Strawberry

Heidi took out her brown leather wallet and flipped through the plastic cards until she saw the bright orange one. She took it out and handed it to the man behind the counter who, in turn, handed her a “Release of Liability” form. She was so excited to finally be doing this that she could hardly hold in the grin that threatened to spill out over her freckle covered face. The man was less than thrilled though, since this was probably the 100th credit card that he had run today. His deeply wrinkled face and dark gray eyes glanced up at Heidi as if he could feel the excitement radiating from her.

“You will be riding Strawberry,” he said with a rough voice, sliding a picture of a beautiful brown and white paint horse towards her. The grin burst onto her face like a drop of rain hitting the surface of a stagnant lake. She loved paint horses.

“Do you need a lesson,” he continued mundanely.

“No,” she replied joyfully, “I know how to ride.”

It was true, she had been taking lessons for about five years now and she felt confident that she would be fine on the trail alone. These types of horses were so used to anything that could happen along the 30 mile trail that she was stress free about the entire adventure.

“We provide all the horse tack and some feed but it’s up to you to bring whatever camping equipment you may need,” he went on, his monotonous voice droning in her mind as she was looking at the brochure again and only half listening, “You can bring a tent that weighs less than 20 pounds so we suggest a pup tent and then three days worth of food. There are several stops along the trail that provide water spigots so you only need to pack containers. The trail can be completed in three days at a walk but we give you up to five in case you want to take the side trails and really take time to sight see so pack food accordingly.

She nodded enthusiastically and took the card back when he handed it to her, passing the release form back to him across the faux black marble counter. She turned and walked out of the small cabin back into the town. Rocky Top was a small town nestled in the midst of the Rockies south of Yellowstone in Colorado. They were known for the views and the horse trails. She had saved for this trip for three years and now she was here. A horseback camping adventure.

Heidi hopped in her old Cherokee and turned to go back to the hotel. She had one night here and then would leave the car at the cabin while she went off on horseback. She planned to return in about 5 days but she also was content with not making plans. The ride had a lot of side trails and she was intent on exploring all of them.

The next day came quickly and before she knew it the guide was dropping her off at the trailhead and unloading Strawberry for her. He helped her tack up the house and get her gear on the back. This man was much younger and more enthusiastic than the last with mid length brown hair held back by a light tan Cattleman’s felt hat. His belt bucket was big enough to be a small dinner plate and his smile was almost its match. Heidi blushed slightly as he helped her up into the saddle.

“Be careful,” he said, adjusting her stirrups for her, “It’s very safe but you still need to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you fill up your water every chance you get. Don’t forget to give Strawberry frequent drinks as well. We do have large watering troughs for the horses along the way but I would not suggest drinking them.”

“Thanks,” she said, unable to muster much more than that. Heidi was sigh by nature, which was why she had come on this trip alone.

The first day went by in a flash, Heidi setting up her tent off one of the side trails and tying Strawberry to a nearby tree. The day had been filled with magnificent views of snow capped mountains spanning out across the horizon as far as the eye could see. The trail had been easy at first then changed into a slow up and down, curving in and out of the trees and forested areas like a snake finding its way home. She had passed by a creek and had stopped to admire it, wadding in the waters and letting Strawberry graze. She was exhausted from riding all day and was happy to be able to settle down for the night.

The dawn came like a slowing brewed cup of coffee, one drop at a time, orange and yellow rays peaking over the tree tops, chasing away the last remnants of darkness. She packed up quickly, excited for the day ahead and the ride.

She and Strawberry were only a mile into the next day when Heidi heard tree branches snapping in the forest to her right. She turned to look but saw nothing. Strawberry raised her head alert, her tail swishing. More snapping came and Strawberry came to a halt, starring into the forest to their right. Heidi was getting excited to see what was coming.

Then, out of the woods in a flash of brown came the largest grizzly bear she had ever seen. It charged them both and Heidi’s heart dropped. She grabbed the reins just in time. Strawberry bolted down the trail at full gallop. Heidi held on for dear life, having no control and not knowing how to regain it or even if she wanted to. The trees were flashing by her in a blur of green. She could hear the grizzly behind them. Strawberry turned and went off the trail, bounding into the forest beyond, but Heidi was still unable to stop her. Suddenly she came to a screeching halt and Heidi flew forward off her back and onto the ground.

Heidi hit with a loud crunch, a scream escaping her, and Strawberry galloped off again in another direction. Heidi’s eyes blurred with tears and her vision tunneled but miraculously she didn’t faint. Looking up, she saw the grizzly still in hot pursuit of Strawberry but she could not worry about that now. Looking down, she saw her arm hanging at an odd angle. She unbuttoned her flannel shirt and gently peeled it off her right arm, crying as she did so. The bone of her forearm sticking through the skin, tissue hanging from it, and blood pooling onto her clothes.

Heidi woke hours later, staring up at the black sky. She had fainted and had obviously been out for a while. The night air was cold and she had nothing but the clothes she was wearing. She finished taking off her shirt and made a sling, afraid to try to set her own arm. Slowly, by the light of the moon, she got up and began to walk.

More scared that she had ever been in her life, the adrenaline of the day was making every muscle in her body shiver and ache. The pain in her arm was unbearable and every step threatened to let a scream rip from her lungs. After a few moments she stopped and sat down on a fallen oak tree.

She was lost.

She’s not sure how long she sat there, staring at the ground and listening to the sounds of the night all around her, engulfing her like an ocean of nature’s hymnals. She laid back on the ground by the oak tree, the rough bark scraping her skin, and curled up in a blanket of fallen leaves. Staring at the sky, she began to sob. Years she had waited for this trip and it had all been a mistake. Now she faced certain death. What were the odds that anyone would find her in time? What were the odds that she would survive the night with the scent of blood so heavily enveloping her?

Looking up at the sky, the stars were twinkling at her almost happily. The indifference with which the universe went on despite her present predicament was mocking. Still she found comfort looking for the constellations. It was something to keep her mind occupied. Then she saw Taurus. Taurus the bull was her own sign, having been born on April 5th. It was the same sign as her late mother. She smiled at the memory of looking at the constellation with her mother as a child. Her mother always told her that Taurus was stubborn, just like she was. She would not die here. She would not give in.

The next morning came, less happily than the last, and with it a blast of cool air. The coldest moments are just before the dawn, when the sun is coming up but not yet fully over the horizon. Heidi got up, shivering again and began to walk. She had to warm herself and exercise was the only thing she could right now. Though it seemed like she was aimless, walking towards the rising sun, she knew it had to be better than just sitting and waiting on help that may never come.

The day went on, the sun coming up and warming her. She was beginning to feel the effects of dehydration but she had yet to find the trail or any water source at all and before she knew it, dusk was upon her again. She sat down, this time just on the ground, leaning her head back against a tree and fighting desperately to keep her moral above water. She began to whistle the tunes her mother sang to her as a child when she heard it.

A man’s voice calling her name. She whistled louder and the voice came closer, calling to her all the while. Then through the woods to her right she saw him. It was David, the man whom had dropped her off at the trailhead. He ran to her when they locked eyes and pulled a satellite phone from his pocket.

“How did you find me?” She said as he dialed 911.

“When Strawberry showed up without you,” he said, “She ran back the way she came in and found the cabin that I live in about a half mile from the entrance to the trail head. That was yesterday morning. We’ve had a search party out ever sense.”

She smiled, looking up in the sky to see Taurus twinkling at her once more.