Chapter 10
The six of them lazily walked the entire five miles of the south rim that was available for visitors to the park. While they certainly enjoyed the vistas and views they saw, their walk was highlighted by all the people they ran into on the journey. At the second lookout, a group of Japanese teenage girls commandeered Matt and Mike to take a group picture on their cell phones.
It was obvious the girls thought they were "hunks". Matt played along to Rossi standards, with Dave smiling his approval. Mike, while clearly embarrassed, did as well.
Cait didn't help her shy son. "How about a group picture with the boys," she smiled at girls, speaking Japanese. They all smiled. Cait took one of their phones and took the picture of them and boys together.
Dave looked at Aaron. "Since when is Cait fluent in Japanese?"
Aaron smiled. "My wife is easy to buy for Christmas and her birthdays," he smiled. Dave looked at him. "Two words my friend: Rosetta Stone," Aaron winked.
Dave shook his head. "When the hell does she have the time for that?"
"I'm still trying to figure that one out Dave," Aaron smiled.
What astounded them all, and made the journey more special, were the people they met along the way. By the fourth lookout, the family had run into two other Bureau agents that smiled at Jack's sweatshirt. One recognized both Aaron and Dave and had a small conversation with them. Some others along the way had acknowledged Cait and Mike's Georgetown apparel. Others noted Aaron and Matt's UVA sweatshirts and struck up conversations.
At the final stop on the five mile trek, there was a large souvenir shop that Cait and Jack raided as the rest looked around. The area also had a couple restaurants. Dave walked around and then whistled at Aaron and the other boys. "Who's up for a beer," he smiled.
Aaron raised his hand. He looked at Matt. "Please go tell mom and Jack where we are." Matt pulled out his cell to send a text. Aaron shook his head. "Matthew, you go find them and point out exactly where the rest of us are."
Mike looked at his brother. "Blew the profile on that bro," he smiled, joining Dave going in the door.
Matt walked in a few minutes later to his dad and Dave enjoying a beer with Mike drinking an Arnie Palmer. The server came back up to the table. "I'll have a Coors Light please," Matt smiled, pulling out his wallet, taking out his ID. "And on his tab," he pointed at Dave. The server nodded. Matt sat down and looked at Aaron. He smiled at the two at the table. "It's nice to do that legally." Dave proudly smiled at his young protégé.
"You're not helping," Aaron growled. Dave and the boys roared.
Mike elbowed Dave, pulling out an ID. "I could've if I wanted to," he winked.
Dave looked the ID over. "That's pretty damn good for a fake." Aaron glared at the two them. Dave and boys laughed more.
Cait and Jack walked in five minutes later. Jack was carrying a large bag for his mother. Cait had a second one. Aaron looked at Cait. "Do I really want to know?"
Cait smiled. "Probably not," she said. "But I got Henry, Garcia and Kevin covered." Dave motioned the served over to deliver a Miller Lite he had waiting for Cait.
"How 'bout you munchkin," the server smiled as Cait took a sip of her beer.
Jack thought for a second. "Can I get lemonade please?"
Bekka, the server smiled. "Handsome and has manners just like his brothers," she smiled at him and then Cait and Aaron. "You got it."
The family enjoyed their round of drinks, headed out and got on the shuttle that would take them back to their parking lot. Jack put his arm around Dave's waist as they rode. "I'm glad you were along for this Uncle Dave."
"So am I Champino," Dave smiled.
They got back to the coach and Mike took Beans for a walk while the rest got on. Cait pulled out her briefcase for the reservation at the next spot. It had the driving directions. When Mike and Beans got back on Aaron headed the coach out.
Less than an hour later they were parked in Trailer Village, a privately-owned park that the NPS allowed to operate within the boundaries of the National Park. The park was crowded and the sites were small. Yet Cait managed to reserve a site that was at the end of the park and a bit secluded. Aaron eyed her. "I got lucky," she smiled.
"Mom and her rabbit's foot," Jack said. Mike and Jack pulled out the lawn chairs from one of the storage compartments as Aaron brought out the cooler, letting the drain open on the side. They had stopped at the campground store before entering the trailer park to buy more ice. Dave and Matt got that in. While it was park rules to have a dog leashed at all times, they let Beans be free, knowing she wouldn't bother anyone and stay put.
Jack looked at Aaron. "What's for dinner dad?"
