McGee and Me! (1989–1992): Season 2, Episode 1 - In the Nick of Time - full transcript
(intense music)
(rock music) -
[McGee] What's it gonna
be for summer vacation?
Canoeing down the Amazon?
Hang gliding over Acapulco?
Eh, probably a
schnook fishing trip
in a swamp outside Toledo.
- Nah, if Renee's,
Philip's, and my dad
have all cooked up some big
surprise trip for us all,
it's gotta be pretty
spectacular, right?
- You mean like that Tulip
Festival we went to in Michigan.
- Where's the dip?
Oh, there you are.
(chuckles) Just kidding.
I've only got a few more hours
to tease you before you go.
- And I thought she only
loved me for my potato chips.
- Oh, why did they have to
make it a surprise anyway?
How am I supposed to pack?
(straining)
- [Dad] we'll only
be gone a week.
We'll be back
before you know it.
- Why can't I go too, daddy?
- Well, maybe in a
couple years, honey.
But this trip's for
your brother and me,
we need to spend
some time together
learning more about each other.
- Dad, I can tell you all
you need to know about Nick.
- Hey, Liz.
This is a great remodel
job and great food.
- Thanks, Phil, have some more.
- Yeah, I'd love some.
Gotta build up my strength.
I'm gonna need all my
stamina spending a week
with three teenagers having
fun going you know where
doing you know what.
- My, when you keep a secret,
you really keep a
secret, don't you?
(shushes)
- [Phil] Who wants food?
- My dad's too excited.
We must be going to
a dentist convention.
- I saw my dad
pack his swimsuit.
Must be someplace with a pool.
- It's California,
that's where we're going.
- How do you know?
- Well it's gotta be.
Wherever we're going my
dad's gonna join us, right?
I haven't seen him
much since the divorce,
and he lives in California
and he's been wanting
me to visit, right?
It all makes sense.
- That's the same
logic they use to prove
that Elvis is still alive.
(chuckles)
- Hey, dad, when are you gonna
tell us where we're going?
- Soon.
But I'll give you a hint.
God fills me with strength
and protects me wherever I go.
He gives me the surefootedness
of a mountain goat
upon the crag.
- We're going to the zoo?
- Here's a hint.
- Happy trails?
- Okay, attention everyone.
The time has finally
come for the dads
to reveal the
surprise destination.
A drum roll, please.
(drum roll plays)
Nick, Philip, and
Renee, pack your bags
and get ready for the
time of your life.
California, here we come.
(kids cheer)
- Yes, I knew I was right.
Next stop Beverly Hills.
- Wow, I wonder if we'll
meet any movie stars.
- To our courageous kids,
Nick and Philip and Renee.
- Courageous?
- May we return stronger
and wiser and closer
from this adventure.
- Adventure?
- Having grown and
stretched ourselves
as we meet the exciting and
thrilling challenge of...
Mountain climbing?
(sighs) These don't look
like the Beverly Hills to me.
- Todo, we're not
in Indiana anymore.
- How long you usually
gotta wear a body cast?
Six or seven months?
- Don't worry, Philip, you're
not gonna break anything.
- You're right, I'll
probably pass out first.
- Mountain climbing, hmm?
Well, I guess I
don't need to worry
about those surfing lessons.
Let's see, what does one
wear to scale the heights?
Mm, nope.
Mmhmm, next.
Uh uh, wrong.
Ah, perfect.
Whoa...
- Hi, sweetheart.
- [Renee] Dad!
(groans) Oh, golly,
I missed you.
- Oh, I missed you too.
- Oh, I missed you too.
- Let me see.
- Let me see.
Let me look at you.
I hardly recognize you.
You've grown,
you've really grown.
- Well, that's what
teenagers do, Ted.
- Hey, David.
Good to see you.
- You too.
- Hey, everybody.
Welcome to Wilderness
Excursions with Dad.
I'm your senior
guide Brad Gifford,
but you can call me Giff.
This is my co-leader
Consuela, Connie for short.
Now the two of us
will be your guides
and the six of you make up
what we call a Struggle Group.
(chuckles)
- He's got that right.
- Now in the next few
days we're gonna teach you
a lot about mountain climbing,
but you're also gonna learn
wilderness survival skills.
- Teaching?
Learning?
This is summer.
- Forget teaching and learning.
What about climbing
and surviving?
- And you can be sure that
by the end of the week,
each of you will have learned
something about yourselves.
The woods have a very quiet
way of exposing our fears.
They also bring us closer
to each other and to God.
- So, we'll be able to move out
as soon as you can pack our
supplies into you packs.
All right, let's go.
(straining)
- Philip, what are you doing?
- Struggling with my fear.
- What fear?
- My fear of being crushed
under all this stuff.
- How do I pack this thing?
Heavy things first?
Alphabetically?
Maybe I should...
(Renee screams)
- Sorry, Renee.
That's supposed to
be in Philip's pack.
- You put a snake in my pack?
- A rubber snake.
Come on, a little wilderness
humor between father and son.
Woo, woo, woo.
(chuckles)
- This is gonna be a long week.
(scoffs) This is gonna
be a long adolescents.
- [Nicholas] I'm
starting to realize
that camping in the wilderness
is gonna be a lot different
than spending the night in
a pup tent in our backyard.
For one thing, it's difficult
to raid the refrigerator
at 10,000 feet.
- It's very different,
you know, honey.
- I know, dad.
- You have to work
harder in junior high.
- I know, dad.
- And you gotta choose your
friends very carefully.
You know, you can
have some fun too.
- Right.
- But not too much fun.
You need to study.
Should I be writing
this stuff down for you?
