the boomer sisters meet champy

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Mom! Dad! Mimi! Pop Pop! I saw Jekka

shouted as she ran inside.

Whoa, slow down, honey your sisters sleeping,

her mom said.

Sorry, its just that

Wait a minute, said her dad, Youre dripping all

over the place. Hold on while I get a towel.

But Im trying to tell you

And didnt I say not to go in the water? her mom

added, with a skeptical look.

Yes. Sorry. It was an accident. My binoculars got

tangled and I fell in.

Maybe you shouldnt have been so close to the

lake, peanut, her dad chimed in, handing her a towel.

Jekka felt like she was going to explode.

It was Champy! she finally shouted. The room

got suddenly silent, and Jekka repeated herself, this time

quietly. I saw Champy, and I think I took his picture.


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Other Books By Dan Ward

Meet The Boomer Sisters


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The Boomer

Sisters MeetChampy!

By Dan Ward


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A ROGUE PRESS BOOK

New York

2006

Visit us at www.lulu.com/RoguePress

Copyright 2006 by Dan Ward

Cover design by Mandy Hoelmer


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For My Parents,

who taught me to aim high.


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Faith means believing the unbelievable.

Hope means hoping when everything is hopeless.

- G.K. Chesterton


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CONTENTS

1. Vacation Begins 1

2. First Encounter 7

3. A Garden Tour 14

4. Letters In The Attic 24

5. Cornerstone Bookstore 32

6. Beach Day 41

7. Visiting ECHO 50

8. Loon Rescue 60

9. Pieces Coming Together 69

10. Flying The Lucky Duck 77

11. ECHOs ECHO 87

12. Pistachio Launch 98

13. In The Lake 110

14. The Deep Water Program 119

15. Close Encounter 127

16. Back To The Garden 133


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Chapter 1: The Vacation Begins

5 6 7 BJ Boomer carefully set her socks

into the suitcase, counting each pair out loud. 8 ooof

JB! BJ glared at her little sister, who had come into the

room unannounced and bumped her arm, scattering socksall over the bed. Look what you did! What are you doing

in my room?

7, 8, JB? JB isnt a number, silly, replied the

youngest Boomer girl with a grin. And besides, thats not

even my name anymore. From now on, I want to be called

Jekka.

Mom! BJ yelled. JB is bothering me and she

messed up my socks and she probably didnt even pack

yet!

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The Boomer Sisters Meet Champy

I said I want to be called Jekka now, she replied,

then ran towards BJs door and collided with her mom, who

had just arrived.

Girls, please dont harass each other, Mrs.

Boomer said with a sigh. Weve got a long drive ahead of

us and it would be nice if everyone would get along.

Turning to her youngest daughter, she said, JB, are you

packed already?

Yes, and I want to be called Jekka now, she

answered in her most regal, princessy voice.

OK, Jekka, lets check out your suitcase.

Together, the two went into Jekkas room, and BJ heard her

mom give a small gasp. Um, sweetie, nice try, but you

cant just throw a wad of clothes into a bag and call it

packing. Look, its all shirts and no pants. Here, let me help

you

BJ sighed and silently started counting out her socks

again, then began picking out some shirts to bring.

The Camp Mimi Express leaves in thirty minutes,

BJ heard her dad say from the hallway. BJ started to pack

faster.

For as long as she could remember, BJ and her

sister had gone to Plattsburgh, New York, to visit their

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grandparents for a week each summer. The girls called

them Mimi and Pop Pop, and everyone called the trip

Camp Mimi. This year, instead of just one week, they

would stay for two, while their mom and dad took a hot air

balloon trip across the country.

BJ loved visiting her grandparents any time of year,

and loved going to Camp Mimi most of all. Mimi and Pop

Pop lived in a part of Plattsburgh called Cliff Haven, on the

shores of Lake Champlain. Summers there were filled with

canoeing, picnics on the beach, snorkeling, and trips on her

grandparents boat, Air Force Blue.

Mimi had a garden which wrapped around the entire

house, and even though BJ didnt like dirt, worms or bugs,

she loved helping Mimi take care of all the beautiful

flowers. Plus, with her parents gone, she and JB I mean

Jekka got to stay up late, eat candy, and do all the things

kids cant do when their parents are around.

Um, hello? BJs dad poked his head into the

room, startling her. Are you packing or did you go to Cliff

Haven in your mind already? he asked with a chuckle.

BJ realized she had spaced out, thinking about the

trip, and was standing motionless in her room, one hand ona half-folded shirt.

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Oops, sorry Daddy, she said sheepishly. I guess I

got distracted by my own brain. Im almost done packing,

dont worry.

Sounds good, kiddo, he answered. Let me know

when your bag is ready and Ill put it in the van. Youll

have plenty of time to daydream while were driving.

Im going to find Champy this year, Jekkaannounced from the doorway as their dad moved into the

kitchen. She had a pair of binoculars around her neck and a

camera in her hand.

I dont think hes real, answered BJ, surprising

herself a little with her response. She used to believe in the

monster that supposedly lives in Lake Champlain, and

spent hours looking for him every summer. Lately, though,

she was beginning to doubt whether such a huge creature

could live in the lake without being noticed. Part of her still

believed, and most of herwantedto believe, but she wasntentirely sure what she should think.

He is real, shot back Jekka, stomping one foot

defiantly. And Im going to take his picture. She spun on

her heel and disappeared down the hallway at her usual

high rate of speed. BJ heard her dad say oof, as Jekkacrashed into him.

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BJ zipped her suitcase, then picked up her book bag

with a grunt. She had packed close to twenty books the

night before, and they were heavy.

Whoa, thats a lot of books youve got there,

kiddo. Her dad was back. You know youre only going to

be there for two weeks, right?

Oh Daddy, these books are for the car ride, notCamp Mimi. Pop Pop said he would take us to that cool

bookstore while were up there, and get even more books.

BJs neck tingled at the thought.

Oh, he answered, as he picked her full suitcase

up. Well, if anyone can read all these books in four hours,

I imagine you can. Lets get it started, shall we?

Can we bring our flying bikes, Daddy? Jekka

asked.

Sorry kiddo, theres not enough room in the van.

Besides, Im sure youll have plenty of adventures and fun

in Cliff Haven, even without winged bicycles.

Ok. Then can I bring my little flashlight?

Sure, Mr. Boomer answered with a chuckle. By

all means, bring a flashlight.

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The drive to Cliff Haven took forever, as usual. BJ

spent most of the time reading, while Jekka hummed and

sang along with the music on her headphones. The last

half-hour, however, everyone spent staring out the window,

in a contest to see who would be the first to glimpse the

lake.

There it is! Jekka shouted, a second before BJ

joined in. We see it! We see it!

At first, all they could make out was occasional

glimpses of brilliant blue water, occasionally broken by

white capped waves. Then the glimpses turned into larger

patches, and before long they were driving along the shore.

Ten minutes later, they were pulling up to Mimi and

Pop Pops house, spilling out of the car into the bright

sunshiny day, hugging their grandparents hello while Joey

the cocker spaniel barked and barked.

Camp Mimi had begun.

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Chapter 2: First Encounter

Dinner was a noisy, active event. Pop Pop grilled

his special burgers and hotdogs in the backyard, and Mimi

laid out a huge platter of strawberries and fruit. Jekka ate a

ton of berries, as usual, but BJ didnt have much of anappetite. She felt funny all over, and alternated between

being too hot and freezing. She slumped down in her chair,

and didnt even perk up when Mimi brought out her

favorite dessert apple pie from Rolfs orchard.

Are you alright, honey? asked her mom.

I dont feel good, BJ answered, in a whisper.

Can I have your strawberries, then? Jekka asked.

Sure, muttered BJ as her mom felt her forehead.

I didnt touch them.

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Oh dear, youve got a fever for sure. How does

your head feel?

It hurts. So does my belly.

OK, lets get you to bed, peanut. Im sorry youre

sick!

Mimi bustled around, bringing BJ some medicine

and setting her up in the bedroom at the end of the hallway.

I dont want to be sick, Mimi, BJ protested. I

want to go work in the garden.

Dont worry, sweetheart. The garden isnt going

anywhere. Itll wait for you, and theres always something

to do out there. Just rest now, so you can get better. She

kissed BJs forehead.

Jekka came in, clutching an old stuffed duck that

used to be yellow. She set it on the bed next to her sister.

