Malone first broached the idea of retracing the legendary trail earlierthis year while brainstorming with his troop about a summerleadership excursion. In recent years they explored an old Spanishtrail in Monterey, Calif., and quicksilver mines in San Jose,Calif., and just last year hiked 192 miles across England."I had always known they drove cattle along the Chisholm Trail, but not much else,confessed Malone, a freelance writer who has published numerous books on Silicon Valley history and technology. "So I began researching. They drove cattlefrom Texas all the way to Abilene, Kan., along the Chisholm millions of cattle. How grand is thatThe trail offered Malone the opportunity to pass within five miles of the Garfield County homestead where his mother grew up during the Great Depression.

Then there's House Resolution 2849  the Chisholm and GreatWestern Cattle Trails Act. The bill, co-sponsored last summer by U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, proposes to add the Chisholm and Great Western Trails to theNational Historic Trails.

Malone, meanwhile, found new life in watching his Boy Scouts ride the trail. His pride showed in a smile framed by unshavenwhiskers and beads of sweat. He smiled despite the 100-plus-degreeheat that beat down on his neck, and a stiff lower back from toomany miles in the saddle.Moments earlier, Malone's weary band of Scouts staggered into camp and dismounted theirhorses after another fulfilling day on the trail. They too flashedsmiles despite bandannas drenched in sweat, and the taste of traildust still on their parched lips.Scout Brandon Hayes reveled in the moment. Before leaving California, Hayes prepared for his journey by watching Billy Crystal's comedy classic "City Slickers in which three urban friendsdiscover the meaningof life while herding cattle to a dude ranch. Hayes paid homage to the film's star by donning a New York Mets cap atop his blond mop of hair, just as Crystal's lovable character did on the trail."This is just an amazing experience,said Hayes, 14, of Cupertino, Calif., "Everyday life for me is usuallytelevision and video games. This is just so different  aonce-in-a-lifetime experience.Each day offered authentic western experiences. The Scouts enjoyeda minirodeo near the banks of the Cimarron River, bow-hunting demonstrations, classic trail music, and the chanceto herd a few head of cattle the final miles of their journey.

Along the way they created their own memories by tagging each otherwith colorful nicknames.

Scout Varun Cidambi, 16, of San Jose may have walked away with thegreatest nickname. The first day, Cidambi's horse launched him intoa pond. The teenager emerged covered in mud and a new identity."You should have seen his face,said fellow Scout Alex Early, 16,chuckling. "He had this big smile on his face, even as he was goingdown. Now we just call him Mud.

Trail boss Gary Townsend and Pond Creek ranchers Jerrica and Shaun Lockwood guided the Scouts. Townsend mapped the route so it would shadow the legendary trail as closelyas possible.

"I was concerned because several of these boys had absolutely noexperience on a horse,Jerrica Lockwood said. "But they have learned fast. I'm so proud of them. Theyactually look like they belong out here."And look at the smiles on their faces. Those faces say it all.