- Dad!
(soft guitar music)
- [Nicholas] One
thing is for sure,
dad is having a great
time taking pictures.
I guess shutter bugs
really thrive in the wild.
(camera clicks)
- [Nicholas] I figure that we'll
have to hike through
all these big mountains
to get to the small easy
beginner hills that
we're gonna climb.
Of course, I could be wrong.
- Well, this is it.
When you get back to Indiana
you'll be able to tell them
that you climbed The Giant.
Ta da!
- You've got to be kidding.
- I can't climb that.
I can't even look at that.
- Let's keep pushing on,
we've gotta make camp
before nightfall.
(eagle screeches)
Now remember, never put
your sleeping bags too close
to the campfire.
And always put your
food packs high enough
so the bears won't get them.
- Remember that
fella from the town
where we gassed up the Jeep?
- That Piute Indian?
He was quite a character.
- Yeah, he says there's a
giant man-eating grizzly
that roams these woods.
The Piute call him the
Wild Bear of Giant Mountain.
- Come on, Phil.
He's just having
some fun with ya.
If there are any bears
at all around here,
there are only small black ones.
- [Phil] I wouldn't be so sure.
- Great, if I don't
fall off a mountain
I'll get eaten by a bear.
- Do you know honey,
part of growing up
is learning not to believe
everything you hear.
Junior high, for example,
you're gonna hear
all sorts of stuff.
You gotta learn how
to use good judgment.
- (sighs) That is if I
live to see junior high.
- [McGee] After
eight miles of trails
you work up quite an appetite.
Ick, maybe not.
What I wouldn't
give for a pizza.
(sighs)
- What's for dinner, Connie?
- Ah, bueno.
Dehydrated macaroni and cheese.
I hydrated it myself.
- Mm, smells, uh, (sniffs)
really, really hot.
- Thanks.
Can you guys watch the
stove for a second?
I gotta go help
Giff with something.
- I got it, I got it.
- Okay, let's see
what we got here.
Whoa!
Meal time.
Oh, some broiled rattler, huh?
We've got squirrel sausage
and poached porcupine, huh?
All in one pot.
- Dad, they're never
gonna fall for that.
- My son doesn't like
my practical jokes.
- I wonder why.
- Hey, sugarless candy?
- Mmhmm.
- Oh, they're great.
I eat them all the time.
(sighs) Well, I think I'm
gonna go use the restroom
or the wilderness room.
(birds chirping)
- I don't know about this
Giant Mountain thing.
You risk your life for what?
Just to say you
risked your life?
I'm a cartoonist,
not a rock climber.
- Nick, I know.
I mean, I'm scared
about most things,
but this Giant really scares me.
- Yeah, me too.
I hope our dads know
what they're doing.
(low growling)
Did you hear something.
- Yeah, my stomach
saying no, please no.
(low growling)
Hey, what if it's the Wild
Bear of Giant Mountain?
- If it's a bear,
it smells the food
and it probably just
wants to investigate.
- Probably?
(screams)
(loud roaring)
- It's not a bear, that's a man!
(laughing)
- No, it's not a giant bear.
It's a giant slipper and
this is a giant blanket.
The two of you guys
were hysterical.
You should have seen your faces.
(chuckles) Oh, no a bear.
A bear!
Run away!
- Phil, sometimes
you are unbearable.
- Unbearable, see,
now that's funny.
Unbearable.
Only you can prevent
forest fires.
- Hey, you okay?
- No.
- Well, he was just
trying to be funny.
- Yeah, I know, but...
He never is.
(solemn music)
(owl hooting)
- [Nicholas] The next
morning we all discovered
that sleeping in
the cool, fresh air
puts everything in perspective.
- Some life.
When you're not climbing
rocks you're sleeping on them.
(scoffs) I'm even
dreaming about rocks.
- I think Connie's boiling
some for lunch later.
- Morning.
- Boy, you were up early.
- Well, I wanted to catch
a few sunrise shots.
Try out my new lens.
- Like my outfit?
(laughs) Climbing is great.
Whoa.
Once you get the hang of it.
- Right, McGee.
Even after Giff
and Connie's lesson
with all the ropes and stuff,
I still don't think I'm cut out
to hang off the
side of mountains.
I've been sitting
here since dawn
wondering how I'm gonna
tell everybody that.
- Come on, Nick.
You gotta give it a chance
before you hang up your boots.
- [Dad] Come on, Nick.
Get your pack, we're moving out.
- It was nice
knowing you, McGee.
- They don't call me King
of the Forest for nothing.
(adventurous music)
(yelping)
Oof.
Okay, maybe Prince
of the Forest.
- [Nicholas] All morning we
spent learning the basics.
Like how to safely go
over the side of a cliff.
In my mind, safety
and cliff don't belong
in the same sentence.
- [Philip] Tell me, again,
why are we putting
ourselves through this?
- I don't know.
All I keep thinking
about is that kids' book
I used to read to
my little sister.
Do you know The Little
Engine That Could?
Only this time I keep
saying I think I can't,
I think I can't,
I think I can't.
- Okay, everybody, the
only way out of here
is up and over.
So, this is where we're
gonna put to the test
everything that we've learned
so far about climbing.
- I think we made
wrong turn somewhere.
- (scoffs) Yeah,
back in Eastville.
- All right, kids, watch me.
- Okay, now remember
what we practiced.
Halfway up, lean
back on your ropes
so you have confidence
you're secure.
Take your time and always
check your footholds.
- Well that doesn't
look so hard.
- I heard he was raised by
a pack of mountain goats.
- Okay, who's gonna go first?
Nick?
- Nah, I don't think so.
