A River, Rocks and a Riddle
A father and daughter fishing trip gets them hooked on more than trout
Paul Fraser loaded the truck bed full to the canopy roof, and with a good shove on the tailgate, the supplies for the camp were secured. He went back inside to gather his daughter, Helene, and dog, Jackson. Then, double-checking nothing was left behind and saying goodbye to his wife, the first father-daughter camping trip of the season was on.
Helene jumped into the front seat, arranged her sketchbook and pencils, buckled her seat belt, and selected the playlist to drive into the mountains. Helping his old dog into the back seat, complete with his blanket, pillow, and favorite stuffed animals, Paul shared a smile with his daughter, knowing this was likely the last trip their beloved old boy, Jackson would have. At sixteen, he had already outlived his expected lifespan by several years, and though his hips were weak and he tired quickly, his heart was strong and his spirit willing. Helene fervently believed that camping would rejuvenate Jackson’s spirit and heal his bones for yet another year of life.
The three of them had been making summer trips high into the mountains for many years now and with each new season, the further in the forest they would go. So while Helene’s mother fretted about them being so far out of reach by…
