I got a call today to a village in my county. The complainant stated kids with matches were starting fires on the old mine dump. The mine dump is a giant slag pile left from a mining operation years ago. The pile is covered with trees and thick underbrush now.
I got to the village and had to park about 1/2 mile away. I had to clime a fence and start my walk. As I approached the base of the dump, I could hear faint voices of children. Yes, my keen detective skills have paid off. I climbed the first steep bank and heard someone talking. The boys were in a dry creek bed below me. I listened to them talking and using curse words to tease each other.
One boy was right below me and was asking his friend about a rope. I asked what he needed the rope for and the look on his face was priceless. I met four of the boys in the creek bed. They appeared to be around 14 years old and two of them were carrying a cooler (yes-victory). I asked the boys what they had in the cooler and they replied, rocks.
I looked in the cooler and found three large rocks.
I asked them what the rocks were for and they said for a fire. I told them that was why I showed up. The boys took me along the creek to the rope. The rope was a old garden hose attached to a tree 30 feet up a second incline. We climbed up the hill and took the other three boys by surprise.
I found a second cooler at their campsite, I knew this was the alcohol. NO, I was denied again. These boys were having fun outdoors, exploring and spending time together. What is going on, no drugs or alcohol?
What do I like?
Finding seven young men having fun outside, reminding me that all kids are not bad. These boys made my day and restored my faith in people (a little bit).