A/N: Nick and Johnny are from my story Family Amazing Race. The OK Teacher deemed it necessary to have them in this story. Her wish is my command.
*whispers* I had them in my original story outline. Don't tell her. hehehe
Chapter 4
While the main door at the end of the hallway past the bunk beds to the back bedroom was open, the other door that went directly into the bathroom from the bedroom was shut for everyone's privacy at night. During the day, with the expanding panel folded in, that was the only way to get to the back bedroom.
Cait stirred awake and pulled her cell from the storage compartment by her head. It read a few minutes after seven. Just then, she heard the toilet flush and the privacy door slide open. She softly smiled at the light footsteps that came around the bed as she returned her cell to the cabinet. She felt someone gently touch her foot. "Aunt Cait?" Ethan whispered.
"Good morning," Cait whispered. "What's up?"
"I'm cold," Ethan replied, moving up the bed towards her. "Wyatt rolled over and hogged the blanket." Cait simply smiled at him and opened the bed covers to him. Ethan dove in and snuggled next to her.
"You are an ice cube," Cait said, pulling him closer. Aaron rolled over and put his arm around the two of them, softly snoring again. Cait and Wyatt conked out.
A half hour later, Tate rolled out of the bottom bunk. He went into the bathroom and noticed the privacy door open. He quietly shut it, took his morning whiz, washed and dried his hands and put on his sound units that had been in the charger overnight on the bathroom counter.
Coming out of the bathroom, Jack looked at Tate from the upper bunk. "We the first ones up?" Jack whispered.
Tate smiled. "Yes and no."
Just then, they heard Wyatt. "Mom and dad! Wake up! Ethan's not here!" That woke Sean and Leslie in a hurry. Sean jumped out of bed to look in the bunk.
Tate walked into the kitchen. "He's fine," Tate smiled. Sean pulled on pair of sport shorts over his boxers. "He's sleeping with mom and dad," he added, pulling the apple juice container out of the fridge. Jack joined Tate in the kitchen and pulled out two glasses from the sleeve of plastic ones that were lying flat on the kitchen cupboard and fit under the slide. Tate poured the juice as Jack pulled out the box of Raisin Bran from the miniscule pantry next to the fridge and freezer. "I'll do Wheaties," Tate said. Jack pulled out that box as well as Sean moved to the kitchen area to start the coffee pot. Leslie got out of bed.
Wyatt crawled out of the bunk over the driver area. "That's not fun," he said.
Sean shook his head. "How did Ethan get out?"
"It isn't easy dad," Ethan said, walking into the kitchen. Wyatt joined him as Jack poured more glasses of apple juice. Ethan drilled a punch into his big brother's bicep.
"Oww," Wyatt cried, rubbing his arm.
"Don't hog the blanket," Ethan growled back. Jack and Tate, drinking their juice, smiled at each other.
Cait walked into the kitchen and smiled at Sean and Leslie. "I miss that."
"Really?" Sean asked.
Cait smiled. "Really. When Matt and Mike were that age, I broke up more fights than they'd admit to." She looked at Sean and Leslie. "You'll understand that in five more years. Trust me." She grinned. "But I loved having a snuggle bunny this morning," she added, tickling Ethan. "I miss that too."
"They were special," Jack smiled.
Cait shook her head at Sean and Leslie. "You two notice the past tense?" They both nodded with sad smiles.
An hour later, everyone had breakfast and the adults were showered and ready for the day. Aaron sat down in the driver's chair, swung it around to face the windshield and started the RV. "Idaho Falls, here we come." Sean crawled into the passenger side chair.
Jack looked at Tate, Wyatt and Ethan. "That's where the good part starts," he grinned.
-00CM00-
Four hundred miles and seven hours later, Aaron backed the RV into the campsite just outside of Idaho Falls. The Rocky Mountains loomed in the east. Jack and Tate were the first off. Sean and Leslie got their boys outside.