You can sleep with Du-yaya if you want to, she

said in a gentle voice, Cause youre sick.

Thanks, Jekka. BJ smiled, then closed her eyes.

Two minutes later, she was asleep.

Back in the kitchen, it was clean up time.

Pop Pop, do you believe Champy is real? Jekka

asked as she put the empty berry dish into the sink.

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I sure do, he answered.

Have you ever seen him?

Well, Im not sure. Ive seen things on the lake that

I cant explain, which may or may not have been Champy.

But, believing and seeing are two different things, and even

though I cant say Ive definitely seen him, I definitely

believe hes real.

Oh. Jekka thought about that for a minute. Well,

I hope I see him this summer.

That would be great, Pop Pop answered. I hope

you see him too.

BJ said Champy isnt real, Jekka added,

hesitantly.

She did, did she? How does she know, I wonder?

Its a pretty big lake, and youd have to search the whole

thing from one end to the other to know for sure, and its

over a hundred miles long. He bent down to look Jekka in

the eyes. Do you think BJ has been surveying the entire

lake without telling us? His eyes twinkled, and there was

laughter in his voice.

Oh Pop Pop, youre so funny.

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When the table was cleared and the dishes put away,

the grownups laid out a map on the table and began talking

about Mr. and Mrs. Boomers hot air balloon trip. Jekka

had other things in mind.

Mom, can I go look at the lake? she asked.

Sure, honey, but stay on the shore, OK?

OK, I just want to look for Champy. I think he

likes to come out at dusk. I wont go in the water.

OK. Good luck, honey!

Jekka hung the binoculars around her neck, grabbed

her camera, and ran across the street, through a grassy field

and towards the water. Her parents said there used to be a

rocky beach there a long time ago, but now there was a

cement wall, to prevent erosion, and a set of stairs leading

down to the water.

The lake was perfectly still. The evening air felt

cooler as Jekka got closer to the water. With the sun setting

behind her, Jekka shivered a little bit and breathed in the

gentle scent of the lake. She walked down the steps and sat

on the last one, drawing her knees to her chest to stay

warm.

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a better look. She had forgotten all about the camera, which

was still in her hand.

At this point, several things happened at once. A

long, skinny, shiny, neck-like object broke the surface of

the water. It had a head that looked like a cross between a

horse and a snake with horns, and it moved from side to

side, as if looking around. Jekka screamed in excitement

and fear and tried to stand up, but the strap from her

binoculars (which was still around her neck) was somehow

looped around her toe. Instead of standing, she fell head-

first into the lake.

She was still holding the camera in her left hand,

and as she fell, she pressed the shutter button. The flash

went off right before the splash. By the time Jekka got

untangled from the strap and was standing up again, there

was no sign of the neck, the head or the v-shaped wave.

The lake was perfectly still again, and she was alone.

She stood there, in water up to her knees, breathing

hard, dripping wet, laughing and crying all at the same

time. She had seen Champy, there was no doubt in her

mind. She just knew that was him, and he was magnificent.

She looked down at the camera in her hand, the camera

which just might contain proof of Champys existence. Still

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laughing and crying and dripping, she sprinted up the stairs

and shot back across the street to her grandparents house.

Mom! Dad! Mimi! Pop Pop! I saw Jekka

shouted as she ran inside.

Whoa, slow down, honey your sisters sleeping,

her mom said.

Sorry, its just that

Wait a minute, said her dad, Youre dripping all

over the place. Hold on while I get a towel.

But Im trying to tell you

And didnt I say not to go in the water? her mom

added, with a skeptical look.

Yes. Sorry. It was an accident. My binoculars got

tangled and I fell in.

Maybe you shouldnt have been so close to the

lake, peanut, her dad chimed in, handing her a towel.

Jekka felt like she was going to explode.

It was Champy! she finally shouted. The room

got suddenly silent, and Jekka repeated herself, this time

quietly. I saw Champy, and I think I took his picture.

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Chapter 3: In The Garden

It took hours for Jekka to fall asleep that night, but

she finally did. She was just so excited about what shed

seen, and could scarcely wait for the morning to come so

they could take her film to get developed. She also couldntwait to tell BJ. Even though shed told the whole story to

the grownups three or four times that night, Jekka was sure

shed never get tired of talking about it.

She woke up early, as usual. Mimi and her dad were

already awake and drinking coffee, but everyone else was

still in bed.

Can we walk over to the lake again? Jekka asked.

Sure, her dad answered. Are you looking to get

another peek at Champy? he asked with a gentle smile.

Kinda, she replied, taking Mimis hand. Together,

the three of them walked across the street. Jekka went

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Good, answered Jekka and Mimi together. Jekka

added, But no Champy this morning just a stick.

Well, Pop Pop got up and hes making pancakes.

He sent me over to let you know theyre almost ready.

Jekka grabbed her driftwood and raced for the

pancakes.

Back in the house, BJ was still sleeping. She slept

through breakfast, so Jekka ate enough pancakes for both of

them. BJ only opened her eyes a little when her parents

came in to say goodbye and confirm that her fever was

gone. They were leaving for their hot air balloon trip and

had to get on the road to meet up with their crew.

Give us a call on our cell phone when you get the

photo developed, ok? Jekkas mom said to her. I want to

hear all about it! And keep us posted on how your sister is

doing, of course. Love you, kiddo! Bye!

After breakfast, Pop Pop took Jekka to the drugstore

to drop off the film. When they got back, BJ was finally

awake, curled up on the couch with Mimi, a cup of juice,

and a book. The radio was tuned to WIRY, and the DJ was

reading a list of peoples birthdays.

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What?!? Mimi look! Jekka exclaimed, pointing.

Then she breathed a big sigh of relief. Oh, never mind. Its

just the driftwood.

In her race to get some pancakes, Jekka had left the

stick lying in the driveway. Pop Pop must have moved it,

propping it up against the side of the house. Jekka took a

closer look at the twisted ball of roots and laughed at

herself.

I thought the stick was Champy just now. Its sort

of the same shape I saw last night

Then a terrible thought hit her. What if this is what

she saw in the water last night? If the stick could fool her

for a second in broad daylight, in a garden, couldnt it fool

her at dusk, in the water?

Yeah, Mimi was saying, It does look a little like

a Champy head, doesnt it?

Mimi, what if it wasnt him? I mean, what if it was

him I mean, what if it wasnt really, I mean, if the

stick Jekka stammered.

Slow down, honey, Mimi said, putting her hand

on Jekkas shoulder to comfort her. I dont understand.

What if what was who?

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What if this stick is what I saw last night, instead

of Champy? Jekka finally blurted out. What if Champys

not real?

Oh my, Mimi said. Lets have a seat and talk

about this. She took Jekkas hand and led her to a huge

Maple tree in the backyard. There were four large rocks

under the tree, where the girls often had picnics.

Now, I dont know what you saw last night, but

you did say it was moving pretty fast, right? Even though

the lake was perfectly calm?

Yeah

OK. How fast do you think a stick like this can

swim?

Jekka laughed in relief.

And, Mimi continued, You said it was poking up

out of the water, right? Have you ever seen a stick floating

in the water? Arent they usually laying down flat?

Yes! Jekka jumped off her rock and gave Mimi a

big hug.

Thanks, Meems.

Theres one more thing you need to understand,

Jekka. Mimi looked pretty serious now. Just because

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theres a fake of something doesnt mean the real version

doesnt exist. Even if what you saw last night was the stick,

that wouldnt prove anything about Champy.

Pop Pop came around the corner, followed by Joey.

Oh, there you two are! Does anyone want to come

with me to get that film?

Jekka spun around three times, bounced into Mimi

and gave her a big hug, then dashed off towards Pop Pop.

She grabbed his hand and didnt slow down, so together

they ran towards his car.

The trip to the drugstore only took five minutes, but

to Jekka it felt twice as long as the drive from her house to

Cliff Haven.

When they finally arrived, Jekka ran to the photo

desk, waving her arms wildly to get the clerks attention.

Are they ready? Are they? Are they?

The girl behind the counter smiled.

Yep. Here they are. Thatll be $9.46.

Pop Pop paid while Jekka ripped open the envelope

and flipped through the photos. There was one of her own

backyard, taken the week before. There was one or two

from school and then the photo she took the night before.

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Toads are sort of like caretakers for the garden,

you know, Mimi said from beside Jekka. They eat the

slugs, so the slugs dont eat my hostas.

