"The Walk'
I had not been back to T-valley in quite few months. So last Sunday, I decided to go ahead and do it. It was a beautiful sunny day. A little nippy but for me perfect for a hike. I had in my sac my usual is is a program from the memorial inside a 1 gallon plastic zip-lock bag with a paper crane with the plastic seal taped on the backside. I also brought an tangerine.
As I walked down to the beach, I marveled at the subtle changes with the landscape since I last did 'the walk'. The old ranger's house was demolished. The outdoor paddocks at the stables had a roof for shading and protection from the rain.
I made my way down to the beach passing salamanders in pools of water and birds of prey soaring high above. My mind turned towards the events of last March. The calm phone call from Rory in Montana saying not to worry and that Alicia was missing... my frantic scramble to meet Josh at Delino's near T-Valley...the drive to the T-Valley. etc etc It all came rushing back as if it were just yesterday.
As I climbed up to the bunker, I recalled that Sat night when The MSAR folks, Cathie, the sheriffs, and I hiked up to the point Alicia had last been. At least 75 feet above the bunker on a very steep pitch. When I reached the bunker, I kept going up and up to the last semi-flat area half way between the bunker and area she was last. I just kept gazing at the spot. Then I looked down to the ocean. I stayed for about 20 mins then I returned to the bunker. I left my package in the flue of the bunker to protect it from the winds and not to draw attention.
What a beautiful spot. Now with a stigma in my mind which will not allow me to enjoy the beauty without recalling Alicia's accident. Someday this may fade a bit but I'll never forget.
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