On my first full day at the cabin, Friday, I decided to go for a hike. After breakfast of oatmeal and coffee I grabbed my maps and some directions and left. Not before leaving a note with a crude map of my destination on it tucked in the door. This would simplify the search for my remains if I didn’t show up at home on Sunday. I drove toward a neat glacial feature that I’d read about before going up. When I got there, two big pickups were parked at the turnoff, bird hunters probably, and I drove past.
Now I had a problem. My note and map. I was no longer on the chart. If I went off walking in the woods somewhere and died some painful but noble death, my soft tissues would probably fatten all manner of woodland creatures for the coming winter before my devoted and loving family ever found my body. And not only that, my loved ones might think I deliberately misled them in regards to my destination!
Defying all wisdom and good judgement, I soon turned off the main road, went a mile, and parked at a promising logging road. I grabbed my backpack with water, snacks, dry socks, some more water, and pen and paper (I’ve got a lot to say, no way I’m going to restrict my farewells to a matchbook cover) and set off into the woods.
I appreciate your ability to clearly contrast the emotional experience of being in the city vs. the woods. Thanks for sharing the journey with us.
RSS
I love the photo of the interior of the cabin, how the sunbeams are suspended in mid air. I have the evil twin set to that stainless steel table and the aquamarine vinyl chairs. I’ve held on to that set for years with the purpose of someday having a cabin of my own to put it in. I’ll bet that your family has played a lot of card games around that table and told many tales while sitting there after the plates have been cleared.
As always thanks for sharing your experience with us.
PS – I’m probably crazy, based on the standards you listed. I answer my own questions and laugh at the jokes that I tell myself. The key to happiness is to never go to bed angry with yourself.