Sunday March 29, 2020 @ 8:29am ET
I pulled into the campground area at O’ Bannon Woods State Park. There were not many campers to be seen and even fewer people, but I could spot Mark’s mustard yellow Jeep from a distance. I pulled up, backed in next to his Jeep and hopped out of my Subaru. Ironically, Don’t Stand So Close to Me by The Police was on the radio when I shut my engine off. It brought a smile to my face. I immediately grabbed my hiking stick, backpack, started my Garmin watch and off we went. The temperature was 65 degrees perfect for this hiker.
I walked under the Rocky Ridge sign and onto the sloshy trail. The wind was picking up and the forecast was for “wind gusts over 30 mph”. Mark and I planned on finishing a trail neither of us had seen or completed before. A few weekends ago we went roughly 2 miles on the Breeden Ridge trail, turned around and came back the way we came. Today we planned on finishing the loop.
A few hundred yards we took the left fork, left the Rocky Ridge Trail and we moving south on the Breeden Ridge Trail. Our usual small talk occurred, asking how we were doing, talking about what else but the Coronavirus but mostly hiking along in silence. Within moments we were at our first bridge crossing and Mark pulled out his camera to grab a water reflection and bridge shot before we moved on. Soon we were at a roaring creek that was almost completely dry on our previous trip. The soothing sounds of a stream flowing eased my mind and calmed my soul. Moments later up the trail I saved Mark’s life.
As mentioned the winds were gusting. Mark was in the lead and the 100+ft trees surrounded us. The sound was almost deafening, and we stopped for a slight breather. My focus went up and I saw a 6-foot branch maybe 3 inches in diameter falling from high above. It was making a b-line toward Mark. I hollered “lookout”, he moved just in time for the branch to crash exactly where he had been standing. We shared a glance of bewilderment then Mark uttered “you saved my life, now you are responsible for me. I saw that in a movie once.” I shook my head, looked up and we moved on.
Eventually, we passed the previous point we had turned around on the previous hike before and now we’re in brand new territory. We traveled another half mile or so then stopped at a roaring creek that Mark had to go see. It was coming out of a cave so he headed down the hill to see it. I stayed on the trail, watching and listening to the wind. Though Mark was maybe 100 feet from me I could not hear him. I stood there on the trail feeling the warm sun on my next, looking up at massive trees swaying 6-8ft from side to side. I felt so exposed and vulnerable standing there. My life could have easily changed or have ended by one of those large trees or branches, but I felt peace. I have always loved trees and the sound of the wind. If anything was to happen to me this place would be the perfect place for it, and I was okay with that. Nothing happened and eventually, Mark was by my side and we were moving on.
As we reached the lowest point on the map (see picture) I was heading down the path and twisted my right ankle. I have sprained that ankle many years before, and one rock reminded me that it does not take much to sideline me. I stopped for a bit wincing in pain, then slowly moved on. My sympathetic friend said, “I got duct tape, we can tape it”. Followed by “I got a sharp knife if I need to cut off anything.”
We approached yet another creek and I realized that we had gone over 2.5 miles and I had not even pulled out my camera. The hike eventually ended with me only taking four shots, and that was okay.
Soon we found ourselves back at the vehicles after a 4.31-mile hike. We chatted for a bit, planned another hike for next weekend and eventually said goodbye. As I lowered myself in my vehicle my legs and especially my ankle was letting me know what I had put them through that day. My mind was easy, my spirit and soul were calm and I was relaxed, which a rarity in my case. No amount of meditation, massage, therapy or medicine can get me to the place that nature, especially the woods can.
I drove off with my windows down, my sunroof open and the wind filling my car and lungs. The sun was beaming through and as the rays of the sun advanced, retreated, pirouetted throughout my car and through the car windows, I was reminded of a quote from Jim Rohn “The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, the light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path.”
My path was clear today. It was a good day.
Until next time,
Tim
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