I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been following this story and apologize for the long wait. I won't bore you with details about how I couldn't think of anything and also how I couldn't make up my mind when I could. Thank you to everyone who left a review. So enough chit chat, let's get to the story.
A/N:
It was quiet, the peaceful kind, the kind only those who have seen and heard the horrors of war appreciated. The only sound to be heard was the gust of wind against the windshield of the truck along with the muted roaring of the powerful motor pulling them along. Jacob looked to his right, allowing himself to glance a moment longer than necessary to ensure his wife Linda was sleeping peacefully. He then used the rearview mirror to check his three children were also sleeping. It wasn't that long of a drive to the campgrounds they'd decided to visit. But it was later in the day than they had originally wanted to leave. Everyone else deciding to take a nap while he remained vigilant behind the wheel.
The fox sized pickup easily pulled the large travel trailer behind it up the hill country below the mountains. It had been too long since he'd been able to take them anywhere. Recent events kept calling him away from his family to fulfill his duty to his country; a sacrifice that affected both him
and his family. He often felt guilty for the way it forced his wife to be a single mother at times. But all that was behind them for now.
He let off the gas and let the weight of the trailer slow the vehicle, moving the switch to turn the right turn signal on, easing onto the brakes as their turn approached. The entrance to park Foxomingo. The long road to the gate house gently curved through the tall trees, guiding along their way. Eventually crossing a metal grated bridge that allowed them to look down on a crystal-clear stream that gently rolled over large boulders.
Pulling up to the gatehouse, he placed the vehicle in park and pressed the parking brake. He stepped out of the truck and spoke to the ranger in the window. Confirming his reservation and site number, the ranger handed back a parking pass and brochures. Jacob then reentered the vehicle and closed the
door, waking his wife in doing so.
Seeing where they were, Linda gave him a tired smile as she sat up in her seat. She then looked out her window to enjoy the view as they drove towards the campsites. The road cut along the side of a hill with several rock outcroppings. Moss growing along the sides of the small cliffs as trees were scattered across the top of the multiple layers, occasionally large boulders were oddly sticking up out of the ground; as if someone had placed them there.
They turned off the main entrance road to the paved trail that led to the campsites. The trail wrapped around a small V shaped lake. They passed several campsites till they came to the one they had reserved. It was just before the trail curved back and wrapped around one of the tips of the lake. A large open
grass area between the trail and lake offered plenty of room for little ones to run and play. Once in front of their site, Linda hopped out of the truck, grabbing a small walky-talky, and gave Jacob directions to help him back the trailer in perfectly. She suspected he didn't really need her help to get it just right,
as he had parked it just right multiple times in tighter campsites without her being there, but thought he asked her to do it just to make her feel needed or that she was helping him.
She often accused him of shutting her out when he was doing things, not accepting her help as though she weren't needed. She understood over time that it wasn't that he was pushing her away, just that he had grown up independently. Learning to do things on his own so he never learned to use the help of others that weren't there even when someone was there to help.
After getting the trailer situated, Jacob hopped out and began detaching the trailer tongue from the hitch. After disconnecting the light cable and chains he raised the trailer till it was above the ball and then pulled the truck up and turned it off. Returning to the trailer, he lowered the tongue till the trailer was sitting level. He then went to each corner and lowered the stabilizers, so it wouldn't rock while they moved about on the inside. Once that was done, he connected the power cable and water line. Feeling satisfied when he heard the air conditioner kick on.
He then moved to the front and pulled out the awning. Linda had already woken their kids and he spotted them running around behind the trailer chasing baby frogs. He watched them for a moment before reaching to a cabinet just inside the door and retrieving small hooks. He placed them in a set of
sliders that were inside the awning roller that allow them to hang decorative lights for when it got dark. He then raised the awning up to a decent height and left one side slightly lower to let water run off the side.
That done, he pulled out a small fold up gazebo and set it up above the picnic table. The gazebo came with mesh netting to keep insects out; perfect for eating outside. Once done, he took out their fold up camping chairs from a storage compartment. Lining them along the side of the trailer so they could enjoy the view of the lake. He then went and detached the bikes from the back of the trailer where their carrier was attached to the trailer's bumper.
Finally finished with setting up most of their campsite, Jacob took a seat and watched his kids play in the setting sun. He didn't get to relax long when Linda told him she was getting the bugburgers ready. So, he gathered the charcoal and lighter fluid and prepped the grill that came with the site.
It didn't take long to get everything cooked and the family sat at the picnic table to enjoy their evening meal. Pretty soon they started to notice small lights appearing all around them at random. Fireflies had started popping up in different places and the kids quickly took off after them.
