Jorge and Matt had been secretly working in the storage tent while the others were busy elsewhere and surprised everyone at dinner one night with a metal sculpture made from rebar and other metal parts and pieces. It was just the right size, as intended, to fit on the mantle above the fireplace. Hanging in the middle of the piece was a wooden sign that read, “Mavericks.”
“We thought there needed to be some tribute to, and reminder of, the founders of our community,” they said, “and, this is what we came up with.” They received hearty applause for their effort.
◘ ◘ ◘ ◘ ◘
Though the children normally had school sessions with Carly and Tara or were watched over by Mattie and Jessie; they were also allowed to play in and around the village, as long as they didn’t go up on the mesa. As usual, Kiera and Manny were inseparable, and most often could be found playing tag or amusing themselves in the honeymoon suite.
One afternoon the entire village heard a shriek as both children ran out of the honeymoon suite screaming and running toward the pueblos. Travis and Jason, who were working at the chicken coop were the closest to the honeymoon suite and the first to react to Kiera and Manny’s screams. They saw immediately that the tent was on fire. As Travis ran toward the tent, Jason smartly grabbed a hose and started toward the fire. The hose wasn’t long enough and required two more hoses to be connected together to finally reach the tent. By that time the tent was fully engulfed. Travis grabbed the guy ropes and pulled the tent down and off the furniture inside where it could more easily be watered down by Jason. By the time the others arrived at the scene with firefighting gear from the storage tent, it was too late. It was a total loss.
The two children were inconsolable and it took several minutes before Tara could coax out of Kiera what had happened. Between big sobs and a massive amount of tears, Kiera related that they had lit one of the candles on the table inside the tent and then were chasing each other around, hit the table and knocked the candle onto the sofa bed. They hadn’t noticed until the bed and tent were on fire.
Carly and Tara gathered all the children around them by the smoldering remains of the tent and furniture to show them what playing with matches and lit candles can do. It was a lesson well-learned by all of them—especially Kiera and Manny, who were still crying by swim time that afternoon. They needed no further punishment.
And, the adults learned that they needed to have firefighting equipment more readily available to the village facilities. They had plenty of equipment and hoses which they immediately distributed among the tents, the new building, and the greenhouse.
◘ ◘ ◘ ◘ ◘
The monsoon rains had not yet started, so the creek was at its lowest point. Tanner, Tate, Jack, and Philip took this opportunity to first clean out any debris that had accumulated in the swimming pools, even using shovels and buckets to remove as much silt from the pools as they could get out. As the dirty water floated away it left the pools crystal clear and inviting—and they were used every afternoon.
Once everyone had washed and enjoyed the larger and cleaner pools, they began accumulating large river rocks and moved them in a line prescribed by Jack to begin building a rock dam, as Henry Stenton had suggested. Every day the dam grew higher and wider until even the meager flow moving down the creek began to back up, forming a small lake. Everyone pitched in because it was fun and gave them all a chance to splash each other and frolic in the water. By the time the first monsoon rains began, the first week in August, they had a dam that was three feet high and twice that wide. Obviously, water would seep through the stacked rocks, but it was a good start until the next low water time when they could begin packing the dam with mud and clay. It would also give them a chance to see how such a dam would stand up to the surge of water the monsoons and winter runoff would bring.
◘ ◘ ◘ ◘ ◘
Now that all useable parts had been stripped from the field kitchen, the men pulled the chassis out to the parking lot, hooked it to Colby’s truck and pulled it down to the Ranger Station. They put it in one of the storage buildings so it wouldn’t be exposed to the elements, just in case they found some use for it later.
