Coop was now on the floor, coloring. Brian had picked up crayons and a few coloring books. The child was softly humming as he colored the pages. That morning, Brian’s heart had been shattered when Copper had called him daddy. Coop hadn’t noticed the slip. Brian’s eyes stung with tears at the remembrance. He and Christa had thought about having children, but their lives had been busy ones. Then, she’d gotten cancer. By then, they didn’t think it was a good idea. Now he had a child, by way of a pandemic. Each day saw Cooper more resilient and coping.
Brian had picked up propane bottles along with a camping cook stove. He figured he’d need that. Once he got to where he was going, he planned to pick up more propane bottles. It would at least last him a good while. He’d also started picking up dry goods, TP, plastic sheeting rolls, duct tape, nails, screws and other odds and ends. He wasn’t sure what he’d need it for, but if ever he did, he’d have it on hand. It was after all, the end of the world. No one would ever make them again. Also, once the gasoline was gone, he’d be confined to where ever he settled.
Next, he had to figure out where to go. He knew that though. It was where he’d gone hunting with his friends and camping with Christa. R.B. Winter State Park, a couple hours north west of him. There were numerous parks in Pennsylvania, and he was sure he could choose any one of them, but he was most familiar with Winter.
He’d hunted and fished there for the last thirty years or so. He and Christa had walked the trails and had enjoyed the wildness of it. He figured that location would be his best bet. There was plenty of space there and cabins. Worst case, he could take over an RV or find one and tow it behind his truck. He knew he’d not live in a tent, that wouldn’t do for winter. He had a child to care for now. On that thought, he wrote down chain saw on his list. He’d pick up a couple as well as extra chains and oil. He’d have to cut down a lot of trees for winter firewood. He’d also swing by the salvage yard and see about picking up a small potbelly stove along with flashing. The cabins didn’t have fireplaces.
So much to think about and do before he had to leave. Once the gas was gone, he’d be stuck at Winter Park, so he needed to get this right. He was a handyman, and tinkered quite a bit. He smiled, remembering Christa complaining about all his projects in the garage. Most unfinished. He loved keeping busy and there never seemed to be enough time in the day. Now, he had all the time in the world. He’d make a few trips. He’d also put a lock on the cabin door, he wasn’t sure how many people would be there, but he didn’t want to leave supplies there without locking them up. He’d make a run this afternoon and drop off a truck load and get a lay of the land.
He went down in the basement. He wanted to check his rifles. He pulled out his Mossberg Patriot, he’d cleaned it two months ago. He also had his childhood rifle, the Timber Classic Marlin. It was the first weapon he’d used to hunt with, with his father. He’d hunted at the state park as well. He smiled at the memory of his first deer, he’d been so proud. He’d been thirteen. He’d have to teach Cooper to hunt, when he got older. He’d also need to teach the child not to touch the firearms. He’d have to keep locks on them. He didn’t want a tragedy.
He’d have to load all of that as well. First things first. He needed to get over to the state park to find a place to live. To see what conditions were. He hoped that if others lived there, that they were good and decent people. He knew people lost their minds in horrendous conditions. He’d seen it in his work. Devastation brought out the best and the worst in people. He didn’t know if others would head out there as well, because there were so many choices, also, he didn’t know how many people were left alive. He’d not seen very many. He suspected that R.B. Winter Park might be a place where others would congregate to live. Perhaps he could join up with others and make a small community? Help each other to survive. Though it was late spring, winter would be there regardless of how ready he was or wasn’t. There wouldn’t be anyone coming in to save the day. Whatever they could find, hunt or scavenge, was all they would have.
He’d have to pick up clothing for Cooper, long term clothing. He could swing by a few clothing stores and stock up. He’d also need to pick up a few things for himself as well. He’d have to plan for wear and tear and no way to replace it once the gas was gone and he was stuck in one place. So many things to think about and plan for. He’d need to get it right the first time, there was little room for error. He pulled out his case and put the Mossberg in. He pulled out boxes of shells and
