Flashpoint, page 10
part #8 of Commitment Series
"Take care of your plate when you're finished eating. Don't forget—all trash goes into the rubbish bag. We need to carry out whatever we carried in," Cat reminded the family.
After breakfast, they saddled the horses and set out toward the Upper Geyser Basin. As they approached the Old Faithful area, they dismounted and left their horses at the stable in order to cover on foot, the one hundred and fifty or so hydrothermal wonders that were within one mile of Old Faithful.
As luck would have it, they arrived at Old Faithful just minutes before it was predicted to erupt. The family stood behind the rope barrier and waited in anticipation as a low rumbling began. It grew louder and louder, until suddenly, a small spray of water began to shoot into the air from a mound several hundred yards in front of them. As they patiently waited, the spray grew larger and taller. Before their eyes, Old Faithful awoke from its slumber and spewed warm water high into the air; some of it falling as a fine warm mist on the tourists who clapped and exclaimed loudly at the magnificent display.
Cat stood beside Billie while Old Faithful erupted. As the momentum built, Cat slipped her arm around Billie's waist and Billie wrapped her arm around Cat's shoulder. "It's breathtaking, Billie. Thank you for suggesting this," Cat said.
Billie grinned. "Look at the kids. They are totally mesmerized." Sure enough, all three kids stood as close to the barrier as possible with their gazes locked on the column of water spraying from the geyser. After about five minutes, the height of the spray reduced, and eventually stopped.
"That was freaking awesome!" Seth exclaimed. "Can we see it again?"
"Yes! Can we, Mama?" Skylar added.
"With any luck, it will be due to erupt again on our way back, but right now, there's a lot more to see," Cat replied.
"Tara, what's next on the map?" Billie asked.
Tara pulled the folded map from her back pocket. "It looks like Lower Geyser Basin. It says here there are 'paint pots' there."
"Well, you've got the map, sweetie. Lead on," Billie said.
After a short walk, the family arrived at the boardwalk that led through the paint pots.
"Ewww! Who farted?" Skylar exclaimed.
Cat laughed out loud. "Those aren't farts you smell, love. It's sulfur gas."
"It smells like the bathroom after Seth has been in there for an hour," Tara teased.
"Ha, ha," Seth deadpanned.
"No, Mama is right. It's sulfur gas that is coming out of the ground," Billie added. "See all the mud on both sides of the boardwalk? Some of it looks like it's boiling. That’s a sulfur gas bubble breaking the surface."
"The ground farts?" Skylar asked seriously.
"The mud does kind of look like diarrhea," Seth observed.
"You would know," Tara said.
"Ok, time out," Cat said. "We're supposed to be on vacation. Can we take a break from the snippy comments as well for a few days?"
"Yeah, Seth," Tara said.
"You started it," Seth replied.
"Enough!" Billie said sternly. "Like it or not, we are going to enjoy this vacation! You got that?"
"Mom, why does the ground fart?" Skylar asked.
Second only to Old Faithful, the highlight of Midway Geyser Basin was Excelsior Geyser, sporting a crater two hundred by three hundred feet in size, which spews a constant discharge of water—more than four thousand gallons per minute. Also in Midway was Grand Prismatic Springs—a natural hot spring as wide as a football field, and nearly half as deep. Finally, the last basin within walking distance was Lone Star Geyser Basin which required a five-mile round trip hike from the trail just south of Old Faithful.
By the time the family returned to the Old Faithful site, more than half the day had passed.
"All right. We can check the geysers off the list. What did you think?" Billie asked.
"So, all of these geysers are sitting on top of a volcano, right?" Tara asked.
"Right. The hot water needs an outlet because it builds up pressure. Sometimes the outlet is a steam crack, sometimes it's a hot spring or a mud pot, or even a geyser," Billie explained.
"What do you think would happen if the volcano actually erupted?" Tara added.
"We'd all be toast," Seth replied.
"Actually, all of these geological features are the result of pressure valves for the volcano. As long as the geysers erupt, the pressure is released. I don't think there's much chance of an actual volcanic eruption similar to what you might see in say…Hawaii," Cat explained.
