Nick Fury Learns a Lesson

After returning to Arkansas and Missouri, a few additions were made to the group of Friends traveling with me. The first is Zecora. She is on a quest to find her lost My Little Pony Sister, who disappeared on the first leg of our journey.

Zecora: A Pony with a quest

The second is Prince Eric on his mighty steed. He joined because Giraffe was hesitant about continuing. He is a steadying presence for the whole group.

The whole crew!
Clockwise from lower left:
Pikachu, Nick Fury, Giraffe, Prince Eric, Bulldozer, Zecora (center)

Not long after hitting the road, we started noticing a change in Nick Fury. He was quieter; less taunting and argumentative. One day he showed up wearing a new orange belt. He claimed it was because he was tired of being so hard to find in a the pictures. From someone who prides himself on his stealth, that didn't sound right. Later, I saw Nick approach Zecora and say, "Like my belt? It's bold, kinda like your necklace."

Ahhh! Makes sense now....

Everyone on Main Street in Grand Lake, CO
Does Nick's new belt help?

Since everyone was still getting used to each other, we were in Colorado several days before I took them on an excursion. Remembering the bickering that took place in Idaho, we started with a short jaunt near the town (and lake) of Grand Lake.

They were so upbeat and cooperative, we all decided to check out some of the trails near the headwaters of the Colorado River. Before heading up, I made a quick stop for coffee and almost lost Bulldozer to some wild ideas.

Bulldozer was just a little to captivated by this title.

Fortunately, Prince Eric was able to appeal to Bulldozer's nobler side, reminding him that true bulldozers help create, not destroy. Somewhat reluctantly, Bulldozer came away.

Soon after, we reached the trailhead and headed off! Spirits were high and adventure was coursing through our veins. We only had a couple hours and we were going to make them count!

Mountains, ho!!!

We've got this, Team!

One of the Never Summer Mountains
(no friends pictured)

As we were hiking, I noticed that Nick Fury persistently stayed close to Zecora, trying to talk to her. Zecora, for her part, seemed to respect Nick as a fellow warrior, but took no interest in his advances. In an effort to keep things formal, she insisted on calling him "Director Fury".

The remains of a silver miner's cabin.
During this photo, Zecora stepped aside for a moment.
She implied it was to use the restroom, but I suspect it was to get some space from Director Fury.

If this pic had sound, you'd hear Nick belting out "Rocky Mountain High Colorado!"
If you look closely, you will see everyone else rolling their eyes and Zecora grimacing.

Along the banks of the shallow beginnings of a big river

Back at the car and the feeling of adventure still high, we decided tonight was the night to investigate the 20+ year old MRE I'd taken from my parents house. With the help of some tequila, we gathered up and got ready to dissect the questionable package. As I opened my knife, Prince Eric called out, "Wait! Where's Nick?"

He was right. Nick Fury was nowhere to be seen. He was the most eager when the MRE scheme first got mentioned earlier in the afternoon. He wouldn't miss this unless something was wrong.

"Where's Nick?!"

The last time anyone in the group remembered seeing him was at the sight of the last picture by the Colorado River. I ran off up the trail to see if I could see any sign of him. Nothing. I asked a few hikers if they'd seen anything, but no luck. They were sympathetic, though, and offered to keep an eye out.

Returning to the rest of the group with the bad news, everyone was subdued and sad. Even though we no longer had time to heat the meal, we went ahead and opened the MRE anyway, because, as Pikachu stated, "Nick would've wanted it that way." Seeing the tightly sealed packets of food, no one had much of an appetite, not even Giraffe. Noticing that the Tabasco had dried out within its bottle, Bulldozer cried, "Nick has saved us one last time!"

Zecora, although her usual, reserved self, was the only one who appeared unaffected by the loss of Nick Fury.

This Tabasco dried out within a glass bottle with a sealed lid,
that was enclosed in a plastic baggy,
and wrapped in the larger air-tight package

Leaving everyone to grieve in their own way, I left to join the ranger-led night hike. Walking towards the trail for the third time that evening, something caught my eye.

It was Nick!

He was standing on the sign at the entrance. Whooping with delight, I quickly scooped him up and stowed him safely in my pocket. I explained to the other hikers what was going on. One man said he'd seen Nick on the ground earlier. Somebody else must have picked him up.

(Sidenote: If you read my other post about Colorado, this incident is another reason that I think the night-hike group didn't know what to make of me.)

That night, everyone was overjoyed to have Nick back with us. Pikachu gave him a hug. Giraffe offered him her favorite snacks. Bulldozer offered to do all his digging for him. Eric made a speech.

When asked what happen, Nick's only explanation was, "I was stupid." He glanced quickly over to Zecora, who nodded her head slightly in return.

After that day, Nick remains fairly subdued. He also keeps a more respectful distance from Zecora. He seems to be a changed man.

Happily reunited and enjoying the Flat Top Mountain Trail

Although, the other day, I overheard Nick getting fired up during a political discussion with Prince Eric. Zecora tapped her hoof lightly, and, with some struggle, he stopped almost immediately.

This might get interesting...