While in the maintenance yard, Jack noticed that, despite judicious use, the gasoline tank was starting to get low. When they got back to the village, he and Philip put one of the generators in the back of Colby’s truck and hooked the 500- gallon water trailer they had designated for gasoline use to it. With Jason riding shotgun, they drove into West Sedona and, picking the first gas station they came to, they hooked the generator to a gas pump and filled the water trailer with gasoline. They also filled a half-dozen jerry cans with diesel, just to be safe. They knew they had more work to be done with the back hoe. They saw scattered individuals rummaging through businesses, but none seemed to pay any attention to them. The trip was uneventful and successful. When they returned to the Ranger Station they pulled the gas trailer up to the village where it would be easily accessible. They knew in the future they would have to go farther and farther afield to get gasoline, but Jack figured that unless others were doing the same thing they were, they would have a good supply of gasoline and diesel available for several years, if not longer.
It was August 21st that a most unusual event occurred. They didn’t find out the date until later, when Carly checked her calendar to record the event in her journal. They were all busy working in the pueblos or in the cornfield when Kiera said, “Look, Uncle Jack, the sun is turning black.” That got everyone’s attention but only Jack knew right away what was happening.
“Okay, everyone,” he said, “go back to the tents and do not look directly at the sun. It appears we’re going to have an eclipse. It will only last a short time, but it could burn your eyes if you look directly at it.”
“Are we going to have another CME,” Jason asked.
“No,” replied Jack, “it’s just the moon moving between the earth and the sun that’s going to block out our view of the sun for a while.”
Everyone headed back to the tents, and Jack went up to the pueblos to warn the others what was happening. They determined they would keep working, but would avoid looking at the sun. Jack advised them that it would get as dark as night for a few minutes when it reached totality, when the sun was totally obscured by the moon.
“It will affect our solar panel operation,” he said, “so run your equipment off the generator, if need be.”
“We’ll be fine,” responded Bud, “we’re repairing and building walls and we’re mixing the concrete by hand, so there won’t be a problem.”
Travis noticed that the chickens started clucking and moved into their nesting boxes and the bees returned to the hive in noticeable numbers. It took almost an hour by Travis’ calculation until it was almost pitch black, which only lasted about five minutes. As the moon began sliding past totality and the sun began peeking through, sending its light Earthward again, the rooster crowed telling everyone to wake up. In less than three hours everything had returned to normal. Carly and Tara, with Jack’s assistance, used the time in the Activity Tent as a teachable moment, telling the children—and the interested non-children—what was happening and why. Carly felt a lesson now would be highly beneficial in years to come when the elders who understood eclipses were gone. Carly wanted the children to understand it wasn’t magic, and it didn’t portend some sort of solar disaster. The children thought it was quite exciting and talked about it for some time after they returned to pulling weeds in the cornfield. It had also given them a three-hour break from work.
As Carly wrote in her journal that evening, she noted that it was only ten days until they were supposed to return to Scorpion Meadows. Bishop made that announcement the next morning at breakfast—and the countdown began.
◘ ◘ ◘ ◘ ◘
The morning of the trip dawned clear and bright. There was not a cloud in the sky, although they expected to see the telltale buildup of cumulous clouds begin on the horizon any day now, signaling the start
of the monsoon season.
At breakfast Bishop announced what they already knew—only a few people would be able to make the trip. Some were disappointed, and some were not. None of the children would go this time, except Tess, who was the main contact with the Hauptman Farm group, and the only one who knew where the farm was located.
Bishop listed those who would make this trip and received only a couple of groans from some not selected. It appeared there were more who would just as soon stay home as those who wished to go. Going would be Colby, Tanner, Travis, Jen, Philip, Jason, Matt, and himself. Then he added Tara and Celeste because they wanted to go but hadn’t been chosen. It was determined they would take the two pickup trucks, one pulling a utility trailer, and Tanner’s Jeep Cherokee. Bud would see them through the gates and unlock them again when the group returned. They didn’t want to take a chance on losing the key. Each vehicle had a two-way radio with them and could communicate with Bud and each other.
