Another Mystery

Back in 2011, when the grandkids were not

quite ready for hikes and gypsy walks, I began

to prepare a future play spot five acres back on

our property, where an untainted stream, fed by

underground springs, flourished and never ran dry.

(Note: This picture predates the bridge I later added.)

This pool, more than two feet deep, is at our

favorite waterfall, just as we cross a little foot bridge

to our island paradise (small though it may be).

At some point during the clearing process

I made an interesting find.  While clearing 

branches and debris from the stream, I dredged

up an odd specimen of wood.

It is remarkable in several regards.  First of all,

there is evidence that it had been burned in the

distant past, only to find a resting place in this

deep pool, where it had rested undisturbed for

who knows how long.

When we moved here in 1978 we were

told there had been at least one historical

fire in these woods, but I am uncertain when

it would have been.  As years go by, evidence

of forest fires diminishes.  But being submerged

seems to have preserved the scars on this piece

of wood.  

Note the graceful spiraling striations

that mark the wood.  Whether it grew

like that or whether decades of whipping

by the streams waters made the marks, I

cannot discern.

The wood is heavy and solid, exhibiting

no sign of rot.  Whether it washed downstream

or was tossed in long ago by a strolling 

woodsman, I cannot tell.

Until I cleared the area in recent years,

there is little likelihood of human intrusion

in that secluded area for a long, long time.

Though Jennifer and Amanda made occasional

excursions to the stream in their childhood, we

never established much of a play space.  We could

always hear the waterfalls, even when we didn't

want to fight through the brush to see them.

Here's evidence that the black is indeed

charred wood, not just discoloration.

My imagination begs to know who

else has handled this "ancient" artifact,

and under what circumstances.  I'm glad

it has come into my hands, where of

course it will receive the homage it's due.

I will appreciate any theories my readers

may wish to share.

As I've learned before, especially in writing

"Mystery at the Loyd Homeplace," mysteries

don't always have to be solved to be mesmerizing.