And Then I Heard A Shot

I was taking my usual walking path through our mountains to hike along the Nantahala National Forest road...up along the climbing dirt road from our cabin that leads to other cabins beyond us, then up into the woods and the old logging path that winds around and eventually ends at the spot where there's a gate that keeps all vehicular traffic out of the forest (this is also where end of the dirt part of Pumpkintown Road that winds around the other side of the mountain)...every now and then there is a truck parked at the gate to the forest road, but that never causes me any concern...it is a national forest after all, and other people do hike and bike here.  I was enjoying trekking through the the snow toward that outcrop spot I've shared with you before...the snow chilled air was invigorating and the peaceful stillness of the mountain tops was relaxing...

...when I was suddenly startled by a "POW" and it stopped me in my tracks.  It wasn't close but it wasn't far.  I took a few more steps forward and heard a second shot.  I sighed loudly, turned around, and headed back the way I came...being inadvertently struck by a stray bullet wasn't on my agenda for today.  I don't know if the shooter was hunting, aiming at targets or playing, but I was sure my presence was not anticipated and I couldn't be sure this person would be cautious.

So I made a grumbly about face and headed back in the direction I came.  I was rewarded with a few patches of ice that glimmered with the sun...

 

  ...catching my attention as I walked...

 

 

 ...if I had hiked deeper into the forest I may never have seen them, certainly not as they were at the exact moment I passed.  Everything happens for a reason, would you agree?  I never did hear another shot, but that doesn't mean there wasn't one.

Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise