This book is dedicated to my family

COPYRIGHT @2016

“Stacy, where are you!?” I called out to my best friend. We were in the boreal mountains in Canada. Our parents had surprised us with this trip last month because our birthdays were two weeks apart. We were going on a hike later today but I wanted to unpack and shower first. We were staying in Hikers Cabin. It was a nice place. Stacy was busy downstairs getting the maps and details for the hike, but she was taking forever. Finally she walked in our room. She plopped down on one of the twin beds and said “There are a million trails for hiking!" "So which one is the easiest?" I asked

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I am afraid of heights, so I wanted the lowest elevation. She flipped through the maps. “Everglades Dream. Only 12 ft up.”  she said. “Great. You shower while I finish going through your messy things.” I said rolling my eyes. “Sorry. You know I hate being organized. Too much work.” she said, shuddering and heading into the bathroom.

     Two hours later, I headed down to the lobby. Ms. Drew, an attendant behind the desk said “Hi Layla, how are you liking Canada so far?” “It’s beautiful up here. We were just gonna go for a hike.” “Good.” she said. She started typing on her computer. Then she looked up and said “ Actually there might be some heavy snow and wind.” “It’s OK. We’ll head back if it gets bad. “ I said reassuring her. Back in the states, Stacy and I were neighbors, and friends. She was amazing at school but messy and has an older brother. I was good, but not great, at school. I am organized and have an older sister. Just then Stacy rushed in panting. “Sorry, gasp, gasp.  I couldn't find my gasp, gasp snow boots.” “Chill, we still have time before it gets dark.” I said.  After she caught her breath I push the door open and we both walk into the cold afternoon.

We follow path that says  “Everglades dream.” After a while she says “Did you know that pine trees are called conifers and grow especially around here?” “Nope.” I say.  Just then an icy wind blows. I wrap my scarf another loop around my neck.  “ Brrr, the wind is like an icy sword striking you.” I say shivering. “Crack.” we heard.  I saw a few feet ahead a branch that broke because of the weather. “Should we head back?” Stacy asked me. I was surprised, usually I want to head back and Stacy was the adventurous one. I glanced at her unsure. “Okay.” I said. We started going back. In a few minutes later the snow picked up. It was getting hard to see. By the time we had gone half way the heavy snow had turned into a heavy blizzard.

“Layla where are you?!!!” Stacy cried. I grabbed her hand and she stopped. “We have to take cover.” I yelled. I could faintly see her nodding and l led her up to a shelter. We wiped off the snow from our goggles. She looked at me, and I could see that her eyes were red and brimming with tears. “Are you ok?” I said asked worriedly. She nodded. “Just the cold.” she whispered quietly. “Should we call the cabin.” I asked. “Nope, the phone line is probably down because of all the snow.” Stacy said glumly. “I would have rather come here in the summer. I  heard that in the Taiga the summers have a lot of rain and the winters have a lot of snow.” I said. “True.” Stacy said. Then after a few minutes she said “ Wow these trees are war soldiers, fighting against the snow and wind.” I laughed, only Stacy would notice that.