Chapter 16 Trail Troubles Max motioned behind them. Mollie Moody, I d like to present you with your mountain views. Peeking above the trees, rugged peaks stood proudly. Thanks, Max. I was so distracted with the man and his dog, I forgot to look. After they finished their snack, they continued. They hiked through the rock field and re-entered the trees. Another camp robber flew around them, occasionally darting down close. Mitch said, I feel he s about to take off my hat. Or peck my ponytail, Mollie added. Everyone listen. They stopped and heard the faint sound of water. We must be near a stream, so that means another crossing! They resumed their hike, and a few minutes later, Mitch abruptly stopped to tie his shoe, causing Max to crash into him. Yikes! Max exclaimed. You broke rule number two again! They climbed a steep hill, and Mitch puffed, I wish I had hiking poles. Why? Max asked. I can t see how holding a stick helps one hike. I m not sure either, Mitch confessed. But that man looked like a professional hiker, and I figure he knows. The sound of the stream grew louder as they hiked until they finally reached it. Several logs set side by side stretched across
162 Chapter 16 to fashion a rickety bridge. Mollie realized there was only one way across. This is going to be interesting. Will those things hold us? Let s hope, Dad said. Max eyed the logs. May I go first please, Dad? This looks exciting! You may. Max sprang onto the logs but after going a short distance, he stopped. This is so much fun! Max glanced back at them but his foot slipped into a crevice between the logs. I need Several logs set side by side stretched across to fashion a rickety bridge.
Trail Troubles 163 to focus on what I m doing. Soon, he reached the other side. That was a blast. Who s next? Dad motioned to Mollie. You can. I ll go behind you. Okay. Mollie took two steps forward but stopped as the log wiggled. With a deep breath, she moved slowly, holding her arms out for balance and concentrating on taking one step at a time. I did it! she rejoiced. Praise the Lord! She gazed at the water as it bubbled and flowed over rocks. Its peaceful presence reminded her of the verse in Psalms about a deer panting for water and how the Psalmist longed after the Lord. Dad praised her. You did well. Now, Mitch. We re all watching! Mitch couldn t help smiling. I m going to set a record! Max, start your watch. He waited while Max began the timer and then hopped on and raced forward, his posture displaying an air of confidence. He wobbled halfway over, regained his balance, and made it safely. Whew. How long was that? Twelve seconds. That long? I want to do it faster. Dad, may I go back over? Sure, Son. Maybe I should take off my backpack. No, Max told him. That wouldn t be a fair comparison. Okay. Mitch bent forward slightly, ready to begin. Tell me when. On your marks, get set, go! Mitch raced forward, and when he was halfway across a log rotated, his foot slipped, and he flailed his arms wildly. Mitch fell, desperately grabbing for something. Landing on his stomach with an ooffff, he looked stunned. He breathed
164 Chapter 16 heavily, his foot submerged in the water. I need help. His voice was barely audible over the water s noise. You ll be okay. Dad choked back laughter. Just pull yourself up. Dad whipped out his camera and took some pictures. This is for memories. Mitch inched his leg back onto the log ever so slowly. He stood up and walked with purpose, not caring about time anymore. When he reached them, Mitch managed a wry smile. I can t believe I did that. Now I have a problem. My shoe goes squish, squish, squish because it and my sock are wet. He sat down and pulled off his shoe. What am I going to do? I didn t bring any extra socks because I didn t count on falling into the stream. I know! I ll change socks around, and put my wet sock in my dry shoe and maybe it ll dry faster that way. They waited for Mitch to make the change and then he stood up. After a short distance, Mitch groaned. This didn t work. Now my dry shoe goes squish, squish, squish! That s because you put your wet sock in it! Mollie told him. I realize that now. My good idea turned into a bad one. Mitch stopped and took off his shoes. Now both feet are wet. Mollie nodded. I have a problem, too. My heel really hurts. I have a blister! She poked at it. Ouch. Dad said, First, don t poke it. Does anyone have a Band- Aid? We should have brought a first aid kit, Mitch offered. That would have been really smart. I wonder why Aunt Olga didn t tell us to. Three hikers rounded the bend and approached them. Hello! one lady greeted them cheerfully.
Trail Troubles 165 Mitch quickly stuffed his feet back into his shoes and stepped forward, holding his sock. Good morning! My name is Mitch, and this is my dad, sister, and brother. One of us ran into a bit of a mishap on the bridge and they were wondering if you have an extra pair of socks. They would be very grateful if you did. The lady laughed. So you got your foot wet? How did you know? You re holding your sock. Mitch swallowed hard. He had given it away with that. Yes, ma am. And my sister has a blister. Let me guess: You re flatlanders. Am I right? The lady s blonde ponytail bobbed back and forth. Mitch was not sure what a flatlander was, but he figured that Colorado had mountains and Kansas didn t, so maybe that s what she meant. We are, he agreed. We have a blister kit, but no extra socks. The blonde lady turned to one of her friends. Carmen, is it in yours? Who knows what you all stuck in mine. Carmen took off her backpack and dug through it. Here it is. Carmen handed Dad the blister kit. Thank you so much, Dad said. He found a thick pad and applied it to Mollie s blister. Carmen watched sympathetically. I ve been in your shoes before, and blisters are no fun. Anyone else have a blister? The third lady, who had been silent until now, asked Mitch, What happened? I was trying to beat my time crossing the stream, Mitch admitted. So on my second crossing, I was in such a hurry that I slipped and fell part way in.
166 Chapter 16 The lady suppressed a smile. How tragic. You all can keep several blister pads, because with a wet sock, you might get one yourself. Are you going for the lake? After choosing a few extra blister pads, Dad returned the pack to Carmen. Yes, we are; thank you for your generosity. Mitch handed a million-dollar-bill tract to Carmen. This isn t real, but if it was, that d be incredible. It has the milliondollar question on the back. Thanks! That s neat. The other ladies wanted one, too, and then they parted ways. As they continued to gain altitude, the trees thinned, and the sun felt warm. They stopped to put sweatshirts in backpacks, and Dad consulted the map. He traced their route and said, We re doing well. Mitch asked, May I lead for a while? I m trying to ignore my wet feet, and maybe if I m the leader, it ll help me to forget. Dad chuckled. Sure. Max fell into place behind Mitch, and as the trail climbed steadily, they didn t talk but saved their breath. Max stared at the rugged hillside and wondered who discovered the area. Was it a man on horseback or could he have been in a wagon? Probably on horse, because the terrain would be difficult for a wagon. Someone must have made a path up here, too. After some distance, the trail narrowed and turned into an even steeper incline. The end had to be near, so they pushed hard. Max s legs burned, but a wave of relief swept over him when Mitch crested the hill and shouted, We re here! Directly in front of them was a small lake with greenishbrown water. Max sighed. I thought it was going to be gorgeous, huge, and with an amazing view.