Soon the entire village was a buzz with the news of Tina’s condition.  The usual ritual of packing up the yurts and loading the bundles onto the horses and yaks for transportation was accomplished quickly.  All of Bette’s friends descended upon Tina refusing to let her lift a thing.

With so many helping hands around Tina had little more to do than point and direct all the activity.  Feeling a little useless Tina went to complain to Bette.  He only laughed “Enjoy the attention now my sweet.  It won’t last forever.”

Tina still frustrated had to laugh with him.  It did feel nice to be pampered.  With all the help they were packed and ready to depart in no time.  Tina was excited to begin this trip.  While it would be the first time she would be far away from her parents she never gave it a thought.  It was the way that Bette made her feel, safe, secure and loved.  As they pushed off, Tina knew she would travel to the end of the earth as long as it was with Bette.

The tribe traveled as an extended family with Bette, Tina and three of Bette’s best friends and family.  This made up their extended family for the next eight months.  The rest of the tribe broke up into similar small groups.  This scattering away from each other resulted in Tina’s family heading northwest, Bette’s heading south and the other members heading east.  It was Bette’s group destination to head south west.  Tina had never before been down the mountain this far. 

Traveling through a beautiful valley, Tina watched in amazement at how tall the trees became.  Towering up to the sky, Bette teased Tina about not watching where they were going because her head was always looking up.  This territory was familiar to Bette having come this way every year since he was a little boy.  But today he it was all anew, seeing through Tina’s eyes.  He took pleasure in pointing out different sights of interest as they rode along.

After two days of riding the group emerged through a grove of tall trees to reveal a large meadow.  The meadow was full of tall grass blowing in the breeze.   Bette rode up beside Tina to point out the creek that ran off to the edge of the meadow.  “With this much ample grass we should be able to stay here for quite a while.”