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Overview
A thirst for adventure leads a young man down a path of discovery. On a hike into the forbidding Sipsey Wilderness, Raleigh Walker discovers some rather interesting artifacts related to the Indian Removal Act during the 1830s. Barely making it out of the forest, he decides to go looking for more information. In doing so, he stumbles across a fascinating woman with a family whose Cherokee background seems strangely tied to the mystery he unearthed in the woods.
Jenny Riddle is a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. When Raleigh enters her life, he gives her a new mission to fight for. Together they begin to put together the pieces of a puzzle, following the story of a young Cherokee couple who escaped the Trail of Tears while also creating a new story of their own, generations later. The hideaway connects the past to the present in this historical fiction of love and hardship.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781934610640 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Bluewater Publishing |
| Publication date: | 01/22/2018 |
| Pages: | 350 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.78(d) |
| Age Range: | 13 - 18 Years |
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Raleigh Walker was born to roam. His Native American ancestry subtly hid any additional Irish lineage which might have crept in. He claimed an ample amount of Cherokee blood flowing through his veins — that it was diluted at all by the white man had very little impact on his appearance. The contamination had failed to deny him the dark skin, high cheekbones, and black hair that distinguished his great-grandparents, who were both full-blooded Cherokee. It was also clear in his love of the wilderness and his distaste for stagnancy. The thrill for action shone in his brown eyes that had a hint of green, successfully highlighting his handsome face.
His good looks rivaled some of the big names in Hollywood, but Raleigh's personality was quite different. He was too much the outdoorsman to be a slave to schedules and deadlines. The untamed genes in his body vetoed any attempt to corral the wild instincts that he had inherited. It was this love of the outdoors that motivated his dogged persistence to remain committed and to complete the outing he had planned for the coming weekend. It was considered by him to be a great challenge, and he was eager to face it.
It was an undertaking he would have liked to have taken years before, but would have been impossible before his university education had been completed. Through the insistence of his parents, Raleigh had reined in his adventuresome spirit long enough to earn a college degree. He probably would not have endured the demands required to receive his diploma had his major not been in a field in which he had an interest. Criminal justice offered an appealing vocation that suited his risk-taking ways — it offered excitement. His vision of outsmarting the criminal mind presented a challenge that appealed to him.
Although unaware of it, Raleigh was about to enter into an adventure that would satisfy his appetite for excitement. His physical and mental abilities would be totally challenged, and his life would be forever changed.
Raleigh was at home in the woods, the abode of his ancestors whom had occupied this land long before the arrival of the white man. He considered his forages into the forest to be a means of communication with the spirits that had once guided the red man before the intrusion of those who would later lay claim to his homeland.
"Hike in and you may get a free flight out!"
Kurt Marshal's attempt to discourage Raleigh's planned backpacking trip was going nowhere.
"Carrion Airlines wouldn't be my way of choice to exit that canyon."
"Kurt, what are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about the BBE — the Buzzard Belly Express. Their cargo is excrement — filthy dung. You would be unceremoniously deposited under their roosting limb. If that is your burial ground of choice, go for it! Funeral home charges are mighty expensive anyway. You could just cut out the middle man and the expenses of a burial plot and let the vultures do the work for free. I would think, however, that you might want to stay around a little longer and have a more decent burial when Saint Peter calls your number. I know it's crude to say, but I'm trying to talk some sense into your thick head. The old timers claimed that many who were crazy enough to go into that canyon never came out."
The Sipsey Canyon in Northwest Alabama was the topic of discussion. Raleigh was determined to make the hike, and Kurt, as a close friend and experienced forester, was attempting to change his mind.
"Ain't no search party going to go in there to pull a dumb knucklehead out of trouble! Most everyone's got enough sense to stay out of that place. If something happened you probably wouldn't be found, and you know there's not a cell phone signal around that wilderness. You will be completely on your own."
Kurt offered sound advice. His extensive knowledge of the area dictated that he strongly discourage anyone who wanted to backpack into the canyon.
"As you know, I once thought that I wanted to make that trek. I didn't get far before I realized it wasn't the smart thing to do, to say the least. Granted, I have never been compared to King Solomon, but I do have enough wisdom to know my limitations. It didn't take long for me to reach them and realize that it was time for me to swallow my pride and call it quits. I think that you should do the same before you get into more trouble than you can handle. Don't go into that place!"
The warning would go unheeded.
CHAPTER 2"Rattlesnake kisses can pack quite a wallop! I'm not convinced that you are man enough to handle that kind of affection," Kurt persisted further.
"Don't worry, Kurt. It can't be that difficult. Good weather is forecasted for the weekend; that should be in my favor."
"You will get wet. And you will get cold!"
"Beats wading through rattlesnakes."
