An Erie Tale of Hiking Alone

I'd just returned from a photography trip in the Cumberland State Park. It is outside an undesirably interesting town called Tracy City. Anxious to try out my new Olympus Stylus Epic, I rushed for a solo trek through a trail I've only been half way through. My friend ran into me at Walgreens as I was picking up my film. Lillie was not only my critic, but usually a trail buddy.
"The scenery was absolutly breathe taking!" I said, enthusiastically. Although slightly disappointed that I'd be delayed. She's always had a Knack; a talent if you will, for holding people up when they least need it. I've never hiked straight through Fiery Gizzard before." This was true. I've hiked many of the trails in the area, but this one I've only been halfway through.

"So the trail wasn't to hard was it Patricia?" Asked Lillie after telling the cashier my name.

"Tougher than I'd expected toward the end, but the falls were worth it." I said this as the stumpy man behind the counter had finished retrieving my order. "When I left, I wasn't to sure about the weather, but the falls loose their splendor after Spring." I've been there in the dry season, and the streams look like creeks; the waterfalls look like gutters. "I wanted to catch them before I left for home after the semester."

"I've only been there with you" said Lillie, "and that was last semester. I'd love to see it while it was green. It was so cold last time I'm almost afraid to go back, and I hardly enjoyed it for that reason. Besides, that area gives me the creeps. Remember that creepy guy that kept staring at us in that gas station? Anyways, I'd prefer to stick to the trails back home. You know, I feel more familiar there."

"The trails were pretty dead being mid-week," I told her, passively glancing across the label of the packet of photographs. I didn't see a soul when I got passed the day loop." Lillie had always been a stickler for the buddy system. Maybe it was the Girl Scout in her; she never aproved of solo packing. She warned me before heading out, and told me unbelievable; almost urban-ledgend-like, stories in a vain attempt to get me to change my mind.

By then we were walking toward the front of the store, heading for the cashier. Lillie asked me, "how much film did ya burn through? Knowing you; at least two rolls." She then let out her habitual laugh that I'm much to accustomed to. "No, actually" I said, "for some reason I some how managed to roll past a few developments. I guess I wasn't paying attention, but somehow I went through my first roll way to fast." I then turned to the stumpy woman behind the front counter and handed her my card. Spouses perhaps? At anyrate, the price was usually the same, and I payed little attention to the total.

"Have you had a chance to look at your developments?" She asked, knowing that I haven't.

"No," I replied "its been some time since I've used thirty-five milimeter, and I'm a bit nervous to see how it came out, ya know? Besides, the new camera took some getting used to. There are two rolls worth here, but I didn't quite finish off the third roll. Maybe I will next week at graduation."

"Well here" said Lillie has she thrusted her hand toward my envelope of photographs, "lemme look at the first. I'll pull out the bad one's so you won't feel bad."

"Fair enough" I said without hesitation. She has always been a good critic, and a good friend; although, a bit ditzy at times. I handed over the envelop without hesitation. I was admitably anxious to see the results. It truelly was a beautiful trek, with complete solitude. I was glad to actually get away from school and enjoy some quality alone time before moving back out of the dormatory. But at the same time, the trek left me with a sense of eriee lonliness. It was probably from my unfamiliarity with solo backpacking.

I watched Lillie as she happily fliped through each photograph. Pausing on each scene, scaning each detail with complete acceptance on her face. Then, sudenly, her countance changed. I thought, "dear, here it comes." Lillie found me in complete confusion when she asked, "I thought you packed alone?"

After several long seconds of puzzlement, I said "Lillie, you know I did."

"You don't have to lie," was her retort "if a guy went, you can tell me."

"Lillie" I said, with an annoyed laugh, "what are you talking about. No body went with me."

With complete blank shock, lillie said "God, these pictures are of you sleeping."