9/24/2020
Having had a really bad case of Covid over the past few months, I had no energy for two and couldn't smell or taste for four weeks. I woke up this morning, thought for a bit and it hit me. I needed to do something that would distract me from everything that has to do with Covid, to go on several hiking trips over the course of two weeks.
I needed to improve myself in any way possible that I can mentally, physically and spiritually. Afterall, I know in my kindred heart that the safest place I can be is in nature and one with the spirit. Today I'm preparing and planning my awesome quests over the upcoming days. Tomorrow I will surely be ready!
9/25/2020
I arose this beautiful morning to birds happily chirping outside my bedroom window. I decided after heavy thoughts from yesterday, to hike Thorne Head Preserve, determined to figure out the true story of Murderers Cave, at the very top of the 3/4 mile trail. The sign at the entrance of the Preserve spoke of the true events.
In 1886, a Daniel Wilkerson shot and killed Constable Lawrence while trying to burglarize a business. He was later found hiding in the rectangle cave. He was soon hung for his actions, one of only 23 ever in the state. As soon as I saw the intricate cave, I loved it! Infact, I was pleasantly enlightened for hours.
Suddenly, just before sunset when I was thinking of leaving, a downpour began. I ignited a fire in the cave with twigs and pine needles, waiting the storm out. It actually rained all night through. At about midnight lying in a pine needle bed I had hastily constructed, I realized that the one thing Covid has actually allowed me to have is a more genuine intimatesy with nature. I suppose One-Eyed Willy could even fit in here!
9/27/2020
After a day off of much needed rest, I decided to continue my quest, by going not far from home, to Humbleton Playground in Brunswick, Maine. I chose to hike an adjoining trail, which ultimately came to a much thinner trail, grown by several years of thickets.
I followed it until the very end, where it opened up to a large cove. I tredged my way around the muddy shoreline and there hiding in the shadows was what I was ment to see all along. It was what appeared to be a red 60's style rocking horse, held up by a big rusty spring. I had only seen one on a picture when I was a child.
I figured out that having spirit and enthusiasm much like a young boy or girl, in times of pandemics, helps to really distract from Covid and puts me in the right frame of mind. The rusty horse helped me to feel like a boy once again and I even went as far as imaging to ride it. After much consideration of taking it home, I decided the red horse was best layed where it rests. I was hopeful that one day another person may be blessed by stumbling upon this rare occasion.
9/28/20
After a great night's rest, dreaming of the 60's rocking horse, I arose and decided to branch out a bit, by traveling to Plymouth, Massachusetts. I ordered a room on the second floor facing Long Beach, at the Plymouth Sands Hotel.
I went outside and metal detected the beach as the tide was going down. I found several different shards of metal, battered by the tides for years. I imagined the pieces of metal being from the Mayflower and the history of Plymouth. Infact, Plymouth Plantation was constructed in 1620!
The sandbar seems to go on forever, like a land bridge to another continent. That wasn't really what made my day though. Just before sunset, during low tide, I ordered over at a set of exposed rocks. I swore to myself in awe for ten minutes, that what I was actually looking at was the rusty rocking horse that I had seen just yesterday! I came to a logical conclusion, that seeing something inspiring was a welcome relief, compared to how I felt over a few forgettable months ago.
9/30/2020
Yesterday while busy running errands, I realized that today is the last day of the fishing season, so I'm on my way to the Kennebec River to fish for stripers. I figure that, if I pay attention to the nature, I will surely catch a fish.
I am arriving at the Bath, Maine boat launch. I back my truck down the launch and put in my boat. I head upriver to Phippsburg, Maine. On the west side shore was a really old church, so quaint in it's ways.
I am floating into a 50 foot long, 6 foot deep sandbar. Just then, I look over and see a bunch of beautiful birds diving into the cloudy water, after bait fish. I turn my trolling motor on low and get close. My fish finder appears full of fish. I cast my lure into the water 20 feet away and just after I begin reeling it in, a striper is on my line. It takes me a whopping 20 minutes to reel in the strong fish. When I finally get him in the boast, I am in true awe! I weigh in the stripee at 42 pounds and measure him at a lengthy 36 inches long!
I am so happy, infact I'm ecstatic. It is such a spiritual moment, like I'm in the right place, at the right time and in the right spirits. Best of all, I don't think that I can catch Covid from a fish, but a fish from Covid.
9/31/2020
I'm taking today and the next few days to prepare and plan one final spirit filled trip, one that I will remember for the rest of my life. This past week has shown me some of the best days of my life, days I haven't had since a child. I have never felt this much in peace, in touch with the spirit.
Perhaps a stunning river will assist me with my needs, or even the Dessert of Maine will show me something extraordinary. Maybe I can go to Daggett Rock in Wayne, Maine, being one of the largest glacial rocks in Maine. I can choose to go close, which is where the heart truly is. Infact that's where I will stick.
Tomorrow I'm going to go to Wharten's Cove in Brunswick, Maine, where I currently live. Im going to pick some mussels from the mud flats while taking some photos. I'm going to bring my tent and camp outside while roasting the mussels over a fire. It will be incredible to enjoy something tasty, something that God so gracefully created, that will nourish my mind, body and soul. I will especially cherish the fire under the stars, to end the evening.
It's a shame to end my quest so soon, but next week I need to return to work after a much needed vacation, distraction and relief. 40 more hours until I find my forever!
10/04/2020
After sleeping in, I got my stuff together and headed out. After a 30 minute hike I'm now at Whartten's Point reading the sign. It turns out that there was once a house here but natives burnt it down. The man that lived here supposedly buried his money and it's never been found. I metal detected for a bit but only found 4 pennies, a dime and 3 bottle caps. I sat in the grass, taking scenic photos of boats, on shore and beyond the mud flats.
I relaxed for a while under the sun, mild being it for early october. I saw bubbles in the mud so I went closer and took a look. Mussels where sticking out of the mud everywhere. I pulled a dozen of them out of the mud, washed them in nearby water, then put them in a seal baggie. I couldn't wait to sit near a fire and enjoy the nourishing crustations.
I hiked through the woods along the cove line for an hour, taking in the sounds of the birds and wind, cherishing every minute. I think that, like myself, all anyone has to do to get a Covid-ual distration, is to get out into nature, look and listen to it's bounties, and simply have some fun. Now thinking about it, the unforgettable quests I've been on have changed my life, so I'm going to write the second Covid-ual Distraction in spring of 2021.
I found a nice little opening of grass. I pitched my tent and made a fire. I pulled a little pan out of my backpack, filled it with salt water and the mussels I had found, then put it on the fire. I pulled a coffee mug and a stick of butter out of my bag, melting the butter over the fire. When the mussels were finally finished, I opened the shells, and drizzled some butter on them. I enjoyed them as as the sun had just been set, revealing luminescent stars throughout the sky.
What a serene evening it was, one that I will really miss. While laying under the Big Dipper, I couldn't believe that, once my time here is finished, I will be going back to work, cooking up a storm. I have all winter to do research for next spring's quests, so they will be great one's for sure. I shed a tear while thinking about how much I had grown spiritually. I concluded to myself and to everyone who reads this that, even in the winter, we can get that Covid-al distraction that we need!