"I thought it was cool—except for the fart smell," Skylar said.
Billie ruffled Skylar's hair. "I agree, dumpling."
Cat looked at her watch. "It's only one o'clock. We can either go back to the cabin, or find something else to do. What do you say?"
"I vote we find something else to do," Seth said.
"Me too!" the two girls said at the same time.
"Okay. Cat, come here. I want to get the pamphlets from your back pack," Billie said. She retrieved the pamphlets and handed one to each of the kids. "Mama and I are going to sit over there on that bench while you three agree on what to do next…oh, and make sure Sky gets a vote too, okay?"
"Keep in mind that we need to return here around four for the ride back to the cabin before dark," Cat reminded them.
Billie and Cat walked several feet away and sat on a bench, not far from Old Faithful while the kids put their heads together to discuss the next round of activities.
"What is it about Seth and Tara?" Cat asked.
Billie raised her eyebrows high onto her forehead. "What do you mean?"
"Earlier in the trip, they were like best friends. Now, they've been nit-picking each other all morning."
"Well, it's not often they're forced to spend this much time together without their electronic devices."
"Isn't it funny though that when Seth thought you and I were upset with Tara, he immediately came to her defense, but when it's an even playing field, they rag on each other?" Cat pointed out.
Billie laughed. "I see your point. It might be one of those things…you know…he can pick on her, but he won't allow anyone else to. I wasn't raised with siblings, so I don't have anything to compare it to. What about you and your sisters?"
"We fought like cats and dogs. At least Amy and Bridgit did. Drew was the baby, and too young to get into it with the rest of us. My role was to keep the peace. But now that you mention it, I can remember Amy decking a few kids in the playground at school who were mean to Bridgit or me. I guess it's just a sibling thing."
"It warms my heart that Seth and Tara are as close as biological siblings," Billie said.
"I agree. Overall, they're pretty good kids. Oh—here they come."
The kids ran across the viewing area at the Old Faithful geyser and stopped in front of their parents.
"Do we have a consensus?" Billie asked.
"We do. We want to go to Jackson Hole," Seth said.
Cat tilted her head. "What's in Jackson Hole?"
"A wax museum and it says in this pamphlet that there is an old time opry. That might be cool," Tara added.
"And we're hungry," Skylar said. "Maybe there is a good restaurant there."
Billie laughed out loud. "Leave it to you to let your stomach do your talking for you, Sky!"
"Jackson Hole it is," Cat said. "We'll have to walk over to the stables to get the van. Let's get a move on, kiddos. We need to be back by four."
As it turned out, the family returned to the park with plenty of time to spare as they rode into their campsite about a half hour before sunset, with just enough time to care for and feed the horses before they lost daylight. Having eaten before leaving Jackson Hole, a light snack around the campfire was enough to satisfy their appetites before retiring for the night.
The three younger Charlands were beat from their day of hiking and exploring and eagerly retired to their beds just before midnight. Cat and Billie chose to sit by the fire as the last of the wood died to glowing embers and made sure the fire was totally extinguished prior to retiring themselves. They sat side by side on their bench as they watched the red-gold flames dance just above the wood.
Billie reached out for Cat's hand and brought it to her lips for a delicate kiss. "Thank you, Cat." Billie smiled into her wife's eyes.
Cat raised her eyebrows in question. "For what?"
"For being here with me. For loving me. For giving me the kind of life I never would have known without you," Billie replied.
Cat frowned and reached forward to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Billie's ear. "Are you all right, love?" she asked.
"Never better. It's just that being here with you and the kids makes me appreciate what we have. We are truly blessed, Cat."
"Yes we are." Cat leaned over to accept a kiss. "Now what do you say we extinguish this fire and turn in. These old bones aren't used to walking and hiking all day. I'm kind of beat," she admitted.
"Old bones? I'm older than you are, dear heart," Billie teased.
"Yeah, but you're in better shape," Cat pointed out.
