Ninety Degrees Out

Chay rode with Hakan at the head of the group of travelers. The temperatures were moderating as they climbed up onto the plateau where Homestead was built. Stacks of fence posts were in several triangular piles held in place by re-bar stakes in the ground. Wire coils covered in clear plastic sat next to them.

Chay spotted his father as he ambled out of their cabin. How could he look like that? No evidence of the long hours in the saddle it took to get here ahead of the trail riders.

“Welcome!” Das Stargazer swung Arimina off the wagon as it rattled to a stop in front of his log house.

Arimina shrieked in surprise.

“Mr. Chay said you had to leave. How did you get here so fast?” Her eyes met Chay’s father’s in accusation.

“I rode hard, sweetie. Long hours without stopping and galloping the whole way. My horse is still resting.” He pointed to the small corral beside the long grass runway in the center of the meadow.

“How come we couldn’t gallop? It was boring going slow.” Arimina asked, as Chay dismounted beside them.

“It’s very tiring to gallop for a long time. The horse and the rider can get hurt. You should read up on the history of the pony express.” Chay replied to the little girl’s question.

“Pony express?” Arimina sounded puzzled.

“It’s how mail was sent way back before email and even before letters.” Alicia said. “In fact, it would be a good research project for you. I think we might have to go back to good old fashioned handwritten letters delivered by horseback.”

Arimina made a face. “I thought I didn’t have to do schoolwork on this trip.”

“When we get back.” Alicia shook her head at her daughter.

As the rest of the trail riders gathered around the wagon, Das Stargazer put Arimina down. Chay watched as he gathered himself and prepared to speak. It never failed to fascinated him when his father went through the same routine before making his opinion clear.

Hakan dropped off his horse, joining them at the center of the crowd. Das Stargazer looked at his sons, and turned slowly in a circle, meeting the eyes of every person there.

“What we are about to do has serious responsibilities attached. The lives of these horses are as sacred as our own. Exactly as everything living in this ecosystem needs to remain in balance, so does our use of the animals. For food, for help, for companionship it doesn’t matter, we treat them with kindness and respect.”

Chay glanced around. He grew up on his father’s philosophy and belief system. Would the others here understand the importance of what Dasan Stargazer said? It looked like it. The nods and quiet yesses and repeated sound of amen around the circle spoke volumes. This was a community which would respect nature and each other as they worked to survive.

“As long as that is clear, then welcome. Let’s get your tents up. We’re going to celebrate tonight. I’ve got a pig roasting behind the cabin, and Uki has birch beer in the spring cooling.” Dasan’s announcement brought cheers from everyone and the group broke into work parties.

“The quicker we get everything set up, the faster we can party,” Jake said. “And if anyone wants it, we can go for a swim in the lake.” He pointed to the gentle wind blown waves lapping at the sandy beach at the base of a cliff.

“That’s new,” Chay said.

“The pond is over three times the size it was. Now it’s a short walk down the hill where the cliff went down to our creek. Our springs are producing more water than ever. You can see from here how much wider the stream going into the lake is. I think there are more artesian springs all around here from permafrost melting. All of them are flowing into the pond, which is now big enough to be a proper lake.” Dasan’s explanation ended as his wife came out to kiss her sons.

“Do you think the trout we had survived?” Chay had found memories of fishing with his father after Fish and Wildlife stocked the pond.

“They have. Even with the bald eagles fishing here, the fish are doing well. I’ve even seen them going up stream to the spring pools all over our property. The fresh water coming into the pond is doing wonders for them,” Das explained.

“And the salmon are back. The creek running out the other end is filled with spawning Coho, but you’ll have to see it to believe it. It’s a river now.” Uki’s smile was catching. His mother’s fondness for salmon jerky and smoked fish was legendary. “Oh, and where’s Alicia? We have a polar bear sow fishing there. She’s got two cubs with her.”

“She’s helping unload the chuck wagon. Eliza has been a treasure on this trip. She’s been a tremendous cook for us.”

“Let Alicia know, and you and your little family will be staying in the house with us. Hakan too if he wants to. I’m ready to cook for the horde if I have help.” Uki took Arimina’s hand.

“I’ll bet you could use a bath.”

“Please, grandma.”

Uki nodded and they disappeared into the house.

“Well Dad, are you ready for this?” Chay asked.

“We’ve got enough solar power to heat water for a load of laundry and several showers per day. That high efficiency instant water heater we installed a couple of years ago has been a God send. Having the women sleep inside, including your Eliza won’t be a problem.”

“Good enough. I guess we start on the corral tomorrow?”

“I think that’s soon enough. The wild herds aren’t far from here. It should be easy to drive them in with all the people we have here. The sooner we get the enclosure done, the better.”

“Um, Dad,” Hakan spoke up.

“Yes, son.”

“I hate to ask but I need to get on the radio to the ranch. We found a bunch of people along the creeks crossing the road, as you know. Three more after you took off the other day. I need to let Erik know what’s up.”

“Go, I hope Deborah and the boys made it back by now,” Das said.

“Thanks, Dad,” Hakan opened the screen door and went up the stairs to the right.

“Ever the worried leader.” Das turned to Chay. “How is he holding up?”

“I think he’s doing well. I’ve never seen anyone take to the job like my brother has. He’s a natural.” Chay bragged.

“Watch him. Remember how he would keep going even though he was sick or so tired he was sleepwalking.”

“I know. I’m glad Armaruq is here with him. Leaving Kanti at home with all the kids was a good idea. We’re sorry Killika couldn’t come with us. Alasie was furious when Arimina was allowed to go.”

“I can only imagine her temper tantrum. She’ll be glad to see her father again. Oisin is heading back to the ranch in the morning if you will lend him the wagon. He’s got supplies for some of the mountain folk along the way. Even Randy. I hope he’ll be welcomed. I brought dry goods in after we rescued his mother,” Dasan explained. “The Caravan is done for now, since it’s stored with your plane in the big tents at Hakan’s place."

“When did this turn into such a complicated set of logistics?” Chay asked.

“When you build a community with as many different people as you have, then you have to do what you have to do.” His father pointed to the tents going up on the smooth grass of his runway. “I’d never let anyone do that usually. But circumstances change and we adapt.”

“Or we don’t survive,” Chay said.

“Exactly.” His father walked toward the men who were driving stakes in the guy wires for the canvas shelters. “Let’s get the chores done so we can celebrate. And ask for a successful roundup.”