on the trail map had turned to roaring rivers.
at the first “brook,” the little voice of reason in my head said, “this can’t be the right way. trails don’t take you across rivers. rivers get you wet, and wet is bad.” but the boys were sure it was the right way. i’m no chicken, but i think my brain shrunk to chicken-sized in that moment, and i crossed the river with them. at that point, we should have turned back and chosen a safer alternate route. lesson: if it’s winter and you’re hiking, do not risk getting wet. any of us could have slipped and fallen in the river, completely 