- Why don't you go ahead, son.
Give it a shot.
- Come on, let's go.
(soft music)
- You can do it, son.
- Okay, Nick, let's go.
(yelps)
(straining)
- You're doing great, son.
(yelps)
(gasps)
- Come on, Nick.
You're okay, just a
little loose rock.
Find your footholds.
- [McGee] Come on, Nick.
You can do it.
- Rope.
- [McGee] Hold on,
help's on the way.
- Hey, Nick, I'm
right here, pal.
Nothing to worry about.
Happens all the time.
All right, now just listen to me
and we'll get down
together, okay?
- Okay.
- Just lean back on your rope.
Atta boy.
- Like this?
- Yep, there you go.
All right, come on.
That's it.
Thatta boy.
Yes sir.
All right, well done.
You're okay.
- Nick, not a bad
try first time out.
All right.
Next time--
- Forget it!
There's not gonna
be a next time.
(sighs) I'm not going back.
- Well, nobody's gonna make you.
That's your decision.
I just want you to have all
the facts before you decide.
- What facts?
- Well, as scary as it looks,
all the equipment makes
climbing very safe.
- Okay, great.
Why bother with all this just
to climb up some dumb rock?
- Believe it or not,
climbing is fun, Nick.
It can give you a great
sense of accomplishment.
It's challenging.
You make great friends.
- So far you could say the
same thing about baseball.
(chuckles)
- Okay, how about this?
Climbing reminds us how
much we need God's help.
He'll take us up any mountain,
maybe a step at a time,
but he'll get us there.
Remember, He made all this.
What better place
to learn that, huh?
I mean, look around.
(bird screeching)
Come on, let's go.
(upbeat music)
♪ When good King
David was small ♪
♪ He had a big man to slay
♪ No he just couldn't give in
♪ Whatever the odds that day
♪ No matter how tough
the fight would get ♪
♪ He had to press on
♪ He just couldn't quit
♪ He had to run the race
♪ He had to keep the pace
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ When you wanna give up
♪ 'Cause you feel
you can't cope ♪
♪ Know that this
trial you face ♪
♪ Helps build
patience and hope ♪
♪ No matter how tough
the fight may get ♪
♪ You gotta press on
♪ You just can't quit
♪ You gotta run the race
♪ You gotta keep the pace
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to but
up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
- Thanks for showing me
all the ropes, literally.
- (chuckles) Yeah,
you did great.
- [McGee] After a few
days in the woods,
you come to appreciate the
soothing sounds of the forest.
(yelling)
(birds calling)
(screams)
(low growling)
- Come on, cut it out, you guys.
It's not gonna work.
Amateurs.
If you guys think I'm
gonna fall for that, you...
(stammering)
A bear.
(growling)
Candy.
Do you want some candy.
Have some candy.
Have some candy.
More?
Good, good for your teeth.
There ya go.
Here, take my pack.
Denim.
Here you go.
Yum.
(gasps)
(stammering)
(growling)
(blows whistle)
Bear!
A bear!
A bear!
(whistle chirping)
It's a bear.
(whistle chirping)
Bear!
Bear!
Bear!
Bear, bear!
Bear!
It's the Wild Bear
of Giant Mountain.
He attacked me.
- All right, Phil, we've
heard that one before.
No, he really did.
Right in the woods,
just over that ridge.
I was getting firewood and
there was this giant grizzly.
He must have been 10 feet tall.
- You gotta get it right, Phil.
The Wild Bear of Giant
Mountain is supposed to be
a black bear.
- It was him.
Look, he ate my fanny pack.
- Maybe it was Yogi Bear, Phil.
Didn't he eat the
Ranger's pack once?
- You guys, you
gotta believe me.
I mean, he was huge and brown.
He wanted my sugarless candy.
- Well there you go.
At least you have the
satisfaction of knowing
that you're promoting
good dental hygiene
among the local bear
population, Phil.
- Hey, listen up everybody.
Instead of us all
sleeping around the fire,
we're gonna do something
different tonight.
After dinner, we're
gonna lead everyone out
to their own camping
spot for the night.
And that'll give you a
little time alone together
and the chance to get to know
each other a little better.
Some honest time.
Now, don't be afraid to open
up with each other, all right?
Connie and I will be back to
pick you up about 7:30 a.m.
- What about the wild bear?
- Phil, even if there was
a bear, he's long gone.
Now let's concentrate on some
honest time with Philip.
(scoffs)
- Nobody believes me.
They don't believe me.
- [Nicholas] Okay,
so I conquered one
small practice hill.
But the Giant is
still waiting for us.
And no matter what anyone says,
a 1,000 foot cliff is
still a 1,000 foot cliff.
- You know those ropes
they have in gym class?
- Yeah.
- Did I ever tell you about
the time I was in junior high
and I raced my best
friend Jared to the top?
- No.
Did you win?
- Well, sort of.
I'd never climbed
the ropes before,
but somehow I beat
him to the top.
The trouble was when I got
up there and looked down
and realized how far
up I was, I panicked.
I didn't know whether to
slide or jump or what.
- So what did you do?
- I remembered what
one of the first guys
who climbed Mt. Everest said.
He would never look down
before he looked up first.
So I looked up and
I prayed for help.
And then I was
able to climb down.
Hand over hand,
one inch at a time.
Ever since, whenever I start
to look down, I look up first.
- Yeah, but every time I look
up all I see is the Giant.
(sighs)
- Well, pal, don't worry.
I'll love you whether or not
you climb another
rock in your life.
- I've got the
rocks figured out.
It's the mountains
I'm worried about.
(both chuckle)
- Bears don't like
water, do they?
