She had planned to eat lunch in the courtyard behind the barn, but because a noisy crowd of people in pink CarCity jackets had arrived, she headed for the road that went up the hill on the North side. According to the map, it was bordered by a river. Along the river was a hiking trail. She would take the hiking trail. (Clara's route up the hill was from the South).

Helen left the village, found the trail. Began the last leg of her journey. Although it was possible to make the top of the hill by sundown, because the hilltop would be visible in the air for miles, it was not a good place to camp. It would be safer to camp a few miles from the top and arrive at the meeting place as planned. Never once did she consider that Clara would not be there.