Sean and Leslie looked around the campsite as Cait and Aaron came out of the camper. The site was secluded. It had a Weber grill, with a plastic cover over it. The fire pit in the back corner of the site was filled with wood. Aaron smiled at the couple. "It's not what you know, it's who you know," he winked.
"We've got electricity and water dad," Tate said. Cait went back in, pushed the button to extend the side panel and turned on the oven, located by the door, to preheat.
Sean and Leslie came back in. "How can we help with dinner?"
Cait smiled, pointing at the sink. "I slipped them in there to thaw just before we folded in the panel this morning."
Sean looked in the sink and saw six big thawed out ribeyes. "Steak? Really?" he asked looking at Cait.
"Dad slipped them in the freezer," Cait smiled, shaking her head.
"Baked potatoes and green bean casserole on the rest of the menu?" Leslie smiled.
Cait pointed at her with a smile. "Plus the last of the hamburger and hot dog buns, buttered and sprinkled with garlic salt, cooked on the grill," Cait added.
"Sounds like dinner to me," Sean grinned.
The boys rumbled on. "Can we go swimming?" Jack and Wyatt asked.
"Sure," Cait smiled and then looked at her sons. "You two are responsible for Wyatt and Ethan."
"Got it mom," Tate promised. "It's just been a long couple of days on the RV."
"Go," Sean smiled. The boys raced into the back bedroom to change into their swimsuits.
Five minutes later, the boys were ready to head out the door when Aaron came up the steps. Aaron looked at Tate. They're out dad, he signed with a smile. And I have the shower stuff and clean clothes for all of us, he added, holding up a gym bag.
"Mom already gave us the sermon about the boys," Jack added, signing as well. "We're in."
"Have fun. Be back and showered by five o'clock," Aaron said and signed. The boys took off. "You ready for a beer Doc?" he smiled.
"After I get in the baked potatoes," Cait smiled back. "I'm ready to relax."
Leslie looked at Aaron. "Did I see a bottle of Barkley Reserve Chardonnay in the beer cooler?" she winked.
"There are two," Aaron smiled back.
Sean looked at Aaron. "I think we have a plan," he grinned.
Fifteen minutes later, Aaron, Cait and Leslie were sitting in the lawn chairs with their drinks, enjoying the campsite. Sean, taking a sip of his beer, pulled out the bag of charcoal and got the Weber ready. "I'm cooking the steaks tonight," he said.
Cait looked at Aaron. "If the steaks have the perfectly crisscrossed char lines on them like they do at their restaurant, I say we leave him here tomorrow."
"He's off the island," Aaron smiled, taking a drink of his beer.
"Aaron, you had to marry up to learn a sense of humor," Sean snarked back at his brother.
"Ouch returned brother," Aaron grinned, lifting his beer to Sean.
While Sean was cooking the steaks, Aaron doused the wood in the fire pit with charcoal lighter. He added three pieces of newspaper bundle around the wood and lit the newspaper to get the woodpile going. "I take it dessert is the same tonight," Sean said, turning a steak on the grill. The boys were out in the street area of the campsite, tossing around a football.
"Part of camping out Sean," Aaron smiled.
Sean shook his head. "I don't know how Leslie and I are going to copy that for the boys."
"Special memories for them," Aaron softly smiled.
"Aaron," Sean said, "this trip has already given them many."
Aaron looked at Sean. "Just wait until tomorrow," he winked.
With the sun setting, the fire pit burning and everyone getting ready to have s'mores, they heard a vehicle pull up to the campsite and two doors open and shut. Sean looked at Aaron. Aaron smiled at his brother. "It's OK. We're expecting visitors."
Nick and Johnny, the two people who had made the Hotchner family's first trip to the area so special, walked into the campsite. "Hi!" they both smiled.
"Hey guys!" Jack smiled back.
"Wow," Johnny grinned. "Look at you."
"Guys, I was nine back then," Jack snarked.
Cait went to them and hugged them both. "Come on in and meet the new crew," she smiled.
Nick and Johnny shared handshakes with Aaron. "This is our son Tate," Aaron smiled, introducing him.
