Yesterday, I went hiking up at Jones Gap State Park, where I volunteered last year.  I decided to hike the most operose trail available, Hospital Rock.  It is estimated to be between 4.5 and 5 miles long.  The terrain starts out on a fairly level grade and steadfastly transforms to a steep and craggy path, if a person would be so kind as to call it a path.  It is more like an ancient path that has been recently discovered. 

Ancient boulders act as markers while pieces of kyanite, smoky quartz, garnet, tourmaline, and pyrite litter the trail.  All it takes is a wee bit of wonderment to spot them glistening in the rays of sun filtering through the trees.  This particular trail has its own history that is mostly made up of old stories that could be as much fiction as they are non-fiction.  The story states that Confederate soldiers hid out under a massive rock that has a large cavern under it.  It is said that these men hid out there to mend their wounds after the Civil War was over.  No one seems to know who was there or for how long.  One thing is for certain after witnessing the rock for myself, many campfires have been lit there over the centuries.  The ceiling, or underside of the rock, is laden with a thick layer of carbon.

There are dozens of trails in the Upstate of South Carolina that have been used for centuries.  People tend to forget about the Native Americans, Cherokee in this area, that have roamed this land since the Bison were here.  They cut out these trails for trade.  Then, the white man (me ancestors) came and used them for the same purpose along with the movement of soldiers from one fort or village to another.  They were used considerably during the Revolutionary War as a tactical advantage to surprise the Red Coats.  They were used yet again during the Civil War for the same purpose.  The element of surprise is a grand one.  During prohibition, they were used to transport moonshine.  They are still being used today, albeit at a lesser extent, to transport illegal narcotics.

The history behind these places is what drives me to keep returning.  Along with the fact that being one with nature is a way of ridding one’s self with the woe’s of this MAD modern society.  It is imperative that we get away from the madness as much as possible to cleanse our minds and souls.  That is exactly what I was doing yesterday, when I heard a light rustling of leaves below me.

I stopped in my tracks and listened closely.  I heard the snapping of twigs down in the ravine between two ridges.  I looked down and discovered something black crawling through the woodlands.  I couldn’t make a figure out through the vibrantly green foliage, but I knew what it was just by its heavy breathing.  Black Bears are out in large numbers this year due to their native habitat being destroyed by man, so that man can have a plusher house overlooking the valley. 

I lightly walked up the trail, being careful not to make a sound as I passed him or her.  It is better to leave them alone, and they’ll leave you alone.  Unless, however, you happen to be carrying food and they are hungry.  They are inquisitive and powerful creatures that I respect.  That is the problem with mankind.  We have lost respect for that which could tell us the most about ourselves.

About a half mile past the bear, I heard a light buzzing on the trail.  I was breathing heavily due to the 3,000ft ascent I was climbing.   The buzzing got louder and as I was about to turn around, I caught the glimpse of a dozen or so dirt daubers coming straight towards me.  I had dealt with these beast of the sky before, so I decided to use the same tactic that worked well in the last scenario – run!

The 35lbs. of gear that had been weighing on my shoulders suddenly became light as a feather, as I ran through the forest.  I looked back to see if they were still following me and managed to tumble over some rocks, banging my shin up in the process.  I ended up not making it to the Rock.  I was exhausted and didn’t want to fight the dirt daubers again.  They really don’t like something about me.  I get chased by them every year up there!

I passed by where I discovered the black bear but didn’t see him or her anywhere.  He or she was close to the river, so it may have been on its way down to do some fishing or bathing.  After all of the excitement, I headed home and passed out.  Another day in the life of Jefferson Davis. 

There are nights when I lie awake pondering what I accomplished on that particular day.  I contend that we should treat everyday as if it were our last.  According to western medicine, the clock stopped on me a long time ago.  I bewilder doctors to no end.  I tell them that I’m running on God’s good humour.  They laugh and tell me how lucky I am to be alive. 

All of us get into routines and we forget about what is truly important in the grand scheme of life.  We are here for a short time.  What we do with that time is paramount.  We all lose sight of that from time to time.  Admittedly, I don’t always practice what I preach.  I am anything but perfect.  Tonight, however, I can rest peacefully knowing that I did something good.

I picked up my nephew from school, as I do everyday as well as taking him to school.  I stepped up to the plate to help out until sister 1 gets back.  I picked him up from school and brought him to my house, so he could help me cut up some dead pine trees.  I grabbed a sharpened axe out of the shop and started teaching him how to cut logs.  I demonstrated how to cut a V into the log, chopping at one angle and then changing hands and chopping from the opposite angle.  I finished cutting the log and handed the axe to him.  After a few roughly delivered blows to the log, he got mad, dropped the axe, and stomped off. 

One of the biggest lessons to learn in life is to be determined towards your goals.  I am rebellious and downright tenacious.  These qualities lend themselves well to a person of my complexity….

BREAK:  A cousin had a PowerPoint crisis that I had to fix, so I was distracted from writing for a bit.

I grabbed the axe and told him, “Boy, you can’t give up that easily.  Look at your Uncle.  I’m blind in one eye and can’t see out of the other, yet I do more than has ever been expected of me.  I was told I’d never be able to drive, and I drive two lovely vehicles wherever and whenever I want.  Doctors told your Grandmother and grandfather that I’d have to go in a home and that I’d never be able to live on my own, and I’ve been on my own for close to two decades.  According to western medicine, I’m not supposed to be alive, but I’m alive with piss and vinegar running through my veins.  I had to wear leg braces when I was a lad and am very lucky to be walking today.  And, I vigorously kick butt and chase skirts on a daily basis”. 

“These problems or disabilities, if you must call them that, that I have make me a stronger person.  I am who I am because of the pain and suffering I have endured.  It took me a long time to realise that.  I hope it don’t take you as long.  You’ve got to have passion in your life and put all that you are into everything that you do.  In my opinion, that is the only way to live.  That log that you gave up on is mocking you.  You’ve got to respect it because it is a part of mother nature, but you’ve got to show it who is boss.”

He went on to split that log and a few other small logs.  I am doing my best to teach him discipline.  He is twelve and has the attitude of a twelve year old.  He doesn’t give me lip because he knows I don’t put up with it.  The grand thing about being an Uncle is that I can send him home, if he gets to be too much of a thorn in my side. 

Serious, he’s a good lad and I do my best to pass on some vital life lessons.  He unwittingly is teaching me how to be a parent even though I’m not one. 

P.S.:  I must sincerely apologise for not posting in such a long time.  I’m going to make a valiant effort to post something of worth more often.  I’m very busy at present, like so many others, but I’ll do my best to respond to any remarks in a timely manner.  Thank you all for your kind words and support over the years.  There’s quite a few of you that have influenced my life more than you realise.  I’m grateful for all of you.  Have a grand week all