the paper chase - no sense getting here early if you waste half the day screwing around in your tents!  Registration was quick and problem-free; of note, we were due a full refund for Chris K. (which was welcome news.)  Had to wait quite a while outside Logistics for several Crews who had arrived late the day before (that must be a royal pain for everyone!)  One bit of good news was that Rob and Laura had already gone into Logistics and got the 8 am Bus/Six Mile Gate dropoff approved for Crews 1 and 3.  Once we realized we were going to be standing around for awhile, we spent 2 minutes presenting our Crew T-Shirts to Rob, Trent, and Laura, which they were all really pleased with.  Crew 2 got in first; after cooling our heels for another 10 minutes, Rick, Clay, Hank and I escorted Eric, Chris and Brad inside to review the master water board and trail map, saving us a few minutes at least.  We (Crew 3) ended up being second in for planning.  Our planning guide was aggressive and negative on modifications, and even tried to kill off the 6 Mile Gate dropoff `til we assured her that it had been approved by the Logistics Managers.  I suppose it would be easy to get angry - especially since one of the 5 stated goals of Logistics is "Be Flexible and Work with the Crew" - but it's quite obvious that they have their marching orders from above.  [It wouldn't hurt to be a little more sympathetic, however, and there's more than one way to say "No."]  Off to medical re-checks, where Laura started in on Bear Safety, enlisting the help of Steven, who she outfitted with a homemade bear hat.  Steven, however, turned out to be an overly aggressive bear - and doubtless would have been shot on sight if let loose in the backcountry!  Distressingly, my blood pressure was 128 over 88, very high for me.  Too much stress and caffeine, probably (nah, I haven't had either of those over the past 4 days, right.)  They also had some concern over my laser surgery, but were OK with it when they understood it was 2 weeks before - and that I had lubricating eye drops in case my eyes became dried out or irritated.  Once all the Scouts were done, we headed over to photos on the Q-T; we had just enough time to get it in before lunch, and spare ourselves staring into the rising sun tomorrow morning.  Crew 1 was getting their photos just as we arrived; fortunately, there was no-one else in line.  I think these will come out well (for a change.)  Headed over to the Dining Hall for lunch, enjoying a rousing chorus of "I Want to Go Back to Philmont" from all the Rangers before heading in.  Today was Sloppy Joes, etc. - I passed in favor of salad and colored sugar water ("red-stuff" today.)  Laura took off `til 1:00 to take care of personal stuff, and we headed back to the tents.  Clouds building, and rumbles of thunder, but no rain yet.  Took advantage of the spare time to lay all our gear out on our cots for the shakedown, then started packing up some of our carry-on gear (for storage in the vans while we're on the trail.)  At 1:00, we divided up - Brad headed off for fuel, Chris took the rest of the Crew to the Commissary and Equipment Issue, and I headed to the Post Office, then to the Trading Post to buy expansion maps for all 3 Crews.  Did the map-and-mail deliveries immediately:  Crew 2 was at Medicals - and fortuitously doing their map and compass work with Trent - Crew 3 was at the (now deserted) photo tent, sorting food and transcribing the emergency procedures to the back of the full-scale map under Laura's watchful eye - and Crew 1 was at their site, also doing map and compass with Rob.  By 1:45, we were back at the tents for the shakedown - but the rain started in earnest just about the same time, and we were all treated to quite a thunder and lightning display.  This killed the shakedown, and we instead headed over to the Snack Bar area to do First Aid and map and compass on one of the tables.  The rain came down even harder after we sat down, but the thunder and lightning eased.  Once we were done with the map and compass work, Laura did a quasi-shakedown by slowly reading down the personal equipment list, and listening carefully to our comments (since she had already seen our stuff laid out on our cots, she was already well aware we were stripped down to the minimum.)  By 3:00, she was happy, and left us after arranging to meet for dinner.  By this point, the rain had faded away, and we headed back to the tents - I had to send Chris back to corral Andy and David, who had decided on a surreptitious side-trip to the snack bar - and we re-packed all our personal gear back in the packs.  Came back outside to start in on Crew gear - only to find that half the Crew had  slipped off to the Snack Bar again.  I angrily sent Chris to go get them again, and gave everyone a sharp lecture when we were reassembled - basically, we didn't come 2,000 miles to buy ice cream cones.  We have things to do, and no-one is allowed to go anywhere until we get them done.  Weighed everyone, and divvied up Crew gear accordingly, then most of the food.  Had to do some shifting when we realized that some guys hadn't filled their canteens yet.  At 4:30, Tim W., Kelsey, Eric, John, Clay, and (I think) David B. headed over to the Crew Chief and Advisor Meetings; we didn't bother (it's a nearly complete waste of time, unless you enjoy sales pitches.)  Continued `til 5:15, at which point we headed over for dinner.  Tonight it was hot dogs and pasta, yum.  Talked extensively with Laura regarding problems with Crews and Advisors coming physically unprepared and untrained; it's clear that this problem is still increasing - which is definitely not good news.  Arranged to meet her for the Opening Campfire, and headed back for our final food sort (the supplemental stuff we brought from home.)  Crew 3 first (released to the Snack Bar/Trading Post immediately afterwards, with orders to report to the Welcome Center by 8:10), then Crew 1, then Crew 2.  Everyone was happy to take some extra stuff, but we still had a ton leftover - which went back in the vans for the duration.  At 6:50, I headed off to Catholic Mass, joining Andy, Charles, and David M.  Don't know if anyone went to the Protestant Services, but I don't think so.  That took us to 7:45, and I headed (briefly) back to the tents, then to the Welcome Center for the Opening Campfire assembly.  Already a zoo by 8:00.  After locating our 3 Crews (all on the outer edges), I spent a few minutes getting Rob's, Trent's, and Laura's home and email addresses.  The assembly got going right at 8:15; unfortunately, the emcee never called for quiet, so it was nearly impossible to hear him.  He started with a roll call of the Crews, with each supposed to announce themselves with a cheer; of course, since we hadn't heard the announcements, and were some of the very first Crews called (there were only two 629-A Crews), no-one knew what was going on.  So, so much for 629-B cheers!  Small loss - as usual, most of the cheers were pretty lame anyway.  Per my suggestion, most of the guys headed over to the northeastern side of the Welcome Center, which guaranteed good seats at the campfire.  Finally headed over about 8:30, passing through some crossing guards on Rt. 21.  Got going around 8:45 or so, just as it started getting dark.  The emcee was a little rusty this year, but persisted.  The program (a little shorter this year) consisted of a series of vignettes featuring an Anasazi Indian woman, a Conquistador, a mountain-man, a Texas Ranger, and Waite Phillips, all discussing their various roles in the history of the Ranch.  Even though I've already seen it (or a close variant) 8 previous times, I always enjoy it.  Once again, they ended the night with the Philmont Hymn, holding up a huge plywood "poster" with all the words so that the Scouts could join in - and many did.  Once we broke up, I gave the guys in Crew 3 leave to either head back to the tents or the snack bar, warning them to get a decent night's sleep.  I think everyone was in bed by 10:00; I wrote diary til 10:15.  52 Degrees and mostly cloudy, but with a chilly breeze.  Tomorrow Philmont really starts....