took up position behind the driver so he could watch the rear. Ed climbed into the driver’s seat and Amanda and Matt joined him. The two grandkids got the back seat with Meredith. Ed put it in gear and leaving the headlights off, headed down Highway 95.
Things went smoothly as they climbed up out of the Salmon Canyon heading toward the high plateau that held New Meadows. The road continued to follow the Little Salmon River and the Northern Lights offered enough visibility to see the yellow center line.
Paul had been this way many times. As they grew closer to New Meadows he realized that if there would be a problem, there was one place up ahead that would be the most likely spot. He nudged Ed to pull over and stop the car.
‘We’re getting close to New Meadows, General. If the town is nervous about intruders from the north, there’s one place up ahead that is the perfect spot for a roadblock,” Paul said. He remembered the highway in its last climb out of the canyon, passed a very narrow rock cut. A couple of logs and some guards on the high walls would slow down anyone coming that way.
“We’ll dismount and wait for daylight. Then we’ll approach on foot,” Ed said. “Everyone try to get some rest.” He looked in and his grandkids were already fast asleep in the back seat. Amanda came over to Paul and the two of them found a soft spot of pine needles to lay on. With their backpacks for pillows, Amanda fell quickly asleep with Paul’s arm around her.
“Can I join you?” Meredith asked.
“Of course, Sweetheart. You’re always welcome,” Paul said. She laid down and fell asleep as he placed his other arm around her. Matt joined Ed in standing guard. Paul realized that Matt would need more skills in survival and hoped the general could start teaching him soon.
* * *
Paul awoke with a start as his foot was bumped. He opened his eyes to see Ed standing over him. The two women in his life stirred at the motion. Paul moved his arms carefully, trying to get some blood flowing.
“Doc, you drive this morning. I’ll jog ahead and watch for any roadblocks. Matt can have the rifle, but keep it out of sight. The less aggressive we appear to any locals, the better,” Ed explained.
Everyone grabbed something to eat and drank water. The little kids were still asleep when they all climbed in to go. Ed started out walking briskly, with no weapons showing. Soon he picked up the pace to a slow jog. Paul followed in the old Chevy in first gear.
Amanda had climbed into the back seat to watch the kids with Meredith. Matt rode ‘shotgun’ with the rifle leaning against the seat.
Paul watched as Ed disappeared around a large rock outcropping. The river was on their left now and the highway narrowly skirted the cliff up ahead. Paul eased the Chevy around the turn and quickly hit the brakes.
About a hundred feet up ahead a log barricade had been placed in the road and Ed stood with his hands raised.. Paul turned off the car, and climbed out. With hands raised, he stood next to the open door.
“Who goes there? And what’s your business?” a voice from behind the barricade yelled.
“I’m General Ed Gale of the Idaho National Guard. We’re trying to get back to my command in Boise.”
“You don’t look like no general, Mister. Where’s your uniform?”
“I was on vacation when the lights went out. My family is in the car. Will you let us pass?” Ed asked.
“Advance. I assume you got some ID. And no funny stuff or Virgil here will drill you,” the voice said.
Ed walked slowly up to the barricade. He carefully announced in loud terms that he would reach for his wallet to pull out his military ID. He turned sideways so that the guards could watch his hand as he retrieved his wallet.
Taking out the photo ID, he held it up high so the men could see it. One of them stood up and climbed over the barricade.
“I can’t see it so well from over there,” the man admitted as he walked up to Ed. “Yep,
Things went smoothly as they climbed up out of the Salmon Canyon heading toward the high plateau that held New Meadows. The road continued to follow the Little Salmon River and the Northern Lights offered enough visibility to see the yellow center line.
Paul had been this way many times. As they grew closer to New Meadows he realized that if there would be a problem, there was one place up ahead that would be the most likely spot. He nudged Ed to pull over and stop the car.
‘We’re getting close to New Meadows, General. If the town is nervous about intruders from the north, there’s one place up ahead that is the perfect spot for a roadblock,” Paul said. He remembered the highway in its last climb out of the canyon, passed a very narrow rock cut. A couple of logs and some guards on the high walls would slow down anyone coming that way.
“We’ll dismount and wait for daylight. Then we’ll approach on foot,” Ed said. “Everyone try to get some rest.” He looked in and his grandkids were already fast asleep in the back seat. Amanda came over to Paul and the two of them found a soft spot of pine needles to lay on. With their backpacks for pillows, Amanda fell quickly asleep with Paul’s arm around her.
“Can I join you?” Meredith asked.
“Of course, Sweetheart. You’re always welcome,” Paul said. She laid down and fell asleep as he placed his other arm around her. Matt joined Ed in standing guard. Paul realized that Matt would need more skills in survival and hoped the general could start teaching him soon.
* * *
Paul awoke with a start as his foot was bumped. He opened his eyes to see Ed standing over him. The two women in his life stirred at the motion. Paul moved his arms carefully, trying to get some blood flowing.
“Doc, you drive this morning. I’ll jog ahead and watch for any roadblocks. Matt can have the rifle, but keep it out of sight. The less aggressive we appear to any locals, the better,” Ed explained.
Everyone grabbed something to eat and drank water. The little kids were still asleep when they all climbed in to go. Ed started out walking briskly, with no weapons showing. Soon he picked up the pace to a slow jog. Paul followed in the old Chevy in first gear.
Amanda had climbed into the back seat to watch the kids with Meredith. Matt rode ‘shotgun’ with the rifle leaning against the seat.
Paul watched as Ed disappeared around a large rock outcropping. The river was on their left now and the highway narrowly skirted the cliff up ahead. Paul eased the Chevy around the turn and quickly hit the brakes.
About a hundred feet up ahead a log barricade had been placed in the road and Ed stood with his hands raised.. Paul turned off the car, and climbed out. With hands raised, he stood next to the open door.
“Who goes there? And what’s your business?” a voice from behind the barricade yelled.
“I’m General Ed Gale of the Idaho National Guard. We’re trying to get back to my command in Boise.”
“You don’t look like no general, Mister. Where’s your uniform?”
“I was on vacation when the lights went out. My family is in the car. Will you let us pass?” Ed asked.
“Advance. I assume you got some ID. And no funny stuff or Virgil here will drill you,” the voice said.
Ed walked slowly up to the barricade. He carefully announced in loud terms that he would reach for his wallet to pull out his military ID. He turned sideways so that the guards could watch his hand as he retrieved his wallet.
Taking out the photo ID, he held it up high so the men could see it. One of them stood up and climbed over the barricade.
“I can’t see it so well from over there,” the man admitted as he walked up to Ed. “Yep,
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