A Brand New Day

Everyones eyes flew wide open with the rapping on the door. Heads swiveling around looking at one another as if to say "who is that?" but no one said a word. Doris got up grabbed the fireplace poker and looked back at the girls making a come on motion with her head for the girls to follow. Eyes as big as 50 cent pieces were what she was seeing. Shauna got out of bed and grabbed the fireplace shovel, lined up behind Doris and then followed Kim and Judy, one with a shoe the other with a pillow. They moved as a herd of sheep to the door, one big clump of womanly courage. Another rap on the door and Doris dropped her voice and yells in her best mans voice " WHO IS IT!" "Ranger Rick!" was the reply. With HUGE sighs of relief the door was opened. He was there to check on us on his rounds making sure we made it through the night ok. He said the escapee was still on the loose but they thought he had probably moved out of the area but to still be aware of our surroundings and to not leave the cabin or vehicles unlocked. After he left we decided to make some breakfast and a big breakfast it was too. We had worked up quite an appetite after last nights excitement so we whipped up some blueberry muffins. scrambled eggs with onions, green peppers, and mushrooms, and bacon. That ought to hold us until lunch said Judy. Around the breakfast table plans for the day were talked about and all agreed a walk to the lake would be good. Judy was a little apprehensive since she is not a water lover but we assured her we were there just to look no entering of the water was on the agenda. After all got a shower and got dressed we headed out the door and found the path to the lake. Walking along, hearing the birds in the trees, the squirrels chattering their warnings and the sun peering through the trees was awesome. Kim and Judy came with their camera's and got pictures of a gray cat bird, a red squirrel, some beautiful pink flowered woodland plants none of us were sure what they were. It was so nice walking just listening to nature. No one felt they had to keep chatting we just listened and followed the trail. As we got closer the trail rose to an incline and of course what goes up must come down so we all like a bunch of kids ran down the hill to the lake. What fun! Once down the hill we all gasped and aaahhed at the beauty of the lake. There was still a slight fog on top of the water that the sun had not burned off yet and we could see a male and female wood duck floating along and a family of loons! A momma with 3 ducklings on her back and the father close behind. As we walked out on the dock to get a better view we could hear the frogs leap into the water from the shore with their little EEP sound they make and saw a turtle sunning itself on a log. There is a trail that winds around the lake and gradually takes you back up to the main trails. It is a nice way to get to see the lake from all the different angles and Judy and Kim got some breath taking shots. As we wound our way around the lake chatting about it's beauty and all the things we wanted to do while staying here at our retreat, there was talk of a midnight canoe ride later if we all felt brave enough to do so. We decided a trip to the local store was in order if we planned on having any lunch or dinner so we made our way back to the cabin to form a list of needs and wants. We arrived at the cabin and as Judy was getting the keys ready for the door Kim said " somethings different". Doris asked what it was and Kim was not able to put her finger on it but said she knew something was different. She continued to look around as did every one else to see if they could see anything different but could not come up with anything right off. On in they went and formulated the list. Now feeling a little creeped out again they all decide to go to the store to stay together. On the porch with Judy locking the door Kim gave out an "AHA that's it!" "the potted geranium is on the other side of the post than what it was." We all stared at the plant like it was going to tell us who had moved it and then Judy says "yes and the welcome mat has been turned around, the welcome was facing out and is not towards the door." We all ran to Judy's pilot, piled in locked the doors and headed to the Rangers Station on our way to the store.