This archive of my writing reflects my opinions and experiences. Those who expect political correctness and proper grammar may not appreciate them. But for those folks that like a good story or want to peek what goes on in my sordid mind, I try to provide good reading for your otherwise dull day.
This story I sent as an email reply to my sister, who was curious about my time on the Applacian Trail. Comments to it are appreciated at jimc@tough.com.
Yup, I think the time Ma came up to get me was when I spent two(?) nights up on Bald Mountain. Walking up the trail with a hiker that was doing "the long walk", we came across a bear cub bounding down the path in our direction. It took off to our right and bounced down a draw. We looked at each other and possibly had a telepathic experience, "Where's Mama?" We didn't have to wait long, as we heard Mama bellow from our left. We froze. Mama cut off above us, with another cub on her heels. The baby downhill let out a bark, and Mama rushed off to him, leaving a path of small broken trees in her wake.
My newfound friend and I looked at each other for a while, still frozen in his tracks. Then he started pounding his knee. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" he yelled. "I could have got her picture!" I just laughed at him, and thought it was nice to still have my hide.
Another trip I made was a three day stint crossing Bigelow and Little Bigelow Mountains. I made it to the top of Bigelow by noon the first day, and sat down to have some lunch. The scenery was beautiful, and I was enjoying the sun on my face and a nice view of Sugarloaf. A little black cloud came out from behind the mountain range, and started heading my way.
As it came nearer, I started packing my stuff up. If it was going to rain, I wanted to see the rest of the mountain peak before I had to get down below the tree line. I put my heavy pack on and got up. The little cloud was quite close, and I could hear the grumbling of short thunder bursts. I went to check out a pile of rocks that was on the highest point, and to read what it said on the sign there.
Just then it became dark. I saw a blue tinge on everything around me. The rocks were glowing, and flickering little blue sparks of St. Elmo's fire. Thunder rumbled right over my head. I started to run, not thinking about how the attractive the aluminum frame pack made me. The hot smell of ozone came up through my nose and made me a little dizzy. I jumped into the treeline just as a bolt of lightning struck the peak of the mountain. I blacked out.
When I woke up, I couldn't feel my legs, and couldn't hear anything. My vision was very blurry, and when it cleared up a bit, I found I was straddling a small tree trunk. I looked up and saw that I must have fallen ten feet, groin first, onto the log with a 45 pound pack on my back. After some time, I was able to get the pack off my back, then rolled over and fell on top of it. I just lay there for a while.
Though I was curious where the lightning struck, going back uphill wasn't an option in my condition. I got myself a walking stick and made it round the mountain to the Appalacian Trail. A short distance later, I came across the next milestone, a lean-to that I was going to pass by. I stopped, and the sun came back out for a while, and even though it was early, I cooked myself a good supper. A little rabbit came up to me, and I shared my supper. That night, we slept in the lean-to, with the rabbit curled up to my neck and my hand holding my nuts.
My friend and I are planning to go back up this summer, if we can get to it. Never made it to Katahdin, but that might be a nice trip. I'd probably be more inclined to find the Micmac burial ground that inspired Pet Semetary.