Your toad is missing, Jekka replied, pointing at

the empty hut.

Oh, hes not really missing. I just dont know

where he is at the moment. Hes around somewhere, doinghis thing, looking for slugs. Its a pretty big garden,

sweetie, and the toads could be anywhere.

For some reason, this made Jekka feel a little bit

better. Then again, being in the garden with Mimi always

made things better.

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Chapter 4: Letters In The Attic

The next morning dawned gray, cold and rainy. A

steady drizzle was falling, the kind of rain that can last all

day and seems like it will last all week. The lake was a

steely gray color, matching the sky, and had hundreds oftiny waves on it, flowing in all different directions, as if the

lake couldnt decide which way the wind was blowing.

Great! BJ said. Im feeling better, and now its

raining! Im never going to get to go to the beach!

Oh, I think youll enjoy what Ive got planned for

today, sweetie, Mimi said with a hug. And Im so happy

to see youre feeling better!

What is it? What do you have planned? asked

Jekka as she bounced into the room.

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Well, I thought wed eat some breakfast, then have

a treasure hunt in the attic. Then, after lunch, we can visit

the used bookstore downtown.

Yay! Both girls jumped up and down.

What kind of treasures are in the attic, Meems?

asked BJ.

If I told you, it wouldnt be much of a hunt, would

it? she replied. And besides, how would I know what

your treasures are? Only you can decide that. But first,

breakfast.

The girls tore through breakfast in record time, and

cleaned up even faster.

Lets go! laughed Jekka, tugging on Mimis arm.

OK, follow me! Mimi answered.

She led the girls to the hallway, and pulled on a cord

that dangled from the ceiling, unfolding a wooden staircase.

Now, be careful up there, girls. We had a momma

raccoon and her babies up there last spring, and Pop Pop

put his foot through the ceiling when he went up there to

trap them.

The girls laughed at the thought of Pop Pops legs

dangling through the ceiling.

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Well be careful, they promised.

The attic was lit by a single bare bulb, and thewhole place smelled like dust. There were mysterious

looking piles of boxes, objects covered with sheets, and

everything else you would expect to find in a grandparents

attic. The girls could hear the rain pattering on the roof,

which made the whole place feel even more magical.

Jekka found a cardboard box full of stuffed animals

and pawed through it. She picked out a stuffed manatee,

and Mimi said she could keep it. Then she found a trunk

full of old costumes.

Thats our Halloween trunk, Mimi said. Your

dad and Uncle Q used to love to play with that stuff when

they were your ages.

Jekka put on a wig of wild red hair, a black eye

mask and a cape, then looked around for a mirror.

BJ, meanwhile, had opened a trunk labeled Zeke,

which is her dads name. It was full of old comic books,

and she saw a stack of letters with unusual looking stamps

on them. BJ took a closer look. The return address said

Scotland!

Mimi, who does Dad know in Scotland?

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I dont know. Let me see. Mimi came over for a

closer look.

Oh, these are from your dads cousin-twin, Debbie.

Her family lived in Scotland for a few years, a long time

ago.

A cousin-twin? asked Jekka, who was now

wearing a princess gown and a horse head mask. Whats acousin-twin?

Well, theyre not really twins they were just born

in the same year, so thats what they called each other.

Ok, said Jekka, returning to the costume trunk.

Can I read some of them? BJ asked.

Im sure that would be fine, Mimi answered.

BJ carefully opened the top one.

Dear Zeke,

Hiya cuz! How is my favorite cousin twin? I

am well. Scotland is beautiful, but I miss Virginia.

Yall think I talk funny, you should hear the people

around here. I cant even understand them

sometimes. I try to explain that I aint got no accent,

but Im not sure they can understand me either.

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We are on vacation they say on holiday

around here and are visiting Loch Ness for a

whole week!!! I havent seen the Loch Ness Monster

yet, but shes named Nessie and they say Nessie is

like Champy. I go out to the shore with binoculars

every day.

Thanks for your letter. I am sorry you

havent seen Champy yet, but I bet you will

someday. I have to go now. My mom says its

lunchtime.

Love, Debbie

BJ carefully folded the letter and put it back in the

envelope. Her brain was full of thoughts of Scotland. She

pictured her Dads cousin as a girl about her age, standing

on the misty shore of a deep, cold Scottish lake.

Mimi, did Cousin Debbie ever see Nessie?

Youll just have to read some more letters, Mimi

replied with a wink. Maybe the treasure youre looking for

is in there.

BJ opened letter after letter, looking for more clues

about Nessie or Champy. She read about the skirts Scottish

men wear, called kilts. She read about the weather (rainy),

the schools (different), the other kids (nice) and the food

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(weird). She folded the last letter with a sigh, disappointed

that Debbie hadnt seen the Loch Ness Monster after all. As

she replaced the stack of letters in the trunk, she noticed

another letter, which had slipped down among the stack of

comics.

Dear Zeke, it began

You wont believe it, but I think I saw Nessie

this morning! I was up real early, cause this is the

last day of our vacation, and I walked down to the

shore. There was some steam coming off the Loch

and everything was perfectly still and quiet. Then I

heard some splashes out towards the middle of the

Loch, but I couldnt see nothing. I tried to use my

binoculars, but all I could see was white.

The splashes sounded like a hand slapping

the water, or maybe a flipper or something. They

got louder and moved closer, first over to my left,then towards the right. I think I saw a dark shape

moving around through the mist, sort of like a

shadow, but it was dark and misty and I couldnt see

it good. Then there was one big splash, and

everything got real quiet.

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Maybe it was a fish or duck or something,

but I bet it wasnt. I bet it was Nessie.

We are going home today, and well be back

in Virginia in a few months.

Now weve both seen lake monsters.

Love, Debbie

BJ could scarcely contain herself. She read the last

line over and over again, half expecting it to disappear. It

didnt.

Mimi! This letter says she saw Nessie, and Dad

saw Champy!

Jekka popped her head out of the Halloween trunk.

She had apparently found some clown makeup and was in

the process of applying it all over her face. Judging by how

it looked, however, she hadnt found a mirror yet.

Read it to me! Read it to me! she asked, waving a

fistful of makeup sticks.

BJ read the letter out loud, while Jekka smeared

more colors on her face. She squealed when BJ got to the

part about the shadow, and yelled No! when she read

maybe it was a fish or a duck.

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What did she mean now weve both seen lake

monsters? asked Jekka. What did Daddy see?

I dont remember exactly, answered Mimi.

Probably a duck.

Mimi! Youre teasing me! Jekka protested.

Yes, I am. Of course I remember. When your dad

was about your age, he saw a v-shaped wave moving alongthe lake, sort of like what you saw, Jekka. It didnt last

long, and there wasnt anything dramatic like a head or

humps, but he was always convinced that it was caused by

Champy.

Cool!

Well, added Mimi, Lets go have some lunch. All

this treasure hunting is making me hungry. She turned to

Jekka and had to laugh. And Ive got some cold cream for

you, sweetie, unless you want to wear that clown makeup

all day.

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Chapter 5: Cornerstone Bookstore

The Cornerstone Bookstore was one of BJ and

Jekkas favorite spots in Plattsburgh aside from Mimis

garden, the Cliff Haven beach, Rolfs orchard well, it

was a place they really, really liked. It was particularly niceon a cozy, rainy day like this one, and after lunch, thats

where they went.

The bookstore was absolutely stuffed with books.

Jekka imagined that if someone brought even one more

book in, the whole place would explode, scattering pages

everywhere and covering downtown Plattsburgh with a foot

of fluffy white paper, like Christmas in July. That never

happened in real life, of course, but it happened in Jekkas

imagination every time she visited.

As she walked in, shaking drops of rain off her

jacket, BJ took a deep breath. She loved the wonderful

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scent of old books and wooden shelves, mixed with rain

and a little whiff of coffee from the shop next door. She

loved the sight of floor-to-ceiling shelves, stacks of

paperback novels on the floor everywhere, and winding

stairs leading up to the second floor. But mostly she loved

the thought of all the stories, waiting to be discovered.

BJ quickly assembled a small mountain of books

she wanted, and curled up to read as much as possible

before Mimi said they had to leave. Jekka, however,

wandered around for a while, then approached the lady at

the checkout counter.

Excuse me, she said in her most polite voice,

But where are your Champy books?

I think weve got some in the childrens section.

