TRUE CAMPFIRE STORY #2

THE BLACK POOL PEOPLE

At the top end of Cherry Lake, where we have camped since 1976, we are in this marvelous cathedral of granite cliffs; a symphony of nature. Usually we have the privacy we seek and the splendor of nature can sometimes be overwhelming!

The mornings are luxurious as the sun squeaks over the southern cliffs. If we did right, we should already be out on the water; with our coffee getting cold, but with a few fish on the stringer. As the sun warms up, we figure that it is time to get back to camp to wake up the sleepy heads and cook breakfast. Whether it's bacon and eggs or out favorite, trout, onions, garlic, potatoes, and eggs, we know that it will be a feast. The kids are excited and their friends wonder what's such a big deal. The adults do their morning routines and get down to work. The smells are wonderful.

New pots of coffee fill the early air with their fragrance; the fish or bacon floods the air. The kids already are swimming and everyone has a line in the water. Someone turns on a radio or rolls a tape, and now we've got classical music acknowledging the majesty of the scene; or maybe we have country music gently lamenting the serenity.

After breakfast we all decided to make a trip up the canyon of Cherry Creek. On our side of the cliff it is a treacherous journey across a 2 inch crevice, hundreds of feet above the falling waters. With the small children of this journey, little Cassie was only 5 or 6, we decided to take the boat across the lagoon; the safer way.

Still, we must traverse majestic cliffs of granite, balancing precariously above the white water, hundreds of feet below. There is no trail, but previous hikers have piled up their two or three rocks to suggest the best course. Sometimes it's not the best course, but we made our way up the magnificent mile of granite cliffs.

When we reach the pools above the raging waters, it's time for a rest, a drink, a snack, and a look at more. Above us is Red Rock; a rounded dome of red, in the midst of the granite. Do we want to continue? It's so beautiful that I suggest the kids will love it. It is a trek, and they're young, but they can do it.

We have to again cross Cherry Creek. Some swim the big pool and some wend their way across the rocks at the bottom of the pool. Some of us are casting into the waters with our lures to find the young native rainbows and german browns.

As we continue up towards Red Rock and the hidden canyon that takes us beyond, we see a huge dark foreboding pool; moss and water plants thrive, but the water is just so dark.

Little Cassie seems frightened and asks, " Uncle Glenn, is this where the dark pool people are; the ones you told me about at last night's campfire?" "Yes, Cassie. This is where they live."

"Well, Uncle Glenn, I'm not afraid, because you told me they never hurt people that take care of the Earth, and we all take very special care of the Earth.

Copyright 2004, Carport's True Stories
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