Camping with Grandsons

19

Starsky and Hutch take Max and Ollie away for a weekend.

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Part One

“Are you sure about this?”

Starsky’s voice was quiet and soft, which in itself was enough to tell Hutch it was a serious question. He turned to look at his former partner and best friend.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Starsky waved his hands. “Our camping trips usually end in disaster. You really think we should be taking kids with us?”

Hutch laughed. “One time, Gordo, one time. You know you’ll have fun teaching Max how to fish and I’ll have fun showing you how to cook your own dinner from things we catch and glean.”

“Glean, huh? I’m from New York. We don’t glean!”

“Well, good thing you’ve got me along then.”

Hutch pulled up outside his daughter’s house and within seconds the door opened and his grandson, Ollie, came out carrying a bag. He was quickly followed by his best friend, Max, who also happened to be Starsky’s grandson. The boys must have been watching from the window for their arrival.

Starsky and Hutch grinned at each other before climbing out to greet the boys and open the trunk to add the boys’ bags to their own. Max kept one small bag with him as he and Ollie eagerly climbed into the back of the car.

Once everyone was settled, with seatbelts on, Hutch waved to his daughter and then started to drive away. Max opened his bag.

“What have you got in there?” Starsky asked.

“My Eye-Spy book and some snacks,” Max said, as he opened a bag of chips and offered them round.

Hutch chuckled but didn’t say how much the younger Starsky was like his grandfather. He didn’t have to. Starsky opened his own bag of snacks and offered each boy a Twinkie.

Hutch declined both offers, instead asking, “What’s the theme of your Eye-Spy book?”

“Things to see on a journey.”

“Well, we’d better start looking then. What do we need to spy?”

Max consulted the first couple of pages and said, “Billboard, traffic lights, man on a bicycle, bus, a green car and some construction.”

The next twenty minutes (the time it took to cross the city) were spent with all three passengers shouting out things they’d spotted. Starsky pointed out anything he thought should be in the book and loudly groused about it if it wasn’t. As they headed away from Bay City and joined the I10, they had to look out for highway signs and things to do with nature. Hutch’s eagle eyes were the ones to spot a red tail hawk diving down on some small mammal to have as its breakfast. This earned him 500 points much to Starsky’s disgust.

“We should see lots of birds, some rare ones, in the National Park,” Hutch said.

Ollie nodded. “I hope we see a Great Gray Owl, although it’s unlikely as they’re very rare.”

“That would be a great spot,” Hutch agreed.

“I want to see a Turkey Vulture,” Max said eagerly.

Starsky shuddered. “I don’t want to see anything with the word vulture attached to it!”

Hutch chuckled.

“So what’s our itinerary other than fishing?” Starsky asked.

“I thought we could fish this afternoon from the boat that belongs to the cabin, go for a hike early tomorrow morning before it heats up, fish again in the afternoon if you want to or just hang out near the lake and of course we will have a campfire both evenings.”

“Sound perfect apart from the hiking bit,” Starsky said.

Ollie and Max chuckled.

“We-ell,” Hutch said in a bargaining tone, “if you go on the hike, I might let you use the hot tub later in the day.”

“Hot tub? There’s a hot tub?”

“Unfortunately, the cabin comes with a hot tub,” Hutch confirmed. “I tried to book one that was more rustic but they were all gone!”

“Lucky for us!” Starsky exclaimed.

Hutch pretended to disapprove but was pleased that Starsky was happy. He’d deliberately booked a slightly more luxurious cabin, knowing Starsky liked his creature comforts even more these days.

“Well, all right. It’s a deal. Tomorrow we’ll hike then relax in the hot tub. What do you think, boys?”

“I’d rather swim in the lake!” Max said. “Are we allowed to?”

“Yes, it’s safe by the boat dock but only go in if Starsky or I am watching. Okay?”

“Okay, Grandpa Hutch.”

“Yeah, Grandpa, okay,” Ollie said. “Can we have a swim as soon as we get there?”

