Outdoor Vacation With a Twist

By Sherry Walraven

The retired FBI ladies ask the eight cousins to help them with an uncover mission in the mountains of Arkansas. These cousins are proficient in such missions, but could the ladies take care of the numerous bad men who are equipped with guns and have every confidence in themselves. It's not just some horrible men, who have committed atrocious acts, they have to worry about, they will be in the wooded areas that are filled with bears, bobcats, cougars, and snakes. Can the ladies really do this job, or will they become too scared and make a run for home?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Proisle Publishing Services
• Release date: Dec 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9781961526884

Book preview

Outdoor Vacation with a Twist

By

Sherry Moss Walraven

The contents of this work, including, but not limited to, the accuracy of events, people, and places depicted; opinions expressed; permission to used previously published materials included; and any advice given or actions advocated are solely the responsibility of the author, who assumes all liability for said work and indemnifies the publisher against any claims stemming from publication of the work.

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2023 by Sherry Walraven

ISBN: 978-1-961526-81-5

e-book: 978-1-961526-88-4

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher disclaims any responsibility for them. Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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In memory of all the parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins,

who have traveled on to their Heavenly Home,

They will forever live on in our hearts.

Trees

I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair.

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer

Chapter One

It was coming upon another spring day as each one of eight cousins were in their homes doing mundane chores, or whatever it was they did in their homes. These cousins were a close-knit group who could not wait for their annual vacation together. They were full of vim and vigor and loved to have fun on their vacations. Of course, there have been plenty of good times while traveling, but there had also been some things happen that were not so good. One year, while in a mountain cabin, a lady next to them brought them one of her rattlesnakes as a gift. That didn’t go over too well with the ladies who just wanted to have a good time, and they didn’t think having a snake in the cabin was a good time. They didn’t expect that would happen again, or at least they sure hoped it didn’t.

The cousins snatched whatever happened on vacation and took it in stride. They considered it just another adventure to experience they had while they all were together. It made for great conversation and laughter for future trips. They patiently waited each year for their next adventure to begin. When they next met, they enjoyed reminiscing about the adventures they had while on their retreats. They never seemed to run out of conversation topics to talk about when they were sitting around just enjoying life. Not one of the cousins knew from one vacation to the next vacation what they would experience next. When all was said and done, it always seemed to turn out okay.

Callie, who was one of the older cousins, and a bit bossy, sent all the others a text telling them they would be getting on Zoom that afternoon to discuss their next vacation for this summer in exactly one hour. They all lived in different states, so that seemed to be the best communicator. She also told them to be thinking about where they might want to go on this annual vacation. They usually didn’t have too much trouble coming up with a decision, because they all were in complete agreement with whatever anyone wanted to do, within reason. They are trying to visit every state in the United States. If they thought about it, and if they went to one state a year, it would take them fifty years to hit them all. Perhaps they should rethink this.

The zoom hour came, and after everyone greeted each other, Callie asked if anyone wanted to start it off by giving a name of a state to visit. They were trying to go to as many states as possible, because they loved new places and meeting new people. They never knew what kind of person they would meet next. The cousins had been in several different states and met many people, and encountered different adventures in each one they visited, with new friends made along the way. Meeting new people was their adventure, and they enjoyed every minute of it. They had met some colorful characters on each vacation, who they would never forget.

Callie started, We need to stay away from the states we have already visited, which are Michigan, Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana. Even though we had fun in these states, we need to go somewhere different.

I agree with Callie, Grandee had what she thought would be a great idea, but she didn’t know how the others would feel about it, I think we need to go to Hawaii. She could tell the cousins were pondering over her suggestion. After saying that, Grandee looked in the eyes of the others wondering what they were thinking, since they were so quiet.

That’s great, but some of us may not be able to afford that one. We will have to do that one another year and let everyone have a year to save up, a happy Jas stated. The others smiled and agreed with Jas. She was smart and always came up with something logical. They just had to give her some time.

I should have enough money if we save for a year, Phoenix started laughing. I really wanted to go to Hawaii, but I can wait until I have the money. She didn’t think she would come into a bunch of money within the next year, but she would try. Maybe she could give up her cappuccino every morning.

Olivia spoke up, Good idea about waiting on the Hawaii trip. We had such a good time at the Dude Ranch in Texas, and I think we could maybe do it again in a place like Montana or Wyoming. They are sure to have Dude Ranches in both of those states.

Olivia’s idea was great, and it made sense to do another Dude Ranch in a different state. It made the list that Callie was making. Callie made good lists and was famous for making her lists. They could always count on Callie having a list for everything.