- Heh, not unless they're
into water skiing.
- Oh, not you too.
You believe me, don't ya?
- I don't know, dad.
I mean, every time I
figure you'd say gotcha
and start laughing at me.
- Well, I guess we're
gonna have to do something
about that, huh?
I really did see a bear.
Really.
- Yeah, it's a
place to worry ya.
Hey listen, honey.
Don't start wearing
makeup too soon.
You know, I mean, once
you start with that stuff,
you never go back.
And, oh, dating.
I know you're a teenager now,
but there will be no
dating until you're 18.
- Dad!
- Oh, 17?
- Tomorrow, Nick,
you're gonna choose
whether you face
the Giant or not.
Next week when you're back home,
you'll have some other
decisions to make.
Every decision takes courage.
And you know where to
find that courage, right?
- Just look up.
(soft music)
It was really cool to
spend time with dad,
but as reassuring as he is,
he can't get my
mind off the Giant.
It just keeps staring back
at me like a bad dream.
(chiming)
(howling)
(straining)
(light music)
(dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
(clinks)
(chuckles)
(rumbling)
(growls)
(yells)
(roars)
- Whoa.
(yelps)
(birds chirping)
- 7:15, oh no.
I better get ready.
I wonder where dad went.
- Now, let's see.
Don't ride with anybody who
hasn't had their license
for at least two years.
(stammering)
- Daddy, please stop.
- Yeah, I know, honey.
I'm going awfully fast.
But, I just, I'm not with
you for very much time
and I have so much I
want you to remember.
- Daddy, daddy, I'll
always remember this
as the best vacation I ever had.
And I'll remember that
you love me a whole lot.
- With all my heart.
- But just because
I'm a teenager now
doesn't mean that
I'll forget everything
you taught me while
I was growing up.
You don't have to start
telling me all of the don'ts,
because you spent 10 years
teaching me all the right do's.
- It's just, it's
so hard, honey.
I'm so far away.
I just wanna be with ya.
I wanna protect you.
- I know, I miss you too.
But the things you
taught come back to me
and it's like
you're still there.
Almost.
(solemn music)
- If those guys
don't believe me,
I'll just have to show
them a thing or two.
Wait till I pull out my
old crazed moose routine.
- Dad, stop.
We're all tired of your jokes.
- Philip, they
didn't believe me
when I was almost
eaten by a bear.
- Were you?
- Guess I cried wolf
one too many times, huh?
Is there anything I can
say to make you believe me?
- Like you said, be honest.
(sighs)
- Okay.
I was really scared
to even move a muscle.
I was thinking what
it would be like
to never see you or your mother
or your sister ever again.
I was thinking that
there's so many things
that I still wanna tell you.
And how ironic it would
be for Mr. Practical Joker
to get eaten by a mythical bear.
- So you really do love us?
- Oh yeah, pal.
More than you'll ever know.
- It's not like dad to be late.
I better go find him
before Giff gets here.
Dad?
Dad?
Dad!
Where are you?
- [Dad] Help!
- Dad?
- Good morning.
Time to head back, guys.
David?
Nick?
Hello?
- [Dad] Help!
- Dad!
- Help!
Help!
Help!
- Dad!
- Nick, I need help.
- I'm going to get some help.
- I can't hold on much longer.
Nick, nick, I'm slipping.
- No time, kid.
You gotta get a rope to him now.
- Me?
But...
- [Dad] Nick.
- Okay.
Hold on, dad.
(dramatic music)
Please, God.
I need that courage now.
Dad, I'll be right there,
just hold on, okay?
- Careful.
(courageous music)
(teething shattering)
- Okay, kid.
Steady, find the cracks.
- Almost there, dad.
- Ow.
Hurry, son.
- You got it, hold it steady.
Whoa.
- Dad, tie this
around your waist.
- Slip it in there.
- Slide it under.
And up over here.
You're gonna be okay, dad.
You're gonna be okay, dad.
You're gonna be all right.
- I just wanted to get one
last shot from the edge
and it just suddenly gave way.
(both screaming)
- All right, dad, see if
you can give me some help
and pull us up.
(panting)
- I think my arm is broken.
(both straining)
(groans)
- We're gonna be okay, dad.
- That's the Giant?
And Nick, you repelled
off that to save dad?
- Well, I didn't know it
was the Giant at the time.
- Oh, he was a
hero just the same.
- Oh absolutely.
- Every time we look at
the pictures from the trip
I'm always amazed.
We all climbed a mountain.
- [Jamie] What's that stuff?
- Oh, broiled rattle snake,
some squirrel sausage
and poached porcupine.
- Like father like son.
- Hey, I'm not gonna
fall for that old trick.
We learned that one
in Junior Raccoons.
- Don't worry, Philip.
It just takes a little time.
- Speaking of food,
I think all of us deserve
some more cookies.
- [Phil] Sounds good to me.
- Mm, the next time we hit
the Giant, bag the macaroni.
We're taking
chocolate chipsters.
- Nah, I don't think
I'm gonna be climbing
the Giant again, McGee.
- What?
You ready for Everest?
- Nah, but I have a
feeling that there will be
plenty of giants
right here every day.
Now I know I can face them.
See, courage isn't something
you find in the wilderness,
it's always here with you.
God helps you find it.
Here's one for the road.
Watch the crumbs.
(dings)
Wait.
- I've got an idea.
Next year how about Scuba
Adventures with Mom?
Cowabunga!
Nicholas, get me out of here!
Someone help!
(gurgling)
- McGee.
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step ♪
♪ Step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪♪
(rock music) -
[McGee] What's it gonna
be for summer vacation?
