fun times at the creek

kids rush out of the driveway and down to the end of the street. on e kid is shirtless, another, no pants.....at least they are all wearing shoes. into the trail and racing down the hill. down through the alders, into the damp cedars of the the little valley. smelly otters' den. into the culvert, what is that we see? an otter maybe? or more likely oliver. under the road. at beachside, friends loading kayaks.kids falling over logs, stubborness abounds. more falling, over rocks this time in the quest to find salmon fry in the pools. time to head home, cries, whines, and a missing child? "i was just zoned out," he said. up hill through the cedars, up hill through the alders, up hill through the warm summer smell of salal. check the trailing blackberry patch, not quite ready yet. home.