Quicksand

One of the most difficult parts of our flashflood experience was dealing with the aftermath. As the flood passed through the canyon, it left debris in piles along the way. It also dumped loads of silt in areas where the river changed directions. As we were navigating our way downstream, I was in the lead, since I had been down the canyon before. At one point, we were on an elevated bench, and needed to get back down to the river since the bench was going to end. As I turned to head down the slope, I noted that the sand looked extremely wet. As soon as I stepped on it, my foot immediately began to sink. I took another step forward to keep my balance, and that foot sunk too. Within seconds, I was up to my waist in soupy mud, and continued to sink. I couldn't move my legs to extricate myself, so I immediately lay back onto my pack, hoping to distribute my weight more evenly. I don't know how far I would have sunk, but I didn't want to find out either. My dad rushed forward and grabbed my arm, while becoming partially submerged in the muck himself. My cousin Troy held out his walking stick, which I grabbed, and used to maneuver myself so that I was facing the group. With the help of my dad and cousins, I was able to climb out. As soon as it appeared that I was safe, Uncle Merlin snapped a picture:

Me, my dad, and Greg



After I got out, my uncle took another picture. This time you can see how deep I was in the sand.

It was a terrifying experience to say the least, and obviously became part of the novel. Yet for some reason, most readers assume it is one of the fictitious parts of the adventure. However, here's proof of its validity.

Castle Dark

I was going through a box of old papers when I ran across a fun pad I created when I was about ten. It had simple puzzles, crosswords, mazes, and a serial DTB adventure. The idea was to publish a monthly fun pad for my subscribers. I don't know if I sold any copies, though my mom may have purchased one for the 10 cent purchase price. In any case, I didn't make any future editions. I read through the first episode of the DTB adventure, and got a good laugh at my writing skills. I don't know if it was my first ever attempt to write a DTB cousin adventure, but here it is in its entirety - spelling mistakes and all:

     Once upon a time, there was witch who lived in California. She lived in a castle called Castle Dark. Lots of people said it is haunted. The castle still stands in California but nobody will go in it. Everybody says it is either haunted or falling a part. They President says he will give a hundred dollars to the person or people who go inside. The DTB cousins of Upland California take the job. They packed equipment and started off. The DTB cousins are detectives and have solved other cases so they were not afraid. As they walked up the dusty path they thought about the adventures that would soon take place. Soon they reached Castle Dark. They went inside single file. Darin first, Troy second, and last but not least Brad. As they walked Darin steped on a button like thing on the ground and a skeleton pops out of a secret opening. The DTB cousins walk on. Soon they come to a door. They opened the door and saw a misty room with cobwebs all over. The DTB cousins got on their hands and knees and crawled across the floor. In the middle of the room was an opening in the floor. The DTB cousins decided to go inside and explore. One at a time the dropped down into the dark pit. They turned on their flashlights and found themselves in a large tunnel ful of boxes and bags. They heard someone walking toward them. Quickly the DTB cousins turned off their flashlights and hid behind some boxes. The lights went on and they saw a man carring a box. He put it down, turned off the light, and left without noticing the boys. The DTB cousins came out of hiding and decided to see what was in the boxes. They turned on their flashlights and looked in a box. It was ful of bags of money marked Bank of America. They opened another box and found money bags marked 1 National Bank. Darin said, "Two banks can't be working here together." Troy said, "It might be a band of crooks." Brad said, "I agree with Troy." The DTB cousins decided to investigate further, then inform the police. They turned off their flashlights and quietly and slowly slipped through the bundles. As they went on they saw a dim outline of a figure walking down the hallway. Soon they came to a lighted part and hid behind boxes. They saw the bank thief Dangerous Dan himself. That's when the DTB cousins knew Dangerous Dan's men were working there. The DTB cousins decided to go tell the police. As they retraced their steps they soon came to the opening in the floor above. Brad got on Troy's shoulders and pulled himself up. Just when Troy was going to get out one of Dangerous Dan's men came. He had his gun raised and said Don't move!
To be continued...