Into the High Country

by T J Reeder

  It was easy to see this little town had been lucky to have good leadership in the very beginning of the event. It had not suffered as so many had but with one road passing through town it had been easy to keep trouble blocked from entering. Deeper into town we saw more and more folks going about their business, but it was easy to see we were the most excitement in a while. People stopped and watched as we went past, all smiled and gave a wave.

  We spotted “Ma’s Beanery” in the middle of the block with a long hitch rack in front, next door was a general store. We tied up and the girls went in to look it over while I kept watch over the livestock. A few men stopped to say howdy and ask where we were headed. All were friendly and all agreed Ma’s was the best food in town.

  They also pointed out that it was a very good town and peaceful. That worked for me. The girls came out and said the store could supply most of what we needed and the prices weren’t out of line. Leaving Walker to watch the stock, we all went in and I was transported back to my youth, since it was like the old general store in the small town where I grew up. The same smells, wooden floors with the smell of oiled sawdust used when sweeping. I hadn’t seen that in so long I had to think about my age to remember.

  Behind the counter was a nice looking older lady who greeted me and said my daughters were just so sweet. I said “Thank you, their mama bless her would be proud of them.” They both had the grace to blush, May came over and said “Daddy, Miz Mary here said we could give her our list and get dinner while she gets our stuff together.” I said “Fine sweetheart, let’s do that if it’s no trouble for Miz Mary” with a look at the lady. She said “Oh my no, I know where every bean and needle in the place is.” So we left her to it and went next door.

  The café was real nice, clean and smelled

  outstanding. Homemade pies were baking and on the wall was a menu with today’s meal, meaning it was eat what there is for the day.

  A young lady smiled us in and led us to a table near the window and offered water, coffee or tea. We made our picks and she headed off to the kitchen. Shortly a man came out of the kitchen who could have been Bear Jackson’s brother. Big Brother. He rumbled across the floor stopping at our table and offered the biggest hand or paw I’d ever seen.

  He said “Howdy! I’m Ma! Welcome to our town and our beanery!” His voice boomed on the same level as his size. I said “Ma?” He laughed and said “Yep, I was named Marvin but my baby brother couldn’t say my name and it came out Ma so it stuck.” Sandy asked if it ever bothered him and again that laugh. He explained that when he played football a few players on the opposing teams would make fun of it for about a minute and then shut up. I could see why!

  We invited him to sit when our food came out so he pulled up a chair and we talked about the area and how things went after the event. He said being a kind of isolated town they had a few instances of power lines going down so several years before they had passed a city tax to pay for a big generator system that could power the town and luckily they had placed it in such a way that it was protected from the EMP. “Fate” as he put it.

  So with power they were able to cobble together a system to replace the burned out transformers. He laughed and said “Think giant extension cords running all over.” But it worked and over time they were able to get things fixed more permanently. I asked how they avoided the troubles most places had, his reply was about what I thought it would be; a strong Sheriff with a few good deputies and an armed citizenry. And the one road thing all helped. They had a few minor brushes with gangs but most of them were buried in the town dump, seemed appropriate to everybody. Hard work and community spirit and a take no shit attitude worked well for them. We had been watched for over two hours as we made our way into town and were deemed to be “ok.” We never spotted their hidden spotters as it should be. Dinner was so good I asked for and got a second helping and ate half a pie. The girls weren’t far behind me. Mountain House and beans and rice only go so far.

  Ma told us there was a motel on the edge of town and it had a place for livestock, and our animals and gear would be safe since there was an armed guard on duty at night. I asked if he wanted ammo or gold or silver, he said silver was fine, the meal cost three silver quarters.

  Sandy said maybe we should just live here and live on room service. I laughed at the reference to a line in the movie “Tombstone”. I had to explain it to them. Big age difference!

  The motel was right at the edge of town with a nice livestock holding area with only a few horses present. It was run by the motel owners’ two teenagers, a boy and girl who looked like twins. The stalls were clean and the water fresh. We took the loads off the mules and placed them in a room with a very sturdy door and were given a padlock with two keys. The girl said they were the only keys and the stuff was safe and the boy had a bunk room right there where he spent the night.

  Fresh hay and grain went to the animals so we left them and went to check in. The stable kids had said their mother would get us rooms which she did. She was a pleasant woman who asked if we wanted separate rooms or could we share one? I left it to the girls. They said if there was a room with a queen and a king, it would be perfect. There was and we got it. The showers were fed from a huge black tank on the roof just like at home with some cold to cool it down.

  The room was very clean and comfortable. She hoped my daughters and I would have a restful stay. The shower wasn’t big enough for all of us so it was not as much fun as at home, but we were all squeaky clean. The girls went first and when I was done I came out to find May combing out her long hair and Sandy gone. She said Sandy was checking the stock, for a while. I never knew nor cared how they worked it out but it worked. I offered to brush May’s hair which I loved doing and she loved having done. Later we dressed and went to the barn to collect Sandy who was chatting with the kids. She and May smiled at each other in a way that said it all.

