TRUE CAMPFIRE STORY #12

AN IOTA OF ?

 
I was on a trip to a Northern California stream, unfortunately I made a very profound promise to not reveal its name or exact location. It had a great reputation as 'Fishing Heaven', but little was I prepared for what fate had in store for me. This marvelous stream was on an Indian Reservation, and special permission and fees were required to gain access.

When I arrived at the entrance to the reservation,



I was greeted with warmth, but I was grilled with questions from the guard; mostly about my understanding of the sacredness of the land, water, and air. I acknowledged my belief of the awesome responsibility and was allowed to pay my fees and he gave me an OK to proceed towards the stream. The guard gave me a map, which showed the winding stream's course as it fell into the Pacific Ocean. He cautioned me to follow the course of the stream and to never stray overland, explaining that there were many Holy sites that were not open to visitors.

As I examined the map, I saw that the course of the stream followed a huge arc that went from the entrance and center of the reservation, circled north to northwest, and then arced back to the southwest. This long arc appeared to be about 7 or 8 miles and I saw that it was only about one mile from the entrance, overland. I asked if I could take a shortcut across this arc and quickly get into the heart of the stream. He explained that there was only one trail to accomplish this shortcut, and it passed through their holiest site; The Columns of Time. That sounded fascinating, but I assured him that I would follow the stream's course.

I had converted all of my lures to barbless hooks, as I didn't think it necessary to bring fish home; I planned to release all of my catches, just wanting to experience the thrill of each catch. When I came upon this wonderful stream,



flowing gently towards the Pacific Ocean, through groves of ancient majestic redwood trees, I felt the sacredness that the guard had spoken of. There was the usual mustiness of the forever-moist redwood forest, and my excitement was actually shaking me in anticipation.

I flung my first lure towards a small calm spot slightly upstream. As the lure worked downstream on the far shore and made its final turn, grabbing the current, I felt the strike; it was huge! I fought this noble fish for what seemed to be hours, but I'm sure it was just a few minutes; it was a 5-pound steelhead. I examined its beauty and as I released it, I thanked it for my experience. As I worked my way down stream, it seemed like every other cast linked me up with another 4 to 6-pounder; this was heaven!



As midday approached, I realized that I had made the large arc of 7 or 8 miles and was now only 1 mile from the gate. I knew that I could only go one or two more miles downstream, before I would have to return along the stream's course, back to the gate. I took a short break and then continued downstream. Suddenly, the winds started picking up, the skies started turning grey, and rain began to fall; at first just a gentle rain, but as the wind increased the rain became a stabbing force, directly in my face.

I took shelter under an ancient redwood tree, had a bite to eat, and thought that I could wait out the strongest portion of this unexpected storm. After an hour of waiting, and the storm increasing its fury, I realized that I had to start back upstream or I would be stuck out here overnight, without provisions, shelter, or even a sleeping bag. I went into the deluge; thankfully its main fury concentrated on my back. Still, the footing was treacherous and I knew that at this pace, I'd could never follow the stream for 8 of 9 miles, and reach safety during the remaining hours of daylight.

I was now at the shortest part of the arc; did I dare to take the overland trail, through the 'Columns of Time'? It was 1 mile to safety, violating my word, or a struggle upstream along the stream's course, with no chance of reaching shelter before nightfall. Reluctantly, I chose to violate my word.

Quite easily, I found the overland trail. It was an easy walk and I knew I was only about 10-15 minutes from safety. As I turned a corner of the trail, I viewed a most magnificent site; two ancient redwood trees had crossed their trunks, as if they were swords crossed for a royal wedding. Between the trunks of these majestic trees, were two large slabs of stone, paralleling the angle of the trees, forming an archway on the trail. I knew that this must be the 'Columns of Time'.

I passed through this ancient sacred gateway, and I instantly noticed that the driving rain had ceased, the wind had ceased; nothing moved! As I looked up at the sky, I could see the raindrops, but they too had ceased their fall; nothing was moving!



Continuing up the trail, I saw squirrels frozen in time; birds suspended in flight; I was the only animate object in the forest.

Although, I had always believed that Native American Peoples possessed a closeness with Nature, and thereby with The Creator, I was stunned! Had I violated a sacred trust that would change this relationship? I'm sure I was beyond my understandings. I knew that I would try to make amends as soon as I could; what amends, I wasn't sure.

Soon, as the evening darkness approached, I was at the entrance to the reservation. I saw the gate guard, frozen in his stance. What had I done? I went to my van, unlocked the door and put the key into the ignition. It wouldn't start, not even turning over. I leaned the seat back and thought about this experience. I couldn't see what was happening. It must be a dream!!

I awoke, still sitting in my leaned back seat, to a knocking on my window; it was the gateway guard. I rolled down the window, noticing that the electricity seemed to be restored. The guard told me that I had violated a sacred trust, and that none but the holiest should ever see what I had seen. He told me that I must never reveal where my experience had occurred. I vowed to him that I would honor this request.

Today, I know that I had seen something that only the chosen few are allowed experience. Why do I reveal this experience, now? I think it's because, as I gain greater knowledge of life's mysteries, I am impressed with my simplistic understanding of Nature, Life, and Time; so much to learn. Energy and matter, how they combine to form life; how time can stand still or move at a hectic pace; how the peoples with an understanding of Creation can reach their peace; these are things the human experience is just beginning to learn.

Can time stop? Can a human being experience this phenomenon? I don't really know what happened that late afternoon, but I know I was moved in a mysterious way.

Now, whenever I travel up the Northern California coast, and I see the ancient redwood trees, the streams falling to the ocean, and the unexpected winds and storms, I know that an Ancient People, with a closeness to The Creator, keep us protected and in good stead.

Copyright 2004, Carport's True Stories
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