Somebody asks, Russell I think, “What if we meet up with some thieves or something? I saw an article in the paper yesterday about some robbers who are loose around here. So be on the lookout.”

My eyes are closed so I can’t see what’s ahead or anything, but I can hear birds chirping happily and noisily. The peacefulness of nature is all around, and I can hear the guys talking low as we paddle ourselves to our destination.

Next, I hear, “I’m sure we won’t see anybody, not out here; keep paddling.”

I’m Scott Thomas and I’m eleven. In my first year of middle school, I look forward to weekends spent with these guys, so I can prove my worthiness to everybody. I’m kinda new; I just moved here a few months ago.

Finally I hear, “We won’t.”

What’s more, I can hear the slip and slurp of paddles going into the greenish/brown water and a reassuring thunk! when they are brought to rest on the edges of our canoes.

I can feel that sound as well as hear it. It feels like when your dad finally closes his car door when you’re heading home after a vacation; only without the sad part.

Speaking of dads, ours helped us put-in at the landing and will meet us down-river about 5 o’clock. “Til then, it”s all us!

By the way, I’m Scott and I’m 11. In my first year of middle school, I look forward to weekends spent with these guys.

I open my eyes and it’s perfect: Jack and Jimmy are in front, leading my Indian Guides tribe to our goal. The rest of us are in the middle of our river-convoy with Jorge, Mario, Nicky and Tony in two canoes bringing up the rear. They’re our Spanish-speaking members.

We jokingly call them The Cuban Navy because they’re Spanish, and it makes them proud. They probably speak English better than me…Tthe Cuban Navy is cool too! too.

If you’re cool, it’s because of how you act. Cool is not how you look,. It’s not not how you dress, and it’s not how much money your family has. It’s not about height or weight or anything like that, so don’t let anybody tell you different.

Being cool is about doing your own thing, about being your own person. Trust me on this; my older brother who’s twenty-three 23 told me. And I believe him.