Hello. Toskey here, the traveling bear. It’s been a while since I sent any notices, and back then it was through emails. Talk about snail mail! So, anyway, I overheard mom and dad saying they were gonna be taking a little vacation. No kids this time, just them, well, that didn’t seem right. Yeah, their youngest is now 18, has a job and a drivers license, but still, taking a vacation on their own!?!?! That just ain’t right. So yesterday morning, while mom was yelling at dad to hurry up and get his stuff packed, I snuck into their car and buckled myself in.

Mom wasn’t too happy when she opened the door to put her backpack in the back seat and saw me sitting there.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She wanted to know.

Well, duh! Like she couldn’t figure that out for herself.

“I’m coming with you.”

Mom rolled her eyes and sighed real loud.

“Honey, Toskey wants to come with us!”

“Cool!” Joe said. He was the 18 year old. He’d been my champion during our trip to the Grand Canyon seven summers earlier. He was the one who made sure I got in most of the pictures. I loved that dude! But, man! He was a lot cuter at 10 than 18. He wanted me to see the world. If he couldn’t go, he figured me going for him was the next best thing.

Dad came out into the garage and stared at me. Then he stared at mom as if this was all her idea. He rolled his eyes and sighed real loud.

“Fine.” He grumbled.

Yay! I was going! Off on adventure! Off to see the world! I was a traveling bear once more!

“Where we going?” I asked.