Rolling my head to the side, I try to curl up into a more comfortable position. My whole body is sore and I just want to keep sleeping. As I try to drift back to sleep; my groggy mind registers that my left cheek lays against a rough and itchy surface. When did my sheets get so uncomfortable? Time to buy new ones. The prickly sensation is irritating enough for me to reluctantly crack open my crusty eyes. Huh. Blinking rapidly as my eyes adjust to bright light, I realize I am not in my bed after all. Actually, I’m not even in a building. Wiping my eyes to remove the crumbles, I glance from side to side. I seem to be leaning against a tree on the edge of a small meadow. A circle of large trees surround this patch of sun filled grass. There are no other living creatures besides a few insects flitting across the stems of green. Where the hell am I? 

I suck in a large breath as a sharp pain spikes through my head. “Ahhhh!!!” echoes my scream amongst the meadows foliage. Flashes assault the inside of my squeezed shut eyes. Images that slowly come together into a medium I can understand. Oh shit. As quickly as the pain stabbed me, it vanishes; leaving me with new questions and a semblance of an answer. I was driving to my favorite hiking trail in Colorado when a buck ran across the mountain road. Panicked, I did what you're not supposed to and yanked the wheel to the side. Down my truck fell as we speedily rolled through bushes only to crash land into a tree. My head snapped forward hitting the steering wheel where an airbag refused to deploy. I could dazedly feel liquid drip down the side of my face as I fell into unconsciousness. 

Okay. Car accident. Got it. But… how did I end up in a meadow? I glance down at myself, checking for injuries. Nope, none. Not even any blood. I reach up and wipe my face where I knew I had bled from earlier. Still nothing. This is weird. I look around me again, still no signs of living beings but my hiking backpack is right next to me. That’s good, I can use that. I may not know where I am or what happened but I sure as hell know how to survive. Okay, breathe. Deep breaths. In and out. Survival basics 101. What can you use? 

I stretch my sore body out of its crumpled state. All of my muscles feel as if I exercised them for the first time. I climb onto my feet to continue my stretches. Hands above head, back bent backwards, reach down and touch toes, and finally twist from side to side. Well, nothing seems seriously wrong. That’s good at least. I can handle sore muscles. I plop back to the ground, reaching out for my hiking bag. Okay, inventory. One black hiking bag with three attached paracord bracelets. You never know when rope may come in handy. Checking the series of small pockets I find a compass, emergency whistle, flashlight with extra batteries, firestarter, wire saw, bug spray, sunscreen, personal wipes, an extra pair of undies, and wool socks. In the two main pockets I find my 20 ounce hydro flask, a 6” fixed steel hunting knife, 18” steel latin machete, steel tri-fold shovel, 300 piece first aid kit, 24 chewable survival tabs, an emergency poncho, emergency blanket, emergency water filter, emergency bivvy bag, toilet paper, bushcraft gloves, trail snacks, and pbj sandwich for lunch. Now, what’s on my person? 

Checking my cargo pants pockets I remove a pack of gum, my car keys, wallet, and cell phone. I’m wearing a long sleeve shirt, fleece jacket, and windbreaker. My undergarments consist of wool socks, underwear, and a sports bar. I do have on cotton gloves and a beanie as well. Oddly enough, I know that I wasn't wearing all this when the truck crashed. The jackets, gloves, and beanie were laying in the passenger seat. Did someone put them on me and move me here? There doesn't seem to be any sign that another human was around. Glancing around my immediate area I look for tracks, broken branches, or any other sign of a large animal such as a human would leave. Nothing. I’m not an amature tracker either. A conservationist and naturalist should obviously know how to follow the animals they study. Hmmmm… no point in thinking too hard about it. I need to continue with survival basics.