The trek across town was uneventful by design. My estimate is that we probably walked about 7 miles. We purposefully avoided most neighborhoods, the downtown square, and the local college campus. Most of what I saw was ordinary-looking buildings from afar. If you had seen the way that Arthur marched us forward you would think that we were walking through a war zone. Maybe we were.

All I know is that the needle on the Plot Cycle jumped to Omen a dozen times on the trip. I could never see why. Every time it did, Arthur would make us run in a different direction or hide in a ditch.

Patcher's Family Farm had been on the east side of town. We were headed to Dyer’s Lake on the west side. By the time we arrived, there was no trace of daylight and even the stars had not come out.

I finally got the joke. When Todd had laughed at the description of Chris's house as being a lake house, I figured out why.

Our destination was the faculty lodge at a children's summer camp next to the lake. Not quite the lake house that we had been sold on, but not too far off. The summer camp was right out of a dozen different scary movies from throughout the decades.

Its name? Camp Dyer.

Wonderful.

The first thing I saw when we arrived at camp was a paper flyer. I managed to grab a peek at one on our way in.

WELCOME TO CAMP DYER

Summer Adventures Await!

Camp Dyer is the perfect place to make memories that will last a lifetime. This summer, we have a range of exciting activities for you to enjoy, including:

- Swimming in Dyer Lake

- Boating

- Fishing

- Hiking

- Horseback Riding

- Arts & Crafts

- Campfires & S'mores

Come explore and have fun at Camp Dyer this summer!

Counselors, please report to Dyer’s Lodge.

Safety Note: At the end of the season, Dyer’s Lake will be closed down and drained in order to repair the Carousel Dam. Please observe caution in the proximity of the dam and obey all posted warnings.