The lady answered helpfully. Here, Ill show you.

Jekka followed her around a corner or two, then

spent a few minutes flipping through the picture books and

stories. Not satisfied, she went back to the lady.

Um, do you have any Champy books for grown-

ups? The kid books were too kiddish.

Oh, I see. Actually, a new one just came in this

morning. Maybe it will be more along the lines of what

youre looking for. Follow me.

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The lady led Jekka through the maze of crowded

shelves once again, this time ending at a shelf titled Natural

Mysteries.

Here it is The Case For Champ A Scientific

Assessment of Lake Champlains Elusive Monster, by Dr.

Haydu Leonchuk.

Jekka took the heavy book from the lady, said thankyou, then sat on the floor to read. It was full of big words

and long sentences, but she did her best to read and

understand it.

When early explorers like Samuel De Champlain

came to the region, they heard stories from the

Native Americans of a horned serpent which

lived in the lake. Champlain himself reported

sighting an unusual creature in 1609, and there

have been over 300 reported sightings in the last

100 years alone.

She flipped ahead a few chapters, and stopped at a

photo of a familiar looking neck-and-head shape sticking

out of the water.

The creature, called Champy in New York and

Champ in Vermont, is often compared to the Loch

Ness Monster. The most famous evidence of

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Champs existence in recent years is the Mansi

Photograph (figure 8). Taken by Sandra Mansi in

1977, it has been subjected to extensive testing and

shows no sign of tampering. However, the negative

was lost, leading some skeptics to doubt the photos

authenticity.

Jekka wasnt sure what that all meant, but it didnt

sound good. She continued reading.

A team of scientists from Japan, using sonar to

chart the lake, reported seeing a very large

object passing underneath their boat at one point.

While the object was not positively identified, its

size was consistent with estimates of Champs size,

and much larger than any known lake fish.

However, Lake Sturgeons have been known to reach

lengths of 7 feet and 300 lbs. They can not be ruled

out as the source of the Champ legend.

Jekka decided to stop reading the words and just

looked at the pictures instead. She found a map of recent

Champy sightings and a drawing of a long-necked

prehistoric whale called a Zeuglodon. There was a photo of

Zeuglodon fossils being dug up in Charlotte, VT, only a

few miles away from the lake.

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The book said zeuglodons were extinct, but it also

said there was a fish called a coelacanth that everyone

thought was extinct until a fisherman caught a live one in

1938.

Im telling you, there is no monster in this lake,

said a mans voice, startling Jekka and making her lose her

place in the book. She looked around but didnt see anyone.

How can you know for sure? asked another voice.

This time, Jekka could tell it was coming from the other

side of the bookshelves. She leaned forward to hear better.

Well, people would have seen it, for starters,

answered the first voice. Jekka peeked around the corner

and saw two men, each with a stack of books in their hands.

One of them was wearing a baseball cap that said Imagine

on it.

I agree - nobody has ever seen Champy. unless

you count all the people who have seen Champy, said the

man in the hat. He chuckled, then continued more

forcefully. The truth is, people have been seeing Champy

for hundreds of years, maybe even longer. Just because

they didnt snap a photo of it doesnt mean it didnt

happen. Jekka found herself liking this man very much.

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Bah! People see what they want to see and believe

what they want to believe. They dont worry about facts.

Does that apply to you too? It seems like you want

to believe Champy is just a story, even though the facts are

not on your side.

The facts? sputtered the first man. What facts?

Yes, the facts. Like, all the sightings. Like the fact

that the only way to disprove Champys existence would be

to drain the lake. You know what they say a lack of

evidence is not evidence of a lack.

Of course. But you have to admit, the idea of a

plesiosaur in Lake Champlain is pretty far fetched, even for

you. Isnt it more likely to be a log, or a sturgeon, or even a

prank?

Ah, now were getting somewhere, the man in the

hat answered. People do play pranks sometimes. Logs do

float. It is indeed far fetched to think an otherwise extinct

animal has managed to survive. But

Its happened before, Jekka blurted out and

jumped up, then covered her mouth and sat down again.

What was that? asked the first man.

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I think weve got an eavesdropper, replied the

second, peeking around the corner and seeing Jekka. Hi

there. I assume you heard some of our conversation?

Jekka nodded.

Thats alright, said the first man, with a grin.

You said its happened before just now. Whats happened

before?

Um, an extinct fish got unextinct. I mean, it wasnt

really extinct, people just thought it was. She turned to the

book and quickly found the page again. Its called a co a

co-el-a I dont know how to say the name, but heres a

picture. She held the book out for the men to see.

A coelacanth? said the man in the hat as he

accepted the book from Jekka. Well, what do you know? It

turns out extinction isnt always forever after all. He

turned to the other man and said Steve, you just got taken

to school by a little girl. Nice job! He handed the book

back to Jekka.

Thats very interesting, said the first man, whose

name was apparently Steve, and I dont want to rain on

anyones parade, but its not exactly the same. The

coelacanth is a lot smaller than Champy is supposed to be,

and it lives in the ocean, which is a lot bigger than Lake

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Champlain. It would be much easier for a small fish to hide

in a big ocean than for a large monster to hide in a small

lake.

But you have to admit, its possible, however

unlikely, answered his friend.

I suppose I do.

Oh, there you are, said Mimi as she came around

the stacks. I see youve made some friends.

Yeah, were talking about Champy, Jekka

answered.

Cool. Did you learn anything? Much to Mimis

surprise, both men said yes.

Thats a smart girl youve got there, said the man

in the hat.

Yes, she sure is, Mimi replied, then turned to

Jekka. If youre done teaching for the day, lets go find

your sister and head home, sweetie. Its time to make some

dinner.

Jekka waved good-bye to the men, then took

Mimis hand and went to look for her sister. When they

found her, the pile of books around her was even largerthan usual, and she wanted them all.

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OK, Mimi said, How about I buy you as many

books as you can carry, instead of this whole pile.

Otherwise, well need a truck.

Great! BJ scrambled to load the books into her

arms, and staggered towards the checkout desk. Jekka was

content with her single copy ofThe Case for Champ. They

paid, then dashed through the pouring rain towards Mimis

car. BJ finished two more books on the five-minute drive

home, while Jekka hugged her book and watched the rain

slip along the cars windows.

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Chapter 6: Beach Day

The next day dawned brilliantly sunny and hot,

almost as if it was a different country. The lake had steady,

small waves and looked cool and inviting.

Beach day! shouted Jekka as she ran into the

kitchen for breakfast. She was already wearing her bathing

suit and reeked of sunscreen.

Well, you didnt waste any time, did you? Mimi

said.

Beach day! BJ echoed, as she entered the room

too. She was also in her bathing suit, and smelled just as

strong as Jekka.

Sounds good to me, answered Mimi, lifting up the

corner of her t-shirt to reveal she was wearing her bathing

suit too. Pop Pop already said he is going to meet us there

for lunch.

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Can we take the canoe to the sandy beach? asked

BJ. Its way more fun than walking.

Thats already set up too Pop Pop brought it

across the street for you before he went to work this

morning. Lets eat quickly.

As they finished their breakfast, there was a knock

on the door, and Joey started to bark.

I wonder who that could be at this time in the

morning. Mimi shoed Joey away as she opened the door.

Oh, good morning, Ella. Good morning, Jake.

Ella! Jake! shouted Jekka as she ran towards the

door. Ella and Jake lived across the street from Mimi and

Pop Pops house. They were just about the same ages as the

Boomer sisters. Jekka saw they were wearing bathing suits

too, along with lifejackets. They each had a canoe paddle in

their hands.

Do you want to go to the beach with us? BJ and

Jake said at the same time.

Jinx! Jekka and Ella added, also at the same time.

OK, BJ, Jake, Jekka and Ella, Mimi said with a

wink, Lets get into the canoes and head on over. Ive got

lunch packed.

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She lifted a heavy-looking cooler, and the whole

group trudged to the waters edge. They carefully set the

cooler into Jake and Ellas canoe, being careful not to crush

the beach toys and minnow nets Jake had stashed in the

bottom.

BJ, Jekka and Mimi got into their canoe. BJ and

Jekka did the paddling, while Mimi sat in the middle. Jake

and Ella launched their canoe into the water, and in a

moment, both groups were moving south along the shore,

towards the beach.