Canoeing down the Amazon?
Hang gliding over Acapulco?
Eh, probably a
schnook fishing trip
in a swamp outside Toledo.
- Nah, if Renee's,
Philip's, and my dad
have all cooked up some big
surprise trip for us all,
it's gotta be pretty
spectacular, right?
- You mean like that Tulip
Festival we went to in Michigan.
- Where's the dip?
Oh, there you are.
(chuckles) Just kidding.
I've only got a few more hours
to tease you before you go.
- And I thought she only
loved me for my potato chips.
- Oh, why did they have to
make it a surprise anyway?
How am I supposed to pack?
(straining)
- [Dad] we'll only
be gone a week.
We'll be back
before you know it.
- Why can't I go too, daddy?
- Well, maybe in a
couple years, honey.
But this trip's for
your brother and me,
we need to spend
some time together
learning more about each other.
- Dad, I can tell you all
you need to know about Nick.
- Hey, Liz.
This is a great remodel
job and great food.
- Thanks, Phil, have some more.
- Yeah, I'd love some.
Gotta build up my strength.
I'm gonna need all my
stamina spending a week
with three teenagers having
fun going you know where
doing you know what.
- My, when you keep a secret,
you really keep a
secret, don't you?
(shushes)
- [Phil] Who wants food?
- My dad's too excited.
We must be going to
a dentist convention.
- I saw my dad
pack his swimsuit.
Must be someplace with a pool.
- It's California,
that's where we're going.
- How do you know?
- Well it's gotta be.
Wherever we're going my
dad's gonna join us, right?
I haven't seen him
much since the divorce,
and he lives in California
and he's been wanting
me to visit, right?
It all makes sense.
- That's the same
logic they use to prove
that Elvis is still alive.
(chuckles)
- Hey, dad, when are you gonna
tell us where we're going?
- Soon.
But I'll give you a hint.
God fills me with strength
and protects me wherever I go.
He gives me the surefootedness
of a mountain goat
upon the crag.
- We're going to the zoo?
- Here's a hint.
- Happy trails?
- Okay, attention everyone.
The time has finally
come for the dads
to reveal the
surprise destination.
A drum roll, please.
(drum roll plays)
Nick, Philip, and
Renee, pack your bags
and get ready for the
time of your life.
California, here we come.
(kids cheer)
- Yes, I knew I was right.
Next stop Beverly Hills.
- Wow, I wonder if we'll
meet any movie stars.
- To our courageous kids,
Nick and Philip and Renee.
- Courageous?
- May we return stronger
and wiser and closer
from this adventure.
- Adventure?
- Having grown and
stretched ourselves
as we meet the exciting and
thrilling challenge of...
Mountain climbing?
(sighs) These don't look
like the Beverly Hills to me.
- Todo, we're not
in Indiana anymore.
- How long you usually
gotta wear a body cast?
Six or seven months?
- Don't worry, Philip, you're
not gonna break anything.
- You're right, I'll
probably pass out first.
- Mountain climbing, hmm?
Well, I guess I
don't need to worry
about those surfing lessons.
Let's see, what does one
wear to scale the heights?
Mm, nope.
Mmhmm, next.
Uh uh, wrong.
Ah, perfect.
Whoa...
- Hi, sweetheart.
- [Renee] Dad!
(groans) Oh, golly,
I missed you.
- Oh, I missed you too.
- Oh, I missed you too.
- Let me see.
- Let me see.
Let me look at you.
I hardly recognize you.
You've grown,
you've really grown.
- Well, that's what
teenagers do, Ted.
- Hey, David.
Good to see you.
- You too.
- Hey, everybody.
Welcome to Wilderness
Excursions with Dad.
I'm your senior
guide Brad Gifford,
but you can call me Giff.
This is my co-leader
Consuela, Connie for short.
Now the two of us
will be your guides
and the six of you make up
what we call a Struggle Group.
(chuckles)
- He's got that right.
- Now in the next few
days we're gonna teach you
a lot about mountain climbing,
but you're also gonna learn
wilderness survival skills.
- Teaching?
Learning?
This is summer.
- Forget teaching and learning.
What about climbing
and surviving?
- And you can be sure that
by the end of the week,
each of you will have learned
something about yourselves.
The woods have a very quiet
way of exposing our fears.
They also bring us closer
to each other and to God.
- So, we'll be able to move out
as soon as you can pack our
supplies into you packs.
All right, let's go.
(straining)
- Philip, what are you doing?
- Struggling with my fear.
- What fear?
- My fear of being crushed
under all this stuff.
- How do I pack this thing?
Heavy things first?
Alphabetically?
Maybe I should...
(Renee screams)
- Sorry, Renee.
That's supposed to
be in Philip's pack.
- You put a snake in my pack?
- A rubber snake.
Come on, a little wilderness
humor between father and son.
Woo, woo, woo.
(chuckles)
- This is gonna be a long week.
(scoffs) This is gonna
be a long adolescents.
- [Nicholas] I'm
starting to realize
that camping in the wilderness
is gonna be a lot different
than spending the night in
a pup tent in our backyard.
For one thing, it's difficult
to raid the refrigerator
at 10,000 feet.
- It's very different,
you know, honey.
- I know, dad.
- You have to work
harder in junior high.
- I know, dad.
- And you gotta choose your
friends very carefully.
You know, you can
have some fun too.
- Right.
- But not too much fun.
You need to study.
Should I be writing
this stuff down for you?
- Dad!
(soft guitar music)
- [Nicholas] One
thing is for sure,
dad is having a great
time taking pictures.
I guess shutter bugs
really thrive in the wild.
