We are going on holiday soon.  Dad is packing the car.

He says that we are going to the mountains.

He says that we are going camping.

Mum has a long list.  She ticks all the things on the list.

She is worried in case we leave something behind.

Dad says. “Don’t worry so much.  We can always buy it.”

Dads are not into worrying much, it seems.

But I notice that he has a long list too.

He takes strange things; like dry sticks.  What for?

Marny is upset.  She knows something is going on.

She does not like it.  I feel sad that we can’t take her with us.

Mum says our neighbor will look after her.

I am not sure I want to go without Marny.

She is so soft and warm and gentle.  I love her.

Are we nearly there yet, Dad?  Soon he says.

Do big people know what soon means?

I don’t think so or we would be there now.

Perhaps I should count red cars.

Or we could play a remembering game.

A long time later Dad says

“Here we are.  Here is the camp ground.”

Now we can put up the tent.  We can run.

Mum says.  “Take the bucket for water.”

We meet a squirrel.  He chatters at us.

This is fun.  Lets play with these kids.

We forgot to fetch the water.

Mum is peeved at us but not for long.

Dad says come here and help light the fire.

Now I know what the dry sticks are for.

A real fire to cook on.  Where is the stove?

We lie on the ground in our tent in sleeping bags.

Wow, wait till we tell the kids at home.  We are lucky.

Dad tells us a story about living in the forest.

My Dad knows everything about the forest.

I wake up to a noise outside the tent.

Dad, Dad, what is that noise?

Go to sleep it is only a squirrel.

What if it had been a bear.  I think it was a bear.

Dad told us to  put all the food in the trunk –

before we go to sleep.  Bears like food.

I wonder if they can smell my candy bar?

The next day, after breakfast, we pack up the tent.

Tonight we will be in the mountains.

Dad had shown us pictures of the mountains.

They are very high.  As high as the clouds.

How high are the clouds Dad?

There are different kinds of clouds.

Some, like fog and mist, are right down here with us.

Others are very high up, like those thin ones up there.

Those are as high as an airplane.

How high does an airplane go, Dad?

There are different-  gee Dad don’t do that!

I’m sorry, I was just kidding around.”

If I tell you 35000 feet or 10,769 meters

will you be satisfied?  What is a meter Dad?

I love my Dad, but do wish he would just answer me.

He knows a lot.

I wonder if he knows a much as my teacher?

David Garlick, Victoria, January, 2000

Originally written as a part of Circle of love.