The sunlight turned the lake into a glittering field of

moving diamonds. BJ was content to paddle slowly,

enjoying the sun, wind, water and everything. All her

senses were tingling, and she even forgot to paddle for a

minute.

Jake brought his canoe alongside and playfully

splashed BJ.

Hey! she squeaked, then splashed him back.

Wanna race? he asked.

OK. Mark-get-set-go, BJ answered, as fast as she

could. Jekka let out a wild laugh and began paddling as fast

as she could, splashing water in all directions.

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Jake and Ella lived right on the lake, and spent most

of their summers in a canoe. BJ and Jekka hadnt been in a

canoe since the previous summer, so after a quick start,

they started to fall behind.

Faster! Faster! shrieked BJ, and the girls began to

catch up with the other kids. Steering was tricky and they

started to curve to the left.

No, that way! hollered Jekka, laughing. Paddle

on the other side!

I am paddling on the other side, answered BJ.

You paddle on the other side.

Which side? asked Jekka, turning around to see

BJ.

No, Jekka, dont turn around! BJ said, but it was

too late. The canoe wobbled, then started to tip. All three

passengers leaned the other way, but they leaned a little too

far and found themselves bobbing in the lake beside their

upside down canoe.

Well, laughed Mimi as she wiped water from her

face, we got further along than I thought we would before

we fell in. Its a good thing I put the cooler and towels in

the other canoe!

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It wasnt easy, but BJ, Mimi and Jekka managed to

get their canoe right-side up again, with them inside it. The

rest of their trip to the beach was uneventful and quick. As

much as they loved canoeing, they were all glad to get their

feet on the sand.

After pulling the canoes securely onto the beach,

the kids got right to work. There were sand castles to build,

minnows to chase and catch in buckets, and, of course,

swimming and splashing in the water.

Jekka wandered over to the lifeguard stand and

looked up at the tall, tanned lady in a red bathing suit.

Hi Lifeguard, Im Jekka, she said. Whats your

name?

Im Kim, she answered. Are you new? I havent

seen you here before.

Were just visiting our grandparents. I was

wondering, have you ever seen Champy?

Not yet, but I keep looking. Why do you ask?

I saw him two nights ago. Well, I think I saw him.

Im pretty sure, but it was dark and I fell in the water and

took a picture of my own toes.

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Kim laughed. That must have been quite an

experience. You know who you should talk to? Theres a

guy named Dr. Van Der Warden Velden. Hes an aquatic

biologist. That means he studies things that live in the lake.

He works at the ECHO Center in Burlington, and Champy

is sort of his specialty. He probably knows more about

Champy than anyone else. Plus, Kim added with a wink,

hes cute.

How do you know him? Jekka asked.

Well, being a lifeguard is just a summer job. Im

also a college student, and Ive done some research projects

with him over in Vermont. Hes very nice, and Im sure he

would be glad to help you out. Oh, I should warn you, he

can be a little hard to find sometimes, but I bet a smart girl

like you will figure it out.

OK. Ill ask my Mimi if shell take me there.

Thanks!

Jekka ran over to where Mimi was sitting. The kids

had buried her in sand up to her chin, and were now

sculpting the sand into a set of curvy octopus legs, which

radiated out from her head. It looked pretty weird.

Jekka carefully avoided stepping on them as she

made her way over to Mimis ear.

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Look out, Jekka, Mimi said, Im a person-

headed sand octopus, and I like to gobble up kids!

Jekka pretended to be scared for a minute, then told

Mimi about what the lifeguard had said.

So can we go to ECHO?

Sure! Tomorrow is Saturday, so Pop Pop can come

too. We could even takeAir Force Blue to get there.

Satisfied, Jekka busied herself making more legs for

the Octa-Mimi. Then Jake got out his underwater viewer

and everyone stood in waist deep water, taking turns

peeking at the silty, sea-weedy, rocky and sandy world

below the waters surface. The viewer was basically a tube

with glass lenses on each end, and a few mirrors in the

middle. It reminded Jekka of a telescope, only instead of

looking at her friend the moon, she was looking at

minnows.

Ew, said BJ, when it was her turn. The seaweed

looks gross!

Its an important part of the lakes food chain, you

know, replied Jake. It is a source of nutrients for lots of

fish, which then are food for larger fish. And then

Yeah, I know, but its still slimy. BJ replied.

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True, answered Jake, nodding thoughtfully.

Pop Pop! shouted Jekka, pointing towards thebeach. Pop Pop is here! She started to run but tripped on

an underwater rock and fell face first into the water. She got

up laughing.

Good thing the water was there to catch me!

By the time the kids got to the shore, Pop Pop had

reached Mimi and was helping to unbury her.

Sorry to mess up the Octo-Mimi, he said, But I

think shell enjoy lunch more if she can use her hands. Oh,

I almost forgot you two got some mail!

He produced two postcards and handed them to the

girls. BJs had a picture of a jack rabbit with antlers, and

Jekkas showed a cowboy riding an enormous snake in a

rodeo. BJs card said:

Howdy, Kiddo! Were flying over Texas today. The

weather is good and the winds are strong. The view

is amazing. We miss you two, but were sure you are

having fun in Cliff Haven. See ya in a few days!

Love, Mom & Dad

Jekkas card said pretty much the same thing.

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Chapter 7: Visiting ECHO

Saturday morning was bright and cheery, just like

the day before. The girls filled their backpacks with snacks,

binoculars, sunscreen, sunglasses and other essentials. By

nine oclock in the morning, they were down at the marina,getting ready to cast off.

BJ loved to watch her grandparents work on their

boat. She loved the tidy coils of rope, the knots to tie and

untie, and the hundred little tasks that were part of getting a

boat ready.

Jekka loved watching the ducks that hung around

the docks, begging for bread.

Pop Pop used to be in the Air Force, so they named

the boatAir Force Blue. It was long and sleek, with a cozy

little cabin towards the front. The sides were decorated with

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blue stripes, and the roof was a plastic-and-canvas

contraption that could be removed like a convertible.

After a little tinkering, the engine roared to life,

scattering the ducks away. Pop Pop carefully backed away

from the dock.

Soon, they were shooting along the lake, heading

towards Burlington, Vermont. The wind blasted their ears,making it hard to hear, but somehow Pop Pops hat stayed

on.

Hey girls, did you know there are over 80 species

of fish in this lake? he shouted over the wind. Youve

met the minnows, of course, but weve got big fish too.

Theres Muskellunge, which can weigh up to 20 pounds.

We get salmon in the spring and fall. In the winter, when

the lake freezes, people like to go ice fishing for a fish

called smelt.

Dont the fish die when the lake freezes? Jekka

asked.

Nope! The fish dig little tunnels in the ice, so they

can swim along no problem.

Pop Pop! Thats not true! said BJ with a laugh.

She turned to her little sister and explained, Only the top

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of the lake freezes. Theres still lots of liquid water under

the ice, so the fish can still swim around and not get stuck.

Oh, yeah, thats what I meant to say, said Pop

Pop, grinning.

How deep is the water? asked Jekka, peering over

the side.

Well, right now its about 60 feet, which is actually

the average depth for this lake. But some parts are as much

as 400 feet deep. Thats a whole lot of water! He slowed

the boat down, and brought it to a gentle stop. Now that

they werent moving forward, the waves made Air Force

Blue rock from side to side. It wasnt a bad feeling.

Whats wrong? asked BJ. Why are we stopping

in the middle of the lake?

Nothings wrong. I just wanted to show you this.

He pointed to a round yellow object bobbing in the water

off the port side of the boat.

The girls scrambled to get a closer look. They saw

the words Underwater Historic Preserve written on it.

Its a marker buoy, Mimi explained. That means

theres a shipwreck under here. They put these markers out

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so people can find it. Sometimes scuba divers go down to

look at the wrecks.

I wonder how many shipwrecks there are, asked

Jekka.

Nobody knows for sure, but its probably around

300, answered Pop Pop.

Someday I am going to learn to scuba dive so I can

see them! Jekka announced.

Im sure you will, replied Mimi.

Pop Pop started the boat again, and soon they were

cruising along at full speed again, shooting across to a

landing site on the Vermont side of the lake. BJ and Jekka

took turns holding the steering wheel, then Pop Pop guided

the boat into the dock.

As they were stowing their gear and tying their

knots, they heard the sound of a plane flying low overhead.

Oh, I wonder if thats Grampy! said Mimi to the

girls. Then she turned to Pop Pop and asked, Is your dad

scheduled to fly today?

