Has Anybody Seen Sasquatch?

By Daryl D. Daryl

Who believes in Sasquatch, Bigfoot, or Yeti? Everyone has heard the stories, but most people don’t think them to be true. Earnest is a city slicker from the East. He flies to the wilderness, rents a car, and manages to find his way to a place so remote that almost nobody ever goes there. He is soon reported missing when his rental car is not returned.

Deputy Jackson has two interests in life: his ranch and his job with Search and Rescue. His peaceful existence is upset when he’s tasked with finding Earnest. Jackson does locate the car, and it appears the missing man left in a hurry, perhaps spooked or scared. While searching, Jackson crosses paths with Ginny, a girl raised in a shack beside the bayou.

With the help of friends—and Ginny—Jackson continues his search, leading him to a ghost town filled with some strange folk. He’s still not sure what happened to Earnest, but Jackson is beginning to suspect his disappearance might indeed have something to do with a big, brown, hairy beast.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Sep 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665724319

Daryl D. Daryl

Daryl D. Hansen spent most of his life in Colorado. During that time, he and his family spent nineteen years in the mountains, living in the small town of Yampa, near the ski resort of Steamboat Springs. Daryl was eventually involved with the sales and service of cash registers for the next twenty years. He is now retired and living in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Copyright © 2022 Daryl D. Hansen.

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-2432-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2430-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2431-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022909501

Archway Publishing rev. date: 09/16/2022

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1

He was becoming a little tired. He had been driving since early morning. This was only the third day of his vacation, and he was in no hurry to get anyplace special. He saw signs of a town coming up, so he decided to stop at the very first place he came to that had any sort of a sign pertaining to food.

As it happened, that was a drive-in, but no luck there. He pulled in just close enough to see the closed sign. One of those lunch and dinner places, he guessed, and it was still early in the day. As he turned around, he saw, just a block down the street, a small sign that said ‘Koffee Klatch’.

There was sort of a hitching rail out front, but only three cars, and still an empty spot, so he parked and went inside. It was a very small establishment, with only a half dozen small tables, and most of them were full. An aroma enveloped him, one that carried a promise of something wonderful, perhaps even freshly cooked.

He found a seat at the one empty table, which was covered with an old fashioned red and white checkered tablecloth. Soon, a waitress appeared, with a cheerful smile and a coffeepot. He turned over the cup that was sitting in the saucer on his table, and she poured him a cupful of black liquid. Howdy, stranger. What’ll it be?

I don’t know. Do you have a menu?

Nope. Used to, but they’re more trouble than they’re worth. You have your choice of pancakes, or donuts, or cinnamon rolls.

Freshly made, I suppose?

Yep, right out of the oven.

Guess I will go for the cinnamon roll, then.

He sipped his coffee, which was surprisingly good, although quite a bit stronger than he was used to. In a few minutes, the waitress returned with a cinnamon roll. It was the same size as the plate it was on, and when he took his first bite, he was ready to award the prize for best baked goods anywhere. The waitress appeared again to refill his coffee.

A couple of the other tables emptied out, and some more people came in, all talking and laughing. It looked like this was the morning hangout for the locals, and a lot of them were wearing western clothes. Might be ranchers, he thought.

He expected a check, but none appeared, so he walked over to the counter, with his wallet in his hand. Soon, the same waitress appeared, standing in front of the little cash register. He expected her to give him a price, but she was looking at him expectantly. He happened to glance at the display case next to the counter. It had one of those warming lights in it, and a whole pile of foil wrapped somethings. What is that? he asked.

Breakfast burritos. Like a meal to go she said. Better give me a couple of those.

He left clutching a paper bag. Not bad, he thought, breakfast and lunch, all for less than ten bucks. Better than anything he had ever seen in the city.

Nice little town, he mused, as he drove down the highway, which seemed to be the only through street in town, although he saw some side streets, on the right, it looked like they ended shortly against the bluffs that edged the town on one side.

Nothing much to look at, kind of dry dirt sort of thing, and not very high.

On the other side, the streets ended at the river, which he had been following, more or less, most of the morning. He passed a little park that seemed to be the city center, with a grocery store and a bar on the other side of the street. Then, close to the end of town, he spotted a gas station, on the left, so he pulled in.

While an old-fashioned gas pump filled up his tank, he looked across the street, where a whole bunch of cars were parked in front of a building. The sign said, The Hungry Moose and a smaller sign, lower down said Eats and drinks.

Must be where people go for serious breakfast. Might have to stop there if I come back this way.

The pumps had no credit card readers, so he had to go inside to pay for the gas. He also bought a candy bar and a package of ‘Old Red’ gum.

