Chapter 7

Tony woke up and looked out the windows. It was still cloudy and he grimaced. Well, like he'd said to Tim before, they couldn't just stay in the hotel the whole week. Tim seemed determined to be optimistic about it all, and Tony wasn't sure if he was really feeling that way or if he was just trying to help Tony after his confession about how worried he was. If it was the latter, Tony wasn't sure how he felt about that. He wasn't used to being the vulnerable one. Tim was the one who struggled, even if Tony had his moments. This wasn't really serious, but Tony found himself worrying more than he knew he should. He shouldn't be worrying at all except maybe about whether or not it would rain.

And he was worried about whether or not it would rain.

But cloudy or not, they were going to go to Lake Louise. It definitely wouldn't be too hot. And Tim was probably right. It would still be a good hike, even if they couldn't see everything.

He just didn't want to miss out on what people were supposed to see here. At that thought, he remembered what Jo had said to him before about how he built up expectations of what things were supposed to be like. Was that what he was doing here? Maybe a little. He really should just try to take it as it came.

Finally, he got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Tim was still asleep or at least, he wasn't moving. All things considered, that was probably a good thing. Tim had enough struggles with sleeping that any time he wasn't awake first was probably a good sign.

Tony didn't stay in the bathroom for long, but by the time he was out, Tim was awake.

"How did you sleep?" Tony asked.

"Fine. This is pretty good for a pullout," Tim said. "I'm surprised."

"I was, too. You ready to tackle Lake Louise?"

Tim looked out the window and then smiled.

"Can you tolerate the clouds?" he asked.

"Yes, but I may complain if it ends up raining on us."

"I'll complain, too, but I bet it'll be fine."

"Oh, just get moving, Mr. Optimist."

"Mister?" Tim repeated. "I'm shocked, Tony. Shocked."

Then, he went into the bathroom, leaving Tony a little confused, unsure of what Tim was talking about.

When Tim came out, he was grinning.

"What's so shocking?" Tony asked.

Tim laughed. "This might be the first time in all the years you've known me that you didn't create a McNickname. I'm shocked. Are you sure you're okay with all this?"

Tony smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure. So let's get breakfast and then pick some snacks for the hike so we keep our energy up. I'm thinking omelets for breakfast."

"Okay." Tim headed to the kitchen. Then, suddenly, he paused, took a breath and turned back. "Tony, it's okay."

"Huh?" Tony asked. The mood had changed very dramatically.

"Last time, I knew that things were awkward but I talked myself out of saying anything because I thought I'd ruin it. I shouldn't have," Tim said earnestly. "I know you're worried about everything, but you don't have to be. I'm not backing out of being your family if you don't want me to. Even if it rains every day while we're here, I'll still be your family if you want me to be. The weather isn't going to change that."

Tony wasn't sure what to say. He didn't like that he needed this kind of reassurance.

But he did.

"Thanks," he said, finally.

"I mean it," Tim said.

"So do I," Tony said. "Really, Tim. I mean it. I just feel... weird being the one who's worried."

Tim smiled a little. "Speaking as the one who is always worried, I get it, even if what worries you doesn't worry me."

Tony walked over to Tim and gave him a quick hug.

"Thanks, Tim," he said.

Tim looked surprised but he nodded.

"You're welcome."

"Now," Tony said, taking a breath. "Omelets."

"Right. Omelets."

Tony made the omelets, although Tim helped with the prep. They ate quickly and gathered up some of the granola bars and some water. They also made sure to have cash with them because the teahouse had no electricity and so only accepted cash. They couldn't pass up the chance to get something there. Then, it was off to Lake Louise. It took about 45 minutes to get there on the Trans-Canada Highway. As they drove, they noticed the fences lining the road.

"Those must be to keep the animals off the road," Tim said as he drove. "I definitely don't see much road kill."

"Neither do I," Tony said. "Hey! Look at that overpass."

He pointed ahead of them.

"It's just trees and stuff," Tim said.