Dave smiled. "After a wonderful day like we had in a National Park, I asked for the traditional all American meal." Jack looked at him. "Hamburgers, hotdogs, baked beans and potato salad."
Jack broadly smiled. "Works for me Uncle Dave."
Like it was in most campgrounds, their neighbors on one side dropped in to say hello. An older couple quickly started a wonderful conversation with the group, with Aaron making the introductions.
"Well Aaron," Joe said, "I hope you don't plan on sleeping tonight." Aaron looked at him. "The next site over is a bunch of college frat boys that have mom and dad's expensive coach like yours. The longer the night goes, the more they drink and the louder the music gets."
Dave smiled at Aaron. "Shall we nip that in the butt now or later?"
Aaron smiled. "Now; while they are still relatively sober and can think."
Matt looked at Joe. "They have to Delta's."
Joe nodded. "They're all wearing t-shirts with that on it."
"That's the high roller boy's frat." Mike shook his head, knowing as well.
Dave winked at Joe as he and Aaron headed to the site, carrying their beers. The frat boys looked at them. The keg was set along their coach. "Hey," one kid smiled. "Party joiners; any hot babes around?"
"Just my wife," Aaron glared.
"Here's the deal fellas," Dave started.
"Hey old man," other kid started. "Back off; we're Deltas and we'll do what we want."
Dave smiled. "Not tonight," he said, pulling out his FBI credentials. Aaron pulled his out as well. "One phone call from either one of us to the NPS, they'll call this campground and have your asses kicked out." That got everyone's attention around the keg. "Have your fun boys; but you will keep it down or my partner and I will make that phone call."
"Do you know who my dad is," one kid challenged.
Aaron glared at him. "I don't give a damn who your dad is; I've got the Director of the FBI on speed dial," he said pulling out his cellphone. "It takes one phone call from me."
The Hotchner family was just finishing their dinner around the picnic table. Joe and Barb stuck their heads into their site. "I don't know what you two did," Joe smiled. "But the idiots just pulled out."
"Thank you," Barb smiled.
Dave and Aaron smiled at each other. "Happy to help out you two," Aaron said.
"Enjoy your evening," Dave smiled. The couple left.
Mike eyed his dad and Dave. "You two rock." Cait smiled and Jack nodded his head with a smile.
-00CM00-
The next morning, they took their time, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and with everyone getting showers. Aaron took the state road back down to I-40. Making the turn onto the exit to get on the interstate, Aaron pulled the coach to the side of the exit road and put the coach in park. He got out of the driver's chair. "You're up to bat Matt," he smiled. "Get on I-40 heading west. There's a rest stop just outside of Kingman; pull in there."
"Got it dad," Matt smiled, moving into the driver's seat. Mike took the co-captain's chair. Matt put the coach in gear and got on the interstate.
Jack liked to look out the front window while they were driving. He had figured out a way to sit between the two of them behind the center console, while still being safe that his parent's approved. He joined his brothers. Ten minutes later, he looked around. Dave was soundly sleeping once again on the sofa and Cait and Aaron has disappeared to their bedroom.
Matt looked at Mike as they moved on interstate. "Did they have another late night of drinking?" Mike had once again taken the air mattress last night.
He shook his head. "Bro, what do I hear when my hearing aids are out." Matt looked at him. "All I know is that I rolled over once and the light was still on over the lunch table. And it was late."
"Maybe that's why I slept with mom and dad again last night," Jack offered. "They had to talk about the monsters." Mike looked at him. "You know Mike; you too Matt. The people dad's team chases. The ones that Uncle Dave writes his books about; the ones mom understands."
Mike shook his head at Matt as he looked at him. "I think the squirt is growing up," he smiled.
It was Matt's turn to shake his head as he drove, concentrating on the road. Yet with Jack's admission he felt he could ask. "Jack, do you get it now? About your mom?"
"Yup, I do Matt," Jack said. "Dad didn't let George Foyet win; and my mommy died to make sure that didn't happen and helped dad."
Matt smiled and looked at him. "That's why we love her like you do bro."
Jack smiled. "I know that guys."
Dave woke an hour later with the three boys in the driving area happily chatting away. He yawned and sat up, rubbing his goatee. He got up and went to stand behind Jack, rubbing his shoulders. "Matt, I know your dad told you about the rest stop outside of Kingman. But you've got a restless pooch back here." Beans barked her agreement.