There was a sort of parking area, just before he left town, so he stopped there a minute, to get his bearings, and look at the map his friend had given him. Great place to fish for brook trout, if you get over that way, while you’re on vacation.

From his vantage point, he could see the river, as it passed the town on the left, and ahead there were a range of mountains that were like a stone wall at the end of the valley. He had to look twice to see what appeared to be a vertical crack in the rock, where the river seemed to vanish into a wall of gray granite. The highway seemed to go in a different direction now, turning north to head out of town. According to his map, he had to go six miles on the highway, and then turn left on a smaller road that would take him to the point where his friend had put an X with a red marker.

Nice little village, he was thinking, as he started up the road, but this country, once you left the river, seemed to be somewhat dry and desolate, everything just dirt, and little hills where even weeds did not seem to grow. He only passed two signs, the first a little board on a stick affair, that pointed right, saying, ‘Muddy Creek Road’, and the other one that read ‘Speed limit, 50 mph’.

He was beginning to wonder if his friend had given him a bum steer, when he saw the little sign to the left. ‘Hinman Ranch Road’ this one said. Well, he had come this far. Might as well try it. He had only gone about a mile when the scene began to change. First there was a pasture, with green grass, and some black cows grazing, and then a hay field, and then he came to what he supposed was the ranch. There were tractors and what he guessed to be hay equipment, parked on the left side of the road, and barns and cattle pens on the right.

He saw no people and no house, but he assumed that it was about lunch time. Maybe they all went home for lunch, or maybe they were done with haying for a day. He was a city slicker. What did he know about such things?

About another mile further along, the scene began to change. It was like he had come to tree line. Not big trees, but very dense, on both sides of the road. There was a small clearing on the left just before he entered the trees, with a big old two-story log house, which appeared to be abandoned, and sadly in need o repair.

Then he drove for miles, with only one little side road, that went off to the left, but he could not see if there were any dwellings there. Nothing he could see but trees, and then the road began to climb, only slightly at first, but becoming steeper and steeper. Finally, he broke out of the trees, where he could look back for only a moment before coming to a switchback to the left, and a steep one to the right, followed by another one to the left. It was all on the side of a very steep hill, and he had the car shifted down to low gear by the time he got through the last switchback.

He had another moment when he could look around for a second. Just the tops of trees in every direction, then the road straightened out, but now there were trees on one side of the road, and some sort of mountain on the other. He strained his neck, trying to look up but could not really tell if there were steep mountains there or only small cliffs. The only thing he was sure of was that the road had climbed rapidly, and he could almost feel the change in elevation, the air being much thinner here.

So, after about another mile, he was greatly relieved to see a little clearing with a small parking area, maybe only room for a couple cars. End of the road, and this was what his friend had told him to watch for. "Don’t go any further" he had said, There is a little dirt road that goes on past that point, but it goes to a ghost town, and you have to have a jeep to get there.

With a sigh of relief, he parked and shut off the ignition.

This was what he came on vacation for, to get away from the traffic and the noise and the stress of the big city.

He walked around the little parking area, stretching his legs, and relieved himself behind a tree, before returning to his car. This is the life he told himself, as he took out the sack with the breakfast burritos in it. He spread them out on the hood of his car and got a soda out of his cooler.

So good he said, looking around at the trees and up at the little white puffy clouds. Should have done this years ago. He spread out another little map, one that his friend had drawn for him. It showed a little trail, going north to a couple of ponds where those brook trout were just waiting for him, he was sure. Opening his trunk, he pulled out his fishing vest, and a little backpack, with a few snack bars and water bottles in it, and put his rod and reel together.

By Jove, he was ready, and he strode up the little trail into the trees, whistling a happy tune, expecting to be back in a couple hours with a creel full of fish.

Oh, Earnest, If you only knew what awaited you.

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2

Jackson Hayworth was late to work this morning, so he unclipped the mike that was attached to the radio mounted just over the top center of the windshield on his Jeep Wrangler.

Haymaker to Base. Do you read me? Over. Okay, Haymaker, this is Base. What’s up?

Not much. Just wanted to let the boss know that I had some cows out this morning. It took a while to get them all rounded up, so I’m going to be a little late to work.

Okay, I’ll let him know. Thanks, Susie.

It was a nice day, the sun was out, and Jackson was feeling good. He was officially a Deputy Sheriff, with the Police Department in Hot Sulphur, but his main duty was Search and Rescue. So far, it had been a quiet summer. No big problems, at least nothing he couldn’t handle.

Captain Tom Haskins came in the front door. He was a big guy, been there for a coon’s age, and beginning to show his age just a little bit, hair turning a bit gray here and there, but his big handlebar mustache was still mostly a rich brown. Susie wondered if maybe he put a little shoe polish in there, once in a while, to keep it that way.

