Scott looks out over Heart Lake
from Seldon Pass.
We descended north to find a basin of more pretty lakes. The mountains seem to have a softer look about them.
As we hiked, we ran into another group of boy scouts, these being younger and more exhausted than the first group.
The first boys we came upon asked desperately, "Where's the next campsite?" They were asking the wrong people, since we've been known to camp in the trail, but were saved from answering as the scout leader then came around the bend and struck up a conversation.
He asked, "Where did you start from?"
Now, this question has caused us problems in the past, because you are never sure if people mean originally or just that day. You have a 50/50% chance of answering correctly, but we've had hard luck anyway. We usually take the "just that day" route, but had just struck out 3 times in a row, so I took a chance and said, "The Mexican Border."
Now, I'm not exactly sure what sort of answer I had expected from him upon chirping out my response. Perhaps something in a Mr. Rogers tone like, "Oh scouts! These people have travelled a long long way and have no doubt seen many wonderful things on their journey. Let's ask them about it."
But it wasn't to be. I was treated to a look that mingled a complete lack of comprehension with irritation. After digesting my answer, he said in a snippy voice, "How about just TODAY?"
My mind actually went blank for a second, and I tried to recover quickly. I said, "Um...let's see, we camped on the other side of Seldon Pass near the trail to Florence Lake." He said, "How many MILES would that be?" in that same terrible voice.
I was getting close to saying something not fit for 10 year old ears, but with all their little faces turned toward us expectantly, I just couldn't. I said, "About 10 miles." He asked how far Marie Lake was and we said 4 miles. He then said, "I HOPE you aren't going to tell me its all uphill, because the BOYS are tired."
Well, I hated to pass on the bad news but, they WERE climbing to a pass and I couldn't tell a lie. I wanted to ask, "Where's your topographical map? What happened to "Be Prepared?"
I do realize that this poor gentleman was just exhausted and cranky, and quite frankly, I admire the way he deftly turned the situation around to make it my fault. Bravo! I should have never boasted to tired people about starting at the Mexican Border, let alone terrorize that poor guy yesterday. I'm getting a might too big for my britches, don't you think? (I should have told him that fun is overrated and advised a prescription of a tantrum followed by a good cry in his bug hat.)
We ended this ordeal by trying to fill their minds with the beauty of Marie Lake, but were not successful and we decided to "RUN AWAY" Monty Python style.
The rest of the day consisted of beautiful wild flowers, and, I am sorry to report, hordes of mosquitoes. Even compromising our health by attempting to bathe in 100% DEET only helped for a short time.
The tent went up that night and we slept well and dreamed of Vermillion Valley Resort where tomorrow we would have pancakes, orange juice, pie, and a REAL toilet. I believe Scott may, just may, have indulged in a fantasy or two.