"WOW !", "MAN !", "GEE WHIZ !". These were just some of the exclamations of awe that the members of the Owl Patrol expressed at the view of the splendor of Rattlesnake Falls. So named for the way it cris-crossed back and forth on it’s way from top to bottom. Also named because no one had ever survived going over the falls themselves.

"Come on fellas" said Commander Bob, "We still have a ways to go to reach our campsite. " Reluctant to leave the falls each boy took one long last gaze at God’s awesome work of nature. This was the first real away from home trip for the members of the Owl Patrol. They had been working, many long hard hours at car washes, bake sales and other fund-raisers to get enough money saved for this trip. Coming from Florida none of these boys had ever been to the mountains before let alone seen a real waterfall.

Traveling along the trail to camp, the group was greeted with a new exciting sight around every bend. Once even a large buck met them outside a shady glen. None of the boys had ever seen a real deer, except in the zoo or on TV. Finally after what seemed like forever they rounded a bend in the trail and they entered into a beautiful clearing beside a clear stream. " A perfect camping spot , If I do say so myself" stated Commander Bob. When in fact this was the site he had picked out months ago.

After each Ranger had his assignment, everyone went their separate ways to complete their tasks. Jimmy was assigned to collect firewood, so off he went to the thicket he’d seen on the way in to camp. Now Jimmy was like all Rangers or like all children … and some adults in that he sometimes needed to be reminded exactly what he was supposed to be doing. Adventure on his mind and a boy’s natural exploring nature overtook his duty of gathering the necessary firewood for the camp. The stream ran by the thicket and he followed it a little ways. Coming abound a bush he could not believe his eyes and his good luck. There on a sandy beach was a large raft complete with poles and ropes. An open invitation to any young adventurous man. Unknown to Jimmy and the rest, the raft was the product of the last group that Commander Bob had brought here a month ago. He was saving it as a surprise for later. Now adventure and excitement got the best of Jimmy and he had completely forgotten what it was he was supposed to be doing. Pushing and shoving with all his might, the raft finally was afloat. Bobbing at the end of the tie out rope. It was an invitation that Jimmy would not, could not ignore.

The tents were all set in place, the latrine was dug at the proper location, and the kitchen was set up with a sizeable fire ring already prepared. Hunger was setting in on all now and they were still waiting for Jimmy to arrive with the firewood. "Commander, where’s Jimmy?" asked everyone in unison. "I don’t know fellas, the last time I saw him, he was heading for that thicket over there." All the sudden fear came over the Commander. "The raft !" "Alright fellas let’s spread out in a straight line and look for Jimmy. Stay in sight of each other at all times, he’s probably sleeping under a tree somewhere." Hoping that was the case instead of the fear he had in the pit of his stomach. As the line advanced through the thicket Commander’s fears became more and more of a reality. Reaching the beach, the tracks and push marks told the story with a chilling reality.

"All hands on deck! Avast you swabbies !" Jimmy was captain on a mighty sailing ship, exploring the seven seas. As the raft approached the current, it started a definite course downstream. Realizing that Commander Bob would see him, Jimmy tried desperately to pole his way back to shore. The only problem was that now the water was too deep as he pushed down on the pole the current swept it out of his hands. Frantic that he would be in trouble, he prepared for the worst, because he could see the tops of the tents and the patrol flag above the bushes. The next bend would take him in full view of the campsite. But Jimmy didn’t see anyone in camp. Now he really started to worry. Not about the danger he might be in, but what he might be missing out on with the rest of the guys.

Commander Bob now knew what course of action he must take. "Follow me boys, back to camp quickly! " They all reached camp just in time to see Jimmy being swept downstream. "Jimmy" they all yelled together. "Get back here!" "I can’t" yelled Jimmy, "I lost the poles, help me please!"

Commander Bob was the only one who really knew how much danger Jimmy was heading for. The stream that they were camped beside was part of a larger stream that emptied over Rattlesnake Falls. He knew that if he did not act quickly that Jimmy would not survive the next hour or so. As a leader Commander was prepared, in his pack he carried a cellular phone just in case. He called the Ranger station to try and get help. "Sorry sir, all of our help is out fighting a fire in the next state, you’ll have to handle it yourself" That of course was not what he wanted to hear by any means.

"Fall in !" he yelled. Quickly he explained the situation and just as quickly the boys responded with "Let’s Do It!" The entire patrol took off in a dead run back along the trail towards the falls. Commander Bob was going to cut across country to try and reach the other side of the stream. He carried with him a coil of rope a piece of PVC, he had a plan.

Ten minutes later he spotted Jimmy, still trying to paddle to shore with his hands. The current however would not allow him to do so. Yelling to Jimmy to hang on, he tried to explain what he had in mind. Jimmy was really sacred, but he trusted his commander, afterall he didn’t have much choice at this point.

The rest of the patrol finally reached the spot that commander had directed them. They waited and finally they saw Commander Bob waving at them at the top of the falls. He had tied the rope to a large boulder and motioned that he was going to throw the coil to them. Gathering all the strength he could muster Bob threw the coil with all his might. Unfortunately as it arched out over the falls it tangled and fell into the water below the falls and was now being strung out downstream. Ted the patrol leader was the oldest. He tied a rope around his waist and dove into the water, he swam with all his might. Time was critical now, reaching the rope he knew that he could not swim against the current, he waved and the rest of the patrol quickly pulled him to shore.

Jimmy could hear the falls now. He wasn’t real sure he could do what commander wanted him to do, but he was now fully aware of what would happen if he did not. Ted climbed the tree next to the stream and tied the rope as tight as he could. It ran in a straight taut line up to the falls, where Jimmy was to arrive soon, too soon for everyone concerned. "Now Jim grab the rope!" yelled commander. Jimmy reached for the rope and missed. In desperation he ran to the other end and leapt for the rope just as the raft was swept over the falls.