Jacob helped Linda cleanup the small mess and they both sat in their chairs to watch their children chase after the bugs and try to catch them. Soon they had a small collection in a jar they had brought just for such an occasion. They spent a couple more hours just enjoying the night and watching the fireflies dance and the moon reflect off the water.
Eventually they had to bring their evening to a close and nearly drag the kids into the trailer to get ready for bed. They wanted to get an early start in the morning. After putting on their pajamas and saying
goodnight, Jacob and Linda pulled the curtain to their small area closed. Laying on the bed, the two cuddled up together. Linda lying on her back as Jacob lay on his stomach and wrapped an arm around her while resting his head on her shoulder, his snout protruding across her collarbone. Soon the little
family of foxes were all asleep and dreaming of the day to come.
Morning came early for Jacob, as it always did. His time in the military seemed to force the habit, despite being nocturnal by nature. After grabbing a bottle of water, he silently slipped outside and eased the door closed. He liked mornings like these. He was alone with his thoughts and most at the campsite would simply sleep in. That allowed the peaceful tranquility of the park to be enjoyed by only the most eager of visitors to enjoy the early morning beauty.
This morning was different though. Usually Linda would try and sleep in as long as he would let her. This morning, however, she exited the trailer only a few minutes after he had sat down. Walking up to him and sitting in his lap, curling into him and resting her head on his shoulder. The two sat in silence for a few minutes and just enjoyed holding one , it wasn't meant to last.
Soon after their little cuddle session started, the door opened and out stepped a little vixen. Lacy let them know they were all awake and hungry. Smiling, her parents got up from their seats and came back inside. After preparing a breakfast of eggs and fruit, the group got dressed for the day and
set out to explore the park.
The area they had planned to visit that day was on the other end from where the campsites were located. After everything was cleared and the dishes were washed, the group loaded up into the truck and made the 15-minute drive to their destination. The park road weaved along the side of the hill
offering picturesque scenes of the small mountain side along the route. They eventually ended their drive at an old swinging bridge built 85 years ago. The ends built from stone gathered from the park with large steel cables suspending the wood planks for them to crossover.
Linda had never liked this bridge and had Jacob hold the paws of the twins while she clung to the back of his shirt with her eyes closed. Jacob had to make sure Jason didn't run off without them while trying to balance being between pulled to either side by the twins and Linda nearly clambering
onto his back. To be honest he found it all amusing.
Once on the other side, Linda had forced the group to take turns standing on the large endpoint to take pictures. Once that was out of the way, the group then made their way up the trail towards the cliffs. Which ended up being just 20 feet tall. Still to kits like theirs, they may as well have been at mount Everest. They followed the marked trail up one side where they had to climb over boulders that had broken off and piled up on the side of the outcroppings centuries ago.
Once on top, they followed the trail along the edge, enjoying the sights and sounds of the forest around them. Occasionally stopping to take pictures of a certain area. They walked for a while and eventually came upon a stream that had cut a path through the rock formations long ago. A large boulder forming a
large sitting area that the stream had to flow around. Here the group decided to take a break and enjoy the sound of the water as it patted against the rocks. Linda taking the opportunity to take pictures of both the stream and the kids as they ate snacks and rehydrated.
They found other interesting rock formations along the way and took more pictures. Eventually finding a very large overhang that created a small cave under it. The kids wasted no time at all to try and climb into the area and look for anything of interest. Linda took the opportunity to have a couple of selfies with her husband.
There was a waterfall in the area but as the day progressed so did the heat. Linda suggested they start making their way back since the kids may not be able to take much more without being carried back. Walking down to where the trail split, the group found themselves walking along the creek that passed
through the park. It was shallow but quite wide. With beautiful stones worn smooth by the water that shaped them. They even found an artesian well along the way.
Linda found it to be suspicious that water coming from out of the ground could be considered clean, despite how clear it was. Jacob assured it was safe and she allowed the kids to drink some and took more pictures of them using their paws to scoop water up to their snouts. Even getting one of Jacob
as he did the same. They filled their water bottles and made their way back to the bridge. Crossing it a second time in the same manner as the first.
They made it back to their campsite in time for lunch. This time enjoying a casserole that had been made beforehand and reheated. After finishing and cleaning from their meal, Jacob and Linda relaxed under the awning while watching their children explore the campsite some more. Always finding something new or interesting around every tree. After a short while, the group decided to take a trip to the pool and escape the heat of the day.