Nick shook his head at Cait and Aaron. "You two are amazing."
"Amen," Johnny added with his big smile.
"I have pretty amazing parents," Tate smiled, shaking hands with them.
"Nick and Johnny, this is my brother Sean," Aaron said. Sean shook their hands as Aaron made the rest of the introductions.
"We're just about ready to make s'mores," Sean smiled.
"And your beverage choice is scotch or Bailey's," Cait smiled.
"I'll take a scotch on the rocks," Nick smiled.
"Make it two," Johnny added. Leslie went into the RV to pour their drinks.
"So what's the plan?" Nick asked Aaron.
"We're on a tight schedule. Plus looking at a long ass return trip back to Stockton. We want to be back by Saturday at Cait's folks."
"I've still got your map you gave us to get around the Tetons," Cait smiled. "That makes tomorrow simple."
"No way," Nick smiled, taking his drink from Leslie, thanking her. Cait grinned at him.
"That's our plan tomorrow," Aaron said. "Where we need your help is consolidating your two day plan for us back then into one day in Yellowstone."
Johnny smiled. "You all staying at my place tomorrow night?"
"Ya think?" Jack snarked with his smile.
Sean looked at Aaron. "Nick is the manager of this campground. Johnny manages the campground we're staying at tomorrow night," Aaron explained.
"It's not what you know but who you know," Sean grinned back. Aaron pointed at him.
Nick looked at Cait. "I know you," he smiled. "What time is breakfast Wednesday morning?"
"What time does it need to be?" Cait smiled back.
Nick looked at Johnny. "We should be rolling by eight-thirty," Johnny said.
"We?" Tate asked.
Nick and Johnny smiled at each other. "We're your Yellowstone guides," Johnny grinned at the families. "That is if you don't mind us hanging out with all of you, guiding you around." He looked at Aaron. "This RV will work."
"Why do I think that's a no," Tate snarked.
Nick and Johnny laughed. "Definitely a Hotchner son," Nick grinned. All the Hotchners smiled.
"See you at seven-thirty Wednesday morning," Cait smiled.
Nick and Johnny drained their drinks. "You're not staying for s'mores?" Wyatt asked.
Johnny shook his head with a smile. "I'm a diabetic."
"Got it," Wyatt smiled. "My best friend in school is a diabetic."
"But I'll take one to go," Nick smiled. Sean put one together for him.
Johnny winked at Wyatt. "I'll get a bite of his and be fine."
"Rock on," Wyatt smiled, sharing a high-five with him.
"See you Wednesday morning," Leslie smiled. "Us NYC Hotchners can't wait."
Nick looked at her. "Enjoy tomorrow Leslie. The Tetons are just as special," he smiled. "And Cait has the map," he added, shaking his head at Cait.
"Really?" Cait challenged. "You didn't think I'd save that."
Johnny smiled, shaking his head. "We knew you Hotchners were good people. See you Wednesday morning," he grinned. Sean handed Nick a s'more. Johnny and Nick said their good nights and headed to their vehicle.
Tate looked at Jack. "It's going to get that good?"
"Yup," Jack smiled, putting his marshmallow on the cooking stick.
-00CM00-
By nine the next morning, Aaron had the RV traveling on Highway 26. Sean looked over at the compass heading in Aaron's driver display. "We're heading southeast?"
"This is the only road to get us over the Continental Divide and into Wyoming to get to Teton National Park."
"Plus a stop in Swan Valley," Cait added.
"All over that Doc," Aaron said. "We need to dump grey and black water. Plus fuel up."
Sean looked at Aaron. Ethan was already buckled in with his dad as the scenery grew. The other three boys were standing behind their dads. Jack was in usual spot, sitting on the console between the two chairs in the driver bay. "I think I know the difference between grey and black water. The grey is our shower water." Aaron smiled at Sean with a nod.
"Black is the toilet stuff," Ethan smiled.
"Very good," Aaron grinned back at him. "I'll say again. We need to fuel up. There are no gas stations in two national parks."
