Coming In 2020 - HARD RANGER

[hardranger]

"Step into a world of mystery and intrigue. Based on a true story, "Hard Ranger" takes you on a journey along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, battling the likes of miscreant hikers, lousy Boy Scout leaders, Ivy League feminists, guarded feelings, and over-mothered ghost tour guides.

Turn down the lights, dial up a pie, and wrap yourself in your favorite blanket.

Our journey begins at the home of Hard Ranger in Caledonia State Park, just shy of the halfway-mark on the fabled Appalachian Trail.

Can you solve the mysteries of "HARD RANGER????"

Enjoy a few excerpts below:

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Chapter 2 - Gail

Hard stood by the front desk of Caledonia State Park's Ranger Station, staring, as usual, into the nothingness of time and space.
"Hard, something wrong?" Gail asked. She had been through alot with Hard since joining the force nearly eleven years ago.
Hard pointed through the window to a steep, rocky northbound stretch of trail in the distance.
"Oh, Hard! Not Crucible?! Please tell me that's not where you're going!"
Hard continued to point and stare.
"Hard, umm, there's some kids at the swimming pool making racket and smoking cigarettes. Couldn't you just go deal with that situation today and sleep on this?"
Hard continued to point and stare.
"Well, if you're gonna go, please take this."
Gail reached under the counter with her fragile, feminine arms and pulled out a Sawyer water filter and plastic Nalgene drinking bottle.
"Hard, I'd feel much better if you took this. It filters out viruses and bacteria from dirty water sourc..."

Thwack!!!

The filter and bottle hit the linoleum floor and careened into the side of the copy machine. Hard had knocked them out of Gail's hands before she could say her piece, only to turn slowly and mechanically to walk out the front door.

Gail cried, and it wasn't the first time today.


Chapter 6 – Scout Trouble

The terrain eased considerably after summiting Crucible. Hard hiked, hard, on the Appalachian Trail northbound toward Quarry Gap shelter.

“Hey mister!” a voice beckoned from just up ahead, “I sure could use a hand here.” A rough-trodden teenager wearing a khaki-colored shirt and pants was struggling to dislodge a sack of some sort from a tree.

Hard approached and stopped a few feet short of the frustrated young man. He stared emotionless until the kid stopped struggling and began to flounder.

“I kn..knnn.know mister, but I didn’t do it, I swear. Tim hung this bear bag up like this. He’s our scout master. He went up ahead with the rest of my pack to Quarry Gap shelter, and left me to get this food bag down or else we can’t eat tonight.”

Hard continued to stare. The boy continued.

“I don’t think he knows what he’s doing. We left last night from Caledonia State Park and he made us carry all of his stuff up that crazy Crucible because he said his knee hurt. When we got to the top he said he couldn’t go any further and made us all camp on the side of the trail, trampling all the nice plants and stuff.”

Hard's blood began to boil.

“Heck I even had to sleep on the ground because he didn’t bring a tent. He said I needed to give him mine or I’d never make Eagle scout. I don’t think Tim’s ever been a pigeon scout let alone an Eagle scout. Anywayyys, sir, if you could help me with this food bag I’d sure appreciate it.””

Hard took a step forward, and the tree gave up the fight before it started, surrendering the food sack to the ground.

“Jeepers mister! That was the craziest thing I’ve ever saw. How’d you do that?! I’ve been struggling with that bag all morning!”

No response from Hard. He rushed past the young scout, stampeding to Quarry Gap shelter. Within minutes he arrived.

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