"Yeah. Weird," Tony said. "Hey, what if it's like an animal overpass?"

"Oh, yeah," Tim said. "I think I've read about that before, and it makes sense. I mean, animals aren't going to stay on one side of the road just because we want them to. They need to be able to migrate. How smart. I wonder if they actually use it."

Tony made a show of pulling out his phone to look it up and Tim chuckled. Then, he did a quick search.

"They're called wildlife bridges and yes, they do work. According to National Geographic, it reduces collisions by up to 95 percent," he said, reading. "They have video of animals crossing the bridges, and the fences are a necessary part of it because it funnels the animals to the appropriate place."

"Very cool," Tim said. "Animal overpasses... or bridges."

They kept talking as they drove. Tony was trying not to notice the low-hanging clouds all along the way. He'd seen pictures of Lake Louise before. He knew there were mountains all around but it looked like they wouldn't be seeing them. It was so disappointing. No matter what Tim said, Tony still really needed this road trip to be a good one.

And a cloudy, rainy hike wouldn't be good, even with a teahouse at the end of it.

Tim didn't comment on the clouds at all. Instead, he just drove them to Lake Louise. They parked the car in a huge lot and got out.

"Looks like there's more here than just the lake," Tim said.

"Well, let's wait to walk around until we get back," Tony said. "I'm sure other people will be hiking. Let's find a map so we know where to go."

"It's got to be by the lake, so let's head that way," Tim said.

"Okay."

They started over toward the lake. There were quite a few people walking around, but many seemed to be headed in the same direction. They followed the crowds and saw that there was a huge hotel right on the bank of Lake Louise.

"Wow. Look at that," Tim said. "How much do you think that costs?"

"More than we'd want to spend for a whole week," Tony said.

"I'm sure. Man. It sure looks fancy, and the location is absolutely perfect. Wow."

Tim just stood there for a few seconds. Then, he shook himself.

"I'd take Delilah here for a special anniversary, where we could leave the kids with our parents and just spend our time being pampered for a day or two. No more than three."

Tony laughed and nudged Tim to get moving.

"Come on. Stop gaping at the building. We're supposed to be hiking."

"Right, right."

They kept on their way and got to the lake. And Tony tried not to be disappointed. The lake was still pretty, but he knew that it should be an intense blue and it wasn't. The clouds made it more dull than it should be. And the mountains that he knew should be there weren't visible.

"Wow," Tim said. "I wonder what makes it so blue. It almost looks fake, doesn't it."

"It's the glacial sediments," Tony said without thinking. "There are a lot of glaciers up the valley and the runoff carries the sediments down into the lake. Most of the lakes and rivers around here will be really blue because of that. If the sun ever comes out, at least."

Then, he glanced over and saw Tim looking at him in something akin to shock.

"What?" Tony asked.

"Did you just tell me the science of something we're looking at?" Tim asked.

Tony smiled. "What? Don't you know all about it already?"

"No. I guessed that glaciers had something to do with it because there are glaciers up there somewhere, but I didn't know the answer," Tim said.

"Tommy hasn't learned about glaciers in school yet?"

"Only with regards to ice ages," Tim said. He raised an eyebrow. "Just how far is this alternate universe going to take us?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I'm the one pushing to just have fun and not worry, and you're worrying. I'm the one who didn't know the science and you did. How far are we going with this? Are you going to forget what house to go to when we get back home? Will you suddenly not care about sports?"

Tony rolled his eyes and shoved Tim.

"Oh, come on. Knock it off," Tony said. "There's the start of the trail. Let's go."

"Pictures first," Tim said.

There were three women taking pictures of each other just a few feet away from them and Tim flagged them down.

"Hey, could you take a picture of us by the lake?" he asked.

"Sure," one of the women said.

"And we'll take a picture of the three of you," Tony offered.

"Great idea!"

They each took turns posing together and then, they actually all started toward the trail.

"Are you going to the Plain of the Six Glaciers?" Tim asked.

"Yeah," said one of them. "My sisters went a couple of years ago, but this time, I could come, too."

