Learnin' ...

The Wood Ape and the old "silver-back" in Fouke ...
... sights seen this weekend on a remote roadside.

     Hi, y’all … I just got back from campin’ with a new bunch of friends.  In the past, I was used to doin’ all the plannin’ sortin’, packin’, scoutin’ and campin’ by myself and goin’ it alone … so this was a quite a learnin’ experience.  The last time I camped with folks other than my own family was for bass fishin’ … and I kinda felt sorry for the guys in our camp site.  I snore like a boar; so bad, as a matter-of-fact, that I’ve been threatened with an ass-whippin’ a few times.  I was just lucky that none of my fishin’ buds were related to John Wesley Hardin!  I went and bought me some of them Breathe-Right Strips and they must’ve worked, ‘cause I made it home unscathed and was able to peck-out this blog ...
 

     On Friday mornin' I had picked up my buddy Andy in Porter and we had us a 'lil road trip out to Caddo Lake in Uncertain, Texas and had visited with some of my friends.  Afterwards, I drove Andy through Doddridge, Arkansas, and then out to Jonesville ... which was the area where the original "Jonesville Monster" sightings occurred.  After toolin' around on some back roads, we ended-up in Fouke, Arkansas.  We did the tourist-thing and hit the Monster Mart to see what-all they had to show.  Then, we headed to our next destination which was on private property ... a secluded tree farm back in Upshur County, Texas.

     The area of our little campin’ trip was located just outside of Gilmer.  If I'd have driven straight to the tree farm, it would've taken the same amount of time as it takes for me to get to Uncertain; however, this trip was a lot less stressful not haulin’ a boat, a kayak and a week’s worth of provisions and fishin’ gear.  Once there, Andy and I were now part of someone else’s game plan … part of a team of individuals who have gathered to both teach and hone this group’s outdoor skills for future, more remote off-trail campin’.  Most of these folks are hard-core outdoor enthusiasts and go places that take hours of hikin’ to get to.  Travelin’ light, quiet and ever observing, these folks truly know what it’s like to do their time in the grime!  Finally, I seem to have met some folks who are the real deal and take bein’ out in the wild seriously.

Just a few of the members of the North American Wood Ape Conservancy during the Training Camp held this weekend.

     What sets this group apart from most is that they are part of a serious effort to once and for all get definitive proof of what’s really roamin’ ‘round out there in them woods.  That’s right; definitive proof of what some folks have been callin’ “Bigfoot”, Booger, Caddo Critter, Fouke Monster, Sasquatch, Skunk Ape, Wildman or now … the North American Wood Ape actually exists.  Serious field researchers who want to prove that this is a real animal and not some myth, misidentification or fabrication of over-active imaginations.  These are folks like myself who know that what they have witnessed is a real living animal, but don’t fully understand exactly what this animal is.  So, this was the first time for me to interact out in the field with like-minded individuals who are genuinely serious about this subject.  And if I am to become further involved with this group and its efforts, it was time I did some learnin’ …

     I’m not one of them folks who cain’t follow instructions, nor am I one not to follow through with what is asked of in specific situations.  But I am one of them folks who's been used to doin’ stuff on his own and figurin’ out stuff for himself.  Now, I am part of a team at my profession and have co-workers who depend on me to get the job done.  But out in the field, it’s a whole different type of teamwork.  One small mistake can put yourself as well as your team in jeopardy; whether it’s somethin’ as innocent as givin’ up your location, or somethin’ as serious as gettin’ someone hurt.  So now it was time for me to learn how this particular team works.  In time, I hope to be able to contribute my skills and/or abilities for the benefit of this team and its efforts; but for now, it was time for me to observe the team and do some learnin’ …

       What I was most impressed with was, that in this particular organization … not only was each individual organized, they all worked very proficiently as a team.  As the sayin’ goes … there ain’t no “I” in the word, “team” … so not only were we all there to learn ... we actually had a bit of fun in the process.  I'd love to elaborate, but it's been a long trip and I’m kinda shy on sleep … so I’ll have to continue with this entry at another time.  I’ve also been experiencin’ some health issues over the last month, and have an appointment/examination tomorrow afternoon.  And who knows what fresh Hell I’ll walk into back at the office?  I guess that’s why they call ‘em Mondays.  But I've learned that most Mondays aren't bad ... they're just challengin'!  Think about it.  So until next time, take care … and y’all come back now, you hear?