We woke up to a beautiful sunny day, but little did we know the drama that awaited.

We’d wanted to get an early start as there was a hike I wanted to do. But when we went to leave, Mike realised he had left the isolator switch off the previous day and we now had a flat battery!

Mike grabbed our neighbour at the campground before they could leave for the day. Thankfully he had some jumper leads and got us going.

Then we went to Walmart to find our own jumper leads, but ended up buying a jump starter battery pack so we don’t need to rely on anyone else. It also has an air pump in it.

Our first stop was Box canyon springs walk. We’d tried to buy bear spray but couldn’t find it. I think it’s the sort of thing you need to buy online.

The walk started along the rim of the canyon with stunning views down to the river. Then it was a steep rocky climb down into the canyon on an unmaintained trail.

We walked for about an hour to a waterfall. We’d been told there was a beautiful clear spring further on, so we continued for about 30 mins. Up ahead I saw a lot of bugs flying in the air. Not thinking too much about it, we continued.

Suddenly all these bees (or wasps) started flying at us. I quickly turned around and started heading back. Thankfully they left us alone and we made it back unstung.

Climbing back up out of the canyon looked intimidating, as we haven’t done much exercise since we’ve been here. But thankfully it was not hard, and no shortness of breath. We are at much lower altitude of about 4000 feet.

We did a little more sightseeing around the area then started driving towards craters of the moon.

Around 5pm we found an amazing free camping spot with table, chairs, shelter, fire pit and bbq, as well as a toilet. I can’t believe the quality of some of the free camps we’ve had.

That night, however, things took a turn for the worse. As we were settling down in bed, I hear that familiar rustle, rustle. ‘You better set the mouse trap,’ I said to Mike.

He set it up on the dash, which is where we caught the mouse last time. The rustling got louder, accompanied by thumping foot steps. This was no tiny little mouse. Something big was making itself at home in the engine.

What could it be? A few things crossed my mind. Skunk, squirrel, chipmunk. That cute little ground hog I saw the other day, appeared in my thoughts, but now with an evil grin on plastered on its face. I shuddered at the thought.

I kicked Mike out of bed to investigate. Armed with our phone torches, we lifted the bonnet, but no sign of anything. We got back in the car and rustle rustle, thump thump. It sounded like it was under the dash.

I rang brother Paul for advice. He suggested spraying something smelly underneath. I grabbed some fly spray and tick spray and sprayed under the bonnet. It didn’t work.

By this time it was midnight and Mike was looking tired, so I sent him to bed. My job, however, was to make sure the critter did not enter the van.

I sat in the front seat. Every time it moved I thumped on the dash and told it to get out. This went on for about an hour when the rustling stopped. Has it gone out to get more supplies? Gone hunting? I wasn’t sure but I lay back down in bed.

I must have fallen asleep as I heard no more rustling. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone. We’ll investigate further in the morning.