Their trek had been mostly uphill, following a winding trout stream known locally as Little Joe Creek. All four were tall men and all were wearing heavy jackets to ward off the mountain chill. Two of the men were walking effortlessly, as the other two struggled to keep up. Finally, one of the slower men, who appeared to be the eldest of the group, called a halt. “Hold it you two. I can’t sit in a chair back in D.C. every darned day and be expected to keep up with you fellas. I need a break.” He was laughing ruefully as he said it. His younger friend managed to gasp out, “I’ll second that!” The older man settled his long, gaunt, frame on a big rock beside the road. The man who had been leading the group, Ray Moore, stopped immediately. “My gosh, Senator, I’m really sorry. I was so excited to be able to show you this that I never realized how tough it might be for you.” His friend, Kurt Kochran, was also attempting an embarrassed apology. But Senator Mansfield, from his seat on the rock, waved them off.