"We've got all that Aaron," Sean said. Aaron looked at him. "You and Cait can get the groceries."
"That's a big difference Sean," Aaron said.
Sean smiled. "And how well do you two feed us when we come for Thanksgiving?" Aaron smiled his acceptance.
Leslie looked at Cait. "What about breakfast tomorrow with Nick and Johnny?"
Cait smiled. "While the guys take care of the RV, we make a run into the grocery store next door to get the ingredients for two pans of egg bake."
"Plus ice and more beer Doc," Aaron added.
"Already on my list Aaron," Cait responded.
"What are you thinking for dinner tonight?" Leslie asked.
"Remember when we talked about menus?" Leslie nodded. "I said one night is easy cooking."
"Hence the pizzas in the freezer," Leslie smiled.
Cait smiled. "Tonight is that night. We prep egg bakes while the pizzas cook."
"Works for me," Leslie smiled.
"Guys," Cait said. "Do we need anything more for our grocery run besides the usual milk and juice?"
Tate, standing behind his dad, smiling as the scenery was building, looked at his mother. "More grapes and apples wouldn't hurt."
"And bananas," Wyatt piped up. "I like them on my Wheaties."
"We could use another loaf of bread, sandwich meat and cheese," Leslie added. "It will come in handy when we head back to the ranch."
"Plus chips and dip," Wyatt added.
Jack turned and looked at Cait. "How's the s'mores supply?" Cait smiled, typing in more items into her grocery list on her cellphone.
"Can we have hamburgers and hot dogs again?" Ethan asked. "I loved that night." Cait added more to the grocery list.
Sean shook his head. "Why do I think you're going to out-spend us Aaron."
Aaron smiled. "No, we won't. Trust me Sean."
Twenty minutes later, Aaron pulled into the BP gas station in Swan Lake. Everyone got off. Aaron looked Sean. "You get the gas tank filled. I'll go in to get an attendant to do the water dump."
Cait looked at Jack. "Do you need to see that again?" Jack shook his head. "You're with us," she said, crooking a finger at him. She and Leslie headed for the grocery store.
Tate looked at Jack. "I'm the runner to get the grocery carts back to the cart stall in the parking lot."
"That's a good job for you," Tate snarked.
"Go," Aaron growled at Jack. Jack ran off to catch up with Cait and Leslie. "You're with me," he said to Tate. They headed towards the gas station
"Well done Aaron," Sean smiled, putting the hose into the gas tank. "You ended that war real quick."
"Did you take notes?" Aaron snarked back. Sean shook his head.
"Being the younger brother sucks dad," Ethan snarked.
"I feel ya son," Sean smiled.
Everyone enjoyed the ride over the Continental Divide, seeing the majesty beauty of the Rockies. Sean looked over at Aaron's driver panel. "You're still doing fifty-five going up this hill?"
"This engine has some serious horsepower," Aaron smiled. "The last one was a boat."
"Yup, it was," Jack smiled. "Remember Mike always giving Matt a hard time?"
Aaron laughed. "Yes I do."
A bit later, they all were taking family pictures in front of the elk horn arch that marked the entrance to the city square park in the middle of Jackson, Wyoming.
Getting back into the RV, Ethan smiled. "That was really cool. There were hundreds of those racks."
Jack smiled at him. "It's about to get better."
"And the coolest thing," Cait in teacher mode said. "Those are all brand new from the male elks dropping their racks earlier this spring." Sean and Leslie looked at her.
"They re-build a new arch every year," Aaron smiled. He winked at Jack. "We ready for the good part?"
"I am dad," Tate grinned.
The purple tops of the Tetons got closer as Aaron drove into the National Park. Using the map Cait saved and with Sean navigating, he pulled the RV into the parking lot at the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
Like their last trip there, Aaron and Cait got everyone to explore around the historical site. The old western country store and the ferry crossing over the Snake River, using ropes to pull the wooden ferry back and forth.
Then they entered the church and silently walked to the alter area. Behind the altar was a glass window. The window held a perfect, straight on view of all thirteen peaks of the Grand Tetons. "Wow," Sean softly said.
