“I don’t know what you people call it but for us, it’s a catalyst. People use them to shoot the squirrels. Or if someone is sleeping too late, they shoot him in the head. My uncle used to get so mad. In the camp, when he was sleeping so well- then the kids used to shoot a pebble at him.”
We get up and continue. At the top, our fashion-minded group is lounging and eating snacks. The young men are at the top of the fire tower. They yell down, “Sister, you made it. Where is Utica?” I point southwest for them. The other hikers watch while we joke and holler. Santi brings his relatives to a rock with trees behind it and they take as many pictures as their phones will hold. I ask him if he wants me to take their pictures in front of the view of the lakes, boats, and mountains and he says no, “No, thanks. We like it this way. We like nature.”
"Sukmaya Rai on top of Bald Mt., Oct. 2014."
By Kathryn Stam
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