"That comes from chasing Jen through the park every Sunday!" Billie chuckled. "You should join us. It might do you some good."
"Nah. I like my sleep too much to get up that early. I'll leave chasing Jen to you, okay?"
Billie touched the side of Cat's face. "The only lady I want to be chasing is you."
Cat laughed. "Well, that wouldn't be much of a challenge, considering you've already caught me!"
"And I'm never letting you go. After all, who else would guarantee me a disaster-free vacation?" Billie asked.
"Who, indeed?" Cat yawned loudly.
"It has been great, Cat. Even having to use an outhouse hasn't been that bad, and I kind of enjoyed bathing in the pond this morning." Billie's eyebrows danced on her forehead.
"You, my love, are insatiable," Cat scolded light heartedly.
"Are you complaining?"
"Me? Complain? Not me. No way. Insatiable is good." Cat effectively backpedaled. Unable to stop herself, she yawned once more.
"Okay, Kitten, go on inside. Get ready for bed. I'll be right in after I soak the fire," Billie replied.
Cat yawned yet a third time as she rose to her feet. "Don't be long, my love," she said softly.
"I won't." Billie watched Cat retreated to the cabin. A feeling a well-being filled her heart at the good fortune love had brought into her life.
CHAPTER 10
Billie and Cat roused the children out of bed early as not to waste a moment of their vacation oversleeping.
Billie looked around the breakfast table. "What would you kids like to do today?"
"I don't know." Tara yawned. "Maybe kayaking?" she suggested sleepily.
"I was thinking maybe some hiking," Seth offered. "After I wake up, that is."
"I have my Junior Ranger class today, Mom," Skylar reminded her mother. "I think it's at ten."
Billie looked at Cat. Slight worry etched her brow as it became obvious their three children's plans for the day took them in opposite directions. Billie had promised the kids an enjoyable vacation and she didn't want to dash any of their hopes, so she took Cat aside and discussed possible workarounds with her privately.
"I think I have an idea about how we can satisfy everyone's plans, well, maybe anyway. It depends on what you'd like to do today," Billie began.
"What I'd like to do? What do you mean?" Cat asked.
"Well, I'm thinking that one of us can kayak with Tara, and the other can hike with Seth. Sky's meeting place for the Junior Ranger program isn't that far from the kayak depot, so she can be dropped off and picked up on the way. What do you think?"
"I guess that makes sense," Cat admitted. "What would you rather do today, kayak or hike?"
"It doesn't matter to me."
"Okay then. Do you have a coin?" Cat asked.
Billie dug a quarter out of her pocket and handed it over to Cat who immediately flipped it into the air. She caught the coin and slapped it down onto the back of her left hand and covered it with her right.
"Whoever calls it goes kayaking," Cat declared. "You first."
"Heads," Billie called.
Cat removed her right hand from the quarter. "Heads it is! You kayak, I hike. That works for me." Cat grinned, as hiking was her true preference.
"All right then. Let's tell the kids," Billie said.
The kids were more than agreeable with the compromise arrangement. Billie and Tara inherited the job of dropping Skylar off at the Junior Ranger program so they all had to leave almost immediately to get Skylar there by ten after a nearly two-hour horse ride. Before leaving, Cat and Billie worked together to package a quick lunch for their tribe to take to their respective activities. Within minutes, Billie, Tara and Skylar were mounted on horseback and on their way.
"Have fun and be careful! I love you," Cat called to her wife and daughters as they rode away.
***
Cat found room in her backpack for their lunch and zipped it closed. She slung it over her shoulder and stepped onto the porch. "Seth, are you ready?" she called.
"Sure thing, Ma. I saddled our horses. Here, let me help you up." Seth held her mount steady as she swung herself onto the saddle.
"Thanks love."
"Did you grab the survival kit?"
Cat reached into the backpack and pulled out a compact package. "Knife, first aid kit, compass, thermal blanket, mirror, candle, matches, collapsible shovel. Yes, I have it. Not that we'll need it, mind you, but yes, it's in here." She stored it carefully away in the backpack and swung it onto her back once more.
