ALONE IN THE WILD

It is 5 am on an April morning. I sit at my desk writing an article for my blog about camping. Before I start, I check the news on my smartphone to see what is happening in our world. It was depressing as always.

   I then go to Facebook. Some things were interesting but there were too many ads and things I did not want to see. Our church’s Facebook page was better. There were many people needing prayers.

   The weather app forecast for the day was better than the news.  Sunny days, cool nights with a slight chance of rain. That was good for getting things done outside that I needed to do. There are always things to get done in the yard, garden, or workshop. I put down my smartphone and went back to writing.

   Then, in a moment of brilliance, I thought why not do what I am writing about? I rushed into the bedroom, turned the light on, and woke wife to tell her we should go camping for a few days.

   She said she would rather stay home, but I deserved it and should go and enjoy myself. Well, that is not exactly what she said. I will leave that to your imagination. I stood there for a few seconds. Thoughts rushed through my head of being alone for a few days in the outdoors. Alone in the wild.

   I feigned disappointment and told her I would miss her. I packed all my clothes, camping gear, and food in the truck. I also grabbed my turkey calls, camo clothing, fishing stuff, and a good book.

   I knew exactly where I was going. I would escape to a place that I was very familiar with. We once had a weekend cabin near this place. I had spent many years hunting deer and turkey there.

   I would go to an open area on top of a hill, which I had often thought would make a great place to camp. There I could see for miles, looking over forested hills and valleys with big open skies to enjoy. The creek in the valley below was my bonus.

   The stress and pressure from what was going on in the world were gone as I drove up the hill. I pulled in by three trees that offered a great view. I sat there for a moment. It was a different feeling than what I had been used to lately.

   I pitched my tent and unloaded the truck. I got into my cooler for something to eat and drink while I sat in my camp chair to look around and take it all in. This is what I had come for.

   The sun was warm. Sitting in the shade with a gentle breeze was comfortable. I listened to bird songs. Crows were talking to each other.  Buzzards circled in the bright blue sky. I looked up and thanked God for blessing me with this time. I also thanked him for not giving up on me and for our church. It has been a big part of changing my life for the better. I came to be alone, but he is always there for me.

   The afternoon was great for fishing the creek in the valley. The water was cold as I waded and fished. It felt good. I lost count of how many fish I caught. Nothing was big, but all were fun. I tried skipped rocks for a while and then sat on the gravel bar as I looked for arrowheads. The sound of the flowing water was soothing. I took a nap.

   When I awoke, the day was starting to fade. I drove back up the hill. The night skies were spectacular with thousands of twinkling stars. Coyotes howled. Owls hooted. I hooted with my turkey calls listening for turkey sounds from their roost. There were none. I stirred the campfire. The night cooled. My sleeping bag felt good.

   I got up before light came, stoked the fire, and put on a pot of coffee. As the day arrived I sat there drinking coffee and talking to God. It was a wonderful place to do that.

  Then it was time to go out scouting for turkeys. It was not long before I found where they were. I knew where I would be hunting when turkey season started. I went back to camp.

   The smell of bacon sizzling in the skillet drifted through the morning air. A deer let me know they smelled it too. My second cup of coffee was as good as the first. Birds were singing again. Turkey gobbles echoed through the hills and valley below. Squirrels fussed at me because I was in their home.

   The day found me secretly watching deer and turkey go about their day. I saw an eagle, a fox, and a bobcat. Black bears roam these woods. I did not see one. I hiked around. I found wildflowers and morel mushrooms pushing their way through decaying leaves. I checked deer stands, pruned limbs and cleaned brush around them. I even found a couple of shed antlers. I was enjoying my time alone in the wild.

   Before I knew it, night was upon me again. The moon was big and bright. I sat around the campfire listening to night sounds and using my headlight to read Friendship Fires by Sam Cook. He does not know it, but his writing greatly influenced how I write. I am using the gift God gave me to hopefully touch the hearts of those who read my stories.

   My eyes are heavy from all my activities of the day, the dancing flames, a crackling fire, and reading. I could hear thunder and see lightning in the distant hills. Tree frogs croaked. Crickets chirped. Peaceful sleep came quickly.

   Sometime during the night, I awoke to rain making music as it landed on my tent. There is nothing more relaxing than that sound. I drifted back off to sleep.

   When my eyes opened, again the sun was starting to shine through the trees. A light rain was still falling. When thunder rumbled, turkeys gobbled at the sound. I smiled. The sun glistened off the raindrops still clinging to the leaves and grass. I looked and saw a rainbow.

   I sat there for a long time, enjoying the beauty of the rainbow. Hundreds of purplish redbud and white dogwood trees were all blooming and coloring the landscape. As much as I hated to leave, I missed my wife.    It was time to go home to a different world. My time there will be re-lived in daydreams and nightdreams. It had been a wonderful escape, this time alone in the wild.