"Only its beauty," Cynthia said. Then, glancing at the obstructed road before them, she added nervously, "Do you think we're on the right track?"
"If Fitzgerald can find this place, so can I," he answered.
They had compared Martha's drawing to the contour maps of the area back at Bird Song and decided this was as close to the general area of the mine that any type of roadway touched. Exiting the parked Jeep, they climbed the rocky trail a few yards further, looking off to the left, the direction where the mine should have been located. There they discovered a thin outline of tire tracks curving away in that direction, crossing a meadow of flowers. Someone had driven the route recently. They felt comfortable that it was the path to the remote mine.
Returning to their vehicle, they cautiously left the roadway on the newly discovered track.
Cynthia gritted her teeth. "I feel like a criminal driving over these beautiful plants and flowers. It will take years for them to come back to life at this elevation."
"No argument here. I wouldn't do it if we were the first but unfortunately, we won't be the last, either." But their distress was short lived as the recently created path ended a few hundred yards further, behind a cluster of boulders. According to their reckoning, they should be in the general area of the mine, but the only sight before them was a steep upward slope sparsely covered with brush.
They parked behind rocks, away from the direction of their approach, and immediately saw a nearly invisible path upward. They began the arduous climb, puffing in the high elevation for ten minutes until the trail leveled and opened to their left. Dean glanced up, trying to catch his breath and spotted the mine portal before them.
Cynthia, trailing a few steps behind, bumped into him as they stopped and stared at the gaping opening. She let out a little gasp and clutched her husband's hand.
"This is it, I guess,' Dean said glumly.
Cynthia closed her eyes. He could feel her tremble. "Martha, hon, wherever you are, I hope you appreciate this." Dean dittoed her sentiments.
Next to the opening was a blackened fire ring with two large boulders on either side. They sat for a moment while Dean opened his knapsack and checked their limited equipment. Cynthia turned and looked back. The view was spectacular but neither could appreciate it next to the yawning opening of the Lucky Pup mine.
The portal was framed in heavy timber. Rusty hinges were still visible in the wood but no door barred the entrance nor could anything be seen beyond but utter blackness. Water seeped from the opening, spreading out in a sticky ooze that was quickly eaten by the thirsty ground. Dean was thankful they both wore old hiking boots as they stepped forward, gazing with trepidation as the cool breath of the mine met them.