Summer With Dad

by Timothy Martin

Two city boys go backpacking with their rugged, outdoorsy father, misery and boredom come humping along. In another time Rick Bates might have led Kamikaze attacks or fought beside Custer. For adventure, Rick's motto is Everything to Excess, Moderation is for Monks.

Tom Bates spent several past summers with his dad. His younger brother comes along for the first time. Not your ordinary kid, Chris wears a black leather jacket, ripped jeans and an orange Mohawk with an attitude to match. The boys fly north on a twin-engine prop plane, piloted by Valerie Carter. Her attractive daughter, Vicki, makes the unpleasant journey tolerable.

Upon their arrival, Rick informs the boys that they will hike into a local wilderness area. Rick, an environmentalist, tells his sons there will be no campfires or tents allowed. The boys are forced to eat dried food, use stones for toilet paper, and weather a rainstorm. Before long, they're nostalgic for traffic, crowds, and exhaust fumes.

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Tim Martin is the author of There's Nothing Funny About Running, Summer With Dad, Why Run If No One Is Chasing You? and Wimps Like Me. He has completed nine screenplays and is a frequent contributing author to Chicken Soup for the Soul.