Came back early from camp. The old ankles couldn't take coming back down those steep mtn sides. I had no problems coming up but man coming down! We drove to the top this morning but too much activity going on with the marcellis shale gas drilling so we decided to pack up and come home.
Yesterday was great however. After an early morning shower the sun came out. It was about 55* but windy (I guess the earlier strom blowing out). After sitting a while on the shelf on the mtn side I decided I would go up on top and work my way out to the point. Going through the 10' high laurel I had 2 deer snorting at me. I couldn't see them and I know they couldn't see me. With the swirling wind I guess they winded me. I didn't have my grunt call so I wheezed at them and they shut right up! After getting thru the laurel and back into the mature timber and huckelberry bushes I eased along the ridge peeking over the side every once in a while. I do believe I saw a bear. I wasn't sure if it was a bear or a turkey way below me. Looked to round to be a turkey. I looked down for my binos and when I looked back it was gone.
Got to the point around noon, heated some water and had my Mountain House Beef stew and a hot cup of coffee. The afternoon sun started warming things up and the combination of warm sun and a full belly resulte in me taking a nice nap for about 1 1/2 hrs. Remember my previous post about saying my strory usually starts with "I heard something and opened my eyes".? Well that's what happened. I when my eyes got back in focus and aclaimated from the bright sun I had a big old grey squirrel staring at me about 5' away. About 2:00 I started by slow walk back to the camp - about 2 miles away. I came up on a small flock of turkey - about 10 birds. Wish they were in cause I could have popped one. Well it was a nice weekend. I got some much needed sleep and got my batteries recharged.

That was a good read Bronko. Sounds like an enjoyable time.

If I had to go up a steep grade I would be wheezing constantly.

That's funny. Actually I didn't do too bad going up. Of course I didn't go up in 45 mins like I did when I was in my 20's and 30's.
But it still only took me a bit over an hour. According to the topo maps its a 600+ elevation climb with a steepness on average a bit worse than climbing a set of stairs. But its my favorite spot. I shot 3 bear and I believe 6 buck from basically the same spot.