Hutch shrugged and looked at Starsky. He nodded.

“Don’t see why not. Starsky can keep watch while I get lunch organised.”

“What about if I want a swim?” Starsky teased. “Who’s going to watch me?”

Hutch just rolled his eyes.

 

Part Two

Hutch had shouted ‘Lunch!’ fifteen minutes ago and there was still no sign of anyone. He tried not to get irritated. This was a vacation and everyone should be relaxed and do what they wanted when they wanted. But… Just then he heard chatter and footsteps on the porch and the boys came hurrying through the door.

“Grandpa!” Ollie said breathlessly. “Grandpa Starsky won’t get out of the water. Was it okay to leave him?”

“He wouldn’t get out even though it’s lunch!” Max added.

Hutch stifled a smile and a rumble of concern. “You boys get dried off and eat. I’ll go talk to Starsky and remind him we want to do some fishing this afternoon.”

Hutch hurried out of the cabin without appearing to do so and quickly strode down to the lakeside and along the dock. Starsky was treading water but did not look like he was having fun anymore. Hutch thought he knew why.

“Starsk? You need a hand?” he called, loud enough for Starsky but not loud enough for the boys to hear.

“Yeah.” Starsky swam over to the ladder. “My shoulder spasmed and I can’t grip the ladder. Didn’t want to worry the boys.”

Hutch shook his head affectionately but didn’t scold. Neither of them wanted to look less than heroes in front of their grandsons. He checked the height of the ladder and decided there was nothing for it but to go in. He quickly stripped off his shirt and shoes and climbed down.

“Sorry about this,” Starsky muttered, as Hutch slipped into the water and then helped Starsky get up the ladder.

“Sorry for what? I needed to cool off anyway, Gordo.”

As they stood on the dock, dripping, Hutch patted Starsky’s good shoulder and smiled.

“I forgot my shoulder doesn’t like cold water,” Starsky grumbled as he carefully moved his achy joint to loosen it.

“How’s it doing?”

“Easing off.”

“Good. Let’s eat lunch and then go fishing. And don’t forget you can use the hot tub later to give your shoulder a treat.”

Starsky brightened visibly. They collected their clothes and slipped their shoes on. The two of them headed back up to the cabin.

As they entered, Hutch said to the boys, “The water’s nice! No wonder none of you wanted to come have lunch.”

The two boys grinned at their grandfathers then carried on eating and talking nineteen to the dozen. The two men quickly changed and were soon sat beside their grandsons.

“Good spread,” Starsky said approvingly.

“You’re welcome.”

As Hutch ate his sandwich, he listened contentedly to the conversation of his three companions. This is what vacations were about.

Ollie interrupted his thoughts with a question: “Grandpa, when did you learn to fish?”

“I was about eight when my grandfather, your great grandfather, taught me on the river back on the farm in Minnesota.”

“What about you, Gramps?” Max wanted to know.

“On our first of many disastrous-”

“-wonderful-”

“-camping trips. The big lug here introduced me to fishing but I really got into it once I retired.”

“Now he even goes without me!” Hutch exclaimed indignantly, making the boys laugh.

“That’s because you talk too much,” Starsky said, with a wink at the boys.

Hutch was left speechless at this bald faced lie.

Starsky stood up. “Come on, boys, let’s clear up and then we can all go fishing.”

The boys quickly set to the task, assisted by Starsky. Hutch went outside and opened up the trunk of the car to get their fishing gear. Starsky and the boys appeared and then all four of them grabbed something to carry before heading down to the boathouse.

“What’s the prize for the person who catches the biggest fish?” Max wanted to know.

Starsky and Hutch grinned. A competitive spirit ran in the blood.

“How about the winner is let off cooking and clean up duty tonight?” Hutch suggested.

The other three nodded.

“Sounds good. I’ll be in the hot tub while you three are cleaning up,” Starsky predicted.

“In your dreams!” Hutch and the boys all said at the same time and then laughed.

“Jinx,” said Starsky. As the others froze, he added, “Well, that’s one way to get some peace and quiet!”

