And now for the stunning… conclusion? But first, a quick tally for those following along at home. Three chapters spent telling you how much this trip means to me. Zero chapters spent actually on it. (sigh)
Part 4 of this serial is below. But is that the end of this saga? Subscribe here to get updates on future posts and find out. You may just be surprised.
If you’re just joining us or need a refresher, you can read all parts of the series here.
Chapter 4 – A Change of Plans
The problem with speaking in extremes is that you’re bound to be wrong more often than not. I did get to LaGuardia on time and back home to Minneapolis that night, but we never got on that plane to Montana.
A couple days earlier, wildfires had ripped through the Pacific Northwest and most news outlets had been covering the danger on broadcasts since. The smoke had pushed air quality dangerously low across the West Coast, and it had now moved into the Rocky Mountains. Flights to the areas were getting delayed or cancelled, and health risk was a real concern for anyone with asthma or heart conditions. Dad had both, so at breakfast the next morning, we sat discussing our outlook.
“It says here the air quality index is 243 in Kalispell,” Devorah said, showing us her phone’s weather app.
“Is that bad?” I asked. I had no idea what a good score was, though the bright purple shade painting the map screen definitely didn’t look promising.
“Yes, very bad,” she responded. “To put it in perspective, it’s 40 here. And anything over 100 is high-risk for people with respiratory issues.”
“Yikes, take a look at the pictures from Lake McDonald.” Dad had pulled up the national park’s official weather service page, which showed live feeds from cameras throughout the park.
Scrolling through the images taken minutes earlier, my heart sank. Each was worse than the one before. What should have been bright blue skies waking up from the sun’s first rays was instead a blur of reddish-gray haze everywhere. Some faintly showed the outline of mountains, most engulfed the entire landscape.
I looked up and read it on Dad’s face before he opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry, kids, I don’t think it’s a good idea to go.” And although he was talking to all of us, he was looking at me, wearing the same devastated look I knew was on my own face.
I wanted to be optimistic, to say something that would push us forward with our perfectly planned itinerary. That trick worked more than once on the AT, seemingly convincing my hiking partners to look on the bright side and trudge on with newfound excitement for hiking in the rain, snow, or dark of night.
But looking at Dad’s phone again, I knew it was useless. Even if we went, the week was sure to get worse before it got better and any attempt at hiking would be miserable and dangerous.
“Okay,” I agreed with a heavy sigh. “You’re right. It’s just… it’s been ten years since we all hiked in Rockies together. This sucks.” Looking from Dad to Devorah, and then back to Dad, I said, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you are right, we have to cancel the trip.”
“Actually… maybe not.” A voice called out from behind us. Devorah’s husband, Kevin, walked in with his laptop in hand and a smile on his face as he stared at the screen.
“We’ve already blocked off the week, and the smoke looks bad everywhere from Seattle to St. Louis.”
“Yeah?” I said, not quite sure what he had in mind. By this time tomorrow, smoke was sure to hit Yosemite, the Tetons, and Rocky Mountain National Park. There wasn’t anywhere left in the country I could think of that would be safe for a week of hiking in the kind of mountains that Dad would enjoy.
“Well…” He lifted his head and shot us all a look. A look we knew meant he had already figured everything out. “Anyone want to go to Alaska?”
See you tomorrow for the next chapter of this sequel prequel, told serial-style all week. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Want more? Get your copy of Hello My Name is Sharkbait today. Available in hardcover, paperback, and audiobook. Or, heck, unite the triforce and buy all three.
Hello Neiman!
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