Features

The neighborhood kids were begging me to take them somewhere. 

“Suzy, take us to McDonalds,” shouted Robert, as he peered into my refrigerator. 

“Take us to the video store,” demanded Christopher as he sat on the couch scratching his big feet. 

“No, let’s go to the arcade,” said Eric, playing with the electric can opener. 

“Un-ah,” argued Jernae. “Suzy promised me she’d take me bowling, didn’t you, Suzy?” 

I batted Eric away from the appliances and shut the refrigerator door in Robert’s face. “Look, you kids have got to find someone else to play with other than me. I’m too old to hang out with you.” 

“No you’re not,” said Robert. “You’re just like us. You need to get out once and awhile too. Besides, you can drive a car and you’ve got money.” 

“Great,” I moaned. “I am so lucky to have friends like you.” 

All four of them sat on the couch and stared at me. 

“I give up,” I said, throwing my hands into the air. “How ‘bout a hike? I’ll take you to Redwood Park.” 

“Yahoo,” shouted Robert. “We better pack some food.” 

“I’ll go get my backpack,” said Christopher, running out the door. “Don’t go nowhere without me.” 

“I got me a backpack too,” said Eric. “I’ll be right back.” 

Suddenly it was much quieter. I turned to Jernae, “Put on your shoes and socks and get ready.” 

“What about food?” she asked. “We got to get a lunch packed before we go. We don’t want to starve to death out there in the wilderness. I’ll make us some sandwiches. What do you got to eat?” 

“Nothin’,” said Robert. “I just looked in the refrigerator and there ain’t a thing in there.” 

I headed toward the hallway. “I’m going upstairs to change my clothes. When I get down here, you kids are to be ready. I’m not waiting on any of you.” 

Ten minutes later I found all four of them dressed in bubble jackets and wearing designer sneakers. Enormous packs covered their small backs. 

“What do you have in those things?” I asked. 

“Sodas,” volunteered Eric. 

“Sandwiches,” added Christopher. 

“Chips and dip,” said Jernae. 

“I got me a knife,” said Robert. “In case we run into trouble.” 

We piled into the car and swung onto Highway 24 and then headed up Snake Canyon. “Where we goin’?” asked Christopher as I drove up the steep hill. “Dang, it looks like were goin’ into the mountains.” 

“There ain’t no bears up there, is there, Suzy?” asked Robert. 

“Of course there ain’t no bears up there,” shouted Eric. “You sure are stupid.” 

“Am not.” 

“Are too.” 

“That’s enough,” I said as I pulled into the Skyline trailhead parking lot. We tumbled out. “Got your stuff ready?” I asked. 

“Yep,” they shouted in unison. “Let’s go.” 

But we no sooner got 10 feet up the East Ridge path, when Jernae complained that her pack was too heavy. Then Robert said his feet hurt. Christopher shouted, “Dang, I didn’t know this trail was gonna be this dusty.” 

They set down their packs and peeled off their jackets. I gathered the puffy coats in a big ball and carried them in front of me, like a huge, soft basket of laundry. They hoisted their packs again onto their thin shoulders. 

“When we gonna eat?” asked Eric. “I’m hungry.” 

All three boys were in front of me, holding up their pants with one hand while they walked. But it was of no use. Their baggy jeans kept sliding down to their knees, exposing brightly checked boxer shorts. “I ain’t gonna make it,” groaned Robert. “These pants just won’t stay up.” 

It was true. We weren’t going to get anywhere with those pants. We headed back to the car. We ate sandwiches and shared chips and dip while looking out the open windows into the parking lot and the forest edge. 

“Man, this is fun,” said Robert between bites. “I just love the wilderness, don’t you?” 

For more information about hiking trails in the East Bay, contact East Bay Regional Park District, 562-PARK.