  We went to dinner at Ma’s where the menu said that it was fried chicken with the usual. It was awesome. That man could cook. He joined us for pie and coffee and we had a good talk. We decided to stay a few days to enjoy the amenities of civilization as it were. While we were there the Sheriff came in and Ma introduced us. He was interested in what we had seen and where we had been. I left out mention of our “Army” days and the whole Chicago thing. He was interested in hearing about the plans for the Lake Powell settlement and asked a lot of questions. Also about the Oklahoma / Texas coalition and how it was working out.

  He told us of rumors of a small army that had cleaned up some bad problems and then just disappeared. He said he wasn’t sure if it was real or somebody maybe having a few too many. I didn’t have anything to add except we hadn’t seen anybody at all in our journey which was the truth. He asked where we were going and our story was I was taking the girls to our family ranch in Montana. That we had just hunkered down until things got better meaning safer. It was so funny that nowhere we had been had people assumed they were my daughters, which was funny as could be. I was sure nobody would care but it was the way it was; folks see something the way they think it should be.

  After supper we headed for the barn to check the stock and found all well there. Walker was staying close to them. The kids seemed to have that special thing animals could sense so all our critters were happy with them. The girls had brought some bones from Ma for Walker so he was a happy camper, plus they had stopped off in the store and got some carrots and were feeding them to the stock. It was almost scary seeing these two small humans surrounded by big mules and horses calmly feeding them carrots.

  The kids who ran the stable were in fact twins and in fact I shit you not, named Jack and Jill. The girls were enjoying spending time with them. They were both home schooled by their mom. And it turned out they were staying overnight here while traveling when the EMP hit and just stayed on and took over the motel when nobody showed up after. Their dad was in the construction business and soon had things figured out to make things the way it was today. He also
did handyman work and between them all they had a good life.

  I asked how the two of them kept the place so clean and Jill blushed when Jack started laughing and said their father had explained to the local boys who wanted to “visit” his daughter (who was beautiful) they could do so, as long as they had a pitch fork or a shovel in their hands and knew how to drive a wheelbarrow. This had me laughing and Jill grew a brighter pink. The girls took her off to the back of the barn leaving Jack and me sitting on a couple of stumps cut from a nice tree.

  He said he wished the local girls would come visit him but none wanted to shovel horse crap. I assured him they would when they realized he was a hard worker and was part owner in a very good business and would provide for a family. He said he never thought of it that way and smiled and said he might have to be a bit more picky. I mentioned that beauty was a fleeting thing but love and a good workmate made life so much better. I could see that thought sink in, since he was a fast learner. He said “You know, I’ll bet dad is using the good worker thing to weed out the guys interested in my sister!” I agreed and he added “My dad’s pretty smart huh?” I agreed with that too.

  The girls came back with Jill and all were laughing at something and I’d bet a bent nail it was advice along the line of what I had told Jack. I figure if a young man is willing to spend hours shoveling out a barn just to spend time with a girl chances are he’s going to be around through thick and thin.

  We bid good night to the kids and headed in for the night. I slept like a dead man and it felt wonderful. I woke up hearing the shower going so I went in to find Sandy alone. She said May had showered and was at the barn, so I accepted my fate and got slippery with Sandy.

  I will say I’m the luckiest man alive with two beautiful wives to share life with. I’ve never heard a word of anger out of them or even myself. Oh I grump and bark but it’s only because they gang up on me (which I love and they know it) but I’d not have it any different.

  We rounded up May who was brushing her big bay who was still nameless as far as I knew. Then off we went for breakfast where we found the Sheriff having his and motioned us to join him. The Menu board said “Breakfast” so whatever it was we were getting it. Before my butt was on the chair Ma came out with a stack of hot cakes tall as the girls sitting down which lasted about 2 seconds as they went to lowering the stack onto their plates.

  Sheriff Ben as he was called watched and said, “Can you afford to feed both of them on the same day?” I had to laugh because I’d heard that before. The cakes were hot as was the syrup and real butter. Ma came back out with a platter of eggs and watched most of them get piled on the girl’s plates. He came back shortly with more eggs which he handed to me plus bacon and hot biscuits and honey also warmed up.

  Ben was in awe of the half-pint ladies ability to empty a plate while stabbing bits off mine, which also meant I got two bites of bacon. After I was full they were still at it and cleaned my plate of the remaining hotcake and the last piece of bacon which May broke in half to share. Ma had come out to join us and shook his head and said “Be sure and take them with you when you leave cos I can’t feed ‘em.” Ben and I laughed while both of the girls leaned on Ma from each side and snuggled up. He turned beet red and said, “If my wife comes in and shoots me yawls in trouble too!!” They laughed and let up on him.

