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gary’soutdoorwanderings2

Part 2 Holston River

The storm stopped and I made an instant decision to hitch up the Gheenoe and head for the Holston River up at Rogersville.  Out of nowhere the decision was instantly made.  I watched Shade as I worked at hitching up the boat, plugging in the trailer light, safety chains and making sure everything was tight.  I was going to slip out without her and she knew it.  She absolutely knew I was going without her.

Oh, Chestnut hound is pretty and she is ready to go back inside at my command but, look in the dark doorway, inside the house, watching every move I make.  She normally would be outside with me watching intently as I ready everything to leave but, this morning she is withdrawn and distant.  She knows.

She just sat there, watching me.  I called to her and she ignored me.  Then, I said, "Shade - get in the truck", and she ran to the passenger door.  

We were on our way.  I've never imagined that a dog could adopt these feelings of hurt and rejection to such an elevated extent.  Its heart breaking to see her sit and watch me prepare to leave for work, go to the lake, on the bike or whatever else.  Sometimes it's too hot in the truck or the temperature is too cold for her to be on the boat or a host of other reasons not to take her but, the problem is not being able to explain the issue to her.  She sees it as rejection.  Well, shes with me today and  dogs and wildlife photography do not mix.  So what!

 So, whats with the picture above and why is shade sitting beside the drivers door of the truck?  I launched the Gheenoe and she wouldn't get on board but ran to the truck and sat down where you see her instead.  Nothing could get her to get on the boat.  I threatened to leave her and she simply sat there and watched me pull away from the boat ramp.

I was getting further and further away from the parking lot and she would not budge.  I said, "come on girl - lets go - good girl, come on."  Nothing.  I couldn't take it.  I turned the boat back to shore and went to her and hugged her.  I had a leash in the truck and I put it on her collar and she accompanied me to the Gheenoe and stepped on board just like that.  We pulled away and that was that.  

She was uneasy and not calm and quiet like she always used to be.  She was enduring the boat ride but not enjoying it like she used to .

I think I have a handle on the problem.  I took her to Chilhowee one day and the wind was up blowing four foot swells that broke over the bow of the Gheenoe soaking both of us.  That was the roughest water I ever had that boat in.  Shade was in my lap, behind me on the seat, under my legs on the floor and standing with her feet on my shoulders - terrified.  I was a bit concerned myself that day.  Chilhowee can get might bad fast.  A couple weeks later we ran into a storm on Cherokee Lake while in the 22 foot bay boat and that turned into an ocean adventure.  Again, Shade hugged close to my legs and shivered as if cold.  So, I do believe she is associating the boats to an experience that is not fun.  I don't know at this point but I believe I'm right.  
We weren't on the water five minutes when I saw what I thought was a young beaver crossing Beech Creek heading for the grass and shoreline behind it.

That's no beaver.  What is that thing?

Ah, now I see.  Its a muskrat.  Look at the round tail.  He was swimming fast across the surface and when he got to the shoreline he ran super fast toward some hole he has hidden at the base of the river bank.

This is the very first time I've photographed a muskrat on the Holston.  Actually the shot above is the best of the lot.  I should have enlarged it for the entry.

I went back and enlarged the muskrat shot just a touch. (directly above)

The geese are pairing up for mating now and they are seeking out those rare, hard to find hidden places in the fields adjacent to the river.

A really pretty great blue heron appeared standing on a log.  He was unusually colorful and I put him in the camera.

Mallards were present in great numbers and it is obvious they have already paired and are currently nesting.

 These shots are OK but not really that good.  They document the moment and it was a pretty moment for sure.  The photos that follow these are, however, I think the best I have ever taken of mallards in flight.

This little clutch of mallards were just paddling along near the river bank and the lighting was just right

Mallards are beautiful and one of my favorite ducks, wood ducks being my number one favorite. They spooked and took flight together.

They left the water and flew straight up into the air under rocket propulsion.  It seemed they stopped together at a predetermined height and blasted forward together, bending around brush and tree limbs at break neck speed.  The following shots were not accomplished with shotgunning 7 frames per second or the like.  I focused each shot and panned with the birds as they flew across the landscape.  

The shot above shows them as they just start their forward full speed getaway.

And it just so happens that the boat was nearing the eagles nest located high on the mountain side.  

 Wood ducks flush from behind us.

 The female bald eagle is setting in the nest with her babies.

There is not much I can do with these eagles due to their great distance from the water.  The documentation has been gathered however, and that is whats important.

 I saw the splashing from clear across the river and thought it might be otters but was amazed to find Heckle and Jeckle here.

 I've not a clue about them and am not getting involved.

 The muskrat is so much smaller than the beaver or the otter that he is a relatively easy identification.

I had some more shots but its late and I think its time to wind this entry down.  I got carried away with all the interesting wildlife I saw today - quite the opposite of Douglas and Cherokee Lakes.

We turned the Gheenoe around and headed back to the boat ramp which was about 20 minutes away. 