 

Part Three

Max grinned from earlier to ear as he watched Ollie laying the table, Starsky pouring drinks and Hutch serving up the winning fish and some salad onto four plates.

“Ah this is the life!” he said.

His best friend and Starsky and Hutch all rolled their eyes but then laughed.

“Don’t get too comfortable. You’ll be cooking dinner tomorrow, Max,” Starsky said.

Max shook his head. “I wouldn’t hold your breath, Gramps!”

Hutch brought the plates over to the table and everyone settled down to eat.

“What’s for dessert?” Starsky asked.

“Starsky! You haven’t even started your meal, why are you asking about dessert?!”

Starsky shrugged. “Just wondered. No crime in that.”

Hutch rolled his eyes.

“I bought some choc chip cookies to share,” Ollie said. “We can have them tonight if you want.”

“Thanks Ollie. That would be great.”

It was quiet for a few minutes and then Starsky grimaced, asking, “What time are we going on our hike tomorrow?”

Hutch thought. “How does seven thirty sound?”

“How does ten sound?”

Hutch shook his head. “The birds and local wildlife will be long gone by then.”

Starsky sighed. “Quarter to eight? That sounds more human.”

Hutch chuckled. “All right. Quarter to eight.”

They finished eating and Ollie went and got the cookies and tipped them onto a plate. When the meal was finished, the three losers cleared the table. Max went and got a pack of cards out so they could have a game.

As Hutch sat down and started shuffling the cards, he said to Starsky, “I set the timer on the hot tub, it should be warm by now. Why don’t you go enjoy it? I can beat, I mean play with, the boys on my own.”

Max and Ollie grinned at each other. Without them seeing, Hutch gave Starsky a long look, which he interpreted as meaning look after that shoulder so you’ll be up to tomorrow. Starsky nodded with a slight grimace and went off to find his shorts, a towel and the hot tub.

It was located to the side of the property. Starsky checked the hot tub was the temperature he wanted it to be and set the jets to a medium level. Before getting in, he set his timer on his watch for twenty minutes and then placed the watch on a handy shelf.

He climbed in and settled on the seat with a sigh of pleasure and an acknowledgement that his shoulder was feeling tender after the trouble with it earlier. Getting older with a body that had had more than its share of injuries sometimes wasn’t much fun but he knew that he was lucky it was mainly his shoulder that caused him the occasional problem. Given some of the things that had happened to both of them, they were lucky to be alive and mainly in one piece…and able to enjoy time together and with family. He heard the taunts and laughter coming from the cabin and he smiled.

 

Part Four

Hutch checked his watch. The time was 7.50. He looked at the boys as they finished eating the pancakes he’d made them. He thought he’d better go wake Starsky or they’d be really late setting off and might miss what he wanted them to see. As he went to stand up, Starsky’s door opened.

Before Hutch could say anything, Starsky said, “I’m up. Where’s breakfast and more importantly where’s coffee?”

Hutch chuckled and shook his head. He went and poured out a mug of coffee and placed it in Starsky’s hand before he reached the table and then sat down.

Hutch then placed a pile of pancakes in front of his friend.

“Eat up, Gordo. The birds and beasts are waiting for us.”

Starsky already had one pancake in his mouth. He swallowed quickly.

“If we see beasts, I’m out of there, Blintz!”

Hutch chuckled again then started clearing up as the boys went to get their backpacks and fill their water bottles. Max went and collected Starsky’s bottle and bag and got them ready for him.

“Thanks Max.”

Hutch checked his bag for his binoculars and then put on his walking boots. Starsky shovelled another pancake into his mouth and then stood up.

“All right. I’m ready. Let’s get this show on the road.”

The four of them walked out of the cabin and Hutch led the way around the building and up the road they had driven in on. A few hundred yards along, a signpost pointed to a trail to Hector’s Point. Hutch stepped onto the trail and the others followed single file as the path was narrow. They listened out for birds as they went. Every so often Hutch or Ollie would spot something and point it out to their friends. They passed the binoculars between them for a closer look at some black-throated sparrows, spotted towhees and a robin.