I think so, he answered. Yup, thats him over

there!

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The girls looked in the direction Pop Pop was

pointing, and quickly located the plane. It was bright green

and had two pairs of wings, one on top of the other. The

body looked like a boat, and the tail looked like nothing

theyd ever seen before.

Grampy had been flying patrols for the Coast Guard

in his sea plane for several years. He said he needed

something to do now that he was retired from the Navy. BJ

thought it was funny that Pop Pop used to be in the Air

Force, but he had a boat, while Grampy was a Navy man

with an airplane.

Everybody waved, and the plane wiggled its wings

as it turned a slow circle overhead.

Do you think he saw us? Jekka asked.

Well, he is a spotter, and looking for things on the

ground is what he does, so yes, he probably saw us,

answered Pop Pop.

What sort of things does he look for? asked BJ.

People with boat problems, mostly, so the Coast

Guard can come help them. In the winter he looks for ice.

They finished securing the boat and Grampys plane

headed out over the lake.

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OK, are you girls ready to visit the ECHO?

Yes!

The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is

perched right on the shore of Lake Champlain. Its a large

building, with lots of windows, and its full of cool

exhibits.

They walked right up to the sign-in desk, to get

their admission bracelets.

Excuse me, Jekka said in her best grown-up

voice. I am looking for Dr. Van Der Warden Velden. I was

told he works here.

Im sorry, honey, said the nice old lady behind the

desk. I dont think theres anyone here by that name.

But Jekka sputtered. But that lifeguard said!

She told me hes here and he knows all about Champy!

Oh my. I think she was pulling your leg, dear. But

we do have an art exhibit for children to color pictures of

Champ. Its right over that way, near the West Tower.

Jekka felt tears begin to well in her eyes, and BJ put

an arm around her. As they walked away, neither girl

noticed the nice old woman push a button on the desk andwhisper into a small microphone.

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How could the lifeguard tease me like that? Jekka

sniffed. How could Dr. Van Der Warden Velden not be

real?

You have to admit, it does sound like a made-up

name, BJ said, sympathetically. Jekka nodded and her

shoulders drooped.

They wandered around from exhibit to exhibit, butJekkas heart wasnt in it. She was staring duly at a perch

tank when she heard her name.

Hey Jekka! It was BJ, calling from across the

hallway. Come look at this! Youve got to come see it!

Jekkas natural curiosity got the better of her, and

she ran over to see what her sister was pointing at. She took

a look, then turned on her sister with a huff.

Its a picture of people on a boat, BJ, she said

flatly. Big deal.

Look closer, Jekka, BJ insisted. The boat is a

research ship from the University of Vermont. Its named

the Melosira, and I think thats our lifeguard friend standing

on it.

Jekka peered closer, then gasped. It was Kim the

lifeguard. And the man standing next to her must be Dr. V!

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A familiar-looking figure was half visible in the

background, but his back was to the camera, so the girls

couldnt see his face. They returned to staring at the

lifeguard and the handsome scientist standing next to her.

Look! whispered BJ. The sign is missing!

Sure enough, all the other photos had little signs

posted next to them, explaining the image and identifyingthe people in them. This photo of the Melosira was the only

one without a sign.

I wonder where it went, Jekka whispered back.

Who took it? Kim did say he was hard to find. Maybe

someone is trying to hide him. Maybe he took the sign

down himself!

They looked at some of the other photos and read

the signs, looking for clues.

Wait a minute! Jekka said. What does ECHO

stand for again?

Ecology, Culture, History and Opportunity, BJ

answered, proud of her excellent memory.

Are you sure? Jekka asked, with a sly smile.

This sign says theres an Elusive Creature Hunting

Organization that searches for Champy around here, and

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that spells ECHO too. And look there should be a photo

of the creature hunters right here, but its missing too!

BJ looked closer. Sure enough, there was a blank

spot on the wall next to the sign, where the photo should

have been.

Ill bet our lifeguard friend is in that picture

Jekka announced. Along with the mysterious Dr. V.

Jekka was back to her usual excited self again.

Hey, lets go over to the West Tower like that lady

suggested. We can do some drawing and coloring while we

think of what to do next.

OK, BJ replied.

The Boomer sisters ran towards ECHOs art wing.

Jekka drew a picture of the photo she wished shed taken

the other night. BJs drawing was of Champy swimming

underwater, chasing a school of fish. After completing their

masterpieces, they looked around for a place to hang them.

Jekka found some moveable dividers where lots of

other kids had posted their pictures of Champy. She added

hers, then gave the wall a final pat for good measure.

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Oops! she shouted, as the divider began to fall

down. Oh no, sorry-sorry-sorry her stream of sorries

trailed off as she took in the sight in front of her.

The moveable dividers, which were now in a

jumbled mess on the floor, had been covering up a door. On

the door she saw four words: Elusive Creature Hunting

Organization. Below the words was a name: Dr V.

She immediately grabbed the knob, but the door

was locked. Then some stern-looking security guards came

over to set up the dividers again. They shoed the girls away.

Did you see that, BJ? Its real! Hes real! I almost

found him! Jekka was practically bouncing out of her skin.

I saw the door and the words, but lots of names

could begin with V, you know.

Yeah, lots of names like Van Der Warden

Velden, for one. Its him. Im just sure of it. Its got to be

him.

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Chapter 8: Loon Rescue

It was almost closing time, so the girls found their

grandparents and got ready to leave ECHO. On the way

out, they passed the sign-in desk, but the lady wasnt there

anymore, so Jekka couldnt ask her about the other ECHOor the door or Dr. V.

Back on Air Force Blue, Pop Pop let the girls take

turns steering again, as they discussed their discoveries.

Well, Mimi said, The Dr. V on that door might

be the guy youre looking for, Jekka, but BJ is right lots

of names could start with the letter V.

But it said Elusive Creature Hunting, and Champy

is elusive, right? So its got to be him, and even if its not, I

still want to meet Dr. V, whoever he is.

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Its too bad you two didnt mention this when we

were in the place, Pop Pop interjected. Maybe we could

have helped.

The girls felt a little foolish for not thinking of that.

I guess well just have to go back tomorrow, said

Jekka.

I guess so, answered Mimi with a grin.

Pop Pop took control of the boat and eased it into

position alongside the dock.

Avast, ye scurvy dogs! said Pop Pop, in his best

pirate voice. Secure the midden! Batten the hatches! Swab

the deck! Scuttle the flibbers!

The girls giggled as they scurried around the boat,

tying and cleaning up. In no time at all, they were walking

along the bouncy, floaty dock towards the shore.

A sudden movement on the beach caught BJs eye.

Look! Its a bird! she said, pointing.

Its a plane! added Pop Pop, looking into the air,

Its Superman!

No, Im serious, BJ said. It really is a bird, and I

think its hurt.

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She rushed over to get a closer look, but was careful

not to get too close. She bent down, softly muttering

soothing sounds.

The birds sleek body was mostly black, with

specks and stripes of white. Its bill was pointy, like a knife,

and even though it sort of looked like a duck, BJ knew right

away it was a loon.

Its webbed feet were tangled in some sort of fishing

line. It tried to flap its wings, then laid its head down on the

sand, clearly exhausted.

Weve got to help this poor loon! She looked at

Mimi. Can we take her to Mrs. Rose Marie? Shell know

what to do!

Mrs. Rose Marie was a wildlife rehabilitation

specialist who lived next door to the girls other

grandfather, Pop Pop Dave. She helped take care of all

sorts of injured animals. Last summer, she had shown the

girls some baby squirrels she was caring for in her

basement, along with some birds and a three-legged

raccoon in her backyard.

Sure, honey, answered Mimi, pulling a towel out

of a bag and handing it to Pop Pop. Here, pick it up

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Pop Pop Dave was a giant. He reached one long

arm into the van and effortlessly picked up the box with the

loon. When he turned around, BJ saw that Jekka was on his

back, getting a ride.

Mrs. Rose Marie answered the door, and the girls

quickly explained the situation. She led everyone to her

basement, where she had some work tables and other

equipment.

OK, maybe everyone should stay upstairs, she

said, looking around at the small crowd of people. We

dont want to make the loon any more nervous and loony

than it already is.

Can I stay? pleaded BJ. Ill be quiet and stay out

of your way, I promise.

Well, I suppose one person in the room will be

alright.

