August 22, 2016
1:00 PM PDT

Marty McFly Jr felt so ecstatic, as he ran to join his cousins: Alex and Mike. The three of them looked like triplets, and Alex and Mike were Marty Jr's closest friends. He just loved to spend time with them. He thought of how their fathers were also twins - and their mothers were double cousins. On family vacations, they were always together.

"Don't go too far, children," called out Jennifer. "We're planning to have some bacon cheeseburgers, for supper. I think it'd be very nice to cook things, the old-fashioned way. We'd like for you to be back here, by five. You'll remember that, won't you?"

"We will, Mom," called out Marty Jr. To his cousins, he added, "This simply continues to be one of my favourite vacation spots. Dad said that, uh, it was quite thirty years ago - when their family first came here. It was shortly after Dad and Uncle Calvin..."

"I sure wonder what all Dad's life was like," commented Mike, "before he was reunited with the family. Whenever I ask him, he never wants to talk about it. I guess it brings back, uh, some painful memories. Well, I guess it's best to just think on the positive. I feel so fortunate, having such a wonderful family. We certainly are one tight family."

"Isn't this so exciting, guys?" asked Marty Jr, as he flashed a lopsided smile. "I mean, legally, we're all adults - but this trip really brings out the kid in me! I simply enjoy the scenery. This sure proves that the technology hasn't completely taken over nature!"

"I see what you're saying," Alex replied, smiling. "Technology isn't all bad, of course - but it can be a pretty good feeling, getting in touch with nature. Of course, spending time with the family is also nice. It's also real nice... that our girlfriends could join us."

"You both are so lucky," Mike commented, sighing. "I mean, I don't have anyone. It's not the end of the world, granted. Still, I really can't help but feel a little... left out. I understand that I shouldn't be so selfish. It's just that... To be honest, I sort of wish that it could be... be just us. Marlene's dating Mike Hartford, so I'm the only one..."

"Chin up, Mike," urged Marty Jr. "We're just barely adults. You'll really have plenty of time to find yourself a girl. Some people don't quite find their matches, until they're in mid-twenties. Just don't sweat it, Mike. We'll still have plenty of fun. I promise you."

"What's happening here?" asked Stephanie Stebbs, as she and her twin ran up. "Oh, I guess Mike's feeling insecure. Y'know, Mike, we're all very good friends - and I'd never dream of making you feel left out. Stacy and I are fond of you - as a friend, that is."

"Steph is very right, Mike," added Stacy. "Just hang in there. We all have our whole lives ahead of us. You're truly a wonderful person - and I'm pretty sure that, one of these days, you'll simply be able to find your match. Just because we're dating your brother and your cousin, it really doesn't mean that we don't also care about you."

"Thanks for the encouragement, girls," Mike replied, managing a small smile. "I guess I really should stop fretting. Still, I feel like the odd one out - as I'm the only one on this trip, who doesn't have match. Still, I guess... Perhaps, I am being too insecure."

"Well, Mike," suggested Marty Jr, as he hated for his cousin to feel bad. "Don't think of us as couples, okay? Right now, we're all just hanging out... as a bunch of rather close friends. I was thinking that we could, uh, go swimming. Wouldn't that be fun?"

"Yeah, okay, sure," Mike replied, nervously. Just as the group stepped onto the trail, he added, "Well, I can just hear the birds chirping. It really feels nice, just having the soft breeze blowing all over you. I suppose I should just try to enjoy our vacation. In fact, I have many fond memories of this place. I remember being real young, and..."

"Hey, Mike," suggested Alex. "I think that, just for this afternoon... Well, let's just all pretend as though... as though we're young children. Granted, it certainly feels very nice - being out of school. We won't have to put up with Jeb Strickland, anymore."

"He really sounds like a nasty old man," commented Stephanie. "I still remember how, Marty, you wanted to attend our school. Alex wanted to join, too. I guess even Mike did. I won't lie. We had many good times, but the schoolwork was often very tough."

"He sure takes after his grandfather," explained Marty Jr. "When my parents went to school, Steven Strickland was just as hard on them. It just seems to run in the family. I was told that, during the days of the Old West, James Strickland was a marshall. He probably just ruled the county with an iron fist, if he's anything like his descendants."

"He was a police officer," Mike correctly, gently, "not a king... or a dictator. He would still be bound under the federal and state laws, over what all he could do. I mean, he couldn't exactly throw anyone in jail - just because the person looked at him funny."