We floated back up Beech Creek and touched down on the shoreline where Shade bounded out and ran up to the truck and sat beside the locked door and waited for me.  What's with that dog?  Whatever it is I'll use tenderness and desecration to figure it out with her.  Hope you liked this entry and I'll be taking day trips to all my favorite rivers and lakes throughout the summer and I haven't forgotten about the lake camp out - maybe on the 10th and 11th of this month.  We'll see.  Have a great night and thanks for your interest.

WHAT GOES THROUGH MY MIND IN THE MORNING :)

The clap of thunder shook the house and staccato flashes of lightning that followed ensured that any chances of further sleep were lost.  I stretched my arms out to the sides and upward emitting an audible groan.  A quick check of the wristwatch indicated it was 6 AM.  Darned - slept in.  Chestnut hound lay somewhere between my back and the bedroom wall while Happy was tucked in under the covers to my front with her little muzzle and face hidden under the edge of the pillow while Shade was on her baby mattress above me panting hard, afraid of the storm that was raging.

I pushed the covers down and made my way over Happy as I slid off the mattress that my friend Kevin gave me.  Actually, he gave me all the sheets on the bed too.  I appreciate that more than he will ever know.  I slid my feet into the slippers that my friend Craig gave me and made my way down the steps toward the kitchen with my shadow, Happy following.  It was coffee time for sure.  The rain was and is still pouring down as I write this excellent essay.  I reached for the coffee and measured out the proper amount into the little coffee filter and put the assembly into the coffee maker that an old friend, Donna gave me.  That was a nice gesture on her part and I appreciate that gift more than I can say.  Of course the maker broke down and I simply boil water on the stove and pour it into the filter over the coffee and it filters into the coffee carafe below just as if the coffee maker still worked.

Ah, the smell of hot, fresh coffee early on a rainy morning!  The girls are slowly gathering around and I know they want their treats.  I'll be extra special to them this morning.  Shade and Happy will each be given one of Doctor Foster's low fat biscuits that Janet sent me for Christmas and I think I'll give Chestnut Hound one of the peanut butter cookies that Anne sent us as a Christmas present.  Well, looks like everyone is set now.  All that rain, thunder and lightning is compelling me to head out onto the porch.  

Oh, I forgot to get the kindle that Janet gave me this summer when she visited.  With kindle and coffee in hand, I exit stage left to the porch and stopped to breath deeply as the air was fresh and moist while lightning flickered over the trees and bushes to my front providing only enough illumination to allow me to guess which bush or shrub I was looking at. 

 I sat down in the rocking chair that another good friend, Tom bought me and slowly rocked back,  guarding against catching any errant tails that might be laid haphazardly under a rocker.  It was time to get a shower and I headed inside after an hour of no people, no cars, no chain saws, no quad engines, no lawn mowers, no traffic or car sounds - only the light from the house 600 feet away could be seen and I'll have that blocked out with shrubs and fast growing pines very soon. 

 I stopped in the kitchen and grabbed a yogurt out of the frig that my good friend James gave me  on the way back upstairs to get a shower.  I suddenly wonder why I'm always strapped for money.  I don't really buy anything much anymore.  I'll ponder on that awhile. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR SAIGON, VIETNAM

The Staff Sargent and the corporal stepped down off the Huey gun ship as it landed at Vung Tau - their feet touching the ground before the aircraft settled down.  The smell of diesel fuel was heavy and it blended with the sweat that saturated their clothes and combined with the filth that covered their bodies and added to their miserable condition.  They had been a week in the Mekong Delta establishing communications for the 1st Army and the Air Cav and were all set to enjoy a four day break in their responsibilities with leave to Saigon.  Four days of total bliss with no one to answer to and a roof over their heads with lots of beer and maybe a little, or a lot, of grass to lift them out of this miserable, God forsaken hell hole, if only in their minds. 
 

Communist North Vietnamese Flag

A quick dinner, shower and a change of clothing found both of them ready to catch a chopper heading for Saigon where they would report to MACV-1 for temporary duty until their unit was again called into the field.

The Sargent at MACV directed them to a deuce and a half that was heading to the Cho Lon district where they would be billeted for the next four days and nights.  The digs were great - an old French Vila with a winding staircase that climbed around a three story living quarters made of stucco ending on a rooftop covered with terracotta tile.  This was very cool and the two soldiers made themselves right at home on the roof top.  It was super hot outside and inside was worse so the boys simply set up their cot mattresses on the roof under a canope made of mesh mosquito curtain.  It was odd that they were the only occupants of the villa.  They had it to themselves.  It was later discovered that the Viet Cong raided Cho Lon two weeks earlier and killed the family who resided withing the stucco walls of this villa because they were American sympathizers and on the payroll of the U.S. Government.   The news was not disturbing as all Vietnamese were looked upon as Communist rascals by most American GI's and the demise of a couple more didn't make any news.
 

