October 10, 2007
10pm
Walking back to the cabin, on a trail overlooking the famous Camp Water of the North Umpqua, Mike turned to his dad, "How did you know I was here?"
"Well, apparently you’ve got a lot of friends who care about you. Word travels fast. I got tipped off. Knowing you, I had a feeling that you would come here first."
There was a considerable silence then, filled only with the sound of the water heading toward the Pacific.
"I needed to come here. It was a tough time Dad. I didn't know any other way to come home."
And, like a week earlier, when he was a world away and beginning this journey home, a tear quietly fell down his cheek.
Stan Dixon put his arms around his son, pulled him in and whispered, "Its ok, it’s cool…"