The Invisible Trail by Roy Klipping Chapter 6

 Chapter 6 

......like I have seen this place before. I stopped and noticed a fallen tree just off the trail a few yards, so I walked over beside it and took off my pack, laid it on the ground then sat down on the tree. I wasn't tired at all but for some reason I wanted to stop and just rest a little. As I was saying before, this area seemed so familiar to me. I know I have never been here before so maybe in some way it resembled the river that ran through our land back home. My brothers and I were always out exploring the woods and the river’s edge.  I swear my poor Mom must have constantly wondered where we were. Anyway, that must be it. As I sat here, I took in as much of the sights as I could. It was nice here with areas of grass that followed the trails edge, almost as if it were put there to guide people along. The cedars and pine trees filled the air with a calming scent that for me relaxed me from within.  It was quiet here with only the sounds of the river moving slowly to a place that only God could see. As I was getting ready to hit the trail, I noticed something strange, something that just didn't look right to the naked eye. I squinted a little so I could pinpoint what I was looking at.  I got up and grabbed my pack then made my way over to it. The closer I got I could see it was something tied to a tree limb.  I put my pack down again and took a closer look. To me it looked like a piece of leather strapping. I kind of tugged on it and I believed I was right. As I started to notice the piece of strap better, I noticed the tree had grown around it and was complete embedded into the limb of the tree. I curled my lip and made had a puzzled look, thinking at the same time that this must have been here for a long time.  I scanned around the trees near by to see if there were any more tied to other branches thinking maybe it was put here to mark something.  After several minutes of looking around I decided that it was time to get back on the trail. I wanted to make it close to the lake tonight and in the morning go check it out and then head back to my truck so I could get up to Beaver Bay as early as possible tomorrow. I thought about trying to cut the leather piece off the branch but for some reason felt it needed to stay there, so off I went but now my eyes kept scanning the edges of the trail for anything else that looked off. I must have gone another half of a mile when I heard some voices up ahead. After a few turns in the trail, I came across a couple hikers coming toward me. I stepped off the trail to let them pass. As they went by they told me there were some amazing views just up the trail a few miles. I thanked them for the heads up and off I went again. I guess it was nice to see other hikers here.  I was starting to think I was alone on the trail. Anyway, the day was slipping away, and I could feel the air temperature dropping with every hour that went by.  I must have hiked in probably six or seven miles now and wanted to get another mile in, then I would set up camp for the night. The trail seemed to have narrowed now but still was in good shape and thankfully it wasn't muddy. That's one thing I was hoping it wouldn't be and so far, I was in luck. I did bring extra socks and clothes with just in case I needed them, but so far so good. The sun was setting fast, and I better keep a look out for a good place to set up my tent. After another mile or so I came across a huge, long needle white pine and underneath it was lots of dry pine needles. I remember reading in a magazine that if you bunch up pine needles under your tent it was soft to sleep on, so this was the spot I would make camp.  I cleared the area and then set up my tent. It was just a one-man tent with not a lot of room in it.  I grabbed my backpack and unstrapped a little shovel I had with and cleared an area down to the dirt close to the front of the tent. I dug a small hole, then rounded up some dry grass and some branches and twigs, then climbed inside the tent and rolled out my sleeping bag.  I got everything ready before it got dark out. After a few minutes I saw a tree that was laying on the ground. I went over to it and drug it back to where my fire pit was.  I figured it would make a good place to sit so I didn't have to sit directly on the ground. A little while later I noticed the air started to feel chillier, so I wanted to start the fire.  I grabbed my backpack to get the matches, but I couldn't find them.  I dug everything out, but they weren't there.  Then I remembered I had put them in the glove box of my truck the night before I left. Well now what? I knew how to start a fire by using a shoelace, but I didn't have shoes with laces. I had my slip-on leather boots.  I know, not the best for hiking but I wasn't planning on this being a long hike, so they too were in the truck. I started to put everything back in my pack when there sat the little satchel. I thought for a second about what was inside and wondered if maybe the rectangular stone……

