Lions, Tigers and Bears, OH MY!
Martin tripped on a tree root, and tumbled head-long down the steep slope, finally ending in a heap in a large, dark bush. The foggy, forest-night air was close, making it hard for him to breathe. It was pitch black, except for the slivered moon, peering at him through the branches above. Suddenly, a horrible, piercing scream erupted in the dark, back up the hill he had just rolled down. Martin's heart lept up through his throat, finally settling in the area between his ears. He'd never heard a sound like that in all his earthly years!
He trembled, though he wasn't cold. Picking himself up, he peered into the inky black of the forest beyond. Which way was the TRAIL!?
Suddenly, two yellow eyes appeared from behind a large, black night-rock. Huge, glowing eyes, staring straight into Martin's soul with absolutely no emotion. Martin opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Not even a wisp of air. His mouth was as dry as 1000 year old dirt. Suddenly, the yellow eyes began to rise above the rock. Whatever was behind them, was ENORMOUS. Martin turned to run, his boots slipping on the muddy forest floor...
Stephen King Must Have Spent Some Time In The Woods
There's a reason they write stories like this, about the deep, dark woods. And all the creepies and crawlies, goblins and other night terrors that inhabit the scary black of the forest beyond. After all, it CAN be dark, and sometimes DOES look a bit scary. Even in the daytime, now and then. Particularly if you are all by yourself. And your mind hears sounds, and you swear you see things out of the corner of your eye that are not really there. Or ARE they?
Just A Normal Stroll In The Woods
Walking about in the forest this past fall, I wandered into a particular area that had some very large trees, thick brush, and a whole lot of moss hanging down from just about everywhere. After all, this IS a temperate rain forest out this way.
And what do you get with lots of rainfall? Huge trees, lots of moss, massive undergrowth, and a whole lot of green in every direction. And all this organic matter can efficiently blot out a lot of the sunlight from above. That precious, chase-the-scary-things-away-for-me, please light we often enjoy as overly-imaginative humans. Even in mid-day.
While there, I didn't see any witches, banshees, or other scary things that go bump in the night. Or in the DAY, when you're alone in the woods. But the eerie surroundings reminded me of the books I TRIED to avoid reading as a small person.
Incredibly scary stories, and they usually involved not only monsters in the dark, but getting lost in the woods. Or some other, unknown environment. This has to be a standard, human emotion. The whole getting lost thing. Because it is a very real and powerful feeling that most people do possess.
Where The Heck AM I?
And I have to admit, all hoary, unknown things that might eat you in the woods aside, there CAN be a strong feeling of being lost in this huge environment. This feeling was very powerful when I first started working in the woods. I call it Lostaphobia. The deep, welling fear you get when it dawns on you -- "I have NO idea where I am".
The feeling gets magnified even more by this enormous terrain we were moving through on a daily basis. It takes a LONG time to get anywhere. Not easy when you know where you are. Less fun when you don't.
And this getting lost thing is not something new. The great outdoor author, Patrick F. McManus writes all about it in his incredibly funny books, such as A Fine And Pleasant Misery, and They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? He aptly coined the phrase describing this feeling: The "Full-Bore Linear Panic." That unmistakable, terror-filled feeling you get when you first discover you're lost. Which then leads to highly predictable, very odd, and potentially dangerous behaviors when you act them out. The Full Bore Linear Panic.
I Don't Know WHERE I'm Going, But I Need To Get There. FAST!
The strongest, and possibly dumbest part of the FBLP, is the full-speed thing. For some reason, when you're sure you're lost, the very first inclination is: "I've got to get somewhere -- even though I have NO idea WHERE -- but I need to get there as FAST as possible." It's a very, very powerful feeling, and Mr. Logic has a hard time wrestling it to the ground of reason. The panic usually wins out. At least for awhile. Or until you hurt yourself.
It happens pretty much like clockwork. "I don't know where I am. But I've got to move. MOVE! NOW!!!" And you do. In any random direction, as fast as possible. Often to the detriment of small, or potentially large damages to your person.
Such as clonking your knees or shins into huge, inanimate objects. Like monster logs or very hard rocks. Or worse, ramming SOMETHING into a staub (sharp, broken branches coming OUT of the logs, hidden by brush.) Very painful and usually damaging to the human form when met at full speed.
Or worse things.
The mountainous, brushy woods hide many other impediments to progress. Things like wide or deep ravines, boulder fields, downed logs, deep holes in the earth. Or worse, overhangs and cliffs. Obstructions, or areas of gravity-defying thin air that are hard enough to deal with at normal speed. Rushing around and over or through them, only makes it worse. Lets face it, running full speed through the brush, and over a cliff, is not going to be good for anyone.
Think, Sit and Snack, THEN Go
This is why the S.O.B. (Standard Order of Business) for combating this whole Full Bore Linear Panic 'decision', is to take a moment, breathe deep, and just SIT DOWN. On a rock, or a stump or a log. Continue to breathe as designed, pull out a snack item, take a drink, and a few moments to actually THINK things out.