BJ grinned and took a spot near the wall, while the

others filed back up the stairs.

Mrs. Rose Marie carefully pulled the towel-

wrapped loon out of the box, laying it on the table. She

uncovered it and clucked sadly.

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Poor little guy. Someone wasnt very careful with

their fishing line, I see. She pulled out a pair of scissors

and carefully began snipping the bird free from the tangle.

It flapped its wings a little, then decided it wasnt in any

danger and relaxed. Mrs. Rose Marie had that effect on

animals.

Thats right, she whispered, Rose Marie wont

hurt you. Im here to help. Ah, there you go.

She snipped the last bit of fishing line and the loon

was free. It waved its feet and tried to stand, but Mrs. Rose

Marie held it firm.

No, no, not yet, she whispered. Let me have a

look at those pretty legs first.

BJ craned to see and caught a glimpse of red marks

on the loons legs and feet.

BJ, can you hand me those bandages over there?

Mrs. Rose Marie asked. Ive got to hold this guy down.

Happy to be able to help, BJ quickly brought the

box over. Mrs. Rose Marie took out a few bandages and

wrapped up the loons injuries, after first applying some

cream. She looked it over, gave each leg a little tug and a

pat, then put the bandaged bird back in the dog carrier.

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This bird is going to be fine, she announced. Ill

need to keep him here for a little while, but he should make

a complete recovery. Its a good thing you brought him

here, though, because if hed stayed on the beach all

tangled up like that, he would have died. Lets take him to

an outside cage and tell everyone the news, shall we?

They went back upstairs to announce the news, then

Mrs. Rose Marie led the whole group to her backyard. She

carefully deposited the loon in a cozy cage, right next door

to a two-story squirrel house.

She brought out a big bag of loon food and filled up

a dish of water. They all watched the loon check out its new

surroundings. It sniffed the food, took a sip of water, then

settled down to sleep.

As they walked back towards the house, Pop Pop

Dave bent down to examine a little cluster of milkweed

plants.

Whoa! he muttered, then turned to his neighbor.

How did you get so many monarch caterpillars?

BJ took a closer look and, sure enough, there were

four, no five, little black and yellow striped caterpillars

crawling around on the milkweed plants.

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Chapter 9: Pieces Coming Together

The next day was Sunday. The girls went to church

with their grandparents. They were both itchy to get back to

ECHO, but it was closed on Sundays, so they would have

to wait.

The priest said something about faith and believing

in things you havent seen, but BJ and Jekka found it hard

to concentrate. All they could think about was Dr. V and the

locked door. They perked up when they heard the name

Champy.

Some people say there is a monster in our lake,

the priest was saying. I dont know for sure if Champy is

real or not. But I choose to believe in Champy, even though

I have never seen him. Do I believe Champy is real because

I have scientific proof of his existence? No. Is it because

there is some reason he must exist? Again, no. There is

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certainly some evidence he is real, but at this point there is

no proof. So, why then do I believe in Champy?

Well, faith is complicated. Maybe I believe

because my parents believed. Maybe its because believing

makes me feel good or special. Maybe I just want to

believe, for reasons I will never know, and maybe thats

enough.

Of course, Champys existence seems reasonable

to me, but is that why I believe, or does it seem reasonable

because I believe? Which came first the belief or the

reasonableness? I dont know. Maybe it doesnt matter why

I believe, or why I think I believe.

Ultimately, faith is a mystery, whether it is faith in

a God we havent seen or a lake monster. And mysteries are

part of what make life so wonderful. I must admit part of

me doesnt even want proof that Champy exists. If

someone were to discover some sort of proof, the mysterywould diminish. Without mysteries, life would be pretty

dull.

After church was over, Pop Pop took everyone out

for pancakes, as usual. They drove past the beach on the

way home, but Kim the lifeguard wasnt there.

Lets just go home, Jekka said.

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Yeah, I want to work in the garden, added BJ.

That sounds wonderful to me, answered Mimi.

Back at the house, Pop Pop settled down with his

newspaper, and Jekka curled up next to him with The Case

For Champ. BJ went outside with Mimi.

So, what did you think of church today? asked

Mimi as she pulled some weeds.

It was good, BJ answered. He talked for a long

time, but I liked it when he talked about Champy.

Yeah, I thought you would. I liked that part too.

They worked in silence for a while, pulling weeds

and carefully trimming the flowers. The sun was gentle and

warm, and BJ could hear the sound of waves from across

the street. A few bees flew around, but BJ ignored them and

they ignored her. Both BJ and the bees focused on the

flowers instead.

Did I tell you this garden has been certified by the

National Wildlife Federation as an official Wildlife

Habitat? Mimi asked.

No. What does that mean? BJ replied.

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Well, it means this is a safe place to live for wild

animals, like the toads and birds and butterflies. It means

Im helping to protect nature.

Toads arent wild animals, Mimi, BJ said with a

laugh, picturing a toad with sharp teeth and claws. I

thought wild animals meant things like bears and tigers.

Mimi laughed along with her.

Yeah, I guess toads arent the first thing I think of

when it comes to wild animals, but they are wild because

they arent domesticated.

They do live in houses, BJ teased, pointing to a

toad abode and giggling. And I still havent seen any. How

do you know they are around here, anyway?

Ill show you. Mimi stood up, took BJs hand, and

led her to a large plant with big flat leaves. This is a hosta.

Slugs love to eat hostas, and there are a lot of slugs in this

area.

BJ wrinkled her nose at the thought of slugs, and

shuddered at the phrase a lot of slugs.

But look at this plant, BJ Mimi continued. Its

healthy and enormous. There arent any slug bites in the

leaves this year. When I started my garden, my hostas had a

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hard time. The slugs were actually killing them. But ever

since the toads moved in, the hostas have been just fine.

And as long as these plants are healthy and slug-free, I can

be pretty sure the toads are around.

They wandered through the garden some more,

hand in hand.

I saw a leopard frog the other day too, addedMimi. He was really well camouflaged, and he sat really

still, so I almost missed him.

Cool. BJ answered.

They came around to the back patio and sat on the

bench swing. BJ stared at a purplish gazing ball that rested

on a pedestal in the middle of a cluster of pink and white

Astilbes.

BJ was amazed at how much motion there was in

the still garden. Bees and butterflies zipped and floated

from flower to flower. The wind pushed the plants this way

and that. An occasional squirrel scampered through, and the

trees swayed and rustled. It was a peaceful kind of

movement, and BJ wished she could sit in the garden with

her Mimi like this forever.

She was lost in thought when she heard a door slam

and Jekka came charging outside, waving her arms and

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shouting I found him! I found him! She was carrying The

Case For Champ over her head, and she skidded to a stop

directly in front of the swing.

What is it? asked BJ, slightly annoyed to have her

peaceful garden time interrupted by her explosive little

sister.

Its Dr. V! Jekka said breathlessly. Hes in thebook, only its not him, except it is, but hes got a different

name, but its him She realized she wasnt making

much sense, so she shoved the book forward. Look!

BJ slowly took the open book from Jekka and

peered at the photo she was pointing at. It showed a

scientist in a white lab coat, standing next to some strange

looking equipment. It seemed to be a tuba, or at least part

of a tuba. The caption read Dr. David Durkee of the ECHO

Science Centers Speculative Elusive Creature Research

and Education Team (S.E.C.R.E.T.), with his experimentalunderwater sound machine.

I guess he sort of looks like the guy we saw in the

picture at ECHO, said BJ. But this mans name is Dr.

Durkee.

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No, it isnt! Jekka replied, proud to have noticed

something her sister overlooked. Look closely. Theres a

name on his lab coat, and its not Durkee.

BJ leaned closer to the book, so she could read the

tiny letters embroidered on the lab coat. Sure enough, the

name was clear Dr. Van Der Warden Velden. BJ gasped.

Why does the caption have a different name, if hiscoat says Dr. V? asked BJ.

Thats what I want to know, Jekka answered.

Maybe he was borrowing the coat from the real Dr.

V? Mimi suggested. Or maybe its a nickname.

Maybe Jekka said. But even if the man in the

picture isnt named Van Der Warden Velden, hes wearing

that coat and he probably knows him. In any case, this

picture should definitely help us find him. Well just bring

this back to ECHO tomorrow and show it to the lady at the

sign in desk. Shell have to admit hes real when she sees

the photo.

Just then, Pop Pop came into the garden.

