Kootie and Koobert Go Mountain Climbing

One fine spring day Kootie and Koobert were having a terrific time exploring near the town of Beaver, a famous rural outpost in the narrow western panhandle of Oklahoma. The air was pleasantly warm, and no hint of lingering winter snow remained on even the tallest peaks emerging majestically from the grassy plain. It was a perfect day for mountain climbing, and the intrepid explorers threw themselves into their endeavor with joy and enthusiasm.

 Of course, these Oklahoma mountains are not at all like the steep jagged pinnacles of the continental divide further west. Here, a gentle slope of crusty broken earth replaces the flat prairie grass and gradually builds toward a central summit with a breathtaking view. Literally thousands of these monuments dot the flatlands, and most of them have never been disturbed by human feet. Kootie and Koobert were surrounded with opportunity to discover, and they were quick to avail themselves.

Koobert paused after surmounting a particularly difficult incline. The challenge hadn’t been the gentle slope so much as the fact that the ground had been mushy and a little steamy as though heated by an underground spring, or maybe a geyser. Slogging through the muck was much more effort than hopping, and the adventurous duo paused partly to catch their breath, and partly to survey their progress.

“The air up here sure is good, huh Kootie,” Koobert observed with an exaggerated deep inhalation.

“I think I smell a stable,” giggled Kootie, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust.

They stayed for a short while appreciating the view and gathering their strength for a final hop to the summit, now tantalizingly close. Like any experienced mountaineers, they were careful to plan a route that would follow natural contours to reach the top without making dangerous steep vertical climbs. It was a bit longer, but they judged a route that spiraled around the summit would bring them safely to the peak before lunchtime - provided there were no surprises around the bend. Another deep breath of fresh mountain air, with a tiny hint of invigorating ammonia, and they were off.

Suddenly, their ascent was interrupted by a cataclysm that dwarfed their mountain quest. An immense farmhand reached down and scooped up the whole mountain with one swipe of a pitchfork.

“Whoa doggies,” thundered the farmhand. “This one’s ripe, but I betcha someone tosses it ten miles!” With a practiced flip, Kootie, Koobert, and their cow chip mountain sailed onto the wagon, destined for the annual world championship cow chip throwing competition.

Next time, Kootie and Koobert take an unexpected ride on a UFO…