Finding Our Place

Finding Our Place

As we continued our hike we crossed that stream many times. We walked on into the early evening, waiting to see a sign pointing us to a lean-to where we would stay that night. A lean-to is a three sided structure with a roof, a small log cabin 12 feet across and 8 feet deep. The floor is three feet off the ground and the roof has a peak with enough cover in front to keep the rain out. I can stand up at the high point of the roof and they all have quite a bit of graffiti carved into them. The rules state that you must share a lean-to and that the maximum occupancy is 8. You walk up to one, sit on the edge, take off your pack and let out a big sigh. They are definitely a welcome sight.

During our planning we had a choice of two for the first night, one at 2 miles and one at 2.6 miles. We decided we would determine which one once we reached the first lean-to. I like to explore the different campsites as we pass them, both for future reference and to know if anyone is already camped there. Most of the time they are slightly off the main trail so you need to look for them. You never know what kind of shape a lean-to is going to be in. Some lean-tos are in terrible shape and very old, some are new and beautiful. Most have an outhouse somewhere close by and they are all near a stream or other freshwater source.

We saw the sign for the first lean-to, found the trail to it and approached it from the rear. We couldn't tell if anyone was there but as we got closer we heard the scurrying of other people. We came around to the front of the lean-to and saw a girl. The girl was beautiful and looked at home in the woods. Even though we had only been on the trail for about 90 minutes, she was a nice sight to see.

"Howdy!" I said, taking notice the young woman. A guy jumped out of the lean-to and put himself between us and the girl. He surprised us. "Are you guys staying in the lean-to?" I asked.

"We're staying in tents over there" he said in an uncertain manner as he pointed toward the woods. We couldn't see where the tents were setup. The guy walked toward us and started to make some small talk. He had a scruffy little beard and an earring in his left ear. The girl gave us a friendly and confident smile. "That hike in wasn't too bad. What did you think?" he asked looking for a little feedback.

Joe and I glanced at each other and shrugged our shoulders. We didn't really even consider it a hike yet, more like a prologue to this point. It was kind of odd that they wouldn't be staying in the lean-to. The lean-to is the top choice in the woods, dry and off the ground in all situations.

"Yeah, so far it's been pretty easy" Joe said. Our attention focused on the young woman.

Two other guys emerged from the woods. It was a slightly tense moment; they came from two different directions and surrounded us. They were walking tall with an intimidating posture. Joe and I sized them up and figured them to be in their late teens or twenties. Nothing to worry about even though they were trying to look tough. A bunch of college friends out in the woods for a few days. The first guy and girl were probably a couple. The guys were keeping an eye on us, all of them subconsciously being protective of the girl. She picked up on it too. She wasn't afraid to look us in the eye. I thought to myself that this girl is out here with a bunch of boys… wonder if she’d like to hang out with some men?

The whole situation was an interesting one. You could sense how everyone reverted back to more basic instincts. All the guys immediately came out of the woods when we arrived. We all took notice of each other. Through  their body langrage and gesturing  the guys made it known that the woman was with them and that the lean-to was open but that they really didn't want us to stay there.  Joe and I checked out the girl and she looked back with a smile. Whether the rest of the guys realized it or not she was the one in control of the group.

After the brief discussion Joe and I bid them farewell. We didn’t feel very welcome and wanted to get further down the trail. It became apparent that we would not be staying at that lean-to.

There's always a moment of the unknown when you come upon other people deep in the woods. The thought of what if would’ve been like 250 years ago always crosses my mind. Would this be a group of Indians bedding down for the night? Some hunters on their way for beaver pelts or some early explorers trying to find their way through? What an adrenaline rush that must've been.

We walked on and soon found the next lean-to. It was in better shape and none was there. We unpacked our gear, had a little dinner and went to bed.

Comments

[Janet]

Nice continuation of the story of your trip.
Very interesting reverting to such basic territorial instincts while in the wilderness and I love your perspective looking back to a couple of hundred years ago.

[Laraine]

I like the complexity you present from a simple encounter. The narrative is full of surprises. I thought people were usually friendly in the woods, being in similar circumstances, away from civilization. Is the hostility part of the modern obsession with individuality, a belief that they don't need others? I didn't exactly believe it when you said the girl was in control of the group. A lot of fascinating issues raised by this piece.

[elizabeth cobblah]

I just love being in the woods with you! Even before I got to the end, I was thinking about how it may have been years ago when people wandered and journeyed with many uncertainties and variables. The vulnerability of a person in the woods is so keenly felt. Too bad those guys were so unwelcoming. Their outdoor spirit is tainted it seems to me.

[Fitz]

You do a great job of creating the tension that you all felt. Maybe the reason we survive is from an inner fear and distrust of strangers. Conversely, maybe the reason we thrive is because we work through the fear.
Nice Piece!