“What’s the surprise?” Benny demanded first thing the next morning.
Maris slid a plate of pancakes in front of Benny and said, “It’s a camping trip.”
“A camping trip! I like camping,” said Benny.
“I need to do a little trail scouting on Blizzard Mountain for a couple of days and I wondered if you would like to come along,” Maris said.
“Blizzard Mountain? That’s where the treasure is!” Benny cried.
“Yes!” said Jessie. “We’d love to come along!”
But Violet had a question. “What’s trail scouting?” she asked.
“Well, here in Seven Mountains Park, we try to close trails that are getting worn out by too many hikers and climbers,” Maris explained. “They’re not as safe, and it’s hard on the land around the trails, too. So we give the trails and the land a rest, and work on rebuilding the trails and making them safe again.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Henry.
Maris nodded and smiled and went on, “We’re closing the Annie Oakley Trail on the east side of Giant Mountain at the end of this season, and we’re going to open a new trail on Blizzard Mountain. Part of my job is to hike Blizzard Mountain and mark the best way for the trail to go. We’ve already started work on it, but we have lots more work to do.”
“Trailblazing,” said Henry. “We’ll be trailblazers.”
“Let’s go,” said Benny. “I’m done with breakfast.”
Maris laughed. “Not so fast, Benny,” she said. “We’ve got a few things we need to do first to get ready. We need to pack. And well have to stop in Blizzard Gap to get some gear and supplies,” Maris said.
“Are you coming with us, Grandfather?” asked Violet.
But Grandfather shook his head. “No. I’ll stay here with Shoe. We can do a little hiking around the cabin.”
“Wouldn’t you rather be an explorer?” Benny asked.
“You go explore, Benny,” Grandfather said. He laughed. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll even find the treasure.”
“Yes, we will,” said Benny confidently. He didn’t mind when Maris laughed. He was sure that a mystery was waiting for the Aldens up on Blizzard Mountain.
A little while later, Henry had tossed the last backpack into the back of Maris’s truck, on top of all the other camping gear he and Jessie had loaded. “That’s the last of it,” he said.
“We’re ready to go, then,” said Maris.
The children climbed into the truck. It was a tight fit. They waved good-bye to Grandfather and Snowshoe.
Then Maris turned the key in the ignition.
Nothing happened. She tried again. Click, click went the key. But the truck wouldn’t start. Maris frowned. “What is wrong with this truck? I just did some work on it.” She got out and opened the hood of the truck and peered inside. Grandfather came to join her.
“Oh, no. It might be the battery,” Maris said. She got back in the truck again and turned the key. Still nothing.
“You’re right, Maris,” Grandfather said. “It must be the battery.”
With a sigh, Maris got out of the truck. “That’s the second time in two weeks!” she said. She put her hands on her hips and frowned at the battered red pickup truck. “I don’t believe this! I’ll go call Carola Gallo for help. She’s my closest neighbor.”
Soon an old blue van came bouncing down the dirt road that led to Maris’s cabin.
A tall woman with a wiry build and thick blond and gray hair got out.
“Thanks for coming,” Maris said. “Sorry to call so early.”
“I’m always up early,” Carola said crisply. “And I have an appointment over in the county seat today anyway. You’re right on the way.”
Maris introduced all the Aldens. Carola gave them a quick nod. She said to Maris, “Battery again? Maybe it’s time for a new truck.”
“Ha,” said Maris. Carola got some jumper cables and attached them to her truck’s battery and the battery of Maris’s truck.
Maris got in her red truck and turned the key. Her truck started.
“It’s fixed! Now we can go to Blizzard Mountain!” said Benny.
“Blizzard Mountain?” Carola asked.
“We’re going to help Maris start work on a new trail,” Jessie explained.
“I told you, remember?” Maris reminded her.
Carola raised her eyebrows. “So soon after those bear sightings, Maris? Do you think that’s safe?” she asked.
“Carola, you’re the only person who’s reported bear sightings,” Maris reminded her. “And we all know you don’t want any people on Blizzard Mountain.”
“No people? Why not?” Henry asked.
Carola shook her head, frowning fiercely. “That’s not true! I just think we need to limit the number of people who use it every year. That protects the animals and where they live. Too many people tear up a park. In fact, too many people make it more like, well, a city.”
“Every time we open a new trail, it’s only because we’ve closed another one. You know that,” Maris said.
“We should be closing more trails and not opening new trails at all. There are too many trails as it is,” Carola argued.
Maris started to speak, but Carola kept talking. “If people want to go off the trails, they can hire guides to show them the way. Guides will make sure that they take care of the forest. And that they don’t get lost!”
“If we put a real trail on Blizzard Mountain, at least we won’t have to rescue lost hikers up there so much,” said Maris with a smile.
“Hmmph,” said Carola. “If you’re hiking on Blizzard Mountain, I’d watch out for bears.”
Carola climbed back into her van, slammed the door, leaned out the window, and added, “And just for the record—I’m more worried about the bears than I am about you.” She drove away in a cloud of dust.
“Wow,” said Benny. “I don’t think she likes us.”
“She’s got a quick temper,” Maris admitted. “And she loves these mountains more than she likes most people.”
“Did she really see bears on Blizzard Mountain?” asked Violet.
“If she did, she’s the only one. The bears avoid the people around here. If you see a bear, it’s usually because it didn’t see you first and have a chance to run away,” Maris said. “I know I haven’t seen any fresh sign of a bear near the trail. No tree markings.”
“Tree markings? What are those?” asked Benny.
“Those are places where bears sharpened their claws or pulled dead trees and logs apart looking for insects. Insects and berries are a big part of a bear’s diet,” Maris told him.
“Insects. Yuck,” said Violet, wrinkling her nose.
“It’s funny that Carola forgot I was headed up to Blizzard Mountain today,” Maris said. “We talked about it just a couple of days ago, when she reported the bear sightings. Oh, well, let’s get started.”
Once more, the Aldens and Maris piled into the truck.
“Is Blizzard Gap far?” asked Benny as they drove away.
“Not too far,” Maris answered. “But we have to make another stop first.”
“Where?” Violet wanted to know.
“To get Bobcat,” Maris said.
“A bobcat!” Violet gasped.
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