I just got off the phone with Grampy, he said.

Hes wondering if there are any young ladies around here

who would like an airplane ride tomorrow morning. The

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girls cheered, and Pop Pop continued. Hes planning to

land his plane on the lake right here at 6:00 tomorrow

morning. Well paddle you out to it in the canoe, and hell

drop you at ECHO when it opens. Well take Air Force

Blue and meet you there. Oh, and he said dont forget to

bring your binoculars.

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Chapter 10: Flying The Lucky Duck

Early mornings on the lake can be chilly, even in

the summer, so the girls were wearing long pants and

sweatshirts as they walked across the street towards the

lake shore. The water was like glass, and small wisps ofsteam rose from it here and there. They each sipped from

cups of hot chocolate while scanning the sky for Grampys

plane.

Pop Pop lowered the canoe down to the water,

setting off a series of ripples as the water made room for

the little boat.

Shh BJ said. I think I hear something.

I dont Jekka started to say, then added Wait, I

do!

The sound was a low, steady noise, faint at first but

growing louder quickly. It seemed to increase in volume,

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speed and pitch as it got closer. Then, all of a sudden the

plane was directly overhead, roaring loudly.

The girls cheered to see it, and waved their arms

crazily at the departing plane as it shot past their location.

Where did he go? asked Jekka. Why didnt he

stop?

An airplane isnt like a car, silly, BJ answered.

He cant just stop right away.

Thats true, added Pop Pop. Plus, I think he likes

to fly over a landing spot once before landing, to make sure

its clear and safe. Look, hes turning around and coming in

for a landing.

Sure enough, the double-winged, boat-shaped plane

was carving a lazy circle in the sky and heading towards

them. The noise from the two big propellers changed again

as it slowed down and came in for a landing.

The girls had never seen an airplane land on water

before. They held their breath as it inched closer to the

surface, and clapped when it touched down with a splash. It

sent out big waves on both sides as it slowed.

Grampys plane was named The Lucky Duck, and it

had a painting of a grinning green cartoon duck on the side

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of the dark green fuselage. The duck wore a hat and had a

big shamrock on its chest. Light green shamrocks covered

the rest of the plane. The duck was giving a double thumbs-

up sign, and the words Lucky Duckwere painted right

below its feet.

The paint job wasnt the most unusual thing about

theLucky Duck, however. The structure was pretty strange

too. For starters, it had two pairs of wings, one above the

other. A large, rounded set was mounted high above the

aircrafts body, while a smaller, stubby set was attached to

it, directly behind the cockpit. These lower wings acted as a

platform to stand on when the plane was on the water.

A pair of enormous propellers dangled between the

upper wings and the cockpit. The tail was made up of a

series of struts and bars, extending straight back from the

upper wing and up from the back of the passenger section.

These struts held up a flat tail wing, with two tail fins

sticking up through it.

Hey, theres Grampy! BJ said, pointing excitedly.

Grampy emerged from a hatch on the top of the

passenger section, and stepped out onto the lower wing.

Ahoy there! The Lucky Duck Express, at your

service! He shouted across the water. Then he danced a

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little jig right there on the wing, making the plane rock

alarmingly. The girls laughed as they climbed into the

canoe with Pop Pop and got ready to paddle out to the

plane.

Are you ready to fly?

Both girls shouted yes as Pop Pop paddled.

This time, try not to dump us into the water, OK

Jekka? said BJ from the front, without turning around.

Oh BJ, I always try not to dump us into the water,

Jekka said, But sometimes it just happens.

I was afraid you were going to say that.

Fortunately for the girls and Pop Pop, it didnt

happen this time. They reached the plane without any

problems and climbed aboard first Jekka, then BJ. Pop

Pop slid to the middle of the canoe and got ready to paddle

back to the shore, where Mimi was waiting.

Thanks for taking them on patrol with you, Dad,

he said to Grampy. Well meet you over at ECHO around

10:00. Turning to the girls, he added Have a fun flight!

Make sure you buckle up for takeoff and landing, ok?

We will!

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The girls scrambled through the hatch into the

plane, and Grampy followed. He gave a final wave towards

the shore then swung the latch until it clicked.

TheLucky Ducks interior was small, but cozy. The

low ceilings were just right for the girls, and Jekka giggled

at the thought of her giant Pop Pop Dave trying to fit

inside. She slid one of the windows open and stuck out her

hand to try and touch the water.

Welcome aboard theLucky Duck, Grampy said as

Jekka pulled her dripping hand back inside. One of you

can sit in the co-pilot seat while we take off, and the other

can sit there for the landing.

BJ turned to her sister and said Rock Paper -

Scissors, winner goes first.

OK, answered Jekka, then together they said

Rock, Paper, Scissors shoot!

BJ thrust out her hand with her first two fingers

sticking out scissors. Jekkas hand was open and flat

paper. She groaned.

Scissors cuts paper you get to go first, BJ.

Grampy led the way to the front of the plane, and

squeezed in to the pilots chair. BJ slid into the seat next to

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him, and looked in wonder at all the dials, lights and

buttons that covered the cockpits front panel.

Make yourself comfortable back there, Jelly

Bean, Grampy said to Jekka. He always called her that.

This ship was originally built to carry 8 passengers, so

youve got plenty of space.

He flipped a few switches and the engines roared tolife. The propellers began to move, slowly at first, then

quickly became a blur. Grampy put on headphones and

adjusted the mouth piece, then handed a set to BJ who did

the same. TheLucky Duckstarted to move forward.

Meanwhile, Jekka had buckled herself into a seat,

grabbed a set of headphones and was looking around the

cabin. The interior was painted green, and the ceiling was

covered with shamrocks, just like the outside.

Each side was lined with windows, larger than the

ones on the big planes shed been on before. She could see

Pop Pop Bud standing on the shore with Mimi and the

canoe. She waved.

A few of the original seats had been replaced with a

table, which had a large map of Lake Champlain taped to it.

Grampy pushed a few more buttons, flipped more

switches, checked some dials, then pushed forward on the

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funny-looking steering wheel. The plane picked up speed,

splashing loudly through the still lake. Everything suddenly

got quieter as they lifted into the air.

How are you doing? Grampys voice crackled

over the headsets each girl wore. Everyone comfy? They

nodded, grinning broadly.

Let me tell you a little bit about my plane. Itscalled an S-38, and they built a bunch of them all the way

back in 1928. That means its about as old as I am. It can go

120 miles an hour and as high as 16,000 feet. And,

everyone who flies in it becomes extra lucky for the rest of

the day. He chuckled.

I think were pretty lucky already, said BJ.

How sweet it is! Grampy replied, as the Lucky

Duckbegan to curve to the right.

BJ strained her neck to see out the cockpit window,

but her chair was low and the windows were high, so all

she could really see was a few clouds in a blue sky.

Youll probably see better from the back, Grampy

said, watching her squirm in her chair. Just plug your

headphones into the wall when you get back there, and Ill

still be able to talk with you.

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BJ nodded and scrambled back to sit in a window

seat, across the aisle from her sister.

Lake Champlain is 110 miles long, Grampy was

saying as BJ plugged back in, But we can go 750 miles

before we have to land. Of course, I usually dont go that

far. Mostly I circle around this area, watching for any

stranded boats or any bad guys.

Do you ever see any? Jekka asked.

Stranded boats? Sure! Bad guys not very many.

Tell us more about your plane, Grampy, BJ asked.

Well, there were some movie makers named

Martin and Osa Johnson, who had a plane just like this one,

back when the S-38s were new. They painted it with zebra

stripes, named it Osas Ark, and flew it all over Africa,

making movies about the animals there.

Cool! I want to see one of their movies, BJ said.

Maybe you will some day. But for now, what do

you think about helping me make a movie about Lake

Champlain?

He pushed a button and two screens popped down

from the ceiling. A pair of joysticks poked up from thearmrests on the chair. The screens both were showing

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scenes of a lake, apparently taken from an airplane. BJ

could see boats, islands, and even some houses on the

shore.

Your Uncle Q helped me put some movie cameras

on the bottom wings. They are controlled by those

joysticks, and you can point them in whatever direction you

want. The screens will show you what the camera sees, and

its all recorded on the planes computer

BJ was amazed, and Jekka was already jerking

wildly on the stick, panning her camera from side to side

and up and down. BJ gingerly moved her joystick, and

w

the boomer sisters meet champy

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