(camera clicks)
- [Nicholas] I figure that we'll
have to hike through
all these big mountains
to get to the small easy
beginner hills that
we're gonna climb.
Of course, I could be wrong.
- Well, this is it.
When you get back to Indiana
you'll be able to tell them
that you climbed The Giant.
Ta da!
- You've got to be kidding.
- I can't climb that.
I can't even look at that.
- Let's keep pushing on,
we've gotta make camp
before nightfall.
(eagle screeches)
Now remember, never put
your sleeping bags too close
to the campfire.
And always put your
food packs high enough
so the bears won't get them.
- Remember that
fella from the town
where we gassed up the Jeep?
- That Piute Indian?
He was quite a character.
- Yeah, he says there's a
giant man-eating grizzly
that roams these woods.
The Piute call him the
Wild Bear of Giant Mountain.
- Come on, Phil.
He's just having
some fun with ya.
If there are any bears
at all around here,
there are only small black ones.
- [Phil] I wouldn't be so sure.
- Great, if I don't
fall off a mountain
I'll get eaten by a bear.
- Do you know honey,
part of growing up
is learning not to believe
everything you hear.
Junior high, for example,
you're gonna hear
all sorts of stuff.
You gotta learn how
to use good judgment.
- (sighs) That is if I
live to see junior high.
- [McGee] After
eight miles of trails
you work up quite an appetite.
Ick, maybe not.
What I wouldn't
give for a pizza.
(sighs)
- What's for dinner, Connie?
- Ah, bueno.
Dehydrated macaroni and cheese.
I hydrated it myself.
- Mm, smells, uh, (sniffs)
really, really hot.
- Thanks.
Can you guys watch the
stove for a second?
I gotta go help
Giff with something.
- I got it, I got it.
- Okay, let's see
what we got here.
Whoa!
Meal time.
Oh, some broiled rattler, huh?
We've got squirrel sausage
and poached porcupine, huh?
All in one pot.
- Dad, they're never
gonna fall for that.
- My son doesn't like
my practical jokes.
- I wonder why.
- Hey, sugarless candy?
- Mmhmm.
- Oh, they're great.
I eat them all the time.
(sighs) Well, I think I'm
gonna go use the restroom
or the wilderness room.
(birds chirping)
- I don't know about this
Giant Mountain thing.
You risk your life for what?
Just to say you
risked your life?
I'm a cartoonist,
not a rock climber.
- Nick, I know.
I mean, I'm scared
about most things,
but this Giant really scares me.
- Yeah, me too.
I hope our dads know
what they're doing.
(low growling)
Did you hear something.
- Yeah, my stomach
saying no, please no.
(low growling)
Hey, what if it's the Wild
Bear of Giant Mountain?
- If it's a bear,
it smells the food
and it probably just
wants to investigate.
- Probably?
(screams)
(loud roaring)
- It's not a bear, that's a man!
(laughing)
- No, it's not a giant bear.
It's a giant slipper and
this is a giant blanket.
The two of you guys
were hysterical.
You should have seen your faces.
(chuckles) Oh, no a bear.
A bear!
Run away!
- Phil, sometimes
you are unbearable.
- Unbearable, see,
now that's funny.
Unbearable.
Only you can prevent
forest fires.
- Hey, you okay?
- No.
- Well, he was just
trying to be funny.
- Yeah, I know, but...
He never is.
(solemn music)
(owl hooting)
- [Nicholas] The next
morning we all discovered
that sleeping in
the cool, fresh air
puts everything in perspective.
- Some life.
When you're not climbing
rocks you're sleeping on them.
(scoffs) I'm even
dreaming about rocks.
- I think Connie's boiling
some for lunch later.
- Morning.
- Boy, you were up early.
- Well, I wanted to catch
a few sunrise shots.
Try out my new lens.
- Like my outfit?
(laughs) Climbing is great.
Whoa.
Once you get the hang of it.
- Right, McGee.
Even after Giff
and Connie's lesson
with all the ropes and stuff,
I still don't think I'm cut out
to hang off the
side of mountains.
I've been sitting
here since dawn
wondering how I'm gonna
tell everybody that.
- Come on, Nick.
You gotta give it a chance
before you hang up your boots.
- [Dad] Come on, Nick.
Get your pack, we're moving out.
- It was nice
knowing you, McGee.
- They don't call me King
of the Forest for nothing.
(adventurous music)
(yelping)
Oof.
Okay, maybe Prince
of the Forest.
- [Nicholas] All morning we
spent learning the basics.
Like how to safely go
over the side of a cliff.
In my mind, safety
and cliff don't belong
in the same sentence.
- [Philip] Tell me, again,
why are we putting
ourselves through this?
- I don't know.
All I keep thinking
about is that kids' book
I used to read to
my little sister.
Do you know The Little
Engine That Could?
Only this time I keep
saying I think I can't,
I think I can't,
I think I can't.
- Okay, everybody, the
only way out of here
is up and over.
So, this is where we're
gonna put to the test
everything that we've learned
so far about climbing.
- I think we made
wrong turn somewhere.
- (scoffs) Yeah,
back in Eastville.
- All right, kids, watch me.
- Okay, now remember
what we practiced.
Halfway up, lean
back on your ropes
so you have confidence
you're secure.
Take your time and always
check your footholds.
- Well that doesn't
look so hard.
- I heard he was raised by
a pack of mountain goats.
- Okay, who's gonna go first?
Nick?
- Nah, I don't think so.
- Why don't you go ahead, son.
Give it a shot.
- Come on, let's go.
(soft music)
- You can do it, son.
- Okay, Nick, let's go.
