ADVENTURE AT BEAR LAKE By Judy Nayer

Nico loved adventure. He rode on the fastest rides at the amusement park. He went down the biggest mountains on skis. He had gone snorkeling at a beach resort and horseback riding at a ranch. He had climbed the Grand Canyon, and he had gone down the Mississippi river on a raft. So, when his family said they were going to hike, camp and fish at Bear Lake, he was very excited. He had to get organized. Nico found everything he might need. He got his boots, sleeping bag, and fishing pole. He got his compass, cooking pot, and flashlight. His mother and father got the rest of the equipment.

They got out on the map and started the drive up the mountains. It was a long trip. When they got to the campsite, it was dark. But Nico could tell the location was wonderful. They were on the Bear Lake. “There are lots of fish in that lake, “ he thought. Nico’s father put up the tent, then he got the matches and started a fire. Nico loved being outdoors. He was too excited to sleep. Nico did sleep, but he got up before the sun. He could not wait. He took his fishing pole and went down to the lake.

The red canoe looked as if it were waiting in the water just for him. Nico got in and started to canoe across the lake. He was careful not to go far. If he could see the campsite, he would not get lost. He took out his fishing pole. In a few minutes, he caught a fish! Nico watched his fish leap in the air. He almost made the canoe tip over as he got the fish in the canoe. Nico began to think, ”If Mother and Father got up and found me gone, they would worry.” Nico decided to hurry back to the campsite. He got the canoe out of the lake.

Nico turned to walk to the tent. That was when he saw the bear. Nico knew that he was in danger. He had to figure out what to do. “If I ran, would it chase me?” he asked himself. He decided it was too big a risk. Then, Nico had an idea. He took the fish he had caught and threw it in the lake. The bear saw it. Nico watched the bear pass by. Suddenly the bear took the fish out of the water. As the bear ate, Nico ran to the tent. His mother and father were still sleeping. Nico woke them up, and told them all about the bear. From a safe distance, they watched the bear went into the mountains.

Nico stayed in the campsite that day. He still loved adventure. But meeting a wild bear was a little more adventure than he wanted. THE END