A young child in a helmet rides a red ATV on a muddy forest path, with an adult's yellow ATV and mud splashing nearby under warm sunlight.

On a warm Saturday morning, the sun peeked through the trees as five-year-old Colver zipped up his jacket and ran outside. Parked in the driveway was his favorite thing in the world: his red four-wheeler, freshly washed and gleaming in the light, but Colver didn’t care about keeping it clean—not today. “Ready to get muddy?” his dad asked with a grin, standing beside his larger, yellow ATV. “Born ready!” Colver shouted, slipping on his helmet. The engines rumbled to life, and the two of them roared down the drive that led to the back trails behind their house. Tall pine trees lined the path like guards, their shadows stretching long in the early light. Birds chirped overhead, and the smell of damp earth and gasoline filled the air. The trail started dry and dusty, and their tires kicked up little clouds behind them. Colver stayed close to his dad’s tail, mimicking his every turn. A squirrel darted across the path, and Colver giggled as he slowed slightly to avoid it. Soon, the trail curved into a clearing shaded by thick trees, where last night's rain had pooled in deep ruts and wide puddles. Mud coated the path like chocolate frosting. Colver’s eyes lit up. "Let’s see what these things can really do!" his dad called back. With a twist of the throttle, they hit the muck. Mud splashed up in thick, wet streams, painting Colver's clothes, face, and helmet. He whooped with laughter as his four-wheeler plowed through the wet trench, sending droplets of mud flying in every See more