The Invisible Trail by Roy Klipping Chapter 5

 Chapter 5

As I walked to the front of my truck I told him he had startled me a little when he knocked on the door of my truck. I asked him what he needed, all the while watching out for anything suspicious about him. He told me he was just wondering if I could give him a jump and that his car battery was dead.  “Oh”, I said. “I had thought something was wrong with my truck because you were pointing at the front of it.” He said , “No. I was just pointing to your hood just gesturing if you could jump my car.” He asked if I had cables because he didn't have any. I smiled and told him I sure did and could give him a jump no problem. Being brought up a country kid we knew never to go too far without jumper cables, a gallon of gas, and some water.  But then again maybe that's just the necessity needed to drive an old truck. Anyway, I pulled up to his car and hooked up the cables, then told him to maybe just let it charge a little while before trying it. As we waited, I started small talk with him asking if he was from around here and that it was a nice day, you know all the things you ask in those awkward moments. The man told me he was from a small town about eighty miles north of here and he had just been coming back from his brother's place over in North Dakota. Curious, I asked what town his brother lived in. He said the name, but I didn't recognize it. I asked him about his town and if it was along Highway 61.  He nodded and said yes. He said he lived near French town and had been there for around twenty years. I knew about this area from things I had read when I was looking up hiking trails.  I asked him if he knew of any old trails that were used back in the days when they were looking for gold. He nodded and said yes, there was one that ran up north along the French river and that though he never had gone on it all the older local people said it was a great hike. After a few more minutes of small talk, he started his car.  I unhooked my cables, shut my hood, and told him good luck. He started to pull out his billfold to offer me money. I told him no but thank you and that I appreciated the information about the trail. We shook hands and then I climbed back into my truck and headed back on the highway.  I was only about ten miles from highway sixty-one and the day was slipping away faster than I had wanted.  I figured I better keep moving. I wanted to get to Beaver Bay by I noon and possibly get my gear packed up and on the trail by one or maybe two. That way I could get hiked inland five or six miles before I would need to set up camp for the night. I was getting really excited now and couldn't wait for this experience or maybe more of a desire or destiny feeling inside of me. I drove to where highway sixty-one was and headed north. After about thirty miles or so I started thinking about what that man said about the trail that ran north along the French river. I kept seeing myself walking there, visualizing all kinds if amazing sites. It wasn't long before I saw a sign saying French town.  I slowed down and before I knew it, I was parked along another sign that had a picture of a stick man with a backpack and a walking stick. The sign was pointing toward a trail leading along what I was sure was the French river. I sat there for a few minutes then I pulled out the trail map I had bought earlier and started looking for the trail. It wasn't long before I found it. It didn't look like a hard trail to hike and it really wasn't that long of a trail, maybe twelve miles give or take so I shrugged my shoulders and said to myself what the heck I might as well check it out.  I figured I could hike in today, stay somewhere along the trail and be back out tomorrow about this same time,  then head up to the Beaver bay trail. No sooner did that cross my mind I started packing up my gear.  I checked everything out to make sure I had everything I needed for a quick hike then threw on my pack and headed out.  I made it a few steps and then went back to the truck just to do a double check that I hadn’t forgotten anything. I looked around the truck and noticed the satchel laying there.  Not sure why I quickly took my pack off and stuffed it inside then headed back to the trail. I hiked in about two miles when I started feeling…….

The Invisible Trail Chapter 4 by Roy Klipping

 

Chapter 4

I was a little frustrated that I didn't get the trail map I wanted. The more I thought about what just happened, the more curious I got about what was in the satchel and why the old man seemed to think that it belonged to me or something.  Trying to get my mind off the satchel, I started to think about what trail I would travel. For the last several years I had read up on some of the older settler trails.  Those are the ones I want to go on. I know there was a trail coming from Grand Marias to Beaver Bay but that was along the shore line of Lake Superior. Even though it would be cool, I felt a draw to go inland.  I knew of another trail by the French river but couldn't recall the name of that one and then another one ran into the interior from Beaver Bay.  It was actually called the Beaver Bay Trail. There was also one more that ran north west into the interior from Beaver Bay called the Pork Bay Trail.  I loved the idea of hiking a trail that was used by people who settled this land. I believed at least one of those trails ran up to a Lake called Basswood Lake and stories have been told that the area was a major place where people would set up camp. I couldn't wait to make the trip inland to see what they must have seen over a hundred years before I was even born. Excited I pushed the gas pedal down and old Helen sounded just as excited as I was.  Again, I chuckled because of how I was with her. The roads were getting a lot curvier now and the trees seemed bigger and thicker with pines and maple trees filling the roadsides.  I must have driven a few more hours when I came to another small town.  I let off the gas and coasted into a gas station still frustrated about not getting the trail map from the last place.  I thought I would top off my tank and hopefully pick up a trail map inside the station.  It didn't take long, and I had my tank filled.  I made my way into the station and immediately as I walked in the door, I noticed a magazine rack. I started to look through it to see if there were any maps. I was in luck!  I found one that seemed to have all the trails I hoped to see and more. Wow! I didn't realize there were so many trails here.  I made my way to the counter and paid the lady for my gas and the map.  This time there was no sliding my map over and not letting me get it.  As I turned to the door, I thanked the lady and headed out to my truck.  As soon as I jumped in there sitting on the seat next to me was the satchel. Hmmmm… I guess I better see what's inside.  I pulled my truck ahead and off to the side of the road, then reached over and started untying the leather straps. They were a little stiff, but I managed to get them untied and then flipped the bag open. It smelled like old dirt or something like that. I peeked inside not knowing what there could be.  First thing I saw were some papers.  I slid my hand into the bag and pulled them out. As I did, I noticed there were some things at the bottom of the bag. I laid the papers on the seat and reached back inside the bag and pulled out a rectangular shaped stone looking thing. Shrugging my shoulders, I placed it on the seat and reached back inside the bag.  There were a few things in there.  I thought about just turning it over and dumping them out but didn't want a mess on my seat either.  I reached in and felt another hard item.  As I pulled it out, I could see it was what looked to me like a compass.  I have never seen one quite like this one.  I placed it on the seat and reached in again, this time pulling out an old straight bladed knife.  It had a leather sheath over the blade, which I was glad to see.  As I laid it on the seat I reached in and grabbed what was left in the satchel. There was another stone looking thing and small bottle with about half the liquid left in it. Laying everything on the seat I reached over and picked up the papers. As I started to open them up a loud bang on the side of my truck just about gave me a heart attack.  I looked at my side window and there was a man standing there motioning toward the front of my truck. Not knowing who or what he wanted I threw everything back in the satchel and  jumped out to see what he wanted.

