lm115+The+Hiking+Trip

Robert and his father had enjoyed hiking and camping out together ever since Robert was old enough to walk. Their favorite hiking trail was the Appalachian Trail which stretches from Maine to Georgia. They had never walked that far, of course, but enjoyed the section of the trail that passed through their part of Pennsylvania.

Although his dad always picked the date, it was up to Robert to plan the meals, shop for the food, and get all the necessary supplies packed for the outing. Dad always insisted that Robert create a checklist so that nothing would be forgotten, but sometimes Robert got lazy.

"If we forget anything it won't be a big deal," Robert explained to his mother, "There are always other hikers around who will loan you a can opener or share their matches."

Mother just shook her head as if she disagreed, but said nothing. She had firmly stated from the very beginning that these trips had nothing to do with her and she would not get involved. Mosquitoes, sore feet, and using a bush for the bathroom was not her idea of a vacation.

Robert checked the calendar. This weekend was their next trip and here it was, already Thursday. He had totally forgotten!

"No big deal," he said aloud, "I've packed our supplies a thousand times."

"Sure you don't want to make a list?" asked his mother, sipping a cup of tea at the kitchen table.

"Never had a problem before," Robert answered confidently. "Besides, if I forget one little thing what could possibly go so wrong."

If he only knew.

As the sun began to set, Robert and his Dad decided to make camp for the night.

"Robert, go and get the food in the bag over there," Dad said in an upbeat tone.

Robert skipped over to the bag to get the food for tonight's dinner. When he got to the bag he opened up and began to frown.

He yelled "Hey Dad are you sure this is the right bag?" he asked, but he knew he had made the mistake. He forgot the food. Of all things he forgot the food.

His Dad replied, " that should be the one, Robert did you forget the food?"

" I, I, I thought I brought it," he replied "It must have gone missing"

A few minutes later Dad's cell phone rang. It was mom asking if this was their food on the kitchen counter. Dad hung up after a few more minutes of conversation.

"Well we have to go back." Dad said in a not so upbeat tone.

"No Dad please!" Robert screeched

''Well unless you can get food from another camp we are going home" Dad said sternly.

It was dark by the time they set out on a search for food. In the distance they could see a faint light. It was a camp fire! The started into a jog, then a run, and then full on speed. They eventually got there but all it was, was a flashlight that some camper had dropped they were hopeless.

They set up camp a little while later after they got back to where the supplies were. After a while some campers came by also looking for food. What bad luck. They forgot food on the night when almost no campers were there and none of them had food. Absolutely none of them. Not one.

As it got later and later they got hungrier and hungrier. It was too dark to home now.

"Hello!" they heard late at night.

The voice seemed very familiar.

"Hello, Robert?" they heard again.

It was Mom!

"I thought you hated camping" Robert said.

"Well I didn't want my little boy to be hungry." she replied

They had dinner and went to bed. The next morning they all walked home for breakfast.

"Now Robert, next time you go camping you make a list, do you understand me?" his Mother told him.

"Don't worry Mom I won't forget anything!" Robert said in an upbeat tone.