Isamania, Elliskeetio and Eamesomio

This is a story of three very brave brothers who set off to find their baby brother so that they can discover pure knowledge and end all wars. Along the way they meet a master who trains them in the ways of love, friendship and perserverence. They learn important lessons, like don't be afraid to ask for help, never give up, expect the unexpected and together we are strong. These lessons aid them in their quest as they encounter sea serpants and dragons, the land of the evil black buttons, the secret jungle with a hidden temple and the mysterious golden castle with 32 rooms. They meet many friends along the way who join them, including Darioniousis, Robertopito, Nickazippio, Leafio, Princess Leamagimus, Auillilolio, Ethamagimus and Sydneyalliscout. The story has kept us entertained and the boys going up many a steep mountain trail for six months now. It finally came to a happy ending yesterday on our hike in Braunwald in the Glarner Alps.

The story started out of desperation on a cold January hike above the Walensee. We had walked about 100 meters and then the boys flat out refused to go any further, accusing me of "always wanting to hike a million miles every day" (a slight exaggeration, but not without some basis). My Mom and Dad had just been here for Christmas the week before and as we had hiked up Uetliberg one day Dad had reminded me of how Mom used to tell Maria and I stories to keep us going on hikes. Remembering this the following week as the boys did their best imitation of mules, I asked them "Have I ever told you the story of Isamania and Elliskeetio?" (Eamesomio was to join in a few weeks, during one of our many hikes with our our wonderful friends and hiking buddies Hallie, Matt and Eames -- see pic below). As it turned out, I had not yet told them that story (for good reason, as the story hadn't existed before that moment) and so, the story was born.

It has been a long and windy story with many side stories and red herrings. It has also been a group effort that has benefited from the creativity of many contributing authors, including Isaac, Elliot and Eames and more recently, Sydney and Ethan. While I do recall the basic story line, it's impossible for me to remember the details of all the various and sundry adventures. Isaac, however, apparently remembers everything. It took him about an hour and a half to recount the story (up through April) to Mom on a hike in Sicily. We need to write it down so that we don't forget it. And already, as soon as the story had come to an end yesterday (with the three brothers finally making it home and then sleeping for two days straight, getting up for some water and chocolate, and then going back to sleep for another two days), Elliot was spinning ideas for the second book.

Here are some pictures from the various hikes and other places that have inspired the story.

And some of the accompanying artwork that the boys have made (which includes, the three brothers flag, the black button flag and the sea serpant flag).