Wildfire Summer

For The First Time

             

               I traveled all night to reach the neighboring valley. The air was hazy still, but I felt I was a safe enough distance to take a well deserved rest. My legs trembled and my sides heaves as exhaustion finally caught up with every inch of my body. I sunk to the ground, grateful to be off my hooves. I had thrown a shoe halfway here on my right front and it was so sore. I'd never been without shoes before.

              My mind wandered back to my owner. I wonder if I will ever see her again.  Just thinking that thought scared me. I don't know what I'll do if I don't get home.  I don't know the slightest thing about surviving in the wild.  My travel was such a blur I don't know if I could find my way home. Who knew when home would be safe again to go back to anyways. My eyes flutter as my thoughts fade away and I drift off into a much needed sleep.

             I awake to a friendly nuzzle and a nicker of greeting. My eyes focus on the culprit and to my delight it is Zora! Zora was my neighbor and my closest equine friend. I am so relieved to know she escaped the fire safely as well. I stand to look for her parents, my heart dropping as I realize she is alone. Zora is a stunning red roan tobiano Gypsy Vanner filly. She had the most gorgeous, striking blue eyes and a badger face marking. She had just been weaned from her mother last month. In that month she had shared Breezie's pasture and the two had gotten into tons of trouble together. "Zora! Oh is it good to see a familiar face! Where are your parents?", I ask worriedly. "They are okay... or they were last I seen them. The fire separated us.", She responded back. I felt a little better they had all escaped, I just hope her parents were still alive out there somewhere. "Well then little Zora, it's just you and I then, how about we go find some water?"

             We set off at a leisurely walk along a mountain side in the valley. A slight breeze carried more haze into the valley. What I would not give for some fresh air right now. I definitely had been taking life for granted back home. I had food delivered to me, even when I wasn't hungry. I had a nice, dry, warm shelter to weather out storms in if I chose to not play in the rain. I also had a cozy stall with soft bedding in the small two horse barn my girl had. I never had to hunt for water, I was never alone. My biggest worries were if my food was going to be late, or if there was any medicine in the oats that my girl would drizzle with tasty molasses.

           I rounded a bend with Zora following close behind. To my delight I could hear water down closer towards.....a road!  Roads meant people...people meant safety! I suddenly had more energy than I had since I was running for my life. I nickered back to Zora before taking off at a canter, the pain in my hoof temporarily forgotten. Zora galloped right past me, her red and white fluffy tail sticking straight up into the air. What we couldn't see from halfway up the mountain was the twenty foot drop from the rocks to the river in the valley bottom. Zora skidded to a halt as did I. It was too big of a drop to risk jumping into the uncertainty of the water. It wasn't fair. Fresh water taunting us with it's enticing smell and peaceful sounds. The blue green sparkle so inviting...so tempting...if we could just reach it.

          Frustrated I took off at a trot following the ledge in hopes it would lead us to flat ground and access to the beautiful water, eventually. The valley was silent. Birds and other wildlife had already left, most likely in fear that the fire would reach this far. They were the lucky ones that would have a head start if it did. I couldn't imagine the ones back home. The wildlife and livestock that couldn't jump the fences to escape the fire's wrath. I need to stop thinking of the things lost and start concentrating on taking care of Zora and myself. 

        A mile later the ledge had gradually decreased. The water looked shallow enough and it was only a couple foot drop now. I jump down into the water delighted by it's wetness. Zora jumps in after me and starts bucking and rearing, splashing about in pure delight. I dipped my grey velvet muzzle down into the water taking in big gulps. There was a slight smokey taint to it, but nothing I couldn't tolerate. I pondered if we should break to graze some too, surely the fire was far enough behind us that even if it did come this way we would be safe. I ponder for several minutes before deciding we would travel just a little farther in hopes to find a spot with a bit more grass than this area as there wasn't much here.

           We followed the road and river a little ways farther until we spotted a rather large grassy spot. " Zora, darling... let us stop and eat and rest for a little bit",  I nicker to her. She bobs her head in agreement and trots over to the grass and lays down for a roll before starting to graze. She makes me laugh, I'm so glad she found me and we could be on this unfortunate adventure together. The grass was not near as tasty as our grains and hay but it filled the void.

      As Dusk approached dark clouds rolled in for another summer storm. I hoped this one would bring rain and clear the smokey air. Thunder started booming and lightning striking. Then to my relief, rain. It rained good and hard for only about five minutes. Not enough to clear the air or even enough to really do anything. The dry land would suck up the moisture in no time. Zora did not like the storm. The first flash of lightning brought her up from the edge of the river to my side. I nuzzled her in reassurance before nudging her up under a willow tree to help shelter her for if any more rain came.

     The storm raged on throughout the night. Zora soon dozed off but would wake on the really loud thunder booms. As for me, I couldn't sleep one bit. Closer and closer the thunder got, and the lightning struck. Finally, I decided we should start moving. "Zora, C'mon wake up. We gotta get going", I nuzzle her awake and soon we are off. We see a flash and then hear a loud crash behind us. Startled, I looked back to watch a large pine falling down. My heart dropped as I caught sight of something else... a small bright red spot be the tree trunk. Oh no, this couldn't be happening... not another fire! "Zora, it's time to run."