Forwarded from:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/vw-camping/
One stormy cold night on Washington�s Olympic
Peninsula, our vanagon churns its way through the rain
to the Hoh Rain forest.
By nightfall we reach the turnoff, and a sign says,
�Rain forest 20 miles�.
The long and narrow road takes us under ancient maple
trees covered with thick moss, dimly lit by the
headlights.
I hit the brakes as a lonely deer fearlessly crosses
the road, oblivious to our approach.
The rain is coming down in heavy sheets, as the narrow
windy drive is covered with a blanket of water and
strewn branches blown down by the wind.
Passing the entrance to the park, we reach the ranger
station, empty and abandoned in the dark night.
The power is out, and there are no lights.
The park is transformed into a eerie and brooding
landscape.
Carefully navigate through fallen debris, and find a
campsite, sheltered from the fury of the gale.
Our small camper home is surrounded by huge ancient
stands of timber, swaying in the wind.
Long water-soaked strands of moss hanging from their
branches, creating spooky shapes and shadow plays.
Closing the sliding door, crawl under the blanket,
and try to rest, while the vanagon is buffeted
by the storm.
Just as sleep overtakes, I hear a strange scratching
noise, like fingernails on a chalk board.
Moments later, a scream, shrill and high-pitched,
pierces the night. Then a second scream, this time
much closer and other worldly.
�What was that?� she says. �Is it dangerous?�
�Perhaps an animal crying out in pain, attacked by a
cougar. Or it�s just the wind, howling through the
trees.�
I get up, and peer through a small gap in the
curtains.
A big furry face staring back at me, pressed against
the outside glass.
Large eyes framed by yellow-tinged fur, it appears as
astonished and spooked as I am. Stunned I jump back,
close the curtain and hurry back under the covers.
�What did you see?� she asks.
�Nothing, I say. Just the wind and trees.
Let�s try and get some sleep.�
Harald
'90 westfalia

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