We packed a snack and headed to the car. Martha laid down in the back and Linda and I sat up front.

"We don't have to bring the wheelchair," I told her as we got her into the van with her camera.

"No?" She asked, her face brightening. I knew she hated that thing, though she never complained of it.

"I think you're strong enough, and we won't be walking too much," I said as I started the engine up.

"Okay," She smiled.

We drove for a while through several back roads winding to nowhere. Finally, we came to a place where the sun shone through the cracks between the trees in the most endearing way possible. I pulled off the road a bit and removed the key from the ignition, coming around the van to open the doors for Linda and Martha. Martha jumped out and ran around the trees, always staying close by. I helped Linda out and we sat beneath a beautiful weeping willow and watched Martha run around, whilst we bit into the apples and peanut butter we'd brought.

The wind held the lovely scent of pine needles and soft earth as it swept through the trees. The whitish cream, bright orange and red leaves rustled in the branches of the maple and birch trees. Linda snapped lots of photographs of the leaves and of Martha, now lying down beside us.

It was so beautiful we'd lost track of time, finally looking up at near sundown.

"Oh, Linda, we've got to go," I told her, pointing at the sun's position.

She nodded and smiled. "Thank you for taking me out here, it was wonderful,"

"Sure," I wrapped my arm around her waist again as I helped her to her feet. We made our way to the van and I eased her into the seat, then I called Martha, who happily hopped in.

~~~

We had a little trouble finding the way in the dark, but it was fun anyway. We found a highway that looked familiar and we followed it, which eventually lead to my road.

"I've always wondered where that road went," I laughed. Once again I opened the doors for them and we stepped inside, happy to be home again, but missing the woods. "We should do that more often," I thought out loud, both Linda and Martha silently agreeing.