Although Raleigh did not consider cold temperatures to be a major negative issue for the weekend, snakes were a different story. He harbored a strong dislike for the creatures. He was aware that snakebite in the remote wilderness could be fatal. A warm, sunny day could lure the snakes out of their dens to absorb the warmth of the rock ledges through which the traverse must be made into the canyon. Raleigh wanted no part of that possibility.
Kurt responded, "Believe me, you'll be singing a different tune before you get out of that hole. Go ahead! Be a macho red man. Learn the hard way. You're not going for a stroll in the park."
"That bad, huh?" Raleigh's reply did not indicate that he was convinced by Kurt's warning.
Kurt, still pleading, continued, "Listen, Raleigh, I know what I'm talking about. It's that bad! I only started in, and it didn't take long for me to have all the adventure that I could enjoy."
"I'm going anyway!"
"It's your call! I wish you the best," Kurt finally gave in with a sigh, seeming to resign himself to the fact that nothing he could say would sway Raleigh to cancel his plans.
Never the one to back away from adversity, Raleigh was seeking high adventure.
"With luck, my Indian blood will help me survive. I suppose that I'm about to find out just how tough I am."
"Indians had sense enough to stay out of that canyon. So did the early settlers — and for a good reason! They didn't want to be a feast for buzzards."
The canyon to which Kurt referred was located in the Bankhead National Forest. Before it got its title from an influential congressman who worked to have the expanse designated a national forest, the original inhabitants of the wild territory called it the Black Warrior Mountains.
The forest claims a sizable portion of land in two Northwest Alabama counties: Winston and Lawrence.
In the heart of the 180,000 acres comprising the whole of the forest, there are 26,000 acres of rugged terrain which has been designated a wilderness area. The Sipsey Canyon cuts a deep gorge through the heart of the wilderness.
Should medical attention be needed, one would not want to be deep in this remote environment. Raleigh planned to hike alone, and he wanted to minimize his risk for the need of assistance. The reality that he might require help forced him to consider his weakness — that inability to resist the forces that pulled him toward the unknown. He normally was receptive to sound advice given in a constructive way, but at times, in matters pertaining to nature, he allowed untamed spirits to trump sound judgment.
The backpacking trip had been two years in the planning, but it seemed that Mother Nature had plotted against such an excursion. She had allowed Raleigh to make a number of lesser treks into the Bankhead but had prevented the hike that he most wanted to make by serving up foul weather at times when he had scheduled the hike. When she threatened, Raleigh knew not to venture far from the traveled paths that coursed throughout the forest. It would be inconceivable that he should consider the canyon trudge when storms were possible. Flash floods and slippery conditions could prove disastrous.
There are few remaining areas in Alabama that have been left untamed by the presence of man. The Sipsey Canyon, however, can lay claim to this distinction. The canyon remains the domain of the elements — with an abundance of rattlesnakes. A number of people have attempted to wrestle this isolation away from nature, but all have failed.
Raleigh recognized and respected this fact, but he now felt that at last it was time to make the journey that he so wanted to complete. The good weather forecast had convinced him that the stars had finally aligned in his favor, and he was determined to take advantage of the opportunity.
"Let's face it, Kurt. I am well aware that this ain't going to be no Sunday stroll, no matter the season. If I wanted easy hiking, I would hit the trail at the city park. To be truthful, the thought of meeting a challenge where others have failed — uh, no reflection on you, Kurt — is a powerful motivation for me."
Raleigh was not seeking Kurt's approval as he continued the conversation. His intent was to explain the rationale behind his dogged determination to complete his plans for the weekend.
"It's now or never. I will probably not find more favorable conditions than now. I'm feeling well, and I'm anxious to get started. I also have the time off, so now is the time to go."
"Go for it, Raleigh. It's your decision! Stay in the canyon, and you can't get lost. Come out the same way that you went in, and we won't need to send in a search party. Not that one would even go into that hole."
"Getting lost is the least of my concerns. Those who get lost in the forest are guilty of not doing their homework before they go in. A person who enters the wilderness not knowing what it is all about only invites trouble."
Serious hikers understand the importance of adequate preparation before leaving the forest roads. After the boundaries were established for the wilderness area, all roads had been closed. This allowed the forest to return to its natural state. Consequently, there are no roads and few trails within its confines. Seasoned hikers ignore the trails and bushwhack the creeks and ridges of this vast domain.
Raleigh had used his acquired knowledge of the forest on previous hikes, but he wouldn't need it on this excursion. In the canyon, there would only be one way in and one way out. Sheer canyon walls would prevent him from altering his path. The meandering confines of Hubbard Creek would dictate his course.
It is not difficult to find the Bankhead National Forest on the maps of Alabama. In the northwestern section of the state, the parcel can easily be distinguished by the large green section on the map, which outlines its boundaries. Only a few roads traverse this isolated area, which surrounds only one small town. Only those individuals interested in wilderness matters give this area a second glance.
