An hour later, we were all packed and ready to hit the road. “So is everyone ready to go?” Dad remarked, turning the key to start our black SUV. “Let me just remind you that this trip will take about six hours.”
“All ready!” chimed Noah, shifting around in his navy blue car seat.
“I’m ready too,” I replied, staring at our modern but cozy beige house and my refuge in the nearby woods.
“Then, what are we waiting for!” Mom interrupted the silence, “Let’s get going!”
As Dad began driving, I quite honestly zoned out for most of the first three hours of the trip. Mom and Dad were having a conversation about work, the usual, having to do a project and presentation for their business organization. They didn’t work together, but they did work in the main building. They would rarely cross paths in the large complex building, but they did usually have lunch break together if they weren’t very busy. I took a quick glance at Noah and realized he was fast asleep. What did I expect, I thought, he was having a very cranky day yesterday and partially this morning. At least he won’t be bored, I thought again. As I expected, there were plenty of cars on the road, probably others going away for a weekend escape, just like us. I guess I must have fallen asleep, as well, since I woke up to an abrupt shake and my mother speaking in a soothing sing-song voice, “Rose, sweetheart, wake up.”
“Are we here already?” I asked half awake.
“Yes, your father carried Noah into the cabin because he, too, was asleep.” Mom mentioned with a slight smile. I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car, stretching.
“Soon enough you’ll be taller than me!” Mom cried out laughing. Her laughter infected me and, soon enough, we both were unable to control our laughter as we entered the cozy looking wooden cabin. The door creaked behind us as Mom shut the door.
“What’s so funny?” Dad inquired. “What did I miss?”
Mom answered, “Oh, nothing, James.”
“Well, I think we should relax for the rest of the day,” Dad noted.
Mom acknowledged, “Yeah, I agree, you must be tired from driving for about seven hours among the chaotic, weekend traffic.”
I started wandering around the cabin and finally sat down on the large window seat. “Look at this view!” I called out slightly lower than a yell, considering Noah was still asleep. We weren’t in the middle of the woods, but slightly on the edge. The view was spectacular, still during mid-day. There were cedar trees, and other types of trees I didn’t recognize from my woods in Nevada. The sun peeked through the trees’ branches, covered in green leaves, slightly illuminating the forest ground. Squirrels seemed to be conversing with one another high above, in their homes among the trees. Baby birds chirped eagerly, waiting to be fed, while the parents scavenged to find anything they could to provide for their children. Deer and their fawns pulled woody browse from the trees and berries from the bushes for their mid-day meal. It is all just so fascinating, I thought, back at home I only saw rabbits, small rodents, birds, foxes, and raccoons. I was too busy soaking up the scenery in front of me, only to realize that my parents were, too, sitting on the window seat with me.
“Hey, Rose, doesn’t that remind you of the movie you used to see when you were younger?” Dad questioned.
“Which one?” I asked, confuddled, since I’ve seen many movies.
“Is it the one with the fawn and all of his animal friends? The one where the fawn's mother was shot and then a storm occurred.” Mom answered.
“Oh... 'Bamb'!” I replied remembering one of my favorite childhood movies. “I still love that movie, even though it makes me cry.”
“Anyways, lunch is ready,” Mom commented as she strode towards the fairly-sized kitchen, “I don’t know about you, but I am hungry.” She passed around the sandwiches she had prepared earlier when Noah’s little footsteps became audible.
“Lunch?!” Noah blurted out while rushing into the kitchen.
“Yes, lunch,” Mom stated as she handed Noah a sandwich still in its wrapping, “and for you a ham sandwich.”
