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A Country Road
© 2009 - William C. Highsmith

This day found him high in the mountains. The thinning air was quite chilly as it was still early in May. Far below, the river was churning along on its way to the sea.

At last, he felt alive again.

The wind, blowing through the birch trees, made a sound like no other. The birds were serenading each other, as the nesting season rapidly approached. High up, among the clefts of the rocks, he could see several eagles' nest. To build their huge nests, they usually picked lone trees or rocks that were inaccessible except to themselves. However, the nest location must be close enough to a river or the ocean as a food source. He also knew, they always felt the need to be able to see in any direction. Charlie could relate - he sometimes felt the need for eyes in the back of his head too.

Some would call him paranoid, but he simply felt the pressure of working for a high-tech company. Being a scientist, his education and training were in the realm of the laboratory with hardly a thought of the 'real world'. This trek through the mountains and along this country road was, in remembrance of his youth and, the product of a year of planning. Some thought him crazy. "What if you happen upon a bear?" someone asked.

Right now, he was not thinking about bears. For some time along this road, there were signs posted that said "Travel at your own risk". There were earth slides and falling trees but no guardrails. He knew he must be careful but .......

"Wonder what is around this bend in the road?", he thought.

By William C. Highsmith - November 17, 2009