Thursday, February 16, 2012

Oooo, That Smell - A Tale of Daring Do

I used to hike the hills and dales around Pine Mountain, Georgia.   There was a lot of open land in the area, in particular the 30,000 acres or so that comprised Callaway Gardens.  Most of the Callaway property was undeveloped, beautiful and unspoiled with many creeks and beaver ponds and was a favorite place for a winter walk in the woods.  But as often as not, I would trespass on private lands or within the Roosevelt State Forest.

Late Fall to early Spring the hardwood forests would be clear and the features of the land visible, as well as wildlife.  I liked to hike up creeks that flowed from the mountain because, very often, I would be rewarded by beautiful little waterfalls and rocky places and the occasional long-abandoned old grist mill. 

One Sunday morning, I had hiked to a bald rock outcrop in a hilltop meadow to enjoy the view of the valley below.  The meadow was bisected by a small creek that flowed from the mountaintop above.  I decided to follow it up the mountain to see what I could see,  pretty much like the fabled bear who just wanted to see the other side.  As I was picking my way I got a whiff of a strange odor.  I didn't pay it any mind at the time but further along, the odor became more pungent and then I heard the sound of voices and activity through the trees just ahead.

I knew immediately that I had stumbled onto a moonshine still.  Now, I'm a pretty stealthy walker for I have made it a habit to move as quietly as possible through the woods so as to be able to surprise wildlife.  I have seen many a beautiful heard of deer, foxes, fox squirrels and birds because of this.  I once surprised a pair of wolf-sized dogs on a deep-woods trail.  They showed aggressive behavior until I dinged one of them with a small stone.  I remember thinking at the time that the ability to strike something at a distance is the reason mankind survived savage beasts throughout the ages.   But on this particular morning, the wildlife was of a different sort altogether and a little more than I had bargained for.

I had enough confidence in my woodsman abilities to consider, for a moment, sneaking up to a place where I could see the moonshiners at work, but quickly rejected that notion.  Visions of Deliverance filled my head.  I would like to tell you a tale of a wild chase down the mountainside, the armed hillbillies close on my heels but the truth is, I tucked my tail between my legs and quietly returned the way I came.  Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor.

18 comments:

  1. No question that dueling banjos came immediately to mind.

    I know that area very well and you were a lucky fellow indeed. Those boys don't like no interlopers apokin' their nose where it don't belong. Especially citified noses.

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  2. Came across a similar situation in Miami in the 80s, only in that instance, it was coke. :-) Best to back out, slowly...

    Pearl

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  3. Tales are always more interesting when you live to tell them.

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  4. How true, how true, all. Pearl, thanks for stopping by. Ya'll come back now.

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  5. It's like walking in on your parents having sex. If they didn't notice you, it's better to back out and deal with the trauma of what you have seen a bit later.

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  6. LOL... yes, it's about the same trauma level.

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  7. I was going to make a Deliverance joke, but you already beat me to it.

    Glad you got out of there safely. Pot growers in Northern California have the same reputation as moonshiners: If they see somebody walking around who "don't belong," they'll shoot first and ask questions later.

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  8. when in danger when in doubt
    run in circles scream and shout..
    but in this case running in the opposite direction was the best move.

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  9. Wouldn't they have sold you a gallon or two?

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  10. In a way you got to love those moonshiners, talk about keeping a real but dangerous Southern tradition alive in the 21st century.

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  11. In this case, late 20th Century but still (no pun intended), you make a good point. I imagine they're still (oops) at it.

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  12. Hi Mr. C.
    Friko again.
    I have been thinking about a comment of yours about my blog, ie that I don't discuss politics and religion. You are right, of course.

    I have tried to answer the first in today's post.

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  13. And I am here after reading Friko's post. :)

    Living in a place such as you describe here, I would prefer a confrontation with the wolves over the men. Yes, it is wise to tread softly.

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  14. I'll be right over Friko. Rubye, thanks for stopping by.

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  15. My stopping by is all Friko's fault! Enjoying very much reading some of your recent posts. Just goes to show you never know what's around the corner -- in the city or on the mountainside!

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  16. I just found your blog. I don’t know where Baja Georgia is… I live near Kennesaw, GA. I think you were prudent to get away from that still – my husband told me that some of these folks can be pretty mean… I like you heading.

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  17. thankfully your discretion delivered you.....
    that movie has sustained quite incredible iconic power... i was struck by how immediately it came to mind.

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