As Tom approached her desk, she told him Jackson called in. Cows are out again, so he’ll be a little late.

What else is new? Tom said, He needs to put a new row of barbed wire on that fence. You sure he just didn’t spend a night out with the boys at the watering hole? That’s usually his reason for being late.

Don’t think so. He only goes there on Saturday night, and this is Tuesday.

Well, no problem, anyway. Don’t think we got anything going on this morning, anyway, do we?

Not much, except I did get a call from some car rental agency. Seems their car was due back a week ago, and they want us to check it out.

Don’t know why they would think we should know where their car is. Well, never mind. Finding things, that’s Jackson’s department. He can get on it when he shows up.

Twenty minutes later, Jackson walked in the front door, stopping long enough to throw his cowboy hat at the peg on the wall nearby. It settled there, while he took his badge out of his pocket, and pinned it on the pocket of his tan shirt.

Morning, Susie. You’re looking mighty fine this mornin’.

Now, Jackson, you silver-tongued devil, you know that ain’t so. I haven’t had a permanent in a month, and my hair looks like I stuck my head in a blender.

That don’t matter, Suze. You’re still the best looking gal in this department.

Hey, I’m the only female in this department, and I’ll have you now, I’m a lady, not one of your gals, as you call them.

Now, Susie, don’t go getting all wound up. I’m just trying to be nice.

Well, you better quit being nice and get to work. You got a call to take care of this morning.

Okay. I’ll get to it, just as soon as I have a cup of coffee. I assume the coffee is ready?

Sure. Just made a pot. Help yourself.

Jackson sat down at his desk, and sipped coffee a while, with his desk chair leaned back and his cowboy boots up on the desk. Finally, he set his empty coffee mug down, put his feet flat on the floor and said, Okay, Suse, we been foolin’ around here long enough. What you got for me?

Got a call from the car rental agency over in the big city. Said some guy rented a car from them and didn’t return it on time. Don’t know if he stole it, or lost it, or what.

Okay. So it’s just a routine car search thing. Why did they call us, here in Hot Sulphur?

Cause the last time the guy’s credit card was used was at the gas station over in Grand River.

Jackson thought about that a minute. What do you suppose a city slicker was doing over in that place anyway? Nothing there but a few old ranchers. Not a place for tourists.

I don’t know, but Tom said to have you check it out. Okay, I might have to go over there and take a look, but I need some information first.

So, what do you need?

First, we need the description of the car, and the license number. Then we need the name and description of the guy it was rented to, and when it was rented, and we need to speak to someone who knew the guy and might have some idea where it was headed. That will do for starters anyway.

Jackson might kid around a lot, but he was deadly serious when he got on the hunt for someone.

Susie said, Okay. I’ll get right on it. She was a wiz on the internet and soon she was pounding out inquiries.

By noon, she came back to Jackson’s desk where he was just finishing up his reports on last week’s job. A hunter had gotten lost in the National Forrest, and it took two days to find him. He was okay, though, just got turned around and went the wrong way, but not hurt. A good result, sometimes they weren’t that lucky.

Here you go she said, and handed him several printouts, which he read over very closely.

So, we’re looking for a red Toyota Corolla, with this license plate, and the credit card used was in the name of Earnest Shakelford. Car was due back a week ago. How come they took so long to report it, I wonder.

It was rented from their satellite office out by the airport. It seems it just took a long time for it to get through to the main office, and then it took them a while, to check it out, and try the man’s home number. There was no answer, there, but they finally tracked down the guy he worked with. His name is Andrew Warren, and he said that Earnest was going on a well- earned vacation. been saving up for it for years.

Did he have any idea where Earnest was going?

That’s the thing. He said the guy didn’t have any special destination. It’s not like he booked any hotels or anything. He was just out for a ride.

So, we don’t really have anything to go on?

Well, except that Andrew said that he had been out here once, and fished for brook trout, and he told Earnest, sort of where that was. Not sure if he was really going there or not.

So, any connection?

He said the fishing spot was over by Grand River, and that’s where the credit card was used last.

Shoot. It looks like I will have to go over there and check it out. It’s quite a ways, but Grand River is in our jurisdiction, isn’t it?

Just barely.

Okay. I’ll leave in the morning. Tell Tom I might be gone a few days. I’ll have to get Fred to keep an eye on my cows.

I’m surprised you keep messing with those cows. You can’t make any money raising cows these days.

Yeah, I know that, but when I was young, my uncle had a ranch that i used to visit. I guess you could say it’s in my blood, or maybe it’s just a bad habit. Can’t seem to shake it.