They heard a warbling sound.

“I think that might be a Nashville Warbler!” Hutch said.

“Nashville? What’s it doing in California?”

Hutch shook his head.

As they began to climb steadily upwards, the trees began to thin out and included some that Hutch identified as Pinyon-Junipers. He and Ollie seemed excited about it.

Starsky and Max looked at each other.

“What’s so exciting about Pinyon-Junipers?”

“It means we might see some dusky chipmunks or if we’re lucky a pinyon deer mouse.”

Starsky and Max looked at each other and tried not to chuckle. “Uh-huh, sounds fascinating. Can we stop for a drink?”

Hutch spotted a collection of boulders ahead and suggested they take a break there. They sat and drank some water. Starsky dug in his bag for some candy and handed it around. Just as he was taking a bite from his bar, Starsky heard a chattering noise to his left. He turned to see a chipmunk with a stripe down its back looking at him inquisitively.

“Guys,” he whispered. “Look over here. It’s a chipmunk.”

The small creature chatted away for a few moments and then dashed away.

“That was great!” Max exclaimed.

“I gotta admit he was cute! I don’t know what he was saying but he was cute,” Starsky said.

Hutch stood up. “If we go on up a little further, we’ll come to Hector’s Point and I’m hoping we’ll see something you’ll want to see.”

“What?”

“You’ll see…or at least I hope you will.”

“I hate it when you’re mysterious,” Starsky grumbled. “Ollie, do you know what your grandfather is talking about?”

“I might,” Ollie said with a grin but I’ve been sworn to secrecy!”

Starsky and Max rolled their eyes, but dutifully followed Hutch and Ollie as they headed up the steepening trail.

After a few minutes, they came out to a level piece of land above a steep cliff. Hutch warned the boys not to go too close to the edge. He suggested they sit on a convenient fallen tree and watch the skies. It only took a few minutes until they saw what looked like a small dot in the distance, flying high in the sky and circling in their direction. Hutch lifted his binoculars and grinned.

“Starsk, take a look at that.”

Ollie looked through his own binoculars and then smiled as he passed them to Max.

Starsky trained the glasses on the darkly coloured bird and followed it as it circled. As it drew closer, he saw a flash of red.

“Turkey Vulture!” Max yelled, nearly deafening them all. “It’s a Turkey Vulture!”

Starsky watched the bird as it swooped and circled and rose again on the thermal drafts. He had to admit it was graceful in the air. He handed the binoculars back to Hutch so he could have a good look as well.

“Max, let Ollie take another look at it,” Starsky encouraged his excited grandson.

“What? Oh, yes, sorry Ollie.”

Ollie had a good look while Hutch passed his binoculars over to Max, knowing how excited he was to see this particular bird.

After fifteen minutes, the vulture began to move away and eventually was too far away to watch.

Max’s face shone with joy as he said, “That was brilliant! Thank you, Grandpa Hutch.”

Hutch ruffled Max’s hair and said, “You’re very welcome.” He checked his watch. “How about we head down now, have a snack and then we can enjoy some time at the lake.”

“Swimming?” Ollie asked.

“If you like.”

“More fishing?” Max asked.

“Yes, we can do that too. We’ve got all afternoon to have fun. Ollie, do you want to lead us down?”

“Sure.”

The boys headed off together, chatting away while the path was wide enough to walk side by side. The adults followed behind.

“Thanks for making my grandson’s year!” Starsky said.

Hutch grinned. “I’d seen on a twitchers’ site that there was one around here at the moment. I’m so relieved it appeared. It would have been disappointing if it hadn’t.”

“Oh, I don’t know. The chipmunk was pretty exciting.”

Hutch laughed.

“I just wish I knew what it was trying to tell me,” Starsky said wistfully.

As he stepped ahead of Starsky because of the narrow path, Hutch said, “It was probably warning you about the wolves.”

