The crew bravely motored their humble little boat across Thunder Lake.  The day was warm and the lake calm.  Nothing in this beautiful scene hinted to the danger that lurked on the western end of the lake.

Ever closer, the mysterious island grew larger as the boat made its way to the southern shaded shores where an ancient landing site was spotted during a recent scouting mission.

Tall spruce trees stripped of their needles stood like giant skeletons on the island.   By this time, the loud sound of a large flock of birds could be heard in the dark foreboding bay.  The boat sailed closer and the noise of the birds became louder.

As the boat drew near the island, our heroes saw that there were hundreds of birds making the noise emitting from the barren branches of the dead spruce trees.  Their nests lined the branches of the towering dead lumber and they were constantly leaving and returning with food to continue their evil purpose on the island.

What evil power could this be that caused the sky to turn this horrible blue color?   As the boat neared the shore, the beautiful princess noticed that it would not be an easy journey from this point on.  There was an increasing stench as the water grew more shallow.  Then, to the startled crew's horror, a most dreadful curse was blocking their next dangerous task.  At the only landing site and leading up the mountain side was a tall growth of thick poisonous plants all covered in a white spray of bird pooh delivered constantly from all the birds above.

Towering before them in the shadowed darkness was the focus of their quest.  The mysterious metallic cross that stood high upon the mountain on the island like a quiet sentinel staring out towards the south east over Thunder Lake.  Braving the hazards on the shore, the crew landed their craft on the muddy beach and ventured through a horrible undergrowth filled with Stinging Nettles and bird pooh all the way up a steep incline.

After what seemed like impossible odds marching uphill wearing rubber boots, the beautiful princess finally stood along side the mysterious cross.  Closer inspection found no inscription or monument.  The cross was made out of wood and covered with tin.  It was embedded in a cement base with small stones stuck in the base.  The crew was exhausted as they gazed at this ancient relic and pondered what extinct civilization labored so hard for the epitaph that stood before them.

The sun was now setting on the far side of the island from where the cross stood.   The humble little boat could barely be seen below at the lower right through the spruce trees in the shadows far down the treacherous mountain.  Will the crew be able to return the beautiful princess back to the boat safely?  As they looked out over the lake at the view from the cross, the crew suddenly noticed that there was a thunder storm forming to the north west.  The stakes have been raised.  Can they safely escape from Bird Pooh Island?

After a well executed plan which consisted of running, yelling, and stomping all over poopy Stinging Nettle and Canada Thistle down the mountain, the crew miraculously made it to the beach with only minor scratches and one mild case of "the itch".  Counting their blessings to be alive, they gathered up the strength to row away from the evil mucky shores of the island out to the deeper water where they made their motorized escape.

Celebrating their successful get-away, the crew sailed to the north west side of the evil island and moored in a quiet sun lit bay.  While watching the thunder storm draw closer, they ate salami sandwiches and quenched their thirst with iced tea from a plastic chest of culinary goodies.  After a brief rest to regain their strength, they started their next challenge.  To get back to the safe home port before the storm hits the waters of Thunder Lake.

The crew fearlessly navigated their craft though channels filled with weeds that threatened to clog their outboard motor and leave them stranded on the lake to the mercy of the approaching tempest.  Suddenly before them appeared hundreds of water foul blocking their flight to safety.  The captain turned sharply towards the flock causing the birds to scatter over the lake and our heroes were free to make the jump to warp speed across the water.

The calmness of the water was only broken by the wake of their speeding craft racing them to safety as the storm clouds gathered in the north west and ominously approached from across the end of the lake.

With the sun now setting across the lake behind Bird Pooh Island in the distance, the battered and bruised team was glad  to be back on the shore.  They gathered up what remained of their supplies and prepared to make the final leg of their journey.

After all they had been through, their comradeship was strengthened by the trials that they shared.  With lightning flashing in the sky behind them as they drove away from the lake, the crew felt it was safe to make a quick stop because the princess had to tinkle.  Only one more hard decision was now before them on the journey homeward.   Should they stop for KFC or venture straight home and attempt the leftovers in the fridge.  Arrrrrrrgh!