Seth mounted his own horse and grabbed the reins. "At least we have good weather for this," he said.
Cat looked at the sky. "I was thinking that same thing. No sign of rain today and it's supposed to be in the eighties. That's a good thing, for us...and for Mom and Tara. I think we're dressed warmly enough." Cat looked at the shorts, Tees and hiking boots both she and her son were wearing. "I brought hoodies for us if we need them later. Are you ready?"
"Yup! Lead the way," Seth replied.
Within moments, they galloped through the fields toward the trailheads they had marked on the map. When they collected the maps, Cat took the time to discuss the various trails with the park ranger, and learned there were several grades of trails available to them in the park. Prior to setting out that morning, she and Seth agreed to hike the Shoshone Lake Trail; a moderate seventeen-mile round-trip trek that crossed the Continental Divide at Grant's Pass.
About a half-hour into their ride, they reached the edge of the woods where they released their horses into the nearby paddock. Cat wrote their names into the visitor register and then grabbed a trail guide. Moments later, they set out on foot down the well-worn path.
Just inside the line of trees that bordered the pasture, Seth stopped and looked at Cat. "Let me know at any time if you need to stop."
Cat looked at him coyly. "Are you worried I won't be able to keep up with you?"
Seth hip-checked his mother. "Well, you are old."
"You little imp. I'll give you old! Let's just see who taps out first."
"You're on!"
"Let's put a wager on this. Whoever calls a rest stop first has to make the bed of the winner for the rest of the vacation," Cat suggested.
Seth extended his hand. "Deal. I generally like to sleep in, so you'll have to stand by until I'm out of bed each morning."
Cat shook his hand. "Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"
"Absolutely."
Cat chuckled at the mischievous glint in Seth's eyes. "We'll see about that."
A short distance into the woods, they scoured the sides of the trail for walking sticks and managed to find suitable ones for both of them. The Shoshone Lake Trail had no boardwalks and was rated at a moderate difficulty level. According to the trail guide, moderate trails fluctuated between periods of level walking, inclines of varying slopes, and steep rock climbing. The ever-changing terrain reminded Cat of interval training programs at the gym.
At several points along the trail, Seth stopped and waited for Cat to catch up, and even offered assistance to help her climb the steeper grades. One particular climb was over the tops of large boulders that ascended about a quarter of a mile upward. She found herself thanking God that Seth was with her, as she relied on him several times to assist her over that leg of the hike. By the time they reached the top, she was exhausted.
Cat sat on a nearby boulder. "Okay, I know I'm going to lose the bet, but I've got to stop. These old bones can't take much more without rest!" She was so sore she secretly wished she had won the coin toss and a day of kayaking with Tara.
"Well, you know, we can't all be he-men like me, I guess," Seth flexed his muscles.
"You are certainly your mother's son!" Cat joked.
"Huh?" Seth questioned.
"Never mind. Do me a favor and hand over the backpack, will you, sweetie? I need a drink of water." Cat fished their drinks out of the sack and handed one to Seth.
"Have a seat." Cat patted the rock next to her.
"Don't mind if I do."
"Are you having fun, sweetie?" Cat asked.
"Yeah! This is great," Seth replied. "How about you?"
"This trail is a little tougher than I expected, but it's been great so far," Cat admitted. "I hope your mom and sisters are having a good time."
Seth placed an arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure they are, Ma," he replied. "Thanks for bringing us here. This is really fun."
"I was wondering just how enjoyable this would turn out to be considering the primitive conditions your mother has us living in, but so far it's been okay. Not that I mind. I enjoy primitive camping, but after Happy Trails, I'm surprised Mom was willing to consider camping of any kind!" Cat reminisced. A smile graced her features at the memories.
"Actually, I thought Happy Trails was kind of fun...well, except for the poison ivy, that is. Steve and I thought it was pretty cool when the bear devoured our supplies. What I really could have lived without, however, was seeing Mom stark naked during the bear attack." Seth grimaced. "A guy seeing his mom naked is not cool!"
