Winter in the Sheltered Valley

[KHickam]

Winter had come early to the sheltered valley along the Little Missouri. The trapper had awakened to about half of a foot of fluffy white snow outside his little half faced camp, the morning had cleared and the sun was shining brightly and the reflection of the stark white snow had hurt his eyes.  It had not been a surprise for the trapper, he had recognized the smell of snow in the air the previous nightfall.

The signs of a hard winter coming were unmistakeable.  His fine mountain horse had grown an exceptionally heavy winter coat in the past weeks.  Beaver were busy falling trees and sinking the succulent branches under the water near their lodge for consumption when the ponds iced over.  

This was a welcome and pleasant surprise for the trapper.  For he had trapped another bail of prime fur the past few weeks.  The dark and silky smooth fur was shining and soft to the touch.  He knew he had enough fur now to trade for goods from the brigade to trade to the Lakota for Stands Alone Woman.  That thought sustained him, he longed for a companion to share the wonderous beauty all around him and to feel the comfort and companionship of another person.  

A cold wind whistling from the North chilled him to the bone and brought him back to reality from his reverie.  Although, his little half faced camp was snug and adequate for a fall hunt.  With the coming of winter he knew he must find a more permanent and sheltered home to winter over in the little valley.  He tied on his heavy elkhide winter moccasins with sheepskin lining.  To these he strapped on his short and wide snow shoes, put on his blanket coat and sheepskin gloves and grabbed his fowler.

He turned up the collar of his blanket coat to ward off the chill, and stepped out of the relative shelter of his camp and warmth of the fire.  It was fruitless as the cold made his eyes water and turned his checks and lips numb.  He turned down his wide brimmed hat and used his weak hand in an effort to keep the strong gusts of wind from blowing his hat away.

He then set out to find a new home.  He remembered seeing a few caves on a south facing bluff a couple miles walk from his camp, and decided to start there in hopes of finding a cave suitable for the long winter ahead.

As he walked across the new fallen snow he was acutely aware of the peaceful valley.  The cedar, aspen, and cottonwoods stood silently, dressed in a covering of pure white snow.  He peered to his left and saw two otters playing in the snow,.  They were sliding down a small slope plunging into the cold dark water of the river, only to pop out and scamper to another hill and slide down through the  fresh white snow, back into the river.  Their sleek, and streamlined bodies slipping almost effortlessly through the dark water, before disappearing into their den in the high bank of the river.

He continued to the bluffs and found a rather large cave it was perhaps fifteen to twenty feet deep, the roof was about seven feet high and the entry was narrow and partly concealed by a large cedar tree.    There was a small area that he could hobble his horses and they could graze on the remnants of the tall prairie grass in the valley.

It took him the better part of a day to get all his goods and equipment moved to his new camp.  As the temperature dropped to well below zero, he was snug and dry in his new rock house.  It would be a long winter but come spring he would set out for the Yellowstone with hopes of finding Lisa's Brigade.

[old salt]

Sir my hat is off to you, for once again you painted another fine piture with your words. Not only can I see the valley of which you speak I can fell the bite of the air.

[Red Badger]

Awsome job Dan'l...Cant wait for the next installment! 

[KHickam]

Thanks Guys;

Not sure how I will get the next installment done - I have never wintered over in North or South Dakota, just stayed until mid fall.  May need to go up and spend a week up roaming around Theodore Roosevelt National Park to get a better feel for it.

[Red Badger]

Ahh.. Well that does create a slight issue... that can be dangeropus territory in the winter and we sure would not want to lose you.  If you do decide to do a weekend trek make sure you let people know where and when you are going and when to expect you back!  STAY SAFE

[old salt]

As I have not spent a winter there but I suspect there be a lot of time and energy spent gathering wood and game just to survive.

[Bison Horn]

Great writing, be waiting for the next chapter in the life of that mountainman. Thanks

[Bulldog lady]

Take care my friend - you can't paint them pictures with frozen fingers, paint/write they are the same when in your hands, you are truly gifted and we all do so appreciat your sharing your adventures with us, 

[NAULTRICK1]

  Winter in the woods can be a little rough but also a great source of inspiration, looking forward as always to your prose.