"And it's cloudy again. It was cloudy last time, but the lake is still pretty," said another one.

"Maybe the clouds will lift," Tim said.

"Maybe."

The women appeared to be slowing down, letting Tony and Tim get ahead of them. They took the hint and kept on their way.

The trail took them right around by the lake. They took pictures as they walked around, but they made good time. There were a few other people hiking, but not too many at this point. The thing was that the mountains just cut off halfway up. There was no grand vista, but that did force Tony to focus on other things around them simply because he couldn't see the mountains. After they got around the lake, the trail started angling upward and they passed into and out of trees. There was a river running down to the lake that they could see occasionally and piles of snow.

"Look at the moraines," Tony said, pointing.

"The gravel?" Tim asked.

"Yeah. The runoff from the glaciers carries the gravel from under them. There must have been glaciers all the way down to the lake a few thousand years ago," Tony said.

Tony saw Tim smiling even as he was impressed.

"You know," Tony said, "this reminds me of a scene in National Treasure when Riley knew something about history that Ben didn't. Riley always felt less knowledgeable than the other two. Of course, he was the comic relief, too. He said, 'Hold on one second, let me just take in this moment. This is cool. Is this how you feel all the time? Well, except now.'"

Tim laughed. "Come on, Tony. There are plenty of things we both know. I just have a hole in my knowledge and you don't. I would never have guessed that glaciers would be it, but it is."

"It's called glacial till, by the way," Tony added, just to emphasize it.

"There sure is a lot of it," Tim said. "You know, you read about things like glaciers picking up rocks and grinding out valleys and stuff like that, and it's hard to imagine, but then, you see these huge piles of gravel and, knowing that it comes from the glaciers... it's easier to imagine what else glaciers could do."

Tony chuckled. Even when he had the knowledge that Tim didn't, Tim wasn't afraid to start extending it and thinking about it. Just like the characters in National Treasure. Which was part of the reason Tim was a geek and Tony wasn't. With most topics, Tony was more interested in practical application than just knowing something. Tim cared more about knowing something than in practical application. Well, most of the time. He had his moments, too.

They kept walking along, and when they got closer to the river, they could see the milky sediments that gave the water its color.

"The snow is covering the trail here," Tim said, pointing ahead. "What do you think? Where's the best place to walk? I have no idea how deep it might be."

Tony looked around. It was a lot of snow, and he could see the trail further along, but it was obvious that they'd have to walk on the snow and then get down off the snow somewhere.

"Let's just... walk forward and... be careful."

"I guess that's the plan," Tim said.

Carefully, they walked across the snow and then realized that the snow ended rather abruptly and they had to get down off a ledge about six feet above the trail. They looked at each other for a moment and then, Tim walked over to the side where the snow looked to be dipping down toward the trail.

"Don't slip, Tim," Tony said. "That would really bring an end to our trip."

Right in this part, they were pretty far above the river and a slip would lead to Tim probably rolling all the way down. It might not kill him but it would definitely ruin the trip.

"Yeah, I'll be careful," Tim said.

He crouched down and carefully maneuvered his way, slipping a little but not out of control until he got off the snow and onto the trail.

"I made it!" he said and turned back, but then, his eyes widened. "Oh."

"What?" Tony asked, still standing above him.

"Tony... I think you shouldn't come the way I did," Tim said, slowly.

"Why?"

"Just go the other way. It'll be better than my route."

Tony furrowed his brow but listened and walked around the other side. He ended up having to jump down and it was a little jarring, but not bad.

"Now, what..." Then, he stopped. "Oh."

They stood side by side and stared. The snow was actually really thin. Where Tim had walked could easily have collapsed under his weight, but they'd had no idea because they were on top of it.

"Well, Tim, you're lucky," Tony said.

"You're telling me," Tim said.

"Well, stand over there and pose. Have to have a picture of where you were walking."

"Wow," Tim said. Then, he composed himself and walked over by the snow and pointed with an exaggerated expression of surprise on his face. Once Tony took his picture, he took a deep breath and gestured.

