Tom Who? Huckleberry What?

Starsky and Hutch admit their love on a trip to the wilderness and a wild raft ride.

This was absolutely, positively the craziest, stupidest thing he had ever let Hutch talk him into.

Actually, getting drunk while sitting under a deeply starry sky around a campfire with Hutch may have been the stupidest. After all, it left him vulnerable to the inebriated, reminiscent, soapy Hutch. And, of course, the next day Hutch was bright eyed and bushy tailed and remembered everything they had talked about. Damn him anyway.

So, the next day they had laboured hard and long finding appropriately sized dead wood, or trees, with Hutch insisting that they use natural bindings to lash it all together.

Hutch had been so engrossed in the entire project, that, about 2:00 pm, only a full-blown ‘Starsky is hungry’ tantrum had diverted him long enough to begrudgingly throw together sufficient food to sustain them. He was getting seriously concerned here that Hutch actually meant to try this crazy stunt.

His body was so protesting its unusual activity that he had no trouble turning in early that night and tumbling right into a deep sleep. It wasn’t long enough though, for Hutch had him up before the sun with a coffee in his hand before he even crawled out of his sleeping bag.

This was ridiculous. He was supposed to be relaxing, giving in and letting go of all his work/city-living related tension; slowing down, doing nothing, letting his body dictate when it wanted to move. He was about to protest when he noticed Hutch.

Hutch was fairly sparkling with energy, lit up like a Christmas tree. His eyes were bright with fun and anticipated joy. His body was almost vibrating with controlled enthusiasm and the verve of adventure.

He was mesmerized. This was one beautiful sight, and there was no way he wanted to deflate Hutch’s balloon.

What he did want to do, he actually did, with no thought. He slowly approached his partner, looked for long minutes deep into his eyes, and then wrapped him in arms that squeezed the life out of him with a love that seemed to converge in the strength of his embrace.

Hutch had read him perfectly, welcoming him into his arms just as warmly, those hands firmly caressing his back as the golden-topped head came to rest against his dark curls. They shared the feeling that flowed between them for several minutes, and then he felt a soft nuzzle to his ear followed by an equally soft “love you.”

Drawing back, he once again stared deep into those eyes, exchanging truth. A quickly deposited kiss was followed by his own declaration.

At the time, he had enthusiastically followed Hutch’s lead, and after a quick breakfast they headed to the riverbank to launch their adventure. Fortunately, they had had the foresight to build their craft close enough to the river to make the final steps a relative breeze.

Now, he wasn’t so sure.

Hutch had been overjoyed when their homemade raft had actually floated, and, stayed on an even keel even with them aboard. Hutch let loose his inner child, and they romped in childish fantasy, playing games of all sorts. Eventually they climbed aboard and sat cross-legged, facing each other, talking quietly, one or the other reaching out occasionally to touch, or grasp a hand.

It was some time later that he noted they were moving, and rapidly at that. Their gentle, still river was now moving them down stream at a surprising rate, and. as they had abandoned their poles in play, there was no way to control the craft.

He panicked, fearfully envisioning raging rapids up ahead; alligators rising up from the depths to drag him to a watery grave; or, long, wavy tendrils holding him under water so he couldn’t get to Hutch. ‘Hutch! Got to save Hutch.’

He began frantically paddling, trying to direct their course, but was almost instantly calmed by the strong hands that imprisoned him until he could think clearly again. The reality of their situation, once explained, weakened him with relief and he settled back, with a chuckle, in embarrassed silence.

The shallowness of the river allowed them to go overboard and make for shore, although he still felt apprehensive about being attacked by some hidden underwater creature. They beached their craft on the rocky shoreline and spent time recovering their strength.

Plans for the return trip to their campsite where interrupted by the sudden appearance of a Park Ranger on horseback. After patiently hearing their story and assuring them of a guided trip back to their campsite, he startled them by basically telling them they were under arrest for removing trees and putting a craft on the water in a protected area, and having no ID or park pass.

Exchanging disbelieving glances, they both suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter, barely able to hold each other up. Arrested for gosh sakes, for having fun, when they could probably be arrested for the turn their relationship had taken this day.

The Ranger led them back to the Park Station, asking them to wait in a small room while he tackled verifying ID, and the paperwork on these dastardly criminals. He seemed rather amused by the whole situation so they knew they weren’t in too much trouble. He did warn them not to worry about Julius, who was harmless and waiting to be transported.

He looked for Julius as they entered the room and promptly froze in his tracks. For plunked down under the small table was the biggest, largest, hugest, meanest and hungriest looking bear he had ever seen. He couldn’t move or speak although he did try both. Hutch stood calmly beside him making the stupidest noises he had ever heard. You’d think he was talking to the neighbour’s cat! The bear raised his huge head and he could just see him thinking it was dinnertime.

He was sure they were done for, and was thankful that at least they were together. Never again was he going anywhere near a forest, park, or even a tree, unless it was in his own front yard.

Hutch barely had time to start explaining before the Ranger came back and rescued them. He took a deep settling breath only after the door had been firmly closed between the two rooms.

After listening to the Ranger’s lecture, they were both more appreciative of how their ‘fun’ impacted the park ecology and took their punishment with humility and respect.

Noticing his frequent nervous glances at the closed door, the Ranger explained Julius’ history over a cup of real brewed coffee.

The bear had been rescued when his mother failed to leave her winter den. She had died during hibernation, of unknown causes. The Ranger had been tracking her, and when she failed to reappear had entered the den and found Julius. He had then assumed sole care of the cub for the past four months and had become very attached to him, but accepted that Julius had to be moved to a transition camp before being released back to the wild. He laughingly asserted that Julius made a much better Jailer than he did, as very few of the Park visitors were willing to take the chance of offending the bear.

It startled him to learn the cub was only four plus months old. It looked enormous.

Back at their campsite several hours later, after producing their ID and Park Pass, they bid farewell to the Ranger, then merely looked at each, turned and entered the tent. In a short time they had turned their single sleeping bags into a double arrangement and were snuggled into each other sound asleep.

His last fading thought was of the warmth and love he felt wrapped around him.