Article August 23, 1975 Issue

The Overnight

Claire Hagenlocher Stubbe

They couldn't really say they were lost. They knew where they were ... sort of. Deep in the woods and miles away from camp. They did know that unless they walked in circles, sooner or later they'd get back to camp. But taking the right direction meant the difference between hiking five miles or twenty miles more.

As Jim sat there looking around at the other eleven in the group—fourteen including the three counselors—all hot, thirsty, and tired, it was hard to remember how eagerly they had looked forward to this hike. The day before, after a picnic lunch at camp, they had started off full of energy.

And this continued until well after they got to their destination at Dragon Fly Falls hours later. A little tired, but happy, they began putting up poncho tents, gathering firewood, and getting their dinner started—spaghetti and sauce, with dried fruit and cookies for dessert. A swim in the natural pool near the falls was cold but fun. Later on they all sat around a blazing campfire and told stories well into the night. After that it wasn't hard to fall asleep under the stars.

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