"That's amazing," Tate whispered, taking a picture on his cellphone. He wasn't the only one taking pictures. They all took a moment together, in that majestic beauty, held hands and bowed their heads in private prayer. When they turned to leave the tiny church, two older couples smiled at the family moving up to take their place.
"That was amazing," Wyatt said as they made their way to the RV. Just then, a large charter bus was letting a group of Japanese tourists off at the site.
"You still have your Japanese skills Doc?" Aaron smiled at her.
"Hai," Cait replied with a wink.
Sean looked at Aaron as they all got onto the RV. Aaron smiled. "You didn't know my wife is a Rosetta Stone junkie?"
Sean smiled, shaking his head. "I always knew she was pretty amazing but not that."
"Arigato gozaimasu," Cait smiled.
"Look out if she runs into some German tourists," Jack snarked.
"Mein Deutsch ist sehr gut," Cait winked at Sean.
A bit later, Aaron made the turn into the parking lot of the Jenny Lake Lodge. He found a parking spot for the RV, backed the RV into the spot, shut it off and swiveled around in his driver's chair. "This is the good part," he smiled.
"Grab your cameras and cellphones," Cait added.
Aaron got out of his seat. "Doc, I know you borrowed your dad's binoculars. Where did you put them?" Cait pointed at the cabinet above the door. Aaron pulled them out.
"Really Uncle Aaron?" Wyatt asked.
"Really buddy," Aaron smiled back, getting him out the RV door. After everyone was off, Aaron locked the door. They all walked towards the lodge.
"I don't get it," Ethan said.
"You will in a few minutes," Jack said, leading the family.
"Really?" Tate quietly asked his brother.
Jack smiled back at Tate. "Bro, this is the money shot," he grinned.
They all walked through the spacious reception area of the lodge and marveled at the huge stone fireplace that was the reception area centerpiece. Jack led them to the backdoors of the area and pulled a door open, waving everyone onto the Jenny Lake Lodge Grand Porch. The closest view of the peaks of the Tetons welcomed them. Tate looked at Jack. "Now I get it."
"Whoa," Wyatt said, walking onto the porch.
"This is pretty unbelievable," Leslie said.
Everyone moved to the wooden benches that lined the rail of the porch. A uniformed staff member happened along and looked at Aaron. "How good are those?" he asked Aaron, nodding at the binoculars Aaron was holding. Aaron looked at Cait.
"Pretty good," she answered.
The staff member pointed at Grand Teton peak. "Do you see the snow field halfway up at nine o'clock?"
"Yes," Aaron answered, lifting the binoculars.
"There are three climbers in red jackets going up that snow field," the staffer smiled.
Aaron put the binoculars to his eyes. "I got them," he smiled, handing the binoculars to Sean. "Follow the snow field from the rock crag just below it. They're straight up."
Sean looked. "I got them," he smiled.
Wyatt and Ethan climbed up onto the seats of the porch to be next to their dad. Sean helped his sons find the hikers. Tate, Jack, Leslie and Cait were next.
Just then, Wyatt shook his head. "Pal?" Cait asked.
"I'm getting hungry." He looked at his cellphone. "It is lunch time."
Sean looked at Aaron and Cait. "There is a restaurant inside."
Cait and Leslie smiled at him. "There is cheaper food in the RV Sean," Leslie smiled.
"We're leaving?" Tate asked.
"This isn't going away Tate," Cait smiled. "We can come back after lunch."
"We have to," Jack snarked. "Dad needs to get on moose in the marsh patrol."
Sean looked at Aaron. "My specialty," Aaron smiled. "And my wife gets to show off more of her foreign language skills to the international tourists," he winked at his brother.
They all returned to the RV. Aaron turned on the engine. Jack pushed the button to get the slide out. "Well chosen parking spot Aaron," Sean said. "I'm impressed," as the slide glided out over a grass island of the parking lot.
"I have my moments," Aaron winked at his brother with a smile.
