Head Clearing and Hiking

Posted on Fri Feb 5th, 2021 @ 7:35pm by Commander Caressa Melanick

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Mountain Trail
Timeline: Shore leave

Each footstep released the noise of the familiar crunch of leaves and twigs, she paused a moment to take in the forest. The smell of fermenting leaves, the earth, and the occasional wafting of cedar and pine flowed through the air. She could never understand how people could not love nature, turning to the sudden sound of rustling leaves caught her attention. She smiled as she watched two squirrels play and scamper up a large tree and jump through the upper canopy. Staying on the trail that had been laid out through the forest by the local game animals, she started her reconnaissance mission. Although a personal one, she had to find answers, waking up in the middle of the expansive yard was more than concerning.
Walking about five thousand meters, she saw a group of trees in a formation about 150 yards off the trail. They where large saplings that were about 5 inches in diameter that had been bent over making a dome. There were also trees that had been broken off at levels above her head. Reaching into her pocket and pulling out her tricorder and flipping it open with her typical finesse, she scanned the structure. There were no known DNA configurations popping up. It puzzled her; it was not a natural formation. She briefly remembered stories from her father. Sasquatch or Bigfoot she thinks he called it, but it was far fetched even for her.
Continuing her trek through the woods, it was cathartic. Nature was relaxing, the sound of the wind in the trees, feeling the sun on your face as it peeked through the treetops. The sound of water over rocks in the nearby stream. She was glad that she had her own little piece of paradise. She pushed trough some heavy overgrowth, that opened to a meadow. She remembered picnics here as a child when they made it back to earth. Yes, this is a great place to retire. When that happens, as she thought out loud to herself.
Scanning the meadow at the wood line, nothing was out of place or odd. Maybe last night was just one of those strange incidents. She sat on a nearby rock outcropping and took out a canteen of water. It was getting late and it was time for her to head back to the house. Even though she did not find what she was looking for, the hike was well worth it. Getting her head on straight was the top priority for this shore leave. Clearing her head of all the crap from the last mission was taking place. She could once again find herself in a good place, mentally and spiritually. She put the canteen back in the pack, lifted it and slung it over her back.
Heading back now would put her home at just about dusk. She took one more glance around the meadow that teamed with wildflowers. Yes, life was good. She headed back through the overgrowth and hit the trail head to hike back home.

Lieutenant Commander Caressa Melanick
Chief Medical Officer, USS Mercutio