CALIFORNIA, Olive hollered with a great amount of enthusiasm. The others laughed at Olive jumping up and down. How could they say no to that? The others loved Olive’s enthusiasm, and her idea made the list for next year’s vacation.

That would be a good place. They have Redwoods, the Pacific Ocean, Disneyland, and Hollywood, Houston smiled. We sure don’t want to go to the cities and states we were named after. We are still, after all these years, in wonderment on why the parents named the girl cousins after cities or states, and the boys were named after Confederate Generals. We often have said we thought the parents must have had a lapse of sanity when making that deranged decision. It was made as a joke, but that first grandchild was named after a Confederate General, and it grew from there.

They wondered if their parents had been in their right mind when they decided that. Having fun was their favorite pastime, and they did a lot of it when they all were together. Perhaps, that’s why the cousins enjoyed getting together so much each year. There was never a shortage of fun and laughter when they got together. Sometimes it’s hard due to living in different states, but they somehow managed to make it work, and that’s what the cousins intend to do. They knew that would have made their parents proud.

Callie told the others, Okay, we have Hawaii, Montana, Wyoming, and California. After not making any progress, they decided to give everybody more thinking time before making the final decision about where to go. They would take a poll the next week at this same day and time. They all agreed they would do some research on all the states that were on the list. Their ideas usually worked out, and they always had a great time.

Before they all exited their group chat, they heard a cell phone ringing to the tune of Amazing Grace.

Not mine, said Callie, Grandee, Berm, Olive, Alaska, Phoenix, and Houston.

It’s mine, a laughing Jas said. All the cousins were going to let her have her privacy until they heard Jas say, Evelyn! Hearing the name made all the cousins smile and was wondering why she would be calling them. They were glad to hear from her and hoped her and all her family were okay.

Mouths dropped wide open after hearing who it was. They couldn’t believe she was calling them. There must be something wrong with her or with her sisters. The cousins met Evelyn and her sisters while on vacation in Louisiana. They really enjoyed being with these ladies. They were old enough to be their moms, but they had more energy than most women their age. Plus, they were a hoot to be around.

Chapter Two

Evelyn? Callie cried. What’s wrong? The cousins made friends with the older ladies, who were precious. They had a tendency of getting themselves into a great deal of trouble, but they always managed to come out of it smelling like a rose. Before leaving from their vacation, they found out the older friends were retired from FBI and had been working under-cover while the cousins had been on vacation. The cousins were shocked, when before everyone left for home, the older ladies told them about their undercover missions.

Is everyone okay? a concerned Houston asked, who didn’t want to think of the prospect of them being harmed. They all sat silently waiting for Evelyn’s answer.

Jas put her phone on speaker and held her cell phone toward everyone who were still on Zoom, so others could hear why Evelyn had called. All were waiting patiently to hear Evelyn tell them what was going on with them. The cousins began talking to each other hoping this was not going to be anything bad, but they knew the older ladies wouldn’t make them do anything they couldn’t do.

When they first met these older friends, they were in Louisiana, and they fell in love with these ladies, who were so funny and fun to be around. One never knew what they might do next. Before leaving Louisiana, the cousins were shocked to find out they had been undercover. They didn’t even know what to say to that. Of course, they were retired, and only do special assignments on occasion. No one would ever think of these ladies as being FBI. They made it look like they were little ole bungling ladies on vacation, and they did their job well.

Evelyn began explaining what her call was all about, We have another mission and would love it if you sweet girls could go along and help us. We will be undercover in Arkansas. There are two reasons we will be there: (1) illegal gambling, and (2) a group of bad Militia. What do you girls think? You don’t have to if you had rather not. We would completely understand if you can’t.

We would have it all planned out. All you need to do is bring a sleeping bag and your gun. We will take care of things. Of course, we may have to do some play acting. I know you ladies can do anything. We would love to see you, and have you help us, a laughing Julia hollered, who could be heard in the background. Julia, Evelyn, Kathy, and Frances became their best friends when they met at that haunted house in Louisiana.

Frances had to get in on the action, We will be staying in a park. I believe the cots will have a small mattress on them, so you can put your sleeping bag on top. We would be sleeping outside, but your cots are four feet high off the ground, so you do not have to worry about animals. There is also a shower house and a big kitchen, so it shouldn’t be too bad. We will be the only ones using these accommodations.

Callie spoke to the ladies, That’s funny that you should call now. We were all on Zoom to discuss where we would go on our annual vacation.

When would you need us to be in Arkansas? an excited Olivia asked. That was the very question they all wanted answered. Some of them were still working and would need to know in advance when they could be off from work. They usually worked everything out, so they could spend time with family.

