Howls With Wolves

Wahkenah Spring Hike

Well, I finally got out hiking today. I have been out of it for so long that I my outdoor skills have grown rusty. And many of my favorite hiking toys have either gone into hiding or have completely left the house. Where is my Spot Emergency Beacon? Where is my #7 Pocket Knife? How in the hell did I get to the trail head and not remember my lunch shelter and my canteen? I had to use my emergency backup shelter and canteen.

This Umbrella probably didn't help my Nature Sense.

I was even having difficulty with my ability to commune with nature. Otherwise that damn wolf pack never would have been able to sneak up on me like that. I mean, I was on my back with the Alpha Male's jaws on my throat before I even knew they were there. And Silver Snout was so pleased with himself. I could feel him chuckling through the teeth gripping lightly at my jugular. He hasn't been able to surprise me like that for years. And the cubs, Grey Smoke and Tinkerbelle, I don't think they remembered me at all. They were so excited they tried to take a bite out of me. Would have too except their Mom saw what was happening and jumped in to chase them away.

Silver Snout just winked at me (where did he learn to do that) and backed off and let me up. Then he gestured to his mate to let the children go. Tinkerbelle was always the thinker of the pair, she held back, but Grey Smoke was on me in the instant, and just as fast I had him on his back with my Knife at his neck and my face pushing into his. DEATH OR SURRENDER was what I was thinking. And i could see the light come into his eyes. He suddenly remember the 2 legs that had waded out into that ice chocked river to rescue him and his sister that first winter of their lives. The Winter I became pack friend.

And then Silver Snout let out a howl. He howled out my true pack name. And his sister joined him. And the other adults and soon the entire pack was howling my true name. and I pulled back my knife and turned my head to the sky and howled my best rendition of the Name of the Pack. And we were all so happy with each other.

God what a great hike.

Fairy Falls.