At the top of the climb we enter a dark eucalyptus forest. We've heard we might come upon a plantation with unfriendly owners and dogs. Hearing this, no one is fully enthused about being in the lead. At one point I'm in front. As it turns out, Steve is the dog-bait candidate when we finally reach the plantation.
Pulse rates rise.
We're on dog alert. We pause and whisper. Ken tiptoes ahead, his head on a swivel looking for attack dogs. He waves us on and we march down the gravel road through the plantation, waiting for the verbal reprimand axe to fall. I have my hiking poles for defense in case of canine attack.