Down Country Paths. #2 Part 2

Well, let me see, on Saturday we left off with me having my leg stuck in some rocks and something dark moving around in some willows not far away. Pictures shown are not from this hike, but show similar terrain. So, now we shall continue from that point…

I looked over at those willows closely, not much I could really do if that was a bear, but somehow I did not think it was a bear. This animal just did not look big enough. Finally it came out in the open, it was a beaver, a very large beaver at that. “Well, well,” I said to him, “what are you doing wandering around during the day?”

Actually, beavers are often out during the day, though they are mostly a nocturnal animal. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of him. He moved quickly past and down the hill into the lake hauling a branch with him. Hmm, I could use a branch like that. I could see him swimming away, hauling his branch with him. I then looked over the edge of the rock where I was stuck and down onto the lake.

Right below me was another branch that the beaver had left behind for some reason. I had my backpack and always carried a weird assortment of gadgets and other items with me. I got out some twine and a hook that I had made from a piece of metal, nice and big, but lightweight which is important for carrying around. I tied the twine onto the hook and lightly tossed it over the edge and pulled up.

Hey, caught it the first time, nice. I pulled up the branch which turned out to be much larger than it looked, but that was good. I wanted it to pry these rocks off my foot and leg, if possible. I got everything set up and, nothing. That one big rock did not want to move. I tried again, but still nothing. After my third try I was beginning to think I would be here for a long time.

Guess I should have told someone where I was going, but as usual I did not. I kept looking at the rocks then decided to try moving the smaller rock under the big one, and hope that big rock did not crush my foot. On my second try the smaller rock moved and slid down causing the large rock to do the same and landing nicely in the large with a huge splash.

My leg was free, but wow, my knee, ankle and foot were badly swollen. Oh my, this would take a while to walk back to my car. I also had a small saw with me so found the right branch and cut myself a nice crutch to use for my walk back. Fortunately since this was June, the days are long and I would have until 10:30pm before it was mostly dark. So I had lots of time, I told myself.

I struggled with limping along up and down those rocky hills, with numerous stops along the way. And I mean a LOT of stops along the way. That leg of mine was throbbing with pain so bad and I was only half way back to the car. At this rate it might be a little later than 10:30 when I get back. Good thing that last part was easy walking terrain and I finally arrived at my car at 11:30pm.

Glad I brought that flashlight with me, made it easier for the mosquitoes to find me. Actually, they found me even without the light, I counted over 60 of them on me at one point. I was glad it was my left leg that got hurt, I did not need that one for driving. I was happy to see my car again and I was soon back home, an hour later, tired and sore, but it was a great hike to a beautiful lake. Now I can start planning my next adventure.

Have a great day everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2023 Steve McLeod.