Chapter one - Robin
I am singing along with my favorite country song by Claire McClure when I see the sign on the side of the road: Green Valley, 15 miles. I grin, I can’t believe I am almost there!
Everybody who knows me thinks I am crazy, bat-shit crazy they say. I can hear my mothers voice in my head. “Robin, you don’t belong out in the wild, what is wrong with that perfect laboratory of yours?” And my father chiming in. “You can pick up more volunteer duties in the shelter, there is no need to go off on this... this… adventure.”
They love me, and they encouraged me throughout my whole career, but now that I want to go out in the wild world and get some field experience, they panic. I have never been outside of Colorado and I only left Boulder without my parents for work and research trips. It just made sense to stay close to the University because of my research and I never really had a good reason to leave. I am coming to believe I may have been a tiny bit sheltered throughout my life.
But now I am on an adventure! I push up my glasses and continue to sing along. I am tired as can be after driving for three days, but I really, really wanted to take my own car, instead of renting. I am quite attached to my big black pick-up with custom made crates and cabinets for all my equipment. Also the bright yellow bat signal on the back is a little inside joke and I live for those.
I drive into Green Valley, looking for the hotel my bosses booked, that is going to be my home for the foreseeable future. It’s called Donner Lodge and I will have my own little cabin there. According to my navigation it’s on the other side of town and during my drive I get to catch a glimpses of the amazingness that is Green Valley.
The town is just… so lovely! And I immediately fall in love with it. I spot a diner which seems to be buzzing with patrons and my growling stomach reminds me I haven’t stopped to eat for a while on this long drive. I will definitely go there after I check-in at the lodge. This town. The energy. It feels alive in a way I did not expect.
I easily find the lodge and I park my truck at the main building. I stretch out my sore muscles after the drive and walk up to the reception. There is an impeccably groomed woman sitting at the front desk. All southern charm and niceness combined with a lot of Chanel number 5.
“Hello dear, what can I do for you.”
I smile. “Hi, I’m here to check in. Robin Davis. There should be a reservation from the USDA Forest Service.”
She glances me up and down. “You’re Robin Davis? Why my oh my, you’re a woman.”
I can’t help but smile at her obvious shock. “Yes, I am, ma’am. Don’t hold it against me.”
She laughs out loud. “Let me start again, dear. Welcome to Donner Lodge, my name is Diane Sylvester. Can I have your ID for the check-in?”
The whole process runs smoothly and after a couple of formalities Mrs. Sylvester gives me the key to my cabin. My adventure can truly begin now.
