Sunday, March 23, 2008

A trip to no man's land

I do this once in awhile--go out to the west desert and explore trails and skeet shoot. I usually take my brother with me, but this time he drove. He owns a Ford Explorer and can't get up into the same territory that Clyde can. So, we kind of hung around the foothills and couldn't break trail on some of the snowy paths.

We set up a shooting range on a hill next to a fork in the trail. Just as we were about to start shooting I didn't feel well. I was in agony and tried my best to do some shooting and enjoy the scenery. I ended up having to find a place to go. It helped, but I don't want to have to do that again. So, I came back up to our set up and shot like the devil himself. It was about then that a convoy of some serious dudes in serious rigs came up the trail.

When you get up in these desolate areas it is understood that "fun" can mean illegal activities. When you are out gunned or not interested in facing questionable types, you kind of pull a "What goes on in no man's land stays in no man's land." When I saw these guys bust through these big, virgin drifts, I was a bit interested in where they could be going in such earnest. After I got done shooting for awhile, I told my brother that I was going to hike up the trail to check them out.

I found a couple of great liquor bottles along the way that I would use for target practice. Coming around the bend I could see some massive tailings from abandoned mines and the canyon's opening, a narrow limestone crevice. I thought to myself that this was what they must have been coming up here for because it was hard to get to and secluded. A little further up I could hear their voices, but not what they were saying. They would shoot their guns here and there--nothing that would get your goat up if you are used to this area--it's all pretty common.

It was as I was just around the corner from them that I got hit by an amazing shock wave. My teeth rattled and I could feel my insides react to it. It was loud as hell, whatever it was, and then I couldn't hear much of anything but the ringing in my ears. I've not had a scare like that but a few times in my life. I did an about face and tried to walk out of there as fast as I could. I would have run but it was all snow and mud ruts from them breaking trail.

I know that there are some people who close mine shafts around that area for public safety, so I convinced myself that was what was going on. When I came back to my brother he had a relieved look on his face. He asked me if I heard an explosion and I said, in a shaky tone, "How could I not? I was almost right there." We both decided to head out of there. Man, I was happy to get out of that area.

I contemplated telling the police about it, but I didn't pay enough attention to the vehicles to give helpful details. Also, the nearest police station is about sixty miles away and how to explain where this all was going on, I hadn't a clue because it was the first time I'd been there. Plus, this area is no man's land. Lot's of weird stuff happens and you just let it go--until you find a dead body. Thank goodness that hasn't happened to me, yet. Am I sick in the head that I can't wait to go there again?

17 comments:

Clearlykels said...

You're ridiculous. At least you had fun??

The Grunt said...

Yeah, it was a good time. Oh, and I pride myself of my ridiculous. I mean, I'm still Captain of Team Wholesome!

Keshi said...

**Lot's of weird stuff happens and you just let it go--until you find a dead body

OMG thats freaky like hell!

Keshi.

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

That sounds like a lot of wooded areas of Fayette County, or as it is often called- Fayette Nam. Just for tonight I will dream of the scent of gunmetal.

Stay out of trouble.

Christielli said...

That's just crazy, crazy, crazy. I suppose there are lots of dead bodies wrapped in carpets by the mafia out in those parts?

The Grunt said...

Keshi~ "It's only a matter of time," I say to myself each trip I make out there.

Julie~ Ha! Well, in the state that I live in there are so many weird backwoods areas outside of the Wasatch Front. Nothing like sister wife spotting!

Christielli~ Oh, my! There's always something gruesome turning up out there.

Claire said...

Heh. That's quite a day.

Cxx

Tys on Ice said...

how can u sit here?...u need to go back and check...perhaps with a camera this time...and a cell fone...

Scary Monster said...

Hey there Cap'n. Glad to hear that you are blowin shit up or at least shootin at stuff while others be doin it.
Sounds like some good STOMPIN!

Diane Mandy said...

Just reading the story freaked me out. Don't go back!

Outdoorsy Girl said...

I can totally see how that would be fun.

The Grunt said...

Claire~ Yeah, I certainly did not expect it.

Tys~ I have been curious. The only problem for me is that this place is about 100 miles from where I live.

Scary~ It was something alright. I'm thinking some of the locals had some dynamite and wanted to have a bit of fun.

Diane~ That is sound advice.

O-Girl~ It's fun until you crap your pants from fear.

Clearlykels said...

ha ha! Captain team WHolesome!!! I forgot!

Chandra said...

Very "No country for old men" just with a better non- crappy ending!

Please remember if you see a bunch of trucks together in the middle of no where and dead pitbulls you will RUN FAST away. Don't check them for money.

This will all make more sense if you've seen the movie.

p.s do not trust men with bob haircuts.

Sun Follower said...

Great story - gave me chills.

The Grunt said...

Kels~ And proud of it!

Chandra~ I loved that movie and I got the ending.

Sun~ It was certainly chilling at the time. I know that it was probably just a bunch of "good ol' boys" letting off some steam with some blasting caps.

Chandra said...

You must explain it to my feeble mind... I totally didn't get it, maybe it's an american thing :P lol just kidding!