2004 National Order of the Arrow Conference - GML Contingent
Iowa State University - Ames, Iowa

This years NOAC (National Order of the Arrow Conference) was held at Iowa State University in Ames. Twelve members of GML joined nearly 7,000 other Brothers from all over the US for 4 days of fun, training, and fellowship. That was only half the trip for us however. We filled our 6 days on the road to and from the conference with even more fun. Visiting place such as Niagara Falls and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Below you can follow our trip through pictures and stories. Enjoy!!!

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

First day of the trip we met in Lancaster at 6:00 AM and headed out at 6:30 AM.

"Should we leave yet?"

Making great time we arrived at the campsite at 3:30 PM. After getting setup we make our way to the famed Niagara Falls.

Before breaking up into smaller groups we all went on the Maid of the Mist.

Another boat similar to ours.

On our way to the Horse Shoe Falls.

After that we broke up into smaller groups and explored the rest of what there was to see.

Matt O'Malley, Corey Feeley, and Sam Volk went on the Cave of the Winds.

Getting there picture taken before heading down.

Then we all got together for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Waiting for our reservation.

Awaiting the food.

Sam even had a chance to see his Aunt and cousins.

A quick walk back to the falls to see them all lit up.

Must look a lot better from the Canadian side...

We headed back to the campsite and got a goodnights rest.

Waking up at 6:00 we got out the their at 7:00 and made our way to Sandusky, Ohio and Cedar Point! We arrived at the campsite about 2:00 PM and were at the park by 3:30 PM. Now this was no ordinary amusement park. This park is nearly all roller coasters of every shape and size. They included the "Top Thrill Dragster" that launched you off at 120 mph in 4 seconds straight up 400' and then back down again all in under 20 seconds. The record breaking "Millennium Force XL" that brought you up about 160' then dropped you back down at 60 degrees, the steepest and tallest for some time. It then brought you one amazing ride for over 2 minutes reaching speeds of 93 MPH. Along with the "Mantis", a coaster that whipped you around in every direction while Standing up! What a thrill! We couldn't have asked for a better day. Around 7:00 PM a little rain nearly emptied the park out so we had it to ourselves until closing at 11:00 PM.

In the parking lot after an amazing day.

Today was the day of travel. We woke up at 5:00 AM after a night of hard rain. Two guys even had to move into one of the vans after nearly floating away. We took off at 6:30 AM and after 13 hours arrived at Iowa State University at 6:06 PM. (We gained an hour moving into a different time zone).

Getting ready after arriving.

Opening show!!

Sam proudly carries the lodge flap in the opening show.

Time to leave.

That night we went to "Home Town Pizza" after the show for supper after missing our chance at dinner.

After a very long day of being cramped in the car Matt decided it was easier to crawl then walk.

For the very first day we decided that we would hold true to the ways of our ancestors in these parts and live off the land.

Breakfast. (Just kidding).

The campus buses were the preferred method of transportation.

"Are we there yet?"

We finished the day with the show.

The Distinguished Service Awards were given out.

Next was the prologue for the theme show "Voices".

Today was much like Day 4. Training sessions in the morning with free time in the afternoon, followed by another show.

Scouts use all methods of transportation.

This show's theme was the Native American dancing.

Afterwards was the section gathering (party). Pizza and soda!!!!

Today was very much like day 4 and 5 except for no show but a large regional gathering and then the Hodag (or Hoobastank). It was moved indoors after a very bad storm and then continuing rain. Rumor is that a small tornado may have touched down by TOAP. Today's highlight however was our swimming pool trek. We all decided to go swimming and eventually found the building and entered through a back door. We could smell the chlorine and hear the splashing, but couldn't find a way in besides a locked door to the pool balcony. We explored a bit and began hearing splashing. We came into a locker room lacking any signs or doors and went through coming to another door. Going through the door we found the pool! But the life guard was not looking very happy. A quick look at the door and we discovered that we had entered through the girls locker room! After explaining to the lady lifeguard the lack of signs we went to the men's room and changed. Having a great swim we had the chance to witness 3 other set of people do the exact same thing. Except some of them even changed in there!

Hanging out in the dorms.

Last full day at NOAC, WOW this has flown by! It started out with the Founder's Day Parade.

Waiting for the parade to go by.

There go the Chief and Vice Chief leading the parade.

Lets hear it for the North East Region!!!

Following the parade the Goodman Games and the rest of Founder's day took place. Then we had dinner together.

Food after a long but fun day.

Now it was time to go to the theme show!

The show was unbelievably well done.

Complete with pyrotechnics.

After the show we watched some fantastic fireworks and had ice cream.

This was the last day of NOAC, we departed at 9:30 and arrived in Chicago at 4:00. After getting settled into the hotel we went to Navy Pier. First up was the "grr rrrr rooof Seadog" This was a huge speed boat, we estimated speeds of 50+ mph.

The "Seadog".

Speed=Good

Next we had some Mexican at one of the many restaurants and wandered off to try some of the many cool rides. First going on the Time Escape 3D ride that brings you to Chicago's past, present, and future. Next up was the "Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze". As Sean stated, this was some "quality humor". First was the maze of mirrors, wow that was weird. Corey even walked into the wall "following" Branden. The best part however was the "spinning light tunnel", this was an amazing optical illusion. You walk in this 20' "tube" with cloth liner that spins and has lights on it. Your walking on this steel pathway that is in the center with mirrors for the two opposing walls. From the outside it looks harmless. However once you walk in you get the feeling of falling over. It's impossible to stand straight up easily without beginning to sway. And as Branden learned, you can't fight it by ignoring because it will hit you like a ton of bricks causing you to nearly fall over sideways. The strangest part is you don't move at all. We are working on plans in building one...

This was a day of more travel leaving at 7:30 and arriving in Cleveland, Ohio at 4:00 leaving us 1.5 hours to explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What a cool place!

Except they wouldn't let camera's inside so we couldn't take any pictures.

After that we headed off the the hotel a short distance away.

Patiently waiting for the keys and room assignments.

After that we went to the "Winking Lizard" and got some grub. Good food and prices, what more could we ask for? Back at the hotel us computer geeks made use of the free internet connection while the others went for a short walk of the city.

This was a LONG day of driving home. No pictures available, sorry.

The end.