Everyone enjoyed their lunch and returned to the Grand Porch. The group of tourists they had ran into earlier was there. Aaron nodded the family over to the left side of the porch. They took turns taking family pictures with the Tetons in the background. "Now?" Sean asked Aaron.
"Now," he smiled, pulling up the binoculars. He smiled. "I've already got two bulls." Tate, standing on the porch seats, looked out.
"Give me some direction dad."
"Tate, see the pole at ten o'clock in the marsh?"
"Got it," Tate said.
"They're right under it. You should be able to see them," Aaron said, handing the binoculars to Sean.
Tate smiled. "Come here Ethan," he said, waving his cousin up next to him. He pointed.
Ethan smiled. "I can see them too." Wyatt and Jack joined them, standing on the porch seats.
The Japanese tourists flocked over to them. Leslie looked at Cait. "What's the Japanese word for moose?" Leslie smiled.
"Moose," Cait winked back with a smile, directing the tourists where to look.
Walking back to the RV, Ethan looked at his parents. "This was a great day," he grinned.
"Yes it was," Sean smiled, rubbing his shoulder. Aaron put his arm around Cait, smiling at her.
Three hours later, after touring the rest of Teton National Park, Aaron backed the RV into the most private spot at the Fireside Lodge in Moran, Wyoming, just outside of the Teton park. Yet the spot was less than two blocks away from the heated pool and the laundry facilities. During the drive to the campground, Leslie and Cait got everyone's dirty clothes out of the closet in the back bedroom.
The boys were already in their swimsuits as Sean hooked up the power and water to the RV. "We'll join you in a few," Sean smiled as the boys headed off.
Aaron looked at Cait and Leslie, wearing his swimsuit as well. "Go," Cait smiled, rubbing Aaron's chest. "After we get the loads going, we're going to join you. You and Sean are on drying patrol."
"That works Doc," Aaron smiled, kissing her.
Everyone was enjoying the pool when Sean climbed out. "Cait, where's the roll of quarters for the dryers," he asked, using a pool towel to dry off.
"In my bag," Cait pointed at the cloth bag that held the laundry stuff that was under a chaise lounge. Her FBI credentials were on top of everything.
Sean looked at Cait, pulling out the roll of coins. "Nice," he grinned. "No one will grab this."
The egg bakes were made while everyone enjoyed the pizzas and the adults having a few cocktails. Aaron turned on the furnace and set the temperature setting. Sean looked at him. "It may be July. But it's going to get chilly tonight."
Wyatt looked at him. "No s'mores tonight?"
Cait pulled out a clear plastic container holding some seven-layer bars she had bought in Swan Lake. "These work for you?" softly shaking the box around.
"Yup Aunt Cait," Wyatt smiled.
Knowing the big day they all had tomorrow, everyone was in bed by ten. Ethan was curled up by himself in the dining nook sleeping area.
XXX
A/N: Like I said in Family Amazing Race, I've been to the Tetons and Yellowstone. Twice. I enjoyed each visit. I'll say it again. Yellowstone is magnificent. It holds the title of best U.S. National Park for a reason. With Grand Canyon National Park a close number two. That I've seen more than once as well.
The Tetons are still my favorite. And the Grand Porch at Jenny Lake Lodge is a gift everyone should see.
Hai is Japanese for yes. Arigato gozaimasu is thank you. Thank you Google translations for that. Mein Deutsch ist sehr gut is all me. If you're my age and living in the upper Midwest of the U.S. (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas) if your heritage isn't German, it's probably Norwegian or Swedish.
I studied German for three years in high school. I have been to Germany, in 1975, as part of a cultural exchange. We toured southeastern Germany (before the wall came down) including the spectacular Black Forest (plus Neuschwanstein Castle near Fussen and Schwengau) and I, and a classmate, stayed with a German family in a suburb of Munich for five days.
I lost my German speaking skills over the years. But I'm re-learning them, via Duolingo (it's online and free!) so I can check off my ultimate bucket list item of visiting some Euro CM friends.