The next morning, Jackson was on the road early. His destination was on the other side of the Rabbit Ears Range, and any roads that cut through there were little more than jeep trails, so he had to go all the way around, heading south until he came to the Grand River Valley. He headed west, along the river, seeing the occasional fisherman out wading in the river, hoping to hook one of the big brown trout that hid out along there. The groves of trees along the river were interspersed with an occasional ranch, sometimes a hay field, but most of the hay was already in stacks, as summer was getting pretty well along. They had early winters in this country, and those fields could be covered with white, any time after August.

He wondered why that guy, Earnest, had gone looking for brook trout, which were usually found in ponds up in the hills, when bigger fish were to be found right here along the road.

Probably a city slicker that didn’t know any better. Finally, after a two hour drive, he arrived in Grand River.

He didn’t know why this village was called that. Nothing grand about it, but he had been here before, and he knew where to go. He parked in front of the Koffee Klatch café.

Upon entering he was greeted with a cheerful Good morning, Jackson

Hi, Kate, how are you?

Fine She was already pouring a cup of coffee for him at the table in the corner.

What’s your pleasure this morning?

‘I will have a stack of pancakes, with a cinnamon roll for dessert.

Okay, we had a big crowd this morning, early, but there might be one left.

While he ate, Kate sat down at the table and watched him. She knew him from high school, and she had always been kind of sweet on him, but then, all the girls in school were always in love with Jackson, and he never seemed to get serious with any of them.

I didn’t expect to see you here this time of year. Are you looking for somebody that’s lost?

Not sure yet. All we have so far is a report of a missing car. Any strangers come through here, about ten days ago?

She looked out the window, while she thought about it. Yeah, there was a stranger came in here, about that time. He drove a red Toyota, I think, parked about where you’re parked now.

What else can you tell me about him?

Not much. Just an average looking guy. Had that city look about him, you know. Maybe about 40 years old. He had a cinnamon roll and coffee and bought two breakfast burritos to take with him.

Early in the morning?

Well, not early, but earlier than this, the breakfast crowd was just finishing up when he left.

Jackson finished his breakfast, and when he left, he also bought two breakfast burritos to take with him.

He had another stop to make, so he drove to the end of town and stopped at the gas station.

Going inside, he approached the attendant, sitting on a stool behind the counter, who was giving him a wary eye.

One of those guys, Jackson thought, who gets nervous when he sees a badge.

Morning he said to the guy, I’m Deputy Jackson with the Search and Rescue Department. Don’t need anything. Just a question about a man who might have come in here a while back.

The man behind the counter visibly relaxed. Morning. I’m Chet. What can I do for you?

A man, driving a red Toyota, used his credit card here about ten days ago. Wondered if you might have noticed him. Yeah, I seen him. Don’t get many strangers in here. He filled up his car and bought some gum or something.

Did he say anything? Maybe mention where he was going?

Nope. Afraid I can’t help you there.

Did you happen to notice which way he was headed when he left?

Seems like he took off on the road out of town. What’s out that way?

Nothing much. Muddy Creek Road, and the Hinman Ranch. There’s an old road goes up into the forest and a couple people live up that way. Not much there. Is that guy missing?

Well, at the moment, it’s the car we’re looking for. The rental agency said it didn’t come back.

I hope the guy didn’t try to take the old road over the pass. You know, some of those jeep clubs used to come up here every summer to go to Copper Spur. Last Spring, during the runoff, that road washed out completely. I think the last group that tried it lost a jeep back there. Anyway, that’s what they told me when they stopped here on their way back home.

Thanks. You’ve been a great help.

Sure. Let me know if you find the guy, okay? I will let you know if he shows up here again.

That’s a deal.

"Amazing how helpful the locals can be, when they decide that it’s not a threat to one of their own." thought Jackson, as he got back into his Jeep.

Across the road there were a few cars in front of the Hungry Moose. He wondered if it was late breakfast customers or early lunch.

He put the Jeep in gear and headed out of town. Good road for a ways. He saw the little sign that said ‘Muddy Creek Road. Definitely not the way to go, so he continued until he saw the sign, pointing to the left, that said ‘Hinman Ranch’.

He took a close look at the black cows grazing in the pasture. "Wow. They’re raising purebred black Angus. I give a lot to have some of those."

When he came to where the hay equipment was parked along the road, he stopped. It looked like a couple guys were doing some maintenance.

Hi, I’m Jackson, with the county Search and Rescue. Greetings. I’m Wad and this is Charlie. Is somebody lost?

Not sure. Right now, I’m just looking for a red Toyota. Wonder if you might have seen it go by, maybe week before last.

They both shook their heads. Nope, that would have been right in the middle of haying. Pretty busy right then.

"Yeah, I didn’t expect you would. Is there anybody living on up this