- Dusk -

            We just got done searching the woods here in Clarkesville, GA.  That’s us,  saplin’ and Sway (joseph and Jenny).  We’re looking.  Usually up, but sometimes straight.  We have been looking for quite some time.  Not just in these woods here, but all over the place.  We felt it was about time to share it with the rest of our world. 

            I guess it started with a haunted Oak in Milledgeville named Emma.  Ms. Emma rejected our attempts at throwing at this one perfect crouch.  But that is where it began.  In her lovin arms, she lets us pitch a tree boat and cradled us while the sun set with simplistic perfection.  As we have known for quite some time, the sun comes to Milledgeville to set.  And of course, it sets better when you can watch it eye to eye. 

To continue on, Sway and I were hooked.  We began to plan local climbs that would test our new learned skills and see how other trees received us.  Of course, the first place this took us was the hardware store.  We had to find slick line and throw bags, right!?!  O.k., point on patience and frustration killer, never go to a hardware store and buy some slick line and rig up a throw bag with your lose change.  Needless to say, we began with learning more about physics and the strength of our relationship than we ever could about the canopy of the trees.  But with persistence and the calm insights of Sway, we found ourselves in a large Poplar in Bartram Forest.  We had a single rope and an arborist rope, so we began experimenting with how pitches could be changed on a single rope from within the tree.  Another point of frustration is this mighty feat.  But as nature so often does, we were congratulated on our endurance with the quite feeding of a doe and the sporadic dance of two butterflies.  I think Sway and I read some into that, you can too, but the important thing is that we realized that we could utilize the skills provided to us, and expand on them with a little common sense and patient know-how.

     Since that time we have climbed in the largest tree in Milledgeville, a huge Oak in Sway’s brother’s yard.  This tree had the most amazing feature of two branches that grew together about half way up to form an “H” which created the perfect perching point for positively panoramic pondering.  We made a friend during this climb, Ms. King, and were invited to her house to play in her Cedar, Swamp Oak, and Hickory Chestnut Oak.  This activity was appreciated by Sway, saplin, and Bug-lady.  We had a grand ol’ time.  We smelt of Cedar for hours and enjoyed a picnic about 40 feet up, yelling “headache” as pieces of lettuce and bread slowly descended to the ground.

Of course our vertical wanderings have also taken us away from the “ville.”  We have enjoyed trees in Ellijay, GA and Virginia.  In Virginia we met with our friends the Marcus’s and enjoyed playing in the area where this country’s concept of freedom originated.  It seemed fitting to look over this great land of ours high on the Shenandoah Parkway and get a sense of true freedom.  Yes, we are always hooked in to a line, anchored, and secure, but is that not what true freedom is?  The ability to see, feel, smell, taste, embrace all while you are in the arms of something greater than you.  Cradling you.  Supporting your true exploration.  Holding you while you smile with new realizations and epiphanies.  I think this is what it is all about.  Not freedom from laws or rules or society.  It is personal freedom by reveling in those things that truly embrace you.

    So here we are, dusk.  Looking.  We have a plan, Sway and I.  Some want to hike the Appalachian Trail.  Some want to crest Everest.  Some want to complete a marathon.  We would just like to climb a tree in every state. 

 

 

 

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