We knew you ladies could do all sorts of jobs, and that’s the kind we need. We will need you in two weeks. Do you think this is doable for you? Kathy asked.

The cousins asked them to wait just a few minutes and let them discuss this. The older ladies agreed to let them think it over. This would not be their usual vacation, but it would be great to see the Picklemore sisters again, and it was a privilege for them to even ask for their help. There was no way they would want to turn them down. This vacation would be more of a working vacation, and they didn’t want to disappoint their older friends, who they often referred to as the Geritol Gals, so they would go if they can.

After much discussing and thinking what to do about their jobs, they finally came up with an agreement. We are all in, Phoenix said with a smile. She loved a good fight, and this might be fun. How could it not be fun with these older ladies leading the pack? Phoenix told the others she would need to be on-call for her job, but she could do whatever they needed over the phone, so it was not a problem with her.

Olive told them she could get off work, because they were moving buildings and had men coming in to do all the work, so it was no problem with her. She couldn’t wait to help the Ben Gay Brigade, which is another one of the names they came up with to call them, when they were in Louisiana.

Olivia, being a nurse, was needing a get-a-way big time. They have been having a great deal of COVID cases in the hospital where she worked, and it was wearing her out, and she needed this break. Maybe being out in the woods with all God’s little creatures will be just what the doctor ordered for her right now.

Callie, Houston, Alaska, Jas, and Grandee are all retired, so it shouldn’t be much trouble for them to go to Arkansas and help their friends. They were excited about going along with the older ladies. They could barely contain their excitement to go to Arkansas. Look out Arkansas, here we come.

They talked about a few more details to finalize things. It was resolved that the cousins would drive, except Phoenix and Houston, who lived farther away, and they would fly. The girls who would be driving, could take their guns and would bring extra for Houston and Phoenix. The cousins choose to bring rope and anything else they thought they might need on this mission. The plan was all coming together, and they could not wait for all the excitement they knew they would have.

Chapter Three

As the cousins, who were driving to this mission, stared at the beautiful mountains they thought of as arcadia. They couldn’t believe what they were gazing at while looking out the window of Callie’s van. The sun was shining on the iridescent leaves making them appear to be like Christmas trees. Callie, who was driving, had a chance to glance at the beauty around them. They noticed the mountains appeared to be getting larger the farther they drove. She had seen a considerable amount of different mountain ranges, and they were all beautiful in their own way. She had seen those with no trees at all, and they were just as beautiful as these with all the branches and leaves. She figured God knew what He was doing when He made this big world, because the large mountains were alluring.

Callie had put the name of the park where they would be staying in her GPS. She didn’t really know what people did without GPS. She guessed they must have used a road map. She was glad they invented a few more modern conveniences, due to the road maps being cumbersome and causing accidents of the drivers, who were looking at them while traveling down the road.

Callie came out of her musings when she heard Jas laugh as she said, Hey Mom, are we there yet?

Almost there, a smiling Callie stated. That was the same thing she used to say to her children when they traveled. Her kids finally caught on to that phrase, and knew it wasn’t as close as she led them to believe. It didn’t work back then, so it wasn’t going to work now.

Yeah, yeah. My mom used to say that too, and it wasn’t always true, Olivia giggled, who was getting eager to reach their destination. She needed this vacation. She knew it wasn’t a true vacation, but a mission was just as good.

I can’t believe we are going back to the mountains. The last time we did that, we had bunches of adventures including almost throwing good ole Earl P in the river. There were also all the snakes. Jas almost got one for her birthday. She would still have that horrible gift if she hadn’t run away, Olive laughed, who couldn’t believe all the things that happened to them on that trip, but it was so much fun and memorable.

Yeah, good times, smiled Grandee. I hadn’t seen that many snakes in one week before, and Stone and Beau had to sleep in the house that had a room full of snakes one night. If I had to do that, I would be in Heaven right now, because I would have had a heart attack with all those slimy sneaky snakes slivering around the bedroom. It didn’t matter to Grandee if the snakes were in a room by themselves with the door closed. She still wouldn’t sleep in a place like that anytime in this lifetime.

Callie seemed to be the only one who was paying attention, since she was driving when she said, Hey ladies, the GPS says we are two miles from our destination. I know we may not have much spare time, but at the lake in the park, there are paddleboats, hiking trails, a small waterfall, archery, a playground, and zip lining over the treetops. Let’s go make some more memories if we have time. It sounds like the Geritol Gals may keep us too busy to do anything else, but if we happen to have some spare time, we can do some of those fun things.

I bet we will be hiking enough while looking for the Militia and the illegal gambling place, Jas said, who was becoming excited to be with her cousins in another place for adventures, even if they didn’t have time for play. It still would be