The Ghost of Canyon Camp: A Four Cousins Mystery

By Margaret Krivchenia

Yellowstone National Park is a place of wonderment. From geysers, like Old Faithful to the Artist's Paint Pots of boiling, bubbling mud, there is nowhere else on earth like it. Animals abound such as bison, deer, elk, bears, and wolves in Hayden and La Mar Valleys. Hiking, horseback riding, and exploring are favorite pastimes. Untold adventure awaits the four cousins in Yellowstone! The four cousins Kate, Emma, Harrison, and Parker were so excited about spending their vacation together in Yellowstone at Canyon Camp. They had been planning this trip for over a year, and now it was really happening. They would be camping, horseback riding, and exploring caves and the wonders of Yellowstone. Little did they know the mystery and danger that awaited them. When they arrived at Canyon Camp and settled into their log cabin, they noticed that some of their belongings seemed to disappear from where they had placed them. Parker couldn't find his superhero lunch box! His dad's sweatshirt was not where he had left it. A search of the area proved fruitless. What was going on? Emma has a strange feeling that they are being watched as she gazes into the deep woods surrounding their cabin. It makes her skin crawl, and Harrison sees strange lights in the forest at night. Only Parker, with his ever vigilant dog, Penny, at his side, sleeps undisturbed. At their campsite a few days later, close to the Whispering Caves, Kate, Emma and Harrison see a scary creature sneaking by their tent in the middle of the night. They tell their parents and the rangers, but no one can discover who or what it might have been. The four cousins decide to explore the Whispering Caves on their own the next afternoon without telling their parents. Emma, who senses things about to happen, had felt the presence of someone there, hiding and waiting when they had visited the cave the previous day with their parents and the ranger. Kate, Emma's older sister, is the sleuth of the group of cousins. She leads them to the cave for what she thinks is a short visit. Penny, Harrison and Parker's faithful dog, accompanies them. However, a fierce storm breaks out, and they become trapped in the cave by a grizzly and her cub seeking shelter. They send Penny for help. Here, they come face-to-face with the Ghost of Canyon Camp who saves them and leads them through harrowing adventures in the cavern. They learn the true meaning of trusting in God, helping others, and how important it is to listen and to obey your parents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644580615

Book preview

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The Ghost of Canyon Camp

A Four Cousins Mystery

Book 1

Margaret Krivchenia

ISBN 978-1-64458-060-8 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63844-596-8 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-64458-061-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2019 by Margaret Krivchenia

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Excitement!

Chapter 2 - Arrival!

Chapter 3 - Flying!

Chapter 4 - Yellowstone!

Chapter 5 - Canyon Camp!

Chapter 6 - Strange Happenings!

Chapter 7 - Fireflies and Fairies

Chapter 8 - Things That Go Bump in the Night

Chapter 9 - The Village and Horses!

Chapter 10 - Camping Out!

Chapter 11 - Shadow in the Night!

Chapter 12 - The Search Begins!

Chapter 13 - The Ghost of Canyon Camp!

Chapter 14 - Jimmy’s Story

Chapter 15 - The Secret Passage

Chapter 16 - The Long Road Home

Chapter 17 - The Flying J

Chapter 18 - A Home at Last!

Epilogue

To my beloved grandchildren

Kate, Emma, Harrison, and Parker

You are my inspiration!

Chapter 1

Excitement!

Camping! Wow! Harrison woke with a start and remembered what today was. It was the beginning of a wonderful vacation with his cousins Kate and Emma. They would be arriving today along with his aunt and uncle to help plan and pack for their awesome adventure. He couldn’t believe it! They were going camping in Yellowstone National Park. He had heard about the wonders of this park from his grandparents who had visited there not too long ago. The geysers, the bison, bears, elk, and all the wildlife were just waiting for him and his little brother, Parker. Not to mention Penny, their exuberant dog, who would be going with them. Penny seemed to sense that something truly exciting was about to happen.

As he lay in his bed, he looked out the window at the morning sunrise with the sun reflecting off the dew-covered leaves in the forest just beyond. He imagined hiking, exploring caves, and toasting marshmallows at night around a fire. He had no idea what to expect. He had never been camping before! Oh, he had slept overnight in their treehouse in the woods. But that was different. Their treehouse was just at the edge of the forest, in full sight of their house. It wasn’t hidden in the deep, dark part of the woods where no one could see them. Mom and Dad always made sure that he and his brother, Parker, were safe. Although, Parker had given all of them quite a scare a few months ago when he had decided to go off on his own and explore Bat Cave with Penny. What a mistake that had turned out to be! He had gotten lost, and all their animal friends in the forest and around Mirror Lake had helped them find him. Hopefully, Parker had learned his lesson and would not go his own way, especially on this trip. Since Harrison was cautious and thought of possible dangers and consequences, he would play the part of the responsible older brother on their vacation. So he said a prayer that God would watch over and guide them all.

Suddenly, his bedroom door flew open, and in bounded Penny, their golden Labradoodle, who always reminded him of Sandy from the musical Annie. Parker was close behind and obviously, wide awake.

Hurry, Harrison! Get up! Let’s go down and have breakfast. Kate and Emma will be here soon! Parker said excitedly.

Now Harrison knew that it would be a few hours before his cousins arrived. So they had plenty of time. But he had to admit that he was just as excited as Parker to begin the fun with their cousins.

Kate was the oldest of the four cousins and quite a pretty and talented young lady. She held a special place in Harrison’s heart. He looked up to her and was so proud of all she could do. Kate was an excellent swimmer and skier. She could dance; sail a boat; and play soccer, volleyball, and tennis. And she had travelled everywhere! Harrison was determined to be like Kate and accomplish just as much by the time he was her age. But as he thought about Kate, he realized that what he admired and loved most about her was her kindness, patience, and caring for everyone. She never seemed to tire of playing with them, even though they were several years younger.

Emma was only two months older than Harrison but couldn’t have been more different. She was also very attractive and smart. But unlike Kate, she was an extrovert and fearless. She would go on any roller coaster or ride at the amusement parks, which Harrison would not! Harrison loved the fun that Emma created and her boundless spirit and imagination. In many ways, she reminded him of Parker. They were unpredictable and inventive. You always knew when Emma walked into a room. So this camping trip should prove to be all that he hoped for—lots of adventure, fun, excitement, and new places to explore!

Harrison was jolted from his musings about his remarkable cousins by Penny jumping on the bed and Parker pulling his covers off. Time to get up and get moving!

Chapter 2

Arrival!

Harrison! Harrison! They’ll be here soon! Parker shouted as he joined Penny in bouncing up and down on the bed.

We need to eat and get ready! he exclaimed.

Harrison looked over at the lighted Star Wars clock on his nightstand and saw that it read 7:00 a.m. He knew that their cousins would not be arriving for at least two hours. So he had plenty of time to pack and eat. However, the tantalizing smell of bacon, scrambled eggs, and blueberry pancakes floated up the stairs and right into his bedroom. So for once, he did what his brother wanted and rolled off his bed, put his feet on the floor, and stood up, stretching. Now his mom and his stomach were calling for him to come down to breakfast.

"Parker,