Dig out your map and compass, try to figure out when you LAST knew where you were, and reconnoiter it all down to some base logic. Then try to figure out where in the heck you are now. After this, eat another snack (my addition-I like that part), and WALK to where you think you might want to be. Like a road. Or back to your precious work truck ON the road. Then back home.
Once you're calm, relaxed and ready, you can start to WALK out.
And hope you don't encounter any witches, goblins or other oddities of the gloomy, dank woods, as you head in that direction. Because lost or not...the woods can still be a bit dark and creepy at times, and maybe even downright scary as you go. Particularly if you take the time to think really hard about what might be watching you. So maybe don't think TOO hard.
Just don't run. It's not good for you. Plus, everything out here, real or imagined, can out-run you anyway. There, THAT should make you feel better...
( :
~ Finto ~
Thanks for stopping in and viewing the deep dark woods or the Northwest. If you have any thoughts about large trees, getting lost in the trees or other places, Full Bore Linear Panic's, or anything else this post reminds you of, please feel free to comment away in the spaces below. I'd love to hear from you.
Please UPVOTE, COMMENT and FOLLOW if you enjoy my works.
And go to @ddschteinn -- There's a whole lot more...
Posted: 03/27/2018 @ 14:35
Excerpts From Late-Night Conversations With A Mechanical Cat
Fact Number 53
This panic run seems to be the flight or fight response of the human animal in their daily lives and decision making. They are born, look around enjoy themselves then the modern world tells them they are 'lost' and they need to 'find themselves' then they run like the dickens straight to their graves, bumping into outcroppings and tripping over logs the entire way, looking over their shoulder in fear...people. Silly little buggers.
I've always had mixed fear and lure of the woods, even as a small child. But I was reared on the real fairy stories where the mermaid doesn't get a prince and you must beware of dogs with eyes as big as saucers. I think Disney is probably the real monster and isn't that the best disguise for a monster? To look so enticing and have so many sweets and bright colours that their prey are simply lead to them, smiling, handing over wallets before the kill?
I'm not sure where I went there other than to me Disney and much of the 'modern oeuvre' is far more menacing to me than a dark wood where I can walk, get lost and not be bothered with people. The true words of the old curmudgeon. I'd needlework that on a tester, but then it would presuppose I wanted someone to see it ;)
And, how are you today?
We are silly little creatures, that's for sure. And will probably never change. Especially with all the new daily influence we receive, as the world spins faster and faster and becomes so technologically connected. And as for the corporate stuff you discuss, I yi yiii. The almighty dollar at work to add to it. Now I'm down and dumpy. OK, on to more lighter fare. I want to see your collection of tester's one of these days (I assume that's like a pillow or throw or something like a rug, you needlepoint. I'm so needlepointish!!)
Things are going along well here. I have been delinquent on the site since last week. Doing the cooking challenge and getting a machine thing ready for a show-like thing this weekend. They are fun, putting together a science project, but take a lot of time. Sort of a Rube Goldberg sort of thing. And I got an award, even if it is a bit...kitchy....or however that is spelled. Otherwise, life is grand. Hope all is well in your world as well. And the snow has abated. And the electricity actually stays on. Have a nice Easter, what is left of it on the East coast. Cheers.
I feel the same when I am alone in the dark at home: D
I think I'm ready to be frightened at any moment. I liked your story :)
There is definitely something to being alone in the dark. I think it's very deep brainstem stuff from when we were bopping about with something to eat us around every corner of life. We'll never outgrow it, I don't think.
Human as we are, there are things we frighten of but the most important is how we overcome and deal with it.
I like your story, it is really 👍
Thanks, glad you liked the story. And I agree, the overcoming part is very important, as well as how we react. Have a nice day.
You made me laugh with some of your wording....haha....I needed to laugh today too.
lol. Too funny and creative.
I bet we've all had those bizarre dreams where you're trying to scream in terror but the words just won't come out!
A great Tree Tuesday addition! Yes, the lost panic is so well known from even being a child and getting "lost" (away from mom) in the store.... Oh my hands get sweaty just thinking about it!
Well, this return comment is as old as dirt, but I've been off here a lot doing other art stuff. But I do remember those days well of 'where's mom?' It was very scary. Only took mom to the woods once, and we didn't get lost. But it DID amaze her.
I suffer from this in the city sometimes. Thankfully Hubby is just a phone call away to get be back on track. :P
Seriously, I've gotten lost in the woods in my Minecraft game. This is why I take Hubby with me on all hiking trips. lol
Wow, am I behind. Been very busy these days. I can relate to the city thing. Give me the woods any time. It makes more sense. Though I don't think I've ever gotten lost in a game. Then again, they're all board games, and they're flat and on the living room floor ( : Though I have been known to use a compass in the city too. Especially places like NYC. Talk about looking out of place...
Good and exciting story. When I walked alone in the hill covering with huge green trees and a little light came through, I felt afraid like this….
Beautiful photo of the green trees with the moss on the leaves…. Very amazing!
Great work! ;)
Thanks, glad you liked it. It is fun and at times spooky in the woods. But a great place to hang out. Hope your day is going well today.
You're welcome! Yes, I absolute agree with you, it's a great place to hang out indeed.
Have a wonderful day, GFF! ;)