(yelps)
(straining)
- You're doing great, son.
(yelps)
(gasps)
- Come on, Nick.
You're okay, just a
little loose rock.
Find your footholds.
- [McGee] Come on, Nick.
You can do it.
- Rope.
- [McGee] Hold on,
help's on the way.
- Hey, Nick, I'm
right here, pal.
Nothing to worry about.
Happens all the time.
All right, now just listen to me
and we'll get down
together, okay?
- Okay.
- Just lean back on your rope.
Atta boy.
- Like this?
- Yep, there you go.
All right, come on.
That's it.
Thatta boy.
Yes sir.
All right, well done.
You're okay.
- Nick, not a bad
try first time out.
All right.
Next time--
- Forget it!
There's not gonna
be a next time.
(sighs) I'm not going back.
- Well, nobody's gonna make you.
That's your decision.
I just want you to have all
the facts before you decide.
- What facts?
- Well, as scary as it looks,
all the equipment makes
climbing very safe.
- Okay, great.
Why bother with all this just
to climb up some dumb rock?
- Believe it or not,
climbing is fun, Nick.
It can give you a great
sense of accomplishment.
It's challenging.
You make great friends.
- So far you could say the
same thing about baseball.
(chuckles)
- Okay, how about this?
Climbing reminds us how
much we need God's help.
He'll take us up any mountain,
maybe a step at a time,
but he'll get us there.
Remember, He made all this.
What better place
to learn that, huh?
I mean, look around.
(bird screeching)
Come on, let's go.
(upbeat music)
♪ When good King
David was small ♪
♪ He had a big man to slay
♪ No he just couldn't give in
♪ Whatever the odds that day
♪ No matter how tough
the fight would get ♪
♪ He had to press on
♪ He just couldn't quit
♪ He had to run the race
♪ He had to keep the pace
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ When you wanna give up
♪ 'Cause you feel
you can't cope ♪
♪ Know that this
trial you face ♪
♪ Helps build
patience and hope ♪
♪ No matter how tough
the fight may get ♪
♪ You gotta press on
♪ You just can't quit
♪ You gotta run the race
♪ You gotta keep the pace
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to but
up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
- Thanks for showing me
all the ropes, literally.
- (chuckles) Yeah,
you did great.
- [McGee] After a few
days in the woods,
you come to appreciate the
soothing sounds of the forest.
(yelling)
(birds calling)
(screams)
(low growling)
- Come on, cut it out, you guys.
It's not gonna work.
Amateurs.
If you guys think I'm
gonna fall for that, you...
(stammering)
A bear.
(growling)
Candy.
Do you want some candy.
Have some candy.
Have some candy.
More?
Good, good for your teeth.
There ya go.
Here, take my pack.
Denim.
Here you go.
Yum.
(gasps)
(stammering)
(growling)
(blows whistle)
Bear!
A bear!
A bear!
(whistle chirping)
It's a bear.
(whistle chirping)
Bear!
Bear!
Bear!
Bear, bear!
Bear!
It's the Wild Bear
of Giant Mountain.
He attacked me.
- All right, Phil, we've
heard that one before.
No, he really did.
Right in the woods,
just over that ridge.
I was getting firewood and
there was this giant grizzly.
He must have been 10 feet tall.
- You gotta get it right, Phil.
The Wild Bear of Giant
Mountain is supposed to be
a black bear.
- It was him.
Look, he ate my fanny pack.
- Maybe it was Yogi Bear, Phil.
Didn't he eat the
Ranger's pack once?
- You guys, you
gotta believe me.
I mean, he was huge and brown.
He wanted my sugarless candy.
- Well there you go.
At least you have the
satisfaction of knowing
that you're promoting
good dental hygiene
among the local bear
population, Phil.
- Hey, listen up everybody.
Instead of us all
sleeping around the fire,
we're gonna do something
different tonight.
After dinner, we're
gonna lead everyone out
to their own camping
spot for the night.
And that'll give you a
little time alone together
and the chance to get to know
each other a little better.
Some honest time.
Now, don't be afraid to open
up with each other, all right?
Connie and I will be back to
pick you up about 7:30 a.m.
- What about the wild bear?
- Phil, even if there was
a bear, he's long gone.
Now let's concentrate on some
honest time with Philip.
(scoffs)
- Nobody believes me.
They don't believe me.
- [Nicholas] Okay,
so I conquered one
small practice hill.
But the Giant is
still waiting for us.
And no matter what anyone says,
a 1,000 foot cliff is
still a 1,000 foot cliff.
- You know those ropes
they have in gym class?
- Yeah.
- Did I ever tell you about
the time I was in junior high
and I raced my best
friend Jared to the top?
- No.
Did you win?
- Well, sort of.
I'd never climbed
the ropes before,
but somehow I beat
him to the top.
The trouble was when I got
up there and looked down
and realized how far
up I was, I panicked.
I didn't know whether to
slide or jump or what.
- So what did you do?
- I remembered what
one of the first guys
who climbed Mt. Everest said.
He would never look down
before he looked up first.
So I looked up and
I prayed for help.
And then I was
able to climb down.
Hand over hand,
one inch at a time.
Ever since, whenever I start
to look down, I look up first.
- Yeah, but every time I look
up all I see is the Giant.
(sighs)
- Well, pal, don't worry.
I'll love you whether or not
you climb another
rock in your life.
- I've got the
rocks figured out.
It's the mountains
I'm worried about.
(both chuckle)
- Bears don't like
water, do they?
- Heh, not unless they're
into water skiing.
- Oh, not you too.
You believe me, don't ya?
- I don't know, dad.
I mean, every time I
figure you'd say gotcha
and start laughing at me.
