Category Archives: Campfire Tales

Philmont – the National Boy Scout Ranch cherished by millions of Americans – is put in hock to pay BSA debts

Posted on December 6, 2019 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith I was a camper at Philmont Scout Ranch when I was sixteen-years old, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my youth. As a kid growing up in suburban New York, I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Boy Scouts, Campfire Tales, Culture, Nature, Wauwepex | 4 Comments

Life in a Boy Scout Camp – More tales from Camp Wauwepex

Posted on November 4, 2019 by brucesmith49

By Clifton Lamar Jones Special to the Mountain News-WA The following was written after reading Bruce Smith’s accounting of his scouting history.  After reading his article I was so taken back with his heartfelt words of Camp Wauwepex and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Boy Scouts, Campfire Tales, Culture, Environment, Family, Stories from the Jounrey, Wauwepex | 17 Comments

Fatherhood in a New Age – a tale of alien abduction coming to RISK!

Posted on August 23, 2019 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith I do not know if this story is true, at least in the usual sense of that word. What I do believe is that this story has a truth, a compelling truth that lies behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in Alien Abductions, Campfire Tales, Culture, Entertainment, Environment, Folk tales and stories, Stories from the Jounrey | 7 Comments

Stories from the Journey launches at YouTube

Posted on February 10, 2018 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith I am proud to announce the launch of my “Stories from the Journey” channel at YouTube. The first selection posted is titled: The Home Run, and it explores the deeper issues encountered after I hit a … Continue reading →

Posted in Campfire Tales, Stories from my Life, Stories from the Jounrey | 4 Comments

North to Chibougamou – a true tale of young adventure

Posted on December 19, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Editor’s Note: For only the second time in the past 48 years, I’ve crossed paths with someone who has been to Chibougamou, Quebec. His name is “Georger,” and we are associates in DB Cooper investigation. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Back East, Campfire Tales, Stories from the Jounrey | 4 Comments

The Man Who Divorced His Wife Over a Hat – more tales from “Stories from the Journey” collection

Posted on March 17, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith I like hats. I have panamas, Stetsons, baseball caps, Indiana-Jones-type hats, and balaclavas. My wife has bought me many of those hats, but not any more since she doesn’t like me wearing them. That woman is … Continue reading →

Posted in Campfire Tales, Moth Stories, Stories from the Jounrey | 6 Comments

Of Mice and Men’s Groups – another installment from “Campfire Tales – True Stories not Everyone Believes

Posted on March 9, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith  A few years ago, my friend Jeff telephoned in a rush to say, “You have to come over right now and watch the Bill Moyers show on TV.” I did. It was a telecast titled: “A … Continue reading →

Posted in Back East, Campfire Tales | 8 Comments

There is Justice in this World – more Campfire Tales

Posted on March 8, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Back in the 1980s, I needed to sell one of my company’s pick-up trucks. It was a beat-up ol’ Ford with 154,000 miles on it, and I had put an ad in the paper asking $1,000. … Continue reading →

Posted in Back East, Campfire Tales, Family, Folk tales and stories | 3 Comments

On Becoming a Hunter – another selection from the “Campfire Tales – True Stories Not Everyone Believes”

Posted on March 7, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Of all the things I did when I had a so-called mid-life crisis, the craziest according to my ex-wife was not leaving her, selling my business, nor relocating to Yelm, Washington to join Ramtha’s School of … Continue reading →

Posted in Campfire Tales, Environment, Folk tales and stories, Mount Rainier, Nature, Self Reliance, Weather | 8 Comments

Death of a Hero – more “Campfire Tales”

Posted on March 6, 2017 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Some say heroes are made, not born. Perhaps. For me, I’ve only known one true hero, and I say that heroes are simply ordinary guys who know how to do the right thing when trouble happens. … Continue reading →

Posted in Campfire Tales, Folk tales and stories, Moth Stories | 2 Comments