Forest devotees, such as Raleigh and Kurt, see the locale differently. A gigantic lake fingers up in a northwestern direction, invading the heart of the forest. Built between towering rock cliffs, an earthen dam impounds waters of the Sipsey River, which flow from the forest, creating over five hundred miles of shoreline. The lake covers 41,000 acres, with depths reaching almost three hundred feet. The water is cold, pure, and as green as the surrounding vegetation. Crowding its banks further downstream from national forest property are houses, cabins, marinas, and other commercial enterprises.
Moving upstream from the dam, the congestion on the lake banks gradually gives way to uninhabited federal lands, breeding a notable change in scenery. Modern development yields to the beauties of nature at its finest. In this setting, Mother Nature has created a dazzling display of her best works. Creeks and streams channel the spring-fed water through lush vegetation and over more than a thousand waterfalls. Creatures that flourish in this environment are numerous and have made it their habitat for eons. Some are found nowhere else.
Numerous sandstone overhangs provided shelter for the original inhabitants of this area. The first inhabitants were the creatures of the forest, who were later joined by primitive humans. It is not known when these new settlers arrived to lay claim to the land, but they began to leave their marks on the surroundings. Generations of use have been documented by the relics that they left behind. The grinding of acorns and grains and the cracking of nuts formed "mortar rocks" and "nutting stones," which were deserted after centuries of use. Tools, weapons, petroglyphs, jewelry, and other artifacts left an account of their presence.
On the lake, only a few individuals today who live, vacation, and play on this man-made impoundment of water are aware of the treasures so near to them. Even fewer have enjoyed their beauties. They delight in their boating and swimming activities on the pure water of the lake but are oblivious to the wonders of its source and the volumes of history written within its boundaries.
It was to the core of this rugged creation that Raleigh was drawn. The entire forest is a treasure chest, but the wilderness is its crown jewel. Service and log roads that at one time existed have been barricaded and reclaimed by the forest. Many of the human imprints have disappeared, and the wilderness has regained control. Now, only the brave dare venture beyond its marked borders.
Originating in the pristine environment of the Warrior Mountains and the surrounding wilderness section are numerous creeks, branches, and small spring-fed streams, which feed the headwaters of the Sipsey River. From the western reaches, Hubbard Creek flows through a relatively placid terrain over a beautiful cascade waterfall before reaching a deep canyon. Water in the creek is then ushered into a wild ride over a rocky creek bed before being expelled into the peaceful flow of the Sipsey River. The water then continues its long journey, where it will eventually be introduced to the salt water of the Gulf of Mexico.
Before beginning the salinization process, however, it must make many stops; the first of which is the nearby dam. It will take many years for it to reach the Gulf. Locks and dams on the Black Warrior and the Tombigbee Rivers impede the flow, while towns, cities, and industries add pollutants to the once pure spring water. Further downstream, it is joined by the waters of the Alabama and Mobile Rivers, where it begins to pick up its salt content. Along the entire expanse of its journey, numerous small rivers and creeks have made their contribution to increase the volume of its flow.
The water in the canyon through which Raleigh would be wading would make a long flow as it made its passage downstream. In one long weekend, he would complete his planned adventure. He was unaware, however, that the water through which he would be wading would be salty long before the consequences of this trek would be over. He was about to begin a wild ride that would take him in many directions.
CHAPTER 3Jim Manasco is a product of the forest. Being one of the few who were privileged to have grown up in the Warrior Mountains, on which the lands of the Bankhead Forest lie, he has more knowledge of the area than almost any person alive today. It is only natural that he wrote a book that is considered to be the bible of the wilderness. Walking Sipsey chronicles his extensive knowledge gained from a lifelong love affair with the Sipsey. It is a store of information on the many options of a forest experience. Jim provides detailed guides to the places and activities available in the forest.
Above all, he advises those who enter the Bankhead to enjoy it, yet to respect and protect the treasures stored within its boundaries. There is also the warning that much caution must be taken for safety reasons while enjoying its beauty. Potential dangers dictate that one should be alert to the surroundings when entering its domain.
In addition to the maps of the forest, Raleigh read and studied the messages contained in the book authored by Jim. It had been instrumental in his development of a strong attachment to the Bankhead Forest and wilderness area. Using this book as a guide, he systematically began to explore the adventures detailed in Walking Sipsey. Gradually, he was able to cross off as completed the varied activities that were headlined in each of the book's chapters.
[check] Borden Creek Trail
[check] Saltpeter Furnace
[check] Turkey Foot Canyon
[check] Thompson Creek Trail
Raleigh enjoyed the challenges offered up in completing the adventures detailed by Jim in Walking Sipsey. Many of them served up multiple days of hiking before a successful completion could be registered.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Cherokee Hideaway"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Bluewater Publications.
Excerpted by permission of Bluewater Publications.
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