This second site was different from the first. Near the top of the range, it was a gently sloping meadow beneath one of the taller peaks. Once a road had reached the site, before it had been plowed up as the wilderness area expanded. The only access now was via three different horse and hiking trails.
As they entered the open grassy area, Orr was not surprised to see a camp set up at one end. From the looks of it, the campers had hiked in because he saw no sign of horses or mules. There was still plenty of room to give them privacy.
He led the way across to the opposite end, fighting the throbbing pain in his knee. He let the string pause for a drink in the stream that rambled through the meadow. Then he rode on across to his normal campsite. That’s when reality set in with a vengeance.