- Well, I guess we're
gonna have to do something
about that, huh?
I really did see a bear.
Really.
- Yeah, it's a
place to worry ya.
Hey listen, honey.
Don't start wearing
makeup too soon.
You know, I mean, once
you start with that stuff,
you never go back.
And, oh, dating.
I know you're a teenager now,
but there will be no
dating until you're 18.
- Dad!
- Oh, 17?
- Tomorrow, Nick,
you're gonna choose
whether you face
the Giant or not.
Next week when you're back home,
you'll have some other
decisions to make.
Every decision takes courage.
And you know where to
find that courage, right?
- Just look up.
(soft music)
It was really cool to
spend time with dad,
but as reassuring as he is,
he can't get my
mind off the Giant.
It just keeps staring back
at me like a bad dream.
(chiming)
(howling)
(straining)
(light music)
(dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
(clinks)
(chuckles)
(rumbling)
(growls)
(yells)
(roars)
- Whoa.
(yelps)
(birds chirping)
- 7:15, oh no.
I better get ready.
I wonder where dad went.
- Now, let's see.
Don't ride with anybody who
hasn't had their license
for at least two years.
(stammering)
- Daddy, please stop.
- Yeah, I know, honey.
I'm going awfully fast.
But, I just, I'm not with
you for very much time
and I have so much I
want you to remember.
- Daddy, daddy, I'll
always remember this
as the best vacation I ever had.
And I'll remember that
you love me a whole lot.
- With all my heart.
- But just because
I'm a teenager now
doesn't mean that
I'll forget everything
you taught me while
I was growing up.
You don't have to start
telling me all of the don'ts,
because you spent 10 years
teaching me all the right do's.
- It's just, it's
so hard, honey.
I'm so far away.
I just wanna be with ya.
I wanna protect you.
- I know, I miss you too.
But the things you
taught come back to me
and it's like
you're still there.
Almost.
(solemn music)
- If those guys
don't believe me,
I'll just have to show
them a thing or two.
Wait till I pull out my
old crazed moose routine.
- Dad, stop.
We're all tired of your jokes.
- Philip, they
didn't believe me
when I was almost
eaten by a bear.
- Were you?
- Guess I cried wolf
one too many times, huh?
Is there anything I can
say to make you believe me?
- Like you said, be honest.
(sighs)
- Okay.
I was really scared
to even move a muscle.
I was thinking what
it would be like
to never see you or your mother
or your sister ever again.
I was thinking that
there's so many things
that I still wanna tell you.
And how ironic it would
be for Mr. Practical Joker
to get eaten by a mythical bear.
- So you really do love us?
- Oh yeah, pal.
More than you'll ever know.
- It's not like dad to be late.
I better go find him
before Giff gets here.
Dad?
Dad?
Dad!
Where are you?
- [Dad] Help!
- Dad?
- Good morning.
Time to head back, guys.
David?
Nick?
Hello?
- [Dad] Help!
- Dad!
- Help!
Help!
Help!
- Dad!
- Nick, I need help.
- I'm going to get some help.
- I can't hold on much longer.
Nick, nick, I'm slipping.
- No time, kid.
You gotta get a rope to him now.
- Me?
But...
- [Dad] Nick.
- Okay.
Hold on, dad.
(dramatic music)
Please, God.
I need that courage now.
Dad, I'll be right there,
just hold on, okay?
- Careful.
(courageous music)
(teething shattering)
- Okay, kid.
Steady, find the cracks.
- Almost there, dad.
- Ow.
Hurry, son.
- You got it, hold it steady.
Whoa.
- Dad, tie this
around your waist.
- Slip it in there.
- Slide it under.
And up over here.
You're gonna be okay, dad.
You're gonna be okay, dad.
You're gonna be all right.
- I just wanted to get one
last shot from the edge
and it just suddenly gave way.
(both screaming)
- All right, dad, see if
you can give me some help
and pull us up.
(panting)
- I think my arm is broken.
(both straining)
(groans)
- We're gonna be okay, dad.
- That's the Giant?
And Nick, you repelled
off that to save dad?
- Well, I didn't know it
was the Giant at the time.
- Oh, he was a
hero just the same.
- Oh absolutely.
- Every time we look at
the pictures from the trip
I'm always amazed.
We all climbed a mountain.
- [Jamie] What's that stuff?
- Oh, broiled rattle snake,
some squirrel sausage
and poached porcupine.
- Like father like son.
- Hey, I'm not gonna
fall for that old trick.
We learned that one
in Junior Raccoons.
- Don't worry, Philip.
It just takes a little time.
- Speaking of food,
I think all of us deserve
some more cookies.
- [Phil] Sounds good to me.
- Mm, the next time we hit
the Giant, bag the macaroni.
We're taking
chocolate chipsters.
- Nah, I don't think
I'm gonna be climbing
the Giant again, McGee.
- What?
You ready for Everest?
- Nah, but I have a
feeling that there will be
plenty of giants
right here every day.
Now I know I can face them.
See, courage isn't something
you find in the wilderness,
it's always here with you.
God helps you find it.
Here's one for the road.
Watch the crumbs.
(dings)
Wait.
- I've got an idea.
Next year how about Scuba
Adventures with Mom?
Cowabunga!
Nicholas, get me out of here!
Someone help!
(gurgling)
- McGee.
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step ♪
♪ Step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, one
step at a time ♪
♪ Step by step, never
looking behind ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪
♪ Step by step, through
the danger zone ♪
♪ Step by step, but
you're never alone ♪
♪ There's no where to go
but up and over the hill ♪
♪ Just step by step ♪♪