Viet Cong came in all gender

The most important thing at the moment for the two vacationers was beer and weed.  An MP stationed at the front of the Villa drove the Sargent to a local bar where he bought some beer.  Actually he bought five cases of Falstaff Beer.  Well, one didn't want to be caught short.  A quick side trip down Yun Ti Street to the third hovel on the right produced a quarter pound of weed that was stuffed between the cases of beer just in case some gung ho MP decided to do a shake down of two not too properly dressed GI's.  Finally the boys became settled on the roof and commenced to drink themselves into forgetfulness.  There was much discussion about each others home, likes and dislikes and that sort of conversation.  Its amazing how much a fellow doesn't know about a guy who is responsible to protect his back, his life.   There just isn't time for all the niceties and nuances to occur.  Everyone's trained and expected to react as conditioned, eliminating the need for social interaction.  Can after can of beer was opened and drank.  The empties were stacked in a great 15 tier pyramid that threatened to tipple over and collapse.  Each empty can was set with extreme care, eyes fixated upon the scene while steady hands carefully situated the empty aluminum cylinders on the pyramid's wall.  The creation was impressive indeed. Each soldier held his own version of Mary Jane's elegant elixir of supreme joy between index finger and thumb and a continuous, voluminous column of smoke poured forth nonstop.  A slurping of the lips upon the open can could be heard over and over followed by the puff, puff, cough and the exclamation "great shit huh"?.  Much needed sleep overtook the two soldiers and the night went uncannily silent and still.

The quiet was broken by distant thunder and slight tremors could be felt on the third story patio of the villa.  The Sargent forced his eyes open but found it difficult to sit up.  Each attempt caused his temples to pound and he would lay back down.  Yet, something didn't seem right.  Flashes of light glowed off the wall of empty beer cans from the day and night before.  Sudden panic put him on his feet in an instant and two steps took him to where the corporal was sleeping.  He kicked him hard.  "Chuck, get the hell up.  Somethings not right."  Chuck got up with squinting eyes barely open complaining about being bothered at the early hour.  The thunder was getting closer and it had a sobering affect on the two on the third floor of the villa.  What the hell was up?

Our war had it's oddities and idiots too

Then the sirens started and screamed their high pitched warnings of impending danger.  What the hell was up?
Of a sudden flairs were launched from Huey Gun ships and they lighted the ground where countless figures ran in long horizontal lines toward the city of Saigon across the defoilated areas west of Highway 1.  Chuck made the comment that, "those damn marines have to have their combat games even here."  The only thing that didn't reinforce Chuck's statement was that the Hueys were spewing what appeared to be  orange, molten steel from their open door gunners.  It seemed that a hundred ships circled above the running combative s on the ground constantly pouring the molten death down upon them.  The two looked at each other and ran to get their rifles without a word.  Training kicked in at that moment.  Each had eight clips of .308 ammo and both took a position beside each other behind the 4 foot wall that ran around the perimeter of the roof top.  

It was January 30, 1968 and the Vietnamese New Year was being kicked off in the most unusual way, with the invasion of South Vietnam by the Communist north.  Khe Sanh was overrun on the 21st and that should have been a tip off of what was coming.  Who's running this war - the generals or the politicians?

The main concern was that Cho Lon was the first contact point that these insane, running North Vietnamese Regulars would push through.  The two on the roof were very concerned and both figured they were in a very bad spot at the present time.  There was nothing to be done about it at this point.  The Hueys were pounding the Communists hardl.  Helicopter followed helicopter and each chopper carried a puff and the magic dragon took a heavy toll on the Communists below them.

Stone fragments as well as small arms bullets could be heard and seen striking the stucco walls of the villa.  There was no way up to the roof except by the one set of spiral stairs and both GI's waited at the top for what they felt was inevitable.  

A loud scraping sound could be heard as if someone was crawling across the roof.  Tiles were falling and it was obvious that someone was moving along the roof on the building beside the villa.  Chuck said, "what the hell - look at that" and the Sargent turned and saw a Viet Cong running across the top of a tiled roof carrying the North Vietnamese Flag.  He was heading to the end of the roof comb where he would plant it through the tiled roof with the metal post that the flag was attached to.  Chuck turned and placed the M14 stock against his shoulder in one fluid motion and without aiming, pulled the trigger and the big rifle automatically spewed .308 slugs out the barrel striking the roof a yard behind the Cong  rapidly catching up to him, cutting through his hips and gut and continuing out in front of him for a few yards before Chuck removed his finger from the trigger, ejected the empty clip and slammed another home.  The Communist tossed the flag and crumpled immediately and slid from the roof to the ground.  No more attempts were made to plant that devil's flag.  Sirens sounded signifying the all clear.  The choppers circled with search lights scanning the ground and nothing could be seen moving.  Tiny unmoving lumps resembling the pox lay across the large expanse of bare ground that was defoliated.  Those we assumed were dead Communist wretches and miscreants.  They were.  

That was a close one.  The U.S. Embassy was destroyed and Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam was almost taken and with it, us - Chuck and me.  Whew.
And that was the new year for Vietnam in 1968 through my eyes.