"Okay, then. At least we won't make that mistake coming back down," Tony said.

"Yeah. There is that."

They continued walking. It got a little steep as they went along, but it was still a nice hike and not too difficult. They stopped every so often to take some pictures, but their focus was on getting up to the teahouse.

Finally after walking three and a half miles, they reached the teahouse.

"The trail goes over to the glaciers," Tim said. "Do you want to walk over there or just get our tea?"

Tony smiled a little and looked at the trail and then at the teahouse. They still couldn't see anything because of all the clouds.

"Eh. Let's just get our tea. There's no view anyway."

"Okay, but Tony, it's been a good hike. We saw some cool stuff, and I found out that you're a glacier expert and I never knew!"

"Not an expert," Tony said. "Just something I know about."

"That's all an expert is, you know," Tim said. "Someone who knows about a topic."

They walked over to the teahouse and looked at the board.

"So what are we getting?" Tony asked.

"We have to get tea and take pictures of us drinking the tea to show Ducky," Tim said.

"Good idea. What else?"

"Oh, let's get the tea biscuits and jam," Tim said. "Just so we can say we did."

"And chocolate cake," Tony added. "Do you want to get anything else? Something more substantial?"

Tim looked at the board again and shook his head.

"Nah. Let's just do that. We still have those granola bars, too. We can eat those if we really get hungry."

"All right."

They gave their order and then walked over to a table on the side of the house facing the forest. It didn't really matter since there wasn't a view, and it was kind of nice to have the quiet of the forest. They sat there and waited for their food to come. Once they got it, they had their tea and took pictures of each other with the teacups and teapot.

"Ducky will be so proud of us that we voluntarily ordered tea," Tony said.

"Definitely," Tim said. "So... Tony, I have to ask why you know so much about glaciers."

"You think I can't know some science, Tim?" Tony asked.

"No, that's not it at all, but it seems to be the norm that I'm the one geeking out about some sciencey thing and you tolerate it. So what is it about glaciers?"

Tony hesitated. Even after all this time, he wasn't sure about bringing up the very first road trip very often.

"What?" Tim asked.

"Well... do you remember the Three Maidens?"

Tim's face scrunched up in confusion.

"Outside Pipestone National Monument," Tony clarified.

Tim's expression didn't change.

"The first road trip, Tim," Tony said, a little reluctantly.

"Oh."

"Do you remember?"

"Kind of. Big rocks? Not actually women?"

Tony laughed a little. "Yeah."

"Okay. So what about them?"

"Well, when we read about them, it said that they were left behind as the glaciers receded. Those rocks were huge boulders, bigger than my car but they were dropped by a glacier. For some reason, I kept thinking about that and so I started reading about them. I found some books with cool pictures. I watched a couple of movies."

"Of course you did," Tim said, smiling.

Tony grinned. "I have to get movies in somehow. Then, when we were in Alaska, I kept thinking about them even more. I don't know why I got so interested, but I did. And I didn't really want to bring it up because..."

"It was the first road trip," Tim finished and nodded. "Well...if anything good came out of that for you, then, it's a good thing."

"That wasn't the best thing that came out of that road trip, Tim," Tony said. "The best thing was that we got to really start being friends."

Tim smiled in a way that Tony could tell he thought Tony was laying it on pretty thick, but at the same time, Tony knew he meant it. He wasn't even exaggerating. Not a little bit.

They finished up their tea and treats and carried the dirty dishware over to a window with a dirty dish tub in it. They set everything down and then picked up their bags and started around the teahouse.

"Are you sure you don't want to walk over to the glaciers, too?" Tim asked.

"No. Let's just head down. There are other places we can... go..."

Tony trailed off in surprise. No, it was more than surprise. It was shock. Tim looked at him.

"Tony, what's wrong?"

Tony just gestured in front of him. Tim came up level with him and his mouth actually opened in surprise.

Tony couldn't believe what he was seeing.