The Adventure of a Lifetime Series

Tom and Kenny Wilson very were excited. Both boys could hardly contain themselves as they asked to be excused from the dinner table. Racing up the stairs to pack, the boys could not believe the time had finally come for their big vacation. Their father and mother had just explained to them that they would be going up to their uncle’s cabin for a whole week.

Two summers ago, when Tom was nine and Kenny was six, they had spent three days at their uncle’s cabin with their cousins Bobby and Angie. Still fresh in their minds were the adventures that they had had hiking through the mountains of the upper desert of Southern California. Of course, then, they weren’t allowed to wander too far but they had great adventures just the same. This year would be different. They were all so much older.

 “This is going to be great.” Tom thought, tossing some clothes into his suitcase and trying to figure out what else he would need for the long trip.

They were only on the road for less than an hour when the kids started to get board. They still had almost two hours of driving to go. Having discussed everything amongst themselves about what had gone on during their summer vacation, Kenny began to make funny faces at the people they passed along the freeway. Roaring with laughter, the other kids all decided to

join in until Aunt Grace seen them and realized just what they were doing. “No wonder all of these people that are passing us look so angry.” said Aunt Grace. “You kids behave yourselves back there,” as she turned back to smile at Uncle Joe.

The big red faded barn was huge and in much need of repairs. It was built sometime in the late 1800’s, years before the cabin was built. The reason for the barn being built first, Uncle Joe wasn’t really sure. As the kids entered the barn, swinging open the big double doors, Bobby was elected to go in first. Mostly because he was the oldest. The stale smell of old straw was their first encounter, followed by two large bats that swooped down at them from somewhere up in the hayloft. Angie screamed and dropped the flashlight as she turned and started to run out the doors. “Angie, come back.” yelled Tom. “Its only a bat. They won’t hurt you.” Slowly, Angie inched her way back in to where the boys were. Her heart still pounding very fast.  “Have you ever been up in the hayloft Bobby?” asked Tom, looking at the rickety old ladder leading up there. “Nope. Never have.” answered Bobby, “Why, do you think we should go up there and have a look around?” “Bobby,

you know that dad said not to go up there. He said that the boards might be rotten and we could fall through and get hurt.” replied Angie. “I don’t know.” said Bobby, not paying much attention to his sister. “If you do I’m gonna tell.” said Angie, looking rather serious. “Only babies tell.” said Kenny. “She’s right.” said Bobby, “We’d better not go up there.”