In the book of Wisdom we are given the sage advice "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." On July 29, 2010 our day started with a song as under early radiant sunshine we left Gambo on route 320 N for the 77 kilometer one-hour trip to Pound Cove. Having reached our destination, my wife Dora dropped me off at the highway there at 8 AM and was to pick me up at 2 PM. I had gone this route before and it seemed routine. <br /> <br /> After enjoying the calming influence of, what appeared to be, a brief interaction with Nature, I suddenly realized I had promises to keep. Carrying my two buckets of bakeapples and my knapsack, I crossed the brook in the same spot as I had crossed earlier and headed toward the highway. I somehow got caught up in some very thick growth which impeded my progress and decreased my stamina. I thought it to be only temporary and that I would soon see the open bog. I climbed up on a big, high rock to get my bearings and was somewhat reassured I was heading in the right direction. I became thirsty, warm, and exhausted. I came to a brook where the water seemed deep, and with the load I was carrying, I would not attempt to cross. The brook meandered toward the highway and I followed it for a short while but saw no easy way to cross, so I thought it best to conserve my energy.<br /> <br /> After wetting my lips with the brook water and dousing my face, I found a fairly high flat rock, laid down my load, and sat down to rest. I could see the vehicles going along the highway, the water tower in Newtown and felt I was in the land of the living. While I knew that I was safe; as the hours went by I knew others did not know that, and were probably having some anxious moments. I sang a few songs to pass the time. By now, being about three hours overdue, I could hear and even see some ATVs some distance further inland, so I assumed they were searching for me. Shortly after I heard and saw a helicopter which I suspected to be Search and Rescue. It flew over me twice and I waved but any hope of rescue was in vain. As the last rays of the late afternoon sun fell slanting toward the Western horizon, I thought I may have to settle down on the rock for the night. At least it was not February. Then around 7:30 PM I spied two guys, with an ATV each, on my side of the highway waving, so I waved back to them and I knew they had spotted me. Two "Good Samaritans" from Newtown were soon on the scene. One guy, to my surprise, walked across the brook, water up to his waist, took my berries and packsack across and then guided me across to the ATV. Thereupon the Search and Rescue helicopter touched down. I told the guys that they had flown over me twice. One replied that Dora had told them I was wearing a different coloured shirt. When we reached the highway at the Kittiwake Funeral Home around 8 PM, a crowd had gathered; that's one time I wish I were a mummer. <br /> <br /> Are there things I could have done differently, or are there any lessons to be learned from my adventure? It was good that we had set an exact time to meet at the highway. When I left the highway, Dora asked whether I wanted to take the cellphone. I said, "No, I won't take that. It's only something else to look after."<br /> <br /> In retrospect, it would have been a good asset. Dora insisted from here on I carry a whistle and have bright colours on my packsack. One enemy of people who become lost is panic. When the panic button is pushed, the reason switch is turned off. I could have tried to retrace my steps and gone back in the country, and probably succumbed to exhaustion and dehydration. But I chose to stay where I was and wait it out in solitary contentment. <br /> <br /> Somebody chastised me because I chose to adventure out alone and I replied "Then you'd have two people stranded instead of one." I know a lot of berry pickers that have always gone alone. It's not always an asset or an advantage to have someone with you - it could be a liability or handicap. As Merle Haggard said in his song The Fugitive, "He who travels fastest goes alone." <br /> <br /> I still take some friendly bantering from a few folks down in the general Pound Cove area. But as you would expect, people were so kind, helpful and supportive; the staff at the Kittiwake Funeral Home were very friendly and accommodating. Undoubtedly, there was consolation and relief for those who were intercepted on their way down from Gambo when they got the call that all was well.<br /> <br /> Described by Keats as the season of mellow fruitfulness, when the countryside is full of nature's bounty, I was reminded again of the bounty of the milk of human kindness when hardships occur. It is the strength we get from others and in remaining positive that pulls us through our own individual journey.   Submitted By: NULL