<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/6dSfWzO.jpg)</div><strong>Name:</strong>James Martinez (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=250173.msg12388433#msg12388433)<br/><strong>City | Date | Time:</strong>Muir Woods National Monument, California | August 6, 2017 | 09.45 AM<br/><strong>Tagging | Mentioning:</strong>Julie (Closed)<br/><strong>Content:</strong>Going for a morning hike, meeting someone new<br/><hr/><br/>Morning had begun to the sound of chirping songbirds. With sun rays peaking in from low on the horizon. James had been up fairly early and had spent an hour soaking in the cool of the morning within the Muir woods. The tall redwoods always kept it cool, but some days the heat managed to seep its way in. Today felt as if it might be one of those days. No morning fog or mist. No overhead clouds. The usual dreary weather of the bay had gone elsewhere.<br/><br/>During the hour, he had sat atop a nearby fallen redwood. Cross legged. Remaining quiet and largely motionless. Often closing his eyes to better enjoy the subtle or not so subtle sounds of the forest. His home lay a good distance from the main road of this area. Thus he never had to hear the sound of traffic taint the natural majesty of the forest. He kept his breathing calm and subdued. Relaxing his body and mind for the day ahead.<br/><br/>After his time outside, he had returned for his workout. Which had been interrupted by a frisky Anna. They hadn't gone the whole way, as she had plans to attend. But she liked to remind him of her affection in various ways. Sometimes leaving him wanting. Wound up for the day until night came or they could have some private time during some other period of the day. Once done with his workout, he decided to take a hike. He'd already hiked all around his property, so decided to go some place else he hadn't been or had seen less of.<br/><br/>A short drive later, he had arrived at a lesser known trail head. Armed with his camel-pack, snacks, and sunglasses perched upon his forehead. It was still early in the day and he had plenty of time before he'd make his appearance at the gym. Anna would have opened the gym by now. Giving a private training session to a wealthy client. A young woman who didn't like the crowded atmosphere of the gym later in the day. Plus she seemed to have a mild aversion to him. James bet she didn't like men a whole lot and not just him. Perhaps lesbian or had a bad experience in her past. Anna made her feel comfortable and had done an excellent job in keeping the woman as a client.<br/><br/>Thus, James didn't need to show up anytime soon. Anna had it covered. With that last thought, he walked onto the trail and out into the forest.<br/><br/><br/>Thirty minutes into his hike, he heard a wild sounding cry. It didn't sound like an animal. Instead a person. He stopped. Becoming alert. Had someone gotten hurt? Definitely possible considering how dense the floor covering could get. Going off trail could be risky when what looked like stable footing, suddenly gave way. Leaving an ankle twisted, an arm banged up or broken. Despite the risks, the woods weren't that dangerous regardless of the hazard. James had hiked in Elephant and Tiger country. Far, far more dangerous.<br/><br/>James turned in the direction of the cry and headed off the trail at a good clip. Careful not to step on what he had learned to be the more unstable patches of the 'ground'. After a few minutes, he saw a young woman run up to a rock outcropping and began climbing it. He relaxed. Just a visitor having some off-trail fun. Still, she was pretty and looked to be a good climber. James decided to watch before announcing himself.<br/><br/>He waited until she made it to the top, then called out a greeting. “Hello there,” he said in a friendly manner. Giving her a smooth smile. When she got a look at him, she saw that he wore grey shorts with blue stripes down the sides and a blue T-shirt. “I heard your cry and came looking to make sure you hadn't gotten hurt. Glad to see its just you having fun. Mind if I join you up there?”