December 19th 2020
The Sierra Nevada Mountain range was beautiful during the cold months. When it snows I can't help but feel like a child. A close friend of mine was coming from Texas to join me on an annual Winter Nature hike.
I wait by gate 13 waiting for Lidia to enter the airport. "Isaac Walker. Is that you" I hear the familiar voice. I turn to see the Arctic Vixen of my dreams.
"I thought you said gate 13?" I asked very annoyed. Lidia stopped a foot from me and pulled me into a hug.
"I said gate 20 du face" she remarked. I help her with her things and get her to my Chevy Deseil truck. I help her up into it because of the off road tires.
"So where are we hiking to this year?" Lidia asks as I climb up and start the truck. I shrug not really knowing. I still had to pack a lantern, matches, and some blankets in case we don't get out before the sun sets.
"I really don't know. I usually take an updated map for the newly made trails but their a little late this time round " I tell pulling off onto the highway. The rest of the ride was in silence. Until I saw my mobile lab. You see where I work at has allowed the state parks and nature preserved to allow me in for cover photos to national geographic.
"Home sweet...um, Fleetwood trailers" I said announcing my home on the road. I heard her laugh. It has been twenty years since I last heard her laugh. It was sweet and innocent.
"Isaac!" I hear my name called. I looked over to see Lidia staring at me. "You zonked out there Icy" she says. I blush at the mention of my high school nickname. But that's another story all together. I shut off the truck and help her out and get her stuff into the back trail of the Fleetwood.
"Welcome to Che Walker" I said in an usher like toner. Lidia gets a kick of that. I then look toward the mountain. "Park said I can start tomorrow before they open so that I can get into a field. Just put your bags in the over head and get settled in for a few hours. As I walk over to a map of the park.
