My cell phone stopped working just past Williamsport, Pennsylvania as I drove from Philadelphia toward the center of the state, then up north to “canyon country.” Exiting PA 15 at a town called “Liberty,” nearly out of gas, I wondered if I would find my host without the use of my cell phone. The gas station attendant reassured me “Wellsboro is easy to find and so is Steve.” She claimed that being a 4th grade teacher for many years means: “EVERYBODY knows Steve!”
Over the hills through Morris, past Stony Fork., then turning right, I recognized the gas lamps glowing down the center of the main street. Finding the donut shop open, I asked for a phone book. The girl at the counter offered to call Steve herself declaring, “Oh, yeah, EVERYBODY knows Steve!” In a matter of minutes he was unfolding his 6 foot 3 inch frame from what looked like a miniature car. After a warm greeting, I jumped into his car. It turned out to be a normal 4-wheel drive Subaru Outback dwarfed in the darkness by his bulky body. Whisking me off to a bowling alley, I was grateful to find that Krout’s Kitchen was at the other end, and, of course, Steve had taught the owner’s son. So when Steve told funny stories about their now full grown son, they had to top his, by telling about the day a mysterious stench filled the restaurant till someone discovered leather gloves left to smolder on the wood stove heating the bowling alley next door! Everybody in the restaurant was laughing. This felt like a big extended family teasing each other. Even the waitresses were once “his kids!”
Steve filled the night with stories of hunting and fishing and brothers who had moved a way, one a scientist preventing bio-terrorism, the other, a state policeman. With a bittersweet, melodious voice, he explained how he had chosen to stay behind, tending to the land, the grandparents, and “his kids.” I began to understand that “my kids” refers to the whole town! Everyone is related to someone who was once his student in elementary school, or the Park Service safety courses, or in Judo class! (Did I hear correctly that he got his black belt in Japan?!?) I think these mountains will be full of surprises!
So what did I learn on my first day with the Endless Mountain Man? Funny enough make the whole town laugh, patient enough to teach children to hunt and fish, this guy can make ANYONE feel safe!
My advice to you?
GO ENDLESS!
RuthAnn Purchase is a free lance writer and patron of the arts and the woods.
For more stories or to visit the Endless Mountains' Man contact RuthAnnPurchase@gmail.com
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