"Mad Dog Tannen shot him, though," added Alex. "I think his real name was Buford. If you think Griff Tannen is quite bad... Well, his ancestor was an outlaw - and he'd actually just shoot anyone. Anyone who dared to cross him... or get in his way."

"I think he actually shot people, just for thrills," Marty Jr suggested, emphatically. "He didn't even need a reason. I think one could remain as inconspicuous as possible, and simply blend in with the crowd. Yet, I doubt that it'd quite make you entirely safe. I certainly would hate to live in that era. Of course, you wouldn't have any of the..."

"... modern technology?" finished Stephanie, smiling. Marty Jr nodded, as he certainly couldn't imagine giving up the modern comforts and conveniences. "Yeah, it'd be quite tough for me. I don't even like wearing dresses to church. I can't began to imagine..."

"You really don't like dresses, do you?" Stacy asked, laughing. "Well, it does seem like some of the clothes of the time would be... pretty uncomfortable. I'd also rather miss listening to rock music. Granted, I wouldn't miss the rap crap, but I'd certainly feel..."

"That's why I simply wish I could be an '80s teen," Marty Jr commented, sighing. "My parents really are real lucky to have come of age, during that decade. Even some of the older adults act like... like I have no right to enjoy Huey Lewis and The News. Of course, my parents are happy. Still, why should my age really restrict my right to..."

"They maybe just want something to bitch and moan about," suggested Mike. "On the plus side, it does look like rock and roll is really becoming more popular... Well, I simply can't say that rap ever will go away. Then, again, I'm not sure if even disco really..."

"Well, the '80s does have some great music," replied Alex. "I can't exactly say that I'd want to live there, though. I mean, we've simply gone a long way - even though, I do disagree about the abolishment of lawyers. That might soon be overturned, thouigh."

"Yeah, as much as people like to rag on lawyers," Stacy replied, "I think that it was a pretty big mistake, abolishing them. No, I don't think that criminals should be allowed to run the steets. On a positive note, I'm actually rather happy with the abolishment of capital punishment. Still, there is the big risk of innocent people being locked up."

"That doesn't sound so good," Mike commented, shaking his head. "I've heard several reports about innocent people... who've spent many years in jail. To really make such matters worse, many were actually from before the days of rejuvenation overhauls."

"Even with rejuvenation overhauls," Alex added, sighing, "it's simply still a major disgrace to humanity. I see what you mean, though. The rejuvenation overhauls are really about the most practical inventions, since... since the invention of the wheel!"

"Yeah, really," agreed Marty Jr, "as it actually does extend life spans. That's probably about the useful of the modern inventions. Certainly more so, than the hoverboards - as nice as they really are. I'm not very sure of what to make of the whole 'thumb print' thing, though. I actually don't like that, uh, just anyone can find out who I am."

"The whole 'thumb print' thing comes in real handy," pointed out Stephanie. "It's sure nice to not have to carry around credit or debit cards. Granted, there sure are a few drawbacks. I mean, we have thumb bandits - and there's also the issue of privacy."

"I see what you mean, Steph," agreed Marty Jr, nodding. Stopping short, he added, "Hey, everyone, look! Is that a... It really looks just like log cabin! I'm really not sure of what. Don't you guys think that it's a... a very impractical place, for a log cabin."

"It sure does look impractical," Alex agreed, scrutinizing the cabin. "It's simply in the middle of the woods, it's some distance from the trail, and it's... That cabin really appears to be... surrounded with trees!" After a brief pause, he continued, "I'd sure like to check the cabin out, if you don't mind. I admit that the cabin looks real nice."

"Do you think it could be from..." Marty Jr began to ask. "Well, are you sure that this is really a good idea? I mean, someone might live there - and we'd be trespassing. At least, I don't think that we should step inside. Well, I admit that I am rather curious."

"I, for one, really can't imagine anyone living in that place," Alex commented, shaking his head. "I'll admit that it can really be nice, for vacations. Still, does that place even have a washroom? This might've just been built, sometime during the 19th Century."

Marty Jr just shrugged, as he and the others ran to the cabin. He also rather couldn't imagine living there. While the exterior looked aesthetically pleasing, it would be quite impractical to call "home". Still, he was curious to see what the interior would look like. He then noticed that there was a metal pole, which was simply attached to the cabin.