Been thinking of Eagle a lot lately. I read all of his emails this afternoon.
Lost of "shoulda" going through my mind.
I live up in Nevada County, a couple hundred miles north of his neck of the woods. He and I talked many times about him coming up here to go out detecting and prospecting. I have access to a claim on the south fork of the Yuba, and some very interesting history on my own property. He gave me some tips about some things I need to do here at home, and he seemed pretty excited for me about what I might find.
(Doing what he told me to do is now priority #1 come spring.)
At the time he was fighting with his Explorer and didn't trust it for the trip, but wanted to get it fixed or replaced and head up here. He hadn't been in this area in a long time and told me he remembered some good ground he wanted to take another look at.
He wanted me to come down and spend a weekend. I had, at the time, a truck and cabover camper, and we talked about me coming south picking him up and then heading east into the hills for a few days. I was trying to get out of running "Poppa Daycare"... and we just didn't get it done.
Then my knee went sideways and I lost another summer (it still is...gonna hafta have surgery probably)
Lord how I wish we had done one or the other. Hindsight is 20-20, but if there ever was a lesson to git off yer behind and git goin', this is it.
I hear ya, old friend, you are right over my shoulder chuckling as I type this.
For those of you reading this after Eagle's passing, and who never shared a trip or a few phone calls or emails know this...he was just a real as real gets. Decent and friendly and wise.
His wisdom was the kind all of us in our 50's are old enough to recognize when we heard it, and all wished we didn't have to wait til we were his age to earn. Most folks younger than 50 probably knew they were in the company of someone special, but just were not able to grasp what that meant.
Eagle's wisdom was 100% earned. Genuine.
I recall reading here someone is working on his book, I want to get on the list, right now, for a first edition.
I am in possession of a first edition of "Death Valley in '49" by William Lewis Manly". Any edition is hard to find, but a first is very, very rare. Published in 1879 when Mr. Manley was near the end of his time here.
Read it if you can.
I think "Eagle's gift" could be just as special. He was that kind of guy.
He always opened his emails with,
"Hailto Sam"
I will miss those.
One more time...
Hailto You Eagle.
You lived a full life, but left those who met you far down the trail wishing we'd been there sooner, longer, and more often. Your words were full of wisdom, and your spirit was unquenchable.
I'll always be watching, listening, and hoping for a sign from you. I'll be quiet and let the earth speak to me.
When we are 100 miles from anywhere out on a ghost town chase out in Nevada and the wind blows across the high desert, I will smile, and think of you.
Until then...
My God grant you the peace and joy you deserve. May the sun warm your soul, and the breezes fill your wings with lift, and may your eyes always be watchful for the friends, admirers and fellow seekers you touched with your gentle spirit.
jg