When they arrived at the Rim Rock Turnoff, the Stentons were already there. Henry brought JR and Hank, as well as a couple of his farm hands, some of whom spoke Spanish. And, to Matt’s surprise and delight, Henry brought Mattie, as well. Bishop and Henry allowed Matt and Mattie a couple of minutes for their reunion, and then the caravan, with Bishop in the lead, headed for Scorpion Meadows. As they pulled into the gravel drive leading up to the farmhouse, they were met by a number of individuals carrying rifles but, when they saw it was Bishop, they ran up to his truck and escorted the caravan in.
It was a joyous reunion for those who already knew each other and then introductions were made all around. It was as if they were all long-lost friends.
Jonas’s wife, Cindy, had had her baby and the two proudly introduced their newly born son, Chandler, to Bishop and Jen, whom they had known for many years.
It wasn’t yet noon, so Jonas, who was now the leader of the Scorpion Meadows group, indicated they would have a late lunch so his cooks could prepare a proper welcome for everyone. In the meantime, they took a tour of the Scorpion Meadows Farm.
Bishop immediately saw that the debris from the big barn had been totally removed and a new one was under construction. It appeared to Colby that they had also made some trips to the Camp Verde hardware store and building supply, as well as some local construction sites, because they had everything needed to build the barn. Colby suggested that once the tour was over they ought to have a barn-raising, as they had at Duwa. Henry and Bishop immediately agreed and Jonas was only too happy to accept.
The barn previously used to house the kidnapped workers, had been converted into spaces to house those from Pine Valley who had come after the Scorpions had been removed. Jonas explained that part of the new barn would contain apartments for those folks once it was completed. In the meantime, they shared the space with farm equipment and bins of hay that had been harvested by hand. Unfortunately, though they had lots of farm equipment, the Scorpions had not invested in a hay mower or baler.
Jonas pointed out that the chicken coops were all made more accommodating for the chickens and roosters, with a separate area for new chicks. The pens had been rebuilt so the pigs, goats and sheep each had their own. Jonas explained that the property was well-fenced and the small cattle herd was easy to manage, and new calves had already been born, so the herd would grow in the same proportion to the number of cattle they took for beef. It appeared Jonas had things well organized.
Travis, who had been introduced to Riley, the old man from Pine Valley, when they arrived, now spent his time talking with the old farmer. It turned out that Travis and Riley had met many years earlier when Riley was still farming and Travis was working for the USDA. They talked like old friends and Riley pointed out the magnificent large garden they had as well as the broad fields of corn that were about to be hand-picked. Riley said he couldn’t take all the credit for the garden as Cindy Caldwell, Jonas’ wife, had a real green thumb and had taken charge of the garden. “I just have to give suggestions,” he said, “and that gal gets it done,” he chuckled. “I’m gettin’ to enjoy my retirement after all.”
Colby and Henry met with Jonas and Frank Sheridan, the leader of the group the Scorpions had captured at the Full Moon Saloon and who was now the number two at Scorpion Meadows, to review the plans they had sketched out for the new barn. Everyone agreed, though the plans lacked some of the detail that would have been helpful, they could work with them and fill in the missing detail as they went. They gathered the tools they would need and before long were beginning to nail the walls together on the ground so they could be erected on the foundation Jonas and Frank already had in place. The exterior walls went up quickly and were braced in place, just in time for lunch.
It was a big spread, using vegetables from Cindy’s garden, some freshly picked corn, and nice slabs of smoked pork. Jonas indicated that, though they had had to rely on the food stores in the basement of the farmhouse initially, they were now producing most of their own food. They even planned on canning vegetables to carry them through the winter until the new spring crops would be ready. They also had sun tea, made from the generous supply of tea the Scorpions had left them, and cooled in the little stream that ran through the farm that they had not previously seen.
During the conversation over lunch, Bishop learned that Jonas and Frank had been down to the Hauptman Farm to meet with Rafael and, though they didn’t have the livestock Scorpion Meadows had, they had created a very large vegetable garden and corn field, as well, and were doing fine. When Rafael had come to visit them at Duwa, he brought a couple of small sacks of salt from the local salt mine and traded that for beef and eggs. It was then they had been invited to visit Hauptman Farm. So, this time they took more fresh eggs and a smoked side of beef. Bishop wondered what they could trade for salt. Travis went to the Jeep and came back with two plastic containers of honey which he presented to Jonas as a gift—and Bishop knew the answer to his question.