“Wolves?…Hutch! What wolves?”

 

Part Five

The boys had spent an hour in the lake, swimming and splashing each other and their grandfathers, when they ventured too close to them from the shoreline. Now the four of them were sitting in a small motor boat in the middle of the lake, taking it in turns to fish and spot water birds.

“I know that one,” Starsky said, pointing at a broad black-headed bird with a shimmering greenish neck and black and grey upper body. “That’s the Common Loon.”

“Well remembered,” Hutch said.

“Well, you fell in the water straight after we saw it so it kinda stuck in my memory,” Starsky said with a chuckle. “You did those helicopter arms to try and save yourself but nope! I can still see it now.”

Hutch rolled his eyes as the boys laughed at the mental picture Starsky had created.

“I’m glad my misfortune educated you!” Hutch grimaced.

Starsky looked up at the sky. “It’s really clouding up and it feels like a storm is brewing.”

Max looked excited at the prospect. Ollie seemed nervous.

A warm breeze was stirring the lake and making small ripples. It had gradually grown more humid during the afternoon.

Hutch nodded to Starsky. “I can smell rain on the air. Think we should head back. It wouldn’t be much fun to be caught in a storm out here.”

The boys helped pack the fishing gear away and Hutch started the engine. The birds scattered as they headed back towards the boathouse, where they moored and climbed out. The wind had picked up further and there was a rumble of thunder in the distance as the group hurriedly made their way up to the cabin, with Ollie leading the way.

Hutch went and put the fish on ice while Starsky got drinks and cookies for everyone and the boys went to wash their hands. Starsky carried the tray of goodies out onto the porch and Max and Hutch followed. Hutch noticed Ollie hanging back but, when he looked at him, Ollie came and joined them without comment.

It was quiet now except for the moaning of the wind and the thunder rumbling. All the little birds had scattered away and the waterbirds had headed into the reeds and their nests.

Suddenly the sky lit up with lightning making them all jump. Max started counting, reaching ten just as a loud clap rang out. Ollie jumped.

“About a mile and half away,” Hutch said.

Another flash. This time on the opposite side of the lake. The thunder came fifteen seconds later.

“Two storms. Hope they don’t join together,” Ollie said nervously.

“Hey kiddo, nothing to worry about,” Hutch reassured his grandson.

There were two flashes in quick succession and the rumbles came more quickly. The wind picked up, swirling dust around. There were another two flashes followed by a huge clap that sounded like it was right above them. Ollie startled and jumped up, looking anxious.

“How about we watch from inside,” Hutch suggested. “It’ll rain soon and we don’t want to get soaked.”

Starsky nodded at Hutch’s look and agreed, “Yeah, time to go inside, boys.”

“Aw, do we have to,” Max grumbled.

“I need a refill,” Ollie said.

He hurried over to the fridge and poured himself more juice then he sat down at the kitchen table, trying not to catch anyone’s eye. Starsky and Max stood in the doorway, watching the flashes and enjoying the breeze now it was cooling down. Hutch went and joined his grandson.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

Ollie shook his head. Very quietly, he said, “I feel like a big baby, Grandpa. I ought to be excited by thunderstorms like everyone else!”

Hutch shook his head. “I hated them when I was a kid.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, but I tried to focus on the science behind them and the beauty of them and it got easier to enjoy them over time.”

Ollie nodded.

“How about we cook Starsky’s fish and eat early? Just in case the power goes out later.”

Ollie’s eyes widened. “Do you think it will?”

“Maybe but that’s okay, Ollie, because then we can start the fire early and cook our marshmallows.”

Ollie grinned. “I hope the power goes out then.”

Hutch smiled back. “Let’s get cooking.”

The two of them worked side by side to prepare a meal. Ollie flinched once or twice as the thunder rumbled but it happened less and less as he concentrated on helping. The storm gradually moved away. Suddenly, there was the sound of the odd heavy raindrop falling. Gradually it grew steadier and the rain brought cooler air. When the coudburst got too heavy, Starsky closed the front door.

