Mountaintop Days,The Hell Ride To Kane
on April 12th, 2010 at 4:21 pmSitting by the stream on the farm in Kane, my mind drifted back to those mountaintop days. I remembered that at this time of fall how the smell of fireplaces being lit from across various mountains and our own from that little cabin that had been my home, would fill the air and mingle with the fresh air and pine trees. I thought back to my trip here from Alderson.
The ride from Alderson, West Virginia was to say the least eventful. Riding with an ex Korean war veteran chugging Jack Daniels Whiskey and popping speed to stay awake, taking mountain hair pin curves as if he was in the time trials for the Indianapolis 500. I heard every story about wars and whores and how he wanted to go to Vietnam but could not because he had lost a leg in Korea. I watched in amazement as he pumped the clutch, the gas pedal and shifted gears. I wanted to ask which leg but was afraid the fool would take off the artificial one to show me.
It was about this time that I realized I needed to change my name and find a complete new identity. I figured with any luck the State Police would pull the fool over and I would at least be spared a gruesome death impaled on a pine tree. The problem with this plan was that if they checked my identity and ran it through some bureau invested in capturing such peaceful war resisting desperado as myself, then my game of cat and mouse would soon be over. I also came to the decision that telling this guy my story, was not a great idea. I was afraid I would be invited to get out without him bothering to stop the truck or even slow down.
**** The video and song that follows this continuing story came out about 7 years after the above events. However, as I wrote these words I remembered the song and decided to include it here. The pictures of the road shown here of Wolf Creek Pass are not in the Blue Ridge or Allegheny Mountains but In Colorado. Apparently, the road shown was once a two-lane road, as was the road we had traveled from Alderson to Altoona, were I was thankfully left by the side of the road. There would still be ground to cover before reaching Kane. However, that was fine with me. I was just happy to be alive and out of a rattling tin can driven by a mad man high on pills and Jack Daniels.
Hi Sanders ~ It’s kind of good to come into a story in the middle of the action. I’m glad you lived to tell the tale.
xhenry
Thank you and if you want to catch up, the story starts with A Small Cabin On A Mountaintop, etc.
I guarantee I’ll be having dreams about being on this ride, down the mountainside. I kept wanting to put on the brakes!
Ha!
What I find scarier than the ride with the crazy pill-head is the fact that that song sounds kind of familiar. Interesting tale. You seem to be one of those people who attracts adventure and the unusual. I can’t really picture you in a suit behind a desk. Rock on!
NO desk No tie, No fit in for me. Thank you.
You’re a man of many talents.
hello friend, how are you? Great post
.I wanted to leave the message in BC but does not work,
I am much more animated: I am in a more spiritual path. I try to focus on a more positive attitude, I feel better that way:)))
And how are your things? I look forward to hearing from you.
See you soon friend
hellow…This is my first visit
nice to meet you
nice blog..my friend
succesful!
Thank you for the nice words