  Now one thing I know from having been in the cop business myself and that’s when a lawman has something on his mind. And Ben finally leaned back, sipped his coffee and smiling at the girls said “ok, all bull aside, which one of you two is Wyatt and who’s Doc?”

  Well that was a show stopper. Sandy smiled that killer smile and sweetly said “Who?” Ben just shook his head and said “Well let’s try this. How many men John’s age ride around the country with a hot redhead and a bunch of mules?” He admitted the beauty with the long black hair threw him off a bit but the fact both women were packing more iron than Josey Wales and the story of the two women known as Wyatt and Doc was getting around since it was a good camp fire tale.

  The girls finally fessed up and we spent an hour filling Ben in on the goings on with the phantom army and the word trickling down that part of Chicago had turned to dust in a flash. Ben said that the Southern army had cleaned out the trash in the east freeing up a lot of people who were nothing more than slave labor.

  That part we had not heard but he said it was on short wave but we had been out in the wilds for several weeks just wandering from water hole to pretty view, not following a road or seeing people. It was good news and we were happy to hear it.

  He asked where we were headed so I told him my story and then Sandy’s part and that we were going to backtrack and see friends who helped us along the way. He smiled and said he often thought of chucking it in here and go out there to see the country, but his wife wouldn’t go and after so many years, he couldn’t figure how to get along without her.

  We stayed a week and enjoyed the town and the people but the urge to move on was pushing us and the stock was rested. We had their shoes checked and refitted by the local farrier. All was ready, we had gotten everything we wanted from the general store so we once again bid farewell to new friends and headed north. We were all happy to be back on the road, and even the stock seemed like they had enough of town life. Walker was in his place ranging out in front and we just eased along side by side and chatted the day away. A few hours before dark we came to a stream of good water so we rode up it a ways and found a very nice camp area. We fell into our routine with ease. It was a beautiful day with promise of a beautiful night so we skipped the tent.

  After we had eaten an early supper we took a walk up on the hill and looked the country over. It is beautiful out away from all of mankind’s troubles. We laid back and watched the clouds what few there was and tried to pick out shapes in them. After checking the stock as they grazed in the hollow where we camped, we headed for the fire and a last cup of coffee. Before settling in we brought the stock in and put them on the picket line for the night after watering them. Walker was out and about but returned and settled down by the fire. We lay in bed for a good while watching the stars and it still seems funny seeing the blink of satellites overhead knowing or assuming that they are burned out too.

  Morning came and after washing up in water heated over the fire and eating breakfast we loaded up and were on our way. Using the maps we set our course north and a bit west to avoid some of the towns and spent another quiet day, followed by several more. Time gets away when you’re not looking at a watch every few minutes. We just used two times, day time and night time as our ancestors had. It was a good way to go.

  Today we hit I -70 and sat staring at it for a while, nothing moving. The few vehicles in sight were a reminder of our past year or so. I took out the fencing pliers and cut the fence leaving a wide open spot for deer and anything else to cross if they took a mind to. I did the same for the other side and in a short time we were out of sight of the reminder of it all.

  We made good time through this area and late afternoon found us riding through a gully when I pulled up, stopping the pack train. I sat listening to something that I knew and it was manmade but it was real faint. Sandy and May came up to me and May said that’s a windmill pumping water! I came close to slapping my head. Crap I heard that sound so often as a kid and should have nailed it. We eased on following the gully until the sound was real close.

  I dismounted and left the girls and walked around the bend in the gully and could see the top of the windmill spinning and hear the sucker pipe doing its thing. I moved closer to where I could see all around the area and there was just the windmill pumping water into a metal tank that was over flowing and making a small stream running into a low area that was now a small pond.

  Seeing nothing to be alarmed about, I brought the girls and stock up and stood watch while they drank. There was no sign that a soul had been here since before the event. I looked at the over grown path made by the folks who owned the place where the
y used to come check on the tank and windmill. Since we were still a few hours from our usual stopping time we decided to follow the old road and see where it went.

  We followed it for a few miles and finally came up on an old ranch house that looked abandoned but we approached it with caution. Walker of course trotted right in and said it was fine. I dismounted and taking my 45 out approached the door which was closed, and knocked several times. Turning the knob opened the door to a stuffy place that hadn’t been opened for a long time.

  The girls followed me in and Sandy found a note on the dining room table that read “Howdy, got my oldest truck running and heading to son’s place near Heber City. Help yourself and close the door when ya leave.

  Silas and Marybeth Conner

  How sad that they had to leave but we could hope they found safety at their son’s home. We just headed out and closed the door and decided to ride back to the water tank for the night. After our camp was set up including the tent and the stock out on picket lines to graze we worked together to make a nice supper.

  Sandy walked to the tank and put a hand in it and said I’m going swimming and peeled off right there and stepped into the tank. I figured it would be freezing but it wasn’t, more of a warm spring they tapped into which was great for winter. If the tank don’t freeze, the stock can get water. It wasn’t warm-warm but when we joined her it wasn’t bad.