Hutch called, “Dinner’s nearly ready. Max lay the table.”

Starsky grinned as he sat down. “Hope it’s a feast for for a king or at least the best fisherman today!”

Hutch rolled his eyes and then looked at Ollie.

“Hutchinson pride is on the line. How about we beat these chumps at monopoly after dinner?”

Ollie nodded. “Definitely!”

Starsky and Max looked at each other and said together, “Bring it on.”

 

Part Six

Hutch and Ollie came back from an early morning walk to find Starsky and Max were up and being industrious. Starsky was making coffee. Max was cooking a stack of pancakes.

“There’s something wrong with this picture,” Hutch teased. “Shouldn’t you be cooking for your grandson?”

Starsky grinned. “Kid wants to be a chef. I’m letting him practise. ‘Sides Max cooks a mean pancake.”

Max grinned. “Wash up. Breakfast is ready!”

Hutch and Ollie quickly washed their hands and then sat down at the already laid table. Max carefully carried over the stack of pancakes and placed them in the middle to a round of applause. Starsky took some bacon out of the stove and placed it on a heatproof pad.

Everyone started loading their plates and for a few minutes there was just the sound of contented munching. Starsky broke the silence.

“Where have you two been?”

“Along the lake a couple of miles. Ollie was hoping to see a Great Blue Heron. They do get them here occasionally.”

“Any luck?”

Ollie shook his head. “No, but we saw a pair of Double Crested Grebes. They were beautiful. I love they way they swim and dive in unison.”

“Sounds like a good find.”

Hutch finished his pancakes and said, “Max, these were excellent. When you open your restaurant, I’ll be your first customer!”

“Only if you push in front of me!” Starsky said.

“Well, we’d better get cleared up and pack up,” Hutch said.

The boys groaned.

“Wish we didn’t have to leave. It’s been a great weekend. Thanks Gramps. Thanks Grandpa Hutch.”

“Yeah, can we come again?” Ollie asked.

Hutch and Starsky both nodded.

“Yeah, I think we should make this a regular thing,” Starsky said.

Hutch feigned shock. “Really? Thought you were still dubious about camping?”

“Well, we’ve survived this trip unscathed. I figure our luck has changed…’Course there will have to be a hot tub included from now on. You’ve set the bar high this weekend, buddy. I can’t go back to rustic now!”

Hutch chuckled.

The four of them cleared the table and washed up.

“Can we have one more trip on the boat before we go?” Ollie asked wistfully as they finished.

“I don’t see why not. Let’s pack the car ready to leave and then we’ll go for a last look around.”

“Great!”

The boys hurried away to pack up their things.

A few minutes later everything was stowed in the trunk and the four of them were heading down to the boathouse.

“We’d better make sure it’s got enough fuel,” Starsky said.

“Yes, we should.”

“And a pair of oars just in case.”

Hutch nodded.

“And everyone wear their life jackets.”

Hutch raised an eyebrow. “You sound nervous, Gordo.”

“Just working on experience, Blintz!”

Hutch laughed. But he checked the fuel and made sure the oars were there and not broken while Starsky helped the boys do up their life jackets.

Once they were travelling across the lake at a steady speed, Max said, “I want to hear about some of your camping trips! Sounds like you had a lot of disastrous ones!”

Starsky looked at his watch as he said, “There’s not enough time to tell you about them!”

“Hey, they didn’t all go wrong!” Hutch protested.

“Okay, name one time that something didn’t happen.”

“Er……how about the first time we came on a trip with our wives?”

Starsky rubbed his chin. “Didn’t Ali get food poisoning?”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that. How about 1985?”

“Hutch, I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday let alone what happened in 1985!”

They both laughed.

Ollie said, “How about one of your early camping trips? What happened then?”

By mutual telepathy, they’d decided not to tell the boys about their first camping trip together. Instead, Starsky launched into a tale where Hutch ended up with a twisted ankle and he had got stung by a hornet. They had enough tales to cover the boat trip and the journey home!