The Invisible Trail Chapter 3 by Roy Klipping

 

Chapter 3

…. small vibration noise and my truck started to pull slightly to the right. I let off the gas pedal a little and tried to pinpoint where the sound was coming from, but really it wasn't all that loud so I thought maybe I can just make it to this little town and check things over at the gas station. But then I thought about what my dad always had told me. If you run into problems, address them right away before that problem becomes a danger.  Again I halfway smiled and knew he was right. As soon as I found a spot to pull over, I did and jumped out and went to the passenger sides front tire thinking all along that it must either going flat or it was low of air.  To my surprise it wasn't, so the next thing I thought was that maybe it was a possible wheel bearing going bad. I reached down and slightly touched the hub but again to my surprise it wasn't hot hmmm…. I kind of shrugged my shoulders then looked under the truck for something wrapped up under there, but not a thing. I walked around the truck and then crawled back inside thinking, this was weird.  I sure was happy that at least to my knowledge nothing was wrong. I turned the key and at the same time reached up to the dash and gave her a tap and said, “Good girl Helen. I know you will get me there safe.”  I love this old truck, she was a nineteen sixty-nine GMC, three quarter ton with a four on the floor and posy traction.  I had traded my Uncle a riding lawnmower during my Sophomore year in high school. It was one of the proudest moments I had because it was my first truck. Even though she was rough around the edges she was all mine. I named her Helen after my High school librarian.  I guess I always liked her because she always was kind to me, so it only seemed fitting. Anyway, as I pulled back onto the highway and got up to speed my truck didn't seem to pull right anymore and I couldn't hear any noise or feel any vibration. Again, I reached up and even winked as I tapped on the dash and said, “That's my girl.” I honestly laughed out loud because deep down I thought if someone knew I talked to my truck like this I'd probably be committed. Lol.  Anyway, the sun was just peaking out and things were going well.  The further east I got the more excited I became.  I had driven probably twenty minutes when I saw the sign to the town I had seen on the map.  I was relieved when I saw a gas station all lit up with a few trucks pulled up getting fuel. I pulled in next to the pump. An older man came out holding an old oil-soaked rag.  I had jumped out and was about to fill my truck when I heard him say, “I will get that for you son.”  I turned and smiled and said, “No worries.  I can fill it.”  He continued coming over to me and then asked me if I would pop the hood and he will check the oil and coolant.  I smiled and said sure then walked to the front of my truck and popped it open then went back to the pump. I finished filling my tank and a few moments later I heard my hood close and the man said, “Everything looks good.”  I smiled and told him that was music to my ears, then started to follow him into the store to settle up.  Just as I entered the store, I noticed there were some trail maps for several hiking trails up in the arrow head.  I grabbed one and made my way to the counter.  As I laid it down the man slowly slid it closer to himself and then looked up at me and said, “Going hiking?” I nodded and said yes and that I was going for a week up North. Then he said something strange.  He said he knew that and then slid the map down over the edge of the counter and placed it on a chair in the corner. Puzzled I asked him what he was doing and that I wanted to buy the map. He smiled a quiet smile and then told me to wait a minute, then turned and walked back into a room behind the counter.  After a few minutes he returned carrying a small satchel and laid it on the counter.  The satchel looked old and weathered.  I looked at the man and asked him what it was. Again, with that quiet smile he said, “It is what you have been looking for.” Puzzled I asked him what he meant. He slid it across the counter toward me and said, “This is all you will need for your journey.”  Puzzled and curious I started to open the small satchel.  It had leather bindings that were tied in a double knot and as I started to untie the leather straps the old man reached over and placed his hand on mine.  Instantly I felt his cold hands and it was if his words disappeared and I could only see what he was saying in my mind.  I pulled back and looked at him as if to say I understood and paid for my fuel.  I asked how much for the satchel and with a blank look he said no charge it's yours.  I grabbed it and made my way to the door bewildered as to what this was all about. I climbed back in my truck, sat there for a minute thinking of opening it up, but honestly I wanted to get out of there first. Mostly because the old man gave me the creeps.  So back on the road I headed. I figured I would open it up in a little while once I got down the road a ways.

