NAKEMO

Our Native American Mountain Guide to Riches

Pisgah National Forest in Western North Carolina, that’s where Ian and I searched for treasures earlier this month; our search for riches.  Gold and rubies were waiting for us, we knew full well.  Or, was that so?

Just outside of the Forest, we worked together; I mean, really worked for 6 hours and 39 minutes sifting and sorting through a ton of dirt in search of gold.  We struck pay dirt. That was our find.  GOLD!! Swished, swashed and shaken down, we had it at last!  GOLD!! Not enough to buy a mountain retreat, not enough to buy a pickup truck or even a toy truck I suspect; but it was purity gold in “them thar hills”.   I think that’s where I first heard it, from my Uncle Carlyle who lived in “them thar hills” many years ago.  Or was it my Dad who built roads and cleared power line right-of-ways in the ‘30s with the CCC camp of the Roosevelt era?

The gold, all sorted and sifted was finally really visible as we sifted using the gold miners pan.  The seasoned prospector, Chrystal Jim told us so.  Crystal Jim told us that where we find gold, we’ll find black sand.  Where we find black sand, we will not necessarily find gold. The small vial that we placed the gold specs in was ½ inch in diameter and about 1 inch tall.  Filled with water, the gold settled immediately to the bottom.  All told, it was about 1/32 of an inch from all of that dirt and sand that we sifted.  But at least we had gold and the mine was now able to sell washed and sifted sand that we paid for, washed and sifted.  A good day’s work and a real team effort with our Grandson Ian.  But that’s not where the story in search of riches ends.  In fact, that’s just the beginning.

Nakemo, ah Nakemo… our Indian guide. It was later that next evening while swimming in the hotel pool and listening to the stories rising with the steam of the hot tub nearby that I heard him.  I heard this fellow that seemed to know the territory talking with new found friends there.  Moments passed as I drifted into the pool of water feeling the heat warm my body and spirit following the cool swim with our Grandson.  The other guests of the warm water had left for the refreshing cooler waters of the larger pool.  Nakemo and I exchanged smiles as I asked him, “Do you know the territory here?” As Nakemo began to speak it was clear that he not only knew the lay of the land but was building a new home in the mountains as we spoke.

Our discussion wandered to gold, rubies and other treasures.  At that point Nakemo encouraged Ian and me to take a ride just west of town to Curtis Creek.  His voice was clear;  the real treasures are in the creek bed.  Petrified trees.  That was the real treasure as well as enjoying the cool water’s flow that runs like a living spring.  At that moment I knew we had a hit.  Flowing water, rocks and boulders, and trees that were so old that they had turned to rock; solid rock.  This creek runs for miles winding through the Forest bridled by an old dirt and gravel road off of old highway 70; yes, just due west connecting to the Parkway that runs North and South along the Appalachian mountain range.  You know…the Appalachian Trail.

Curtis Creek is where we really found our treasures.  Quiet solitude with the rush of flowing waters.  Ian asked, “Grandpa, let’s go up higher so the we can talk more philosophically; you know, about life and such.”  This sounded really great to me that our Grandson Ian was seeking a deeper connection.   As we climbed higher, the discoveries were awesome. More on that later as it’s important for us to check in with Ian first.  New treasures revealed.  As we naviagate back to the creek bed, we trusted Nakemo who told us we could take the petrified wood from the creek bed and that would be fine.   And, that we did.  One rock was so big, Ian and I created a rope saddle bag and snaked it from the creek bed with a hundred foot long, 1000 pound load tested  multi-strand rope tied to the truck.  Cranked the engine and put ‘er in double granny low and took off with rocks flying, wheels spinning as we climbed the hill.  That was a real treat.  Getting it out of the creek and up the rise was just the beginning.  Getting it into the truck bed was another feat.  We’ll tell you more of that later on.  Just ask.

Do remember to ASK. That’s where the real story is hiding,  in waiting.  It’s the process of discovery.  Discovery finds its way to the heart.  That’s where you’ll find me.  That’s where I’ll find you…the real you.  Well beneath the surface; peeling back the layers, one skin at a time; one pebble at a time; one rock at a time.  The real beauty; this is where you’ll find you. Your purpose, your values and your sense of creation; and your joy revealed in your passion.  You are divine in creation, you are divine in creating.  Ask, seek and knock! The treasures await.  It’s your choice.  Just ask.

Blessings,

Brother Ben