15 THE TRAIL

We halted near a native house in a small village.

Stefan started to unload the saddle bags.

And I helped him with the lunch boxes.

"Your Highness? what's the matter? Is there something wrong? I asked impatiently.

"No nothing is wrong, it's just that, the trail is not good for the horses. We need to hike." he answered.

"What?!? You're Highness.. Why you haven't told me that we need to hike before we departed?" Ugh! He is really nerve wracking.

I'm starting to get nervous with my feet, wearing only my leather sandals.

Then someone, an unusual looking man ... with body tattoos, big earring on his nose and he is wearing a feather headdress, walks out from the native house, approached Stefan.

"Your highness!" he bow down. "How can I be of help? he added.

"Hello Oskar, my friend!" Stefan shakes his right hand and tap him in his shoulder and brings him to a hug.

It's a kind of ritual greeting of the natives.

"So you see, we will be hiking today! I am with my special guest here... Princess Beatrix of Oblonsky" he turned to look at me.

Then Oskar ..bow down showing respect and said " Pleased to meet you, your Highness!" flashing his widest smile, showing his big white teeth.

I just nodded and feeling awkward.

I'm afraid to do the ritual greetings.

Then Oskar break the silence...

"Your Highness, Please excuse me, I'll bring you some hiking sticks to help you with your trek, give me a minute."

Oskar left us alone outside his native house.

And while waiting...

I examined the lunch box bag, it's a kind of one strap bookbag. I decided to put it in a crossbody position for an easy hike.

Then, I saw Stefan managed to put up the camping bag to his back by himself! that's quite a big bag to carry.

Now.. I started to feel worried again.

This is the first time that I'll be hiking in a mountain.

Since, Nana Irina and Leonid do not allow me to hike for my safety.

I'm really hoping that everything will be okay.

Oskar returned with four hiking sticks and hand out two hiking sticks each of us.

Then he said to Stefan " Please be careful at the beginning of the trail Your Highness, black bears are being spotted on the area lately."

We thanked Oskar and bid goodbye.

Black bears?

Haven't seen any bears my whole life!

Stefan looks at me... and I felt skeptical.

"Are you okay My Lady?" he asked.

I couldn't utter a word.

I just nodded.

We leave and started our hike to the beginning of the trail.

We are welcomed by woody scent and sweet smells of flowers.

We reached the entryway with wide parking area outside.

A small signage written "Harding Icefield Trail" 8.2mile round trip.

My eyes widened and felt astonished.

That's quite a hike!

"Are you afraid, My Lady?" he asked teasingly.

"No, I'm not.. I'm fine, Your Highness! " I said in irritation.

I'm worried with my feet. If I have known, I should have changed my footwear! I muttered.

"Let's then start our hiking, and be sure to make use of the hiking sticks when the trail become dense." he said.

"Yes, I will, thank you for the reminder, Your Highness!" And we started to walk.

The footpaths are made of rocks and stones, it's a rocky road trail, the hiking sticks are truly helpful in this kind of trail.

We passed through a small bridge with small valley of waters flowing.

I felt a refreshing feeling.

Then a little resting hut for hikers on the side of the trail.

Stefan asked if I'm tired and wanted to rest.

But I declined.

As we continue our hike...

my eyes is feasting on the thick greens and lush vegetation on each side of the trail.

Welcoming us with different kind of flowers and raspberry bushes.

It feels like ... I'm in a different world.

My soul is singing in an utmost joy!

Stefan picked some raspberries.

Then, we continued our journey on our trek.

Then we passed through the heather filled meadows...the purple heather flowers bring sparks in my eyes.

Around two miles from the entryway, we have reached the Exit Glacier as Stefan announced cheerfully.

Then he pointed out the massive chunk of ice, carving like a valley.

"Do you see that? That's thousand of iced compressed together."

"That's splendidly beautiful!" and I gasped.

He look at me ...

His eyes... outlined a feeling of fondness.

Then he asked....

"Aren't you hungry My Lady? We already passed our lunch time."

"Oh..I forgotten about it Your Highness ..by just looking at the beautiful scenery!" I replied.

"We need to eat..we still have to hike above the trees, the summit" he said while unpacking the camping bag.

He laid out a picnic blanket.

And approached me..

Helping me with the lunch box.

Then.. we are settled.

We are enjoying the view and the food.

He offered me some coffee from the thermos flask and I warmly accept it.

I smiled and say "Thank you.. Your Highness! I felt fortunate to be here."

He just nodded and smiled.

We collected our things and started to our journey again.

And as we continue on the ridge...

The trail.. all covered in ice!

I called out to Stefan.

"Your highness, my feet is freezing cold. I couldn't continue." I stammered.

I started to retreat and move when...I fall into the ground, my legs..is having muscle cramps.

Stefan immediately approached me.

And carefully raised my body from the ground and carried me, looking for a spot without any ice.

He walked briskly.. withstanding the weight he carried.

And we are back to Exit Glacier location, where he laid me down in the ground and stretched my legs and start massaging my feet up to my legs.

I felt relieved from my leg cramps.

"You should have changed your footwear earlier..My Lady..Are you feeling better now?" he said in a composed manner.

"I'm so..sorry..Your Highness.." I stammered.. I started feeling cold.

He took the thermos flask and let me drink the warm coffee.

I finished the coffee and I'm feeling better.

Stefan and I, decided that we will return home before it gets dark.

And as we are started to walk back to the trail, we saw two black bear cubs.

And then their mama bear behind them.

"Your highness! " I whispered and feeling frightened.