After making their way to the clear water pool, the group of foxes eagerly jumped in. Only a small group of others had decided to enjoy the water as well, giving the family ample room to enjoy themselves. With Jacob and Linda playing games and swimming alongside their children from one end of the pool to the other. As they spent more time in the pool, their children eventually began playing with the others that were present. Leaving their parents to sit on the sides and watch them.
Keeping an eye on the kids, Jacob and Linda began to simply sit beside each other on a bench that was built beneath the waterline. Starting with Jacob wrapping an arm around Linda, they soon started petting each other when they thought no one was looking. They eased their way to the deeper end of
the pool where Linda would wrap her arms around her husband's neck and his around her waist. Keeping them both afloat. Their tales possessively wrapped around the other.
They spent their time talking and laughing at the kids as they played with one another. From time to time they would change positions and find different ways to tease or caress one another. Eventually, their time had to come to an end. Their kits visibly showing signs of tiring, they decided to head back to the campsite for the rest of the day.
After enjoying a meal of leftovers, the group spent the remainder of the day inside their travel trailer watching movies and eating popcorn. It didn't take long for all three of the young foxes to fall asleep. After gently placing them in their own beds, Jacob joined his wife in their secluded area behind the curtain. There he found the love of his life already under the blankets and silently sleeping. Taking care not to wake her, he slipped into the bed beside her and gently placed a kiss upon her cheek.
After lying still for several minutes, she eventually scooted closer to him and laid her head across his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. This did not last for long though. Soon Jacob felt a wondering paw slide down his belly and then across his waistline. A thumb gingerly slipping under the band of his boxers. He knew what she wanted, and he fervently gave all he had while using every ounce of restraint not to make any noise for fear of waking the kids and one of them walking in on them. When they were done, the two held each other in their arms, Jacob's knot tying them together as if they
were one being of flesh and not just spirit.
Both parents woke early once again. They spent the quiet time they had together nuzzling and marking one another till their scents could no longer be distinguished apart. When the first sound of small foxes waking seeped its way to their ears, they both rose and set about preparing for the day. This time they were exploring another trail in the park. It started at the gate they had entered and wrapped around the hills surrounding the campsites.
After finding a place to park, the group set out and soon stopped at the first tranquil scene they beheld. The stream running under the bridge into the park was little with large boulders that the water energetically rolled over. The path crossed over the stream using the large boulders and stepping stones. After that it lead to a labyrinth of stones sticking out from the ground. Eventually leading to a path that felt like a maze as the giant stones rose above their heads. Almost as if a giant had once come along and
split the stone in two just to place the path between them.
After walking past the incredible sites, the trail then leads to an area that was mainly wooded. The sites not as glamorous as before and intersecting near one of the wash houses along the road the campsites were on. The group decided to go ahead and head back to their site since it was a short walk and then decide where else to go. Once back at the campsite, Linda and Jacob sat in their comfortable chairs and looked over the pictures on each other's phones. Linda taking the time to share their adventures with family and on social media.
As they sat in watching their children Jacob felt his phone vibrating. Looking at the caller ID he saw a name he hoped not to see on this trip. It was Fin. Linda looked on with concern as he stood and answered the call. Watching Jacob tense as the conversation went on for only a couple of minutes. When he returned he gave her the most apologetic look he could and gently whispered, it's time. With understanding she stood from her seat and wrapped him in her arms, marking him one last time before releasing him and going inside to pack things away.
Jacob knew there would be tear stains beneath her eyes by the time she was finished, so he did everything he could outside to prepare for their departure. Packing away the lights that hung from the awning before rolling it up. Stowing the chairs and gazebo in their compartments. When all that was left
to do was let up the stabilizers and disconnect the power and water, he went inside and found everything already stowed away for travel and Linda silently crying as she sat on their bed. He sat beside her and pulled her into a loving embrace, one she readily returned. The two eventually broke apart to finish readying to leave. Once the trailer was reconnected to the truck the kids were strapped in their seatbelts and they began the sad journey home.
Nearly half way home and once again Jacob found himself the only one still awake. He turned on the radio and tuned it to a national news network. What he heard made reality slice through what was left of the small haven he had hidden away in.
Canisian tanks pour across the borders of the Burrowlands borders within the pass north of the Vulpisian peaks. Burrowland officials have declared war against the invaders and have sent out a call for help. Last
reports indicate that little resistance has been seen as…
A/N:
And there you have it. The build up is finally over. The next chapter will actually have some action in it as we move forward. No promises on when I'll be able to get that out though. Foxomingo is based on a real state park that I visit from time to time. It was once considered to be in the top 10 most scenic parks in America so I count myself very luck to be able to go there at least once a year.