“Did you bring any more of the elixir of the gods,” he whispered to Travis.
“Sure,” Travis replied, “I brought four more containers; two for Hauptman Farm and two for Henry, along with a couple of watermelons for each. Just thought they might come in handy,” he added.
After lunch they rested and talked for about an hour and then went back to the new barn. By dusk all main floor framing was completed and ready to add the second story and roof. A project for the next day.
Dinner was skimpy: fresh popped, salted popcorn and more sun tea. After the feast they’d had at lunch this was more than sufficient.
The next morning, after a generous breakfast of ham and eggs—and coffee—they were back working on the barn. They first installed the beams that would support the second-story floor and then, again, measured and nailed together the walls for the second floor. Only a portion of the space would be used for rooms, with the rest being left open for storage. They pulled the prefabbed walls up to the second floor using ropes and pulleys and put the beams in place that would hold the roof. They then nailed plywood into place on the exterior walls to make the framework more rigid before pulling the prefabbed trusses up and nailing them into place. Jonas and Frank could cut and frame the openings for the doors and windows later. By dinner time the barn-raising was complete and could be finished by Jonas’ group.
◘ ◘ ◘ ◘ ◘
The next morning, after breakfast, Bishop’s group made their farewells with Jonas, Cindy, Frank and the group and headed out to visit Hauptman Farm. Jonas had confirmed that the location of the farm was just as Tess had indicated and they shouldn’t have any trouble finding it. Bishop had invited Jonas and company to visit Duwa any time they felt so inclined; they would welcome the diversion. And, Jonas did the same.
As they pulled into Hauptman Farm, they could see a large number of people spread out through the corn and cotton fields, harvesting the crops. It wasn’t until Colby blew the horn on his truck that he gained their attention, and Rafael came forward to see who they were. Tess imm
ediately ran toward him and you could see the big smile cross his face. He called to his people in the field and waved them in. Another big reunion ensued; first with Tess and the people she knew and then with Bishop, Colby, Jason, Jen, and Matt, who they knew from the Scorpion War that had resulted in their freedom. Bishop introduced Rafael to Henry and his group; then Rafael reintroduced them to his group, most of whom did not speak English.
Travis gave Rafael the two containers of honey he had brought and then they all shared a cool drink of water from the hand-pumped well by the farmhouse. Bishop notice that one young man in particular was paying close attention to Tess and that they sat a little off to the side of the group animatedly talking. Tess was now 14 and the young man was about the same age, maybe a year or two older. This is a friendship that will grow and bloom in the future, he thought, if given the opportunity.
Bishop asked if Rafael might spare a man to show them the salt mines and allow them to gather some salt to take home. Rafael was eager to help and said he would do it himself. While Bishop, Tanner, Jason, Henry and JR went with Rafael, the others took the opportunity to walk around the farm.
Celeste was impressed with the quality of the cotton on the Hauptman farm and guessed that cotton had been the real mainstay of the farm, with corn running second. With Tess as her translator, after reluctantly pulling her away from the young man, Celeste talked with one of the women who appeared to be in charge of the cotton harvest and found that a couple of the women knew how to weave cotton into thread using an old spinning wheel that had belonged to Mrs. Hauptman. The men had built the women a reasonable facsimile of a loom and they were beginning to experiment with making cloth, but were far from proficient. Celeste told them of her antique spinning wheel and loom and asked if she could have some of the cotton they were storing in large burlap sacks. They told her they were growing cotton faster than they could pick, spin, and create cloth and they would be happy to share it with her. When the men got back from the salt mines with several large sacks of salt, the utility trailer was full of sacks of cotton.
Sinagua Rising: A story of survival after a worldwide catastrophe Page 50