You find your self in the passenger seat, looking out the window. As you look down to find you are close to the edge of a steep cliff. You notice your heart beating faster. You question in your mind. "Why am I trusting some one else to drive me?" "Would I not feel better if I were behind the wheel?" Yet you know the driver has been on this road many time. They have more experience and knowledge of what lies ahead.
Suddenly you take in a deep breath and release it. At this time you are going faster and faster. Everything flying by like a whirlwind, Yet you are glued to the window, Trying to take in the view.
With no warning a steep grade appears, a very large coal truck is in your way. Your are now going so slow a rabbit could pass you by. The driver informs you. "Be grateful we are behind him. Because when we reach a down hill grade, his weight will not let him go slow. You just may find him on your bumper pushing you along." Your fears now sink into your stomach. Breath,breath. Stay calm. You ask "Are we close yet ?"The driver say "No, we have not reached the top yet. It will be near the entrance to the cemetery. Where friends and family rest.:"
We then believe we are on a bit of level ground . But, this is just an illusion. We are still climbing. little by little, while experiencing many snaky curves. You will then see house after house spaced many acres apart. One after another then come and go. You notice level flat ground is very rare and to be treasured, if it can even be found.
Suddenly you notice you are entering a place that has stood still in time. Sure the trees are taller and many more have grown. But the way of life has not changed much at all. Many still live off the land. Yet this is kept a secret, because there is no view of tilled ground. NO crops in sight. Where are the chickens, cows and pigs ? They are all hidden from view, back deep in the woods. Up and down the sides of the hills, some where in the past or present. They were or are there. But till you get off the road and explore on foot, you will never know what hides behind the forest of tall trees. But you dare not trek this land. Hidden dangers lurk under rocks, and in the bush. Many snakes, a few bear, maybe even a moon shiner or two. Mountain lion watching your every move. All these thoughts rolling around in your head. Make you wounder if you will even be able to go to bed tonight.
You know from a past visit that you may wake up in a cloud. Mistaking it for fog you will see nothing. And find your self looking for air. trying to breath you go out side not knowing there is no fresh air to be found. You hope for a breeze. Where is the fan,the air conditional? Not one modern convenience to be found. You do not realize Look in your car. There may be air conditioning in there. So you just suffer and breath slowly, till the moment the sun comes out and the clouds move on. Then you are grateful you can breath normally again. You are now at ease and ready to start your day. But in the back of your mind, lies fear, The dangers of those little creatures that lurk in the wake.
So you opt not to explore the land on foot. When you know you did this with ease, before you were age 4. You can no longer be that innocent child. That lived the life of a free spirit. You have allowed the story's of the past to rule your life today. So you hop back in your car and fly down the mountain road. Faster than fast not enjoying the view. Not saying good by. Not even taking the time to cry. Your innocents has been lost to time this weighs heavy on your heart. You find it is so much easier to slide down the hill, than it was to climb back up. Not even giving thought to the beauty. The thrill in your blood is no longer felt. You have allowed fear to rule your life.
Now the joy of this trip is just a memory. One that is cherished and loved. It is ingrained in your very soul. But to live this way has been removed by choice and fear. I now have now chosen to replace the life on top of the mountain, with one of city/country ways. Exploring the world in my mind. Leaving behind, the touch and feel of raw wilderness. I look at it as my first stepping stone. One I am grateful for. And one I have out grown. Yet it leaves threads like the lines on a tree in the core of my being.
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I wrote this after finding the road to my Family homestead is now on Google maps. The view you see is to the entrance of where I was raised till age 4. All you see is trees a mail box and 2 gravel tracks. Those tracks lead to what is left of my grandparents land. There home is gone. But Uncle charlies home still stands. The original garage is there. But time has kept there spirits alive in the land. I found the map to bring back the thrill of driving up and down that road. It is so much fun and quite an adventure.
Let me know if you try it. By virtually exploring its ups and downs. Even the coal trucks are captured in this satellite map.
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Have a wonderful day and remember to laugh and play.