Mike smiled at the blue interstate rest stop one mile sign and laughed as he pointed. "As always Uncle Dave, your timing is impeccable."
Jack turned to look at Dave. "What about dad and mom?"
Dave kissed his head. "If they wake up, fine; if not, we'll let them sleep," he smiled.
"Good plan Uncle Dave," Jack agreed.
Matt parked the coach. Jack hooked up Beans to her shoulder harness leash and got her off. Mike joined him. Matt looked at Dave. "No movement from them," he pointed at his parent's bedroom. "What the hell did you all talk about last night?"
"Haley and Erin," Dave said.
Matt shook his head. "Enough said." He moved off the coach to watch his brothers. Dave joined them.
Cait winked at Aaron with their door open as she was sitting at the tiny desk area in their bedroom. The printer spat out the next clue for the boys. She handed it to Aaron with a smile as he stuck it in the yellow and black envelope. He stuck it alongside her laptop as she powered it off and kissed her.
Ten minutes later, Matt had the coach back on the interstate. Cait and Aaron came out of the bedroom.
Dave smiled at them. "No carnal knowledge of each other?"
Jack looked at Mike with a huge question. "No p.j.'s," Mike smiled.
Jack smiled back. "Got it." Matt laughed.
Dave looked at Cait and shook his head. "I didn't think a power nap was in your playbook?"
Cait smiled. "I'm a mother; welcome to my world," she said, kissing his cheek.
Aaron shook his head at Dave and went to stand behind Matt. He rubbed his shoulder. "How you doing?" He noticed Matt's shoulder was a bit tight and rubbed it more. "You OK?"
"I'm fine dad," Matt smiled. "We're just bucking a really strong west wind. It makes the coach a bit more to handle."
"There's a storm front coming off the southern California coast," Mike said. Aaron looked at him. Mike held up his notebook and handed it to his dad.
Aaron looked at it. "Thanks Mike," he smiled, handing the notebook back. "Matt, you sure you're OK?"
Matt nodded his head. "Honestly, it's been a bear to deal with dad. But I can make it to the rest stop you wanted me to find." He quickly looked over his shoulder. "And you needed the break," he smiled as he turned to concentrate on the driving. Cait came up and massaged his shoulders and neck.
"That's amazing mom," Matt smiled. Dave smiled as well, rubbing Jack's back.
With Dave's expanded time schedule to travel back to DC, they all enjoyed the rest stop for an hour. An impromptu touch football game broke out. Cait, Aaron and Jack scorched the rest with plays that Cait and Aaron designed. "I'm getting too old for his shit," Dave panted. The family roared and got back to their travels. Cait pulled out more of the crackers, meat and cheese they had bought.
She shared with Aaron as he drove, shutting off the heat for the coach. "I don't think we need that anymore as they drove downhill.
Just outside Kingman, Aaron took the exit onto State Road 93. Yet it was a four lane highway. "Probably one of the most traveled roads around," Dave smiled, winking at Cait.
"I noticed that Uncle Dave," Jack said.
"Then maybe you've got a race clue in your future," Dave smiled. Aaron drove for another hour and then took a two lane highway into the sleepy little town of Willow Beach; at least on the map. The town was brimming with people.
Cait handed the next clue to Matt. He ripped it open as Dave smiled. "Route Info again guys," he said, pulling out the clue. "What's one of the biggest manmade wonders of the world?"
Mike shook his head. "I paid attention in my geography class," he said, smiling at Matt. "That's the Hoover Dam."
Matt smiled. "OK genius; answer the second question of the clue. 'What did it create?'"
Mike smiled. "The Lake Mead Area National Park," he confidently smiled back.
Jack looked at Mike. "When they built the Hoover Dam to harness the Colorado River to make electricity to light up LA, actually most of this area and southern California, the backwater the dam created made this National Park area," he explained. "Above and below the dam."
"Michael gets the gold star and an 'A' today," Dave smiled.
"Yup," Aaron smiled, pulling into the RV Park. "He does."
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A/N: NPS is the National Park Service of the US.
Just an FYI; some of the campgrounds I've mentioned already are a figment solely of my imagination. The one mentioned here, as well as the one in the last chapter, are very real thanks for my snooping around the internet. I'll try to be more vigil about keeping up with that fact/fiction for you folks.