Canoes & Catacombs — 2: Overnight Campsite

Trace and Bobby found a deadfall of branches and brush to one side of the campsite, beside the nearest stand of pines. With little effort, they quickly had a fire going, and everyone held their hands out to warm up. It was now late afternoon, and the chill would soon begin deepening.

Trace had started the fire upon the remains of an existing one. The group settled down on rocks that someone had placed there. Becky dug in her pack for cold meals for Trace, Shelly, and herself. Miranda did the same for Bobby and her. The women knew they would be responsible for a hot breakfast, to start the day with the carbs necessary to fight the river.

As he ate summer sausage and crackers, Trace swiveled to look up the cliff face. “Pretty impressive, huh?”

Shelly was looking at the cave. “I wonder what’s in there?”

Miranda stared at the dark opening. “Hopefully nothing we can’t handle.”

Trace and Bobby looked at each other. They were the only ones who had brought weapons, both concealing handguns in side pouches of their backpacks.

“I doubt anything’s there,” Bobby said.

Trace laughed. Anything’s possible, he thought.

“I thought maybe we could spend the night there,” he said.