Hello Mom

(Saturday Stories of traveling - part 10)

We were both a little disappointed that we didn’t get to make it to the Appalachian or Rocky Top, but sometimes you just have to play it smart. Coming down an unfamiliar trail in the dark wouldn’t have been the smart play.

We headed down and before long I was thinking it was a big mistake. Not the coming down part, but the route part. That section of Bote Mountain Trail was like walking through a bar ditch full of big rocks. Not a flat place to set your foot anywhere. My bad feelings about it proved prophetic as M fell twice, first head first, skinning both her hand and her knee pretty badly. The second time was more a slide onto her backside. Neither pleasant experiences. She was a trooper about it. We carried on.

One of the difficulties of these trails, at least going down hill, were the abundance of acorns. The large acorns of the red oak trees were covering certain parts of the trail and stepping on them was, at times, like stepping onto a bunch of marbles on a glass tile floor. They could give you a ride if you weren’t careful.

After a mile or so, the trail got better. When we came to the intersection for the Lead Cove Trail, we came upon two elderly gentleman out hiking as well. They were the first people we had encountered on the trails all day. We didn’t see any bears either, but we did see evidence of their presence – the bear scat that M said looked fresh.

The two older guys set off down the same trail we were going to be going down as soon as we got to that intersection, so we rested a bit to give some space between us. It would be weird to have someone you didn’t know hiking right behind you like you were walking down the Walmart produce isle. After they were out of earshot, we continued on.

This trail was much more pleasant; a winding downhill, narrow, forest trail that was perched along the steep mountainsides. Because we were in the forest, the temperatures were comfortable, and I wasn’t sweating near as much as I was on the uphill journey.

After a bit, we came up close to the men in front of us again, so we paused along a ledge and looked down the mountain as we gave them opportunity to gap us once more. The third time we came up to them, I heard them before I saw them. I told M, “This time we are going by them.” We rounded a corner and they were sitting on the trail taking a break.

“I’m sorry if we are blocking you here,” one of them said.

It was understandable. The trail was narrow and there wasn’t really anywhere else to sit if you wanted to sit. It was either sit there on the trail or try not to slide down the mountain while sitting over the edge of the trail. We stepped carefully around them, assuring them we weren’t annoyed by their presence.

Funny thing happened along one of the ridges we were walking down. It was a spot that was somewhat out in the open. I don’t mean there were no trees. There were. But the way the trail was situated, there was a clear view of the distant mountains. So, for just a brief moment we had cell service. And my phone blew up, downloading way more text messages than I cared to read. But I also had a voice mail from Mom. So, I thought I should probably call her back. I did and she was wondering if we were home.

“No. We are still out and won’t be back until next Sunday. Right now we are standing on the edge of a mountain trail not too far from Rocky Top,” I told her, thinking she would be impressed or at least interested, because of the song and all.

I don’t think it registered. She continued on and gave me all the low downs about my siblings and what they were up to and her plans for the day. I wondered if later, when she talked to my sister, she told her I was standing on the edge of a mountain trail or something like that.

Here is my exaggerated analogy...It would be like Neil Armstrong calling his mom after he stepped on the moon.

“Mom. It’s Neil.”

“Hi, Honey. How are you,”

“Mom! I’m on the moon!”

“Oh, that’s nice, honey. Listen, your sister, Barb, called and she is having some gout issues. I’m going over to see my friend Nelly and I’m running a little late. I know you’re busy, but give me a call when you get home. Okay? Talk to you soon. Have a safe trip.”

Like I said, I’m exaggerating here, but I did find it funny. I’m not knocking my mom. She great. Amazing to be doing all the things she does at 90 years old. If she wants to be unimpressed with my mountaineering feats; she’s earned that right.

Photo by Camille on Unsplash