“Thank you,” Noah added as he struggled to take the wrapping off. After lunch, we gathered around in the living room, on the soft plush grey colored couch. After a few hours of playing a few board games, munching on snacks, and conversing, we finally agreed to trek the following day since the sun was setting. I examined the sky and noted that it had turned into a mixture of yellows, oranges, pinks, purples, blues, and everything in between. It seemed as if the sky was canvas, and the artist brushed the colors onto it with swift motions, blending them in. It’s beautiful, I thought, different from the ones I see from my bedroom window. Eventually, I grew tired and headed to an unoccupied bedroom to rest for the night. Tomorrow will be a great day, I thought while in bed, or so I hope. I woke up to the sun rising, filling the room with the warm, bright morning sunshine. Surprisingly, I thought as a slight giggle escaped from inside of me, not my excited mother. I pulled the white comforter off of me and stretched. I slipped on my panda slippers and headed towards the kitchen to find out if anyone else was awake.
“Good morning Rose,” Dad spoke in a hoarse morning voice after he caught a sight of me. He rose from his chair and took his bagel out from the toaster, once the toaster pronounced it had finished toasting. “Would you like one as well?” Dad asked, reaching over towards the bag of bagels on the counter beside him. “Your mother went to a nearby grocery store before you and your brother woke up.”
“Yes,” I answered, “Thank you.” After I washed and dried my hands, I gripped the grey stainless steel refrigerator handle to take out the milk that I guessed would be there. I poured myself a glass, offering my father some to add into his black coffee. As usual, he denied, stating that he prefers black coffee. I headed to the toaster to retrieve my bagel when Mom and Noah entered. After we all had breakfast and were ready to trek, we headed outside, following the signs labeled with the trail names. There were so many that it was all just so confusing. While my overwhelmed parents discussed which one to follow, I set down my backpack. I wandered over and overlooked the steep stairs of a trail. I gaped at the enormous, beautiful waterfall that seemed to roar louder every second. The water endlessly fell, right into the plunge pool. The birds were chattering among themselves in the surrounding trees. I faced the blue sky and realized that there were little grey clouds in certain areas. They aren’t rain rain clouds, I assured myself, or so I don’t think they are.
“Rose, come here,” my father called. “We don’t want you to get lost.”
“Dad, I’m not going to get lost,” I reassured him. “I’m not even that far away from you.” Reluctantly, I headed towards his direction. “So, have you guys decided which trail to follow?” I asked, watching both of my parents.
“That one!” interrupted Noah as he pointed towards the trail that I had been previously on. “Follow me! I’m the leader!” He ran towards one of the waterfalls’ trails and scampered down the steps. His small navy blue backpack made thud sounds as he darted down. In no time, Mom had already caught up to Noah. As Dad and I followed in pursuit, I distantly heard Mom scold Noah for running away. “Wow! Look!” Noah yelled in amazement as we encountered wildlife. I turned my attention to where his little fingers pointed, it was in fact a bear. Never in my life have I thought that I would spot one. It had a large body with stocky legs, long snout, small rounded ears, shaggy hair, large paws, and a short tail. Whatsoever, it didn’t seem to have interest in us although we could not say the same. It sort of reminds me of a little friend I used to have at home, I thought, Cuddles, my childhood teddy bear, but in a much larger version. We moved on, passing through several intersections, eventually I gave up trying to remember all of them. There are just too many, I pondered, Mom or Dad will probably be able to remember them all. The railings that were once surrounding us came to an end as we traveled further, unlike the stairs carved into the cliffside. They only seemed to rise steeper every moment. Soon enough we all came to a rest. We had been climbing for what had seemed like hours to me. Suddenly, from far away, I heard a combination of a grunt call and the sound of a cow. I turned towards the distant noise, only to be faced with a moose who had large antlers, a thick coat of light brown fur, long legs, and a large face.
"Well, take a look at that," marveled Dad quietly as if to not startle our new friend. "Let's move on," Dad continued, "we don't want to make our little friend uncomfortable."
"Rose, can you hand me the map and water bottle from your backpack?" Mom asked, turning towards me.
"I forgot the backpack," I stuttered, remembering the previous events, "when we started hiking!"
Dad interjected, "Don't worry, I'll go get it."
"Are you sure?" Mom inquired. "It's pretty far away."
"Just wait here," Dad added, "I won't take that long." Afterwards, Dad turned around and proceeded towards the way we came. There were many interjections we passed on the way, I wondered anxiously, hopefully he remembers the way back.

© Shadow_4610