Have Stick; Will Beat It

The Ribbon Creek trail is on the site of a ghost town and it leads to an old mine about 3km up the hill. Further up the signs warn of a cliff which requires rock climbing skill. Signs also warn not to hike in the winter because of avalanche danger. I challenged the kids put their bare feet in the brook for FIFTEEN SECONDS. The boy won this contest, O and E tied for second, and I wimped out at 9 seconds. Brenda stood on the lookout for wild animals. Oh, speaking of wild animals, we have one who hikes with us. He picks up sticks and beats the bushes with it. He has the "stick beating gene" that is characteristic of all 11 year old boys. Brenda and I looked at one ribbon which marked a PEST CONTROL AREA, and we knew what they were thinking.