CEM: The Moments In Between

The White River

Photos by @ Dragnmstrss

Just when he thought things couldn't get any better, they got horribly worse. Avi watched in horror as Rayne's hand was pulled from his and her body began to tumble toward the frozen river. With her life on the line, Avi struggled to reach her before the current under the ice pulled her away from him forever. - Shelly Keller April 4, 2017

The White River

He double checked their gear before loading up the car. Forgetting any one thing on the long list could spell disaster for either of them. It was full on winter where they were going. He didn't mind being responsible for both their lives, even though it was stressful.

They had enough food and water. Extra socks and gloves. He packed the heavy-duty winter sleeping bags and the winter tent and tarps. The river would likely be frozen, so he almost didn't pack the fishing gear. He grabbed it anyhow, the Coleman and some fuel for it, his hatchet, flint and steel and water proof matches and a host of other small things to keep them both safe, dry and warm.

Earlier that week, he waterproofed their boots and made sure that she wore her new ones all week to prevent blisters from forming while they were on the trail. Treating blisters on the trail would be miserable for her and he didn't want her miserable. Plus it concerned her feet. She needed those to run and she loved running. He bought the traction spikes for them too.

They weren't going too far in, but it never hurt to be safe. He doubled checked the GPS locator, made sure he had extra batteries and tested it. He helped her prepare her pack, patiently showing her how everything should fit and how to distribute the weight evenly so it wouldn't hurt once it was on her back.

"It's going to be cold up there, isn't it?" She knew the answer, was dreading it because she honestly hated being cold, but she asked him anyway.

Avi stopped moving with his hand in her pack and looked at Rayne with love, patience and that little playful spark clear in his eyes.

"Yes, it's gonna be cold. Don't worry Love. I'll keep you warm." He smiled that smooth mischievous smile that was more devious than anything else. "What I can't keep warm, your socks and gloves will. We got you everything you need to survive the cold. Besides it will be worth it the moment you see the first sunrise and sunset. I promise you it'll make you weep. It's that beautiful. My dad and I have been out this time of year a couple of times and we're always in awe of the majesty." His smile turned inward and rueful as he got lost in the memories. Rayne could bare the cold to watch that look form in Avi's eyes.

"Well I can't wait to see it. Are we bringing the guitars?" she asked uncertain of how they would carry them.

"Not this trip. Maybe in the spring when it's warmer."

"I packed the battery packs for our phones and your camera too. You'll want that if it is as beautiful as you say." She teased. He laughed and smiled as he finished her pack for her.

"It is, My Love. It is."

They spent the early evening hours loving on each other and lounging on the couch both full of love and laughter then went off to bed early because they had an early start the next morning.

They woke before the sun rose. At a hearty breakfast and made one last check through the list of things that they would need for their trip. Avi called his father and let him know they were headed out and precisely where they were planning on going. He hung up and they headed off to the mountains.

As usual Avi drove and Rayne slept for the first bit of the way out of the city. She didn't like the city as much as she loved the countryside. She always woke up just as they passed the city limits.