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small forest clearing that was to be their campsite. Colonel Hanson looked up at the tall trees surrounding them and frowned.
    “You know, if we can’t find a sunny spot around here, then we won’t be able to charge that solar cell, and all our solar equipment will be useless.”
    Carole pointed through the trees. “It looks like there might be a bigger clearing over that way. Want me to go look?”
    “Would you? You can scout for a sunny spot while I set up the tent. That way we’ll be in business in time to have some fun before the sun goes down.”
    “Okay.” Carole put the backpacks down and hopped off the log. “I’ll be back in a flash.”
    “I’ll be waiting for you, relaxing in our luxurious campsite,” her father chuckled.
    Carole set off through a tall stand of pine trees. Overhead a crow cawed from one of the top limbs. Carole looked up and smiled.
    “Wonder if you’re
Cronius crokus
?” she asked as the bird tilted its head and peered down at her. She’d have to look up crows in her book when she got back to camp. She walked a short distance farther, finally reaching the bright spot in the forest. It was a campsitethat no one was using, and sunlight beamed down on rich green grass, making the air feel warm and dry.
    “This looks like a perfect place for solar panels,” she said aloud. “It’s big enough, and certainly bright enough.” She’d just turned to hurry back to her dad when she thought she heard a very familiar noise. Like the crow, she cocked her head to one side and listened again. There, floating on the breeze, was the undeniable neigh of a horse!
    Unbelievable
, thought Carole.
What kind of horse would be way up here?
Quickly she turned and walked in the direction the sound had come from. Her father was still probably trying to figure out how to pitch the fancy tent—he wouldn’t be worried about the solar panel location for a while.
    She followed a slight trail that meandered through the trees and along the ridge of the mountains. About a quarter mile away, she saw it: A large green tent was pitched in a little clearing in the woods, and just to one side was a makeshift paddock of nylon rope strung around three tall pine trees.
    “Oh!” Carole cried in surprise. Inside the paddock stood two Appaloosas, both of which were looking directly at her. One was mostly white with brown spots, while the other was a strawberry roan. Smiling, she hurried down the trail. Why not say hello, especially when your next-door neighbors were horses?
    “Hi, guys!” she said softly as she approached the paddock.
    Both horses stepped forward as if eager to be greeted. Carole rubbed their noses. The spotted one nudged up close to her, while the roan arched his neck, just like a cat. They seemed to love the attention. Carole was wishing she had thought to bring some carrots when suddenly the flaps on the green tent opened.
    A bald man of average height came out. He wore black jeans and a long duster. A woman came out just behind him. She was blond and wore a red spangled cowboy shirt.
    “Hello,” the man said to Carole. “Can I help you?”
    “Oh, I was just saying hi to your horses,” Carole explained with a friendly smile. “My dad and I are setting up our tent two campsites over. I was looking for a sunny spot for some solar panels and heard your pals here.”
    The man and the woman continued to stare at her, unspeaking.
    “Uh, my name’s Carole Hanson, from Willow Creek, Virginia.”
    “We’re the Loftins from Henderson, Pennsylvania,” the woman replied.
    Carole smiled. “Do you camp with your horses a lot? Back home I ride almost every day.”
    “We camp with them as much as we can,” the man said, still not cracking a smile.
    “Well,” Carole said, suddenly feeling as if these people weren’t the least bit interested in striking up a conversation. “I guess I’d better be getting back up the mountain. My dad will be wondering what happened to me.” She gave the roan’s