The Invisible Trail Chapter 2 by Roy Klipping

 Chapter 2

It was 4 a.m. I didn't want to wake Dad and Mom, but for some reason I needed to say goodbye.  I tapped lightly on their bedroom door almost hoping they wouldn't hear me but immediately I heard my dad's voice saying, “What do you want?” I kind of half ways chuckled to myself thinking what do you think I want?  Instead, I slowly opened the door and peeked in and waved saying I was going on that camping trip I told them about. Dad nudged mom and told her I was leaving. As I closed the door I whispered, “Love you and see you soon”. I grabbed my things that I hadn't loaded from the night before and headed out the door.  I barely made it to my truck when I heard the screen door open. As I turned, I see Mom standing there with a little brown bag and she whispered, “I made you a few sandwiches for your trip and a few treats too.” I walked over to get it and then gave Mom a kind hug and a kiss on her cheek, then told her thank you and that I loved her. She smiled and told me she loved me too and that when I find what I’m looking for I will know.  As I climbed in my truck and started to drive off, I couldn't help but to think of her words.  My entire life my Mom had always told me to never look away from what scares you and always believe in what you feel inside.  I'm not going to lie; I felt a lump in my throat as a tear fell quietly down my cheek.  

As I drove away, I looked through the rear-view mirror as the yard light slowly disappeared behind me. I don’t know but at that moment I felt the path I take forward is the place I'm supposed to be.  My eyes closed only for a second, but it felt like an eternity as thoughts rushed through my mind.  I shook my head and started to focus on the road ahead. The sky was starting to lighten up and from the looks of it the day was going to be clear, so I was happy about that. I sure didn't want my first day out to be with bad weather. A couple hours passed, and the sun was just coming into view as I looked down at my fuel gage and realized that one thing, I forgot to do was to fill up yesterday. I guess in my excitement to get everything loaded I missed that one. Anyway I checked the map and found there was a small town about 25 miles ahead so I would stop there and get fuel and maybe some breakfast and then make the last stretch hopefully getting to the trail around 10 am then I heard a …….

The Invisible Trail By Roy Klipping

 Chapter 1. 

I had just graduated from high school and had always been drawn to a hiking trail somewhere up close to the boundary waters on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Every summer I have always sensed or felt something pulling me there. Well, this was my chance to go see what had always been such a deep desire inside of me. I loaded up my truck with what I thought was the right gear to be out for about a week; tent, sleeping bag, matches, and a backpack full of things I was sure I would need to survive whatever was in front of me. I lived about 5 hours away and I wanted to get an early start, so bright and early the day after I threw my graduation hat in the air, I set out on a venture that I have always known I would take.

Life as I Know It!

Life as I Know It!

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Thank goodness Taleteller Teresa did the post yesterday. I was in bed by 9:00 last night and I think I am finally come out of this. Maybe I will go to bed that early again tonight and I will be in top form tomorrow. ha ha.

Lets talk about that virus that is originating from China. China believes a mysterious pneumonia outbreak that struck 59 people is caused by a new strain of virus from the same family as SARS, which killed hundreds of people more than a decade ago. Now that's pretty scary. I told Allen we are so not ordering anything from the website Wish because things come from China and I would be scared I could get it somehow that way. Yes, I know that is probably not true. lol.

I saw in the cities that a man had cut of the oxygen supply to a large hospital. I think that man should have his oxygen cut off forever. What the hell is wrong with that guy? Anyway, they noticed it before anything bad happened to anyone.

It was my Aunt Maggie's birthday (my mom's only sibling) yesterday so I sent her 80 pages of this blog we do so she can see what Teresa and I are up to. The first year book has 385 pages. Holy writing, right? lol I hope she likes it.

Did You Know? All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill.

Joke of the Day!

An old man, a boy, and a donkey were travelling. The boy rode the donkey while the man walked.In the first town they went to, the people all said; "How hard for that old man who has to walk!"The two travelers heard this and decided that the boy should walk and the old man should ride.In the next town, people whispered, "What a shame, he makes the little boy walk!"So the pair decided that they should both ride.In the third town, people all muttered about how cruel it was to make the donkey work so hard.So the boy and the old man decided to carry the donkey.On the way to the next town, they had to go across a bridge. As they walked across it, they slipped and the donkey fell in to the river and drowned.The moral of the story is - If you try to please everyone, you will eventually end up losing your ass.

In Cahoots Cindy