American Girl

Idaho

Lyndsey Kraft shouldered her backpack. Her friends gathered around Forrest's jeep. Each grabbed a tent, pack, or cooler to carry. They planned to hike all day before setting up camp. Lyndsey wore stout boots with thick heels, cut-off shorts, and a halter top. The day was hot, and she was perspiring already.

"All right, gang, forward hup," Forrest Gallant shouted, his arm arrowing straight toward the trail. "Right, two three four."

"Knock it off, Sarge," Milton Ledger griped. "You're not in the army anymore."

"We're not on a forced march," Milt's brother Garth put in. "We're here to have fun."

Lyndsey exchanged a look with her best friend, Ava Styles. The two girls giggled—they were off to a good start. The boys usually began grumbling before they hiked too far. The group spent the summers together hiking in the National Parks. Last year, they spent a week in the Grand Canyon, and the previous year, in the Badlands. They chose their destination the easy way: names in a hat. Garth drew and came up with Hell's Canyon, Idaho.

They formed a rough line and walked into the canyon. Forest took the lead, and the rest trailed behind. Milt and Garth carried a tent apiece while the rest lugged heavy packs and coolers. Lyndsey hoped they wouldn't hike too far. Her pack already felt like it weighed a ton. She took the trail side by side with Ava. The boys (or rather men, as they preferred) ranged along in the lead.

"Aren't you carrying anything?" Ava suddenly asked Tiffany Crane.

Lyndsey turned to walk backward, glaring at their final companion. She often wondered why Tiff joined their group. She wasn't hiking or camping material. Tiff, the granddaughter of Senator Harold Crane, was used to high society. She claimed acquaintances with crown princes and heads of state, even bragging about having dinner in the White House. The mere thought of exerting herself made Tiffany break out in hives.

Tiffany rolled her shoulders and stared blankly. She was wearing designer jeans and a plaid shirt with a cardigan draped over her back. Her soft kid boots were made for a fashion model's runway, not hiking in Hell's Canyon.

"Your feet are so gonna hurt you by the end of the day," Lyndsey remarked, whistling between her teeth. "Didn't you learn anything from the Grand Canyon?"

Tiffany shrugged again. Lyndsey faced forward and then ran to catch up with Forrest. She matched her steps to his steady march.

"Why did you let Tiff come with us again?" she asked their fearless leader.

"She wanted to come. Who am I to stop her?" Forrest answered nonchalantly.

"She ruined the Grand Canyon for us," Lyndsey complained. "And I'm not even going to mention what happened at Badlands."

"She wanted to come," Forrest repeated.

Lyndsey retreated back to Ava. Milt and Garth remained ahead of them, and Tiffany followed. As they moved along the trail, the distance between the group and the lagger widened. No one seemed to notice. They snacked on granola bars and drank water along the way. Finally, the canyon widened before them. They stood together in a group and looked down upon the Snake River.

"Whitewater rafting tomorrow, gang," Garth exclaimed. "Everyone prepared to get wet?"

"Yeah." They all sighed together.

"Forward march," Forrest exclaimed, moving onward.

"Knock it off," Milt stated, pushing Forrest in the back.

"You're in the Army Now," the girls sang, putting their heads together.

"Very funny, you two," Milt remarked, straight-faced. "How did I get mixed up with a bunch of comedians?"