The Trail

I can smell it in the air, I can feel the cold coming. In the years following the downfall of society we have been far, my family and I.  What started from a small farming community on the plains of Texas, has led us here. I sit astride a tall American Quarter Horse, followed by my wife, Rose, my 2 daughters, Abby and Shawna, thier husbands, John and Scott. Two grandchildren are riding with thier parents.  By luck and providence my sister Ann and husband Reese and two sons, joined us in the canyon that was once our home.
 We agreed to head north into the mountains to escape the violence that threatened our lives. We follow the old National Trail System riding north, east of what was once Durango Colorado. There was a light snow last night, and though the temperature is only about 41 degrees, I can feel the cold coming. It is strange how things have changed,  we are for all intents and purposes living 400 years in the past, riding through the remnants of a modern civilization. Late yesterday as we went through a high pass, we saw below what remained of a traffic jam that had turned ugly. It was obvious the people had turned on each other and no one had survived. It served to remind me how fortunate we have been, and how planning ahead has saved our lives. Though it has been difficult, we have grown much closer as a family. The cost of 12 riding horses and 4 pack horses was my favorite AR-15 and 160 rounds of ammunition. I now carry my grandfathers Marlin lever action rifle, and it has served me as well, if not better.
Reese is leading us along the river, and I am riding drag. Daily I thank God for blessing us with the skills neccessary to survive. Abby has learned alot about horses, Rose is our resident medic, Reese an excellant guide and crack shot, and Shawna has made a good school teacher. Just as our ancestors did many years ago, we survive by neccessity, and though the weather is turning cold, we ride north, into the mountains. Strength of family, and faith in God will see us through, and come what may, we will survive