Page 56 of Truck You

He tosses me the key. I catch it one-handed, then stare at the tiny cabin that I have to share with him for the next three days.

It’s rustic and cute andtiny. It doesn’t look like it’s much bigger than a standard sized bedroom. But it has a large porch with a swing and a few chairs with great views of the surrounding hills.

Inside is clean and not as cute as the outside. It’s bare bones and clearly not meant for multiple guests. There’s a tiny kitchenette with a two-burner stove that has seen better days. There’s a half sink, about two square feet of counter space next to it, above a double cabinet. The small window above the sink has a direct view of the rolling hills.

There’s no table or chairs, but there is a couch, and as promised, one bed. Onetwin-sizedbed.

I close my eyes and rub my hands down my face.You can do this, Soph. It’s just three days.

I open the only door inside the cabin to find a small, clean bathroom. As bathrooms go, it’s nice. It has a full-sized shower and tub. Considering how small everything else is in this place, that surprises me. There’s a large mirror over the vanity sink and the thickest, fluffiest white towels I’ve ever felt. They seem like a luxury and completely out-of-place for this cabin.

When I exit the bathroom, Mac is standing in the middle of the cabin staring at the bed. He looks just as anxious about this arrangement as I feel.

Without looking at me, he says, “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“No, I’ll take the couch. You have to race tomorrow. You need a good night’s sleep.”

He shrugs and tosses his bag next to the couch like this discussion is over. “I can sleep anywhere.”

He sits down and kicks his shoes off, then stretches his long legs across the couch. It’s not long enough and his feet hang off the edge.

“Mac, take the bed. You’re too tall for that thing.” I insist.

He doesn’t address my concern. Instead, he says, “I’m going to take a nap.”

I huff, trying to not let my irritation get the best of me. “Why stay out here? Why not stay in Beckley, closer to the track? I’m sure there are some nice hotels that would’ve been more comfortable for all of us.”

“We like the quiet of nature. It’s more relaxing, even if I have to sleep on a couch that’s too small for me. Besides, the track is only thirty minutes away.”

“But it could’ve been only ten minutes away, and we could’ve all slept in a bed.”

He lifts one eyelid and stares at me. “Are you going to let me take that nap now?”

I hold his stare for a moment before I let out another frustrated huff. “Fine.”

I grab my bag, toss it on the bed, and dig out my hiking boots. Once I’ve changed my shoes and slipped on my jacket, I head for the door. “I’m taking a walk on some of the hiking trails I saw.”

I don’t wait to see if he’s going to say anything. I just leave.

Once outside, I take a deep breath. The afternoon air is warm, fresh, and revitalizing.

There are at least three trailheads close to our cabins. From what I can tell, there are several cabins in this area with access to trails, fishing, rafting, and hunting. I suspect hunters use these cabins more than other guests. They’re clearly not meant for romantic getaways.

There’s a sign on one trail that says it has views of the river. I’ve never seen the New River before, but the pictures of it look stunning. I don’t know how close the river actually is, but I can hear the rush of water.

The area surrounding us is forested, and the trail I decide to take is hidden within the canopy. It’s late enough in the fall that the leaves are looking browner than the initial oranges, yellows, reds, and purples they were a few weeks ago.

Without the direct rays of the sun, a chill surrounds me, so I zip up my jacket. Before long, it’ll be too cold for hikes like this.

The sound of rushing water gets louder. I haven’t walked that long, so it can’t be the river. The trail bends along the side of the hill our cabins are sitting on, then a small rocky creek comes into view. Glancing around, I find the source of the rushing water. There’s a small waterfall crashing over a small cave with jagged rocky edges.

After taking a few pictures with my phone, I continue down the trail that runs parallel with the creek. I don’t know how long I walk before the trees open up and I’m standing on a rocky ledge that looks out over the New River.

The creek I’d been following empties into the river via a thin waterfall that’s more of a trickle down the rocky side than a raging fall.

The view of the river and the bridge is breathtaking. I find a seat on a small rock and watch as rafters guide their rafts toward a small dock near the base of the bridge. There are a few people on the bridge. I squint and hold my hand over my eyes to get a better look. They’re base jumping.

Excitement runs through me. I’ve always been a thrill seeker, and base jumping is something I’ve always wanted to try. I doubt we have time for me to try it on this trip, but maybe I could come back.

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