River Rat Chapter 61
| River Rat | |
|---|---|
| Chapter 61 of 63 | |
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| Time frame | September 30 - October 20, 2001 |
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Location
- Various locations in the Grand Canyon
- The Canyon Tours office in Flagstaff, Arizona
Characters
Summary
On the basis of the discussion in Al's office, Scooter, Jim, Crystal, and Noah did some planning for their winter travels and vacation trips.
The trip started off with crisp and cool weather that made Polartec fleece very welcome; a few days later, it deteriorated into overcast conditions with cooler days and slightly warmer nights. Scooter decided to stop at the Baseball Man beach, where she and Jim led a hike while Crystal, Noah, Nanci, and Kevin were supposed to be setting up lunch. When they got back, Crystal and Noah weren't around, having headed up to the water pocket themselves. When they got back, Noah dug around in his drybag for something. He and Crystal went over to the lunch table.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Preach began. "My mother and father were killed in a car accident when I was fourteen. At the suggestion of my late grandmother, I took this engagement ring from my mother's body as she lay in her casket. It is the most cherished memento of my parents that I own, so I think it's only proper to use it as my grandmother suggested." He held out the ring, and said, "Crystal, in the presence of God and this company, I ask you to marry me."
"Yes, of course," Crystal said softly before Preach slid the ring onto her finger.
They allowed as how they hadn't planned this when they went up to the water pocket, but after talking about the tour schedule, they decided that since it was something that they expected to happen eventually, this was the right time. They want a fairly small wedding in the Canyon if possible; Scooter suggests Lee's Ferry around the same time as the season wrapup party. Scooter and Jim agree to be maid of honor and best man, and since Noah wants Pastor Jordan to be there, he could perform the ceremony.
Ten days later, when Karin hears the news, she kids Crystal about not having a big wedding with "no half dozen bridesmaids with ugly but perfectly matched dresses? No tuxes? No wedding gown that costs about what a new car would?".
Crystal giggles and reminds her that Karin's shorts and tee shirt didn't match when she married Al. Karin agrees to help with some of the telephoning of the guests, since Crystal will be on the river most of the time until the wedding.
On the day before the next trip, there's a message on the office phone machine that Mary Wells' grandmother had died, and the funeral was going to be the next day in St. Louis. Al tells Scooter and Jim to get ready as quickly as possible, and calls the ranger station at Phantom Ranch to catch the trip that the Wells' are leading. Karin drives Scooter and Jim to the trailhead, and schemes with Scooter about some paybacks and just desserts for Crystal.
Jim and Mary are hiking up the trail when Scooter and Jim meet them. Scooter tells them that Al has arranged for the legendary Learjet Jenn to fly them directly to St. Louis from Grand Canyon airport.
Also Mentioned
- Pastor Mark Jordan
- Michelle Rawson
