More Than Meets The Eye

More Than Meets The Eye

Meet Junior, a longtime educator and explorer. Junior recently retired from education, and is frustrated with the direction that society is going. Junior recalls the days growing up climbing trees, fishing, and running through the woods. He longs for a simpler time for him and his family. The presence of crime, disrespect and technology have taken a toll on Junior. Junior begins discussing buying property with his best friend and wife, Eva. They both agree that they would like to be off the grid as much as possible, grow their own food, and supply for their own needs.

The rest of the family is unaware of Junior and Eva’s frustration. However, they will have little choice , but to join them if they move. Sure enough it happens, Eva took it upon herself to find the perfect property, since Junior has little interest in searching online.

“Guess what?” Eva said as Junior was sitting in his favorite chair, “What?”

“I found our future, lined with pine trees and a creek with waterfalls. Plenty of ground to raise beef, pork, and chickens. Plant a large garden and build a large greenhouse.”

“Really, is it something we can afford?” replied Junior

“I think so, we can sell this property, and use your retirement.” Junior adds, “I can get my retirement in one lump sum, which could give us a hundred fifty grand or so, where are we going?”

Eva replies, “Southeastern Kentucky, but it says property also lies in Tennessee.”

The next couple of days pass by with nothing more said about the property. The days are filled with getting Jim, 15 years old, and Thomas, 13 years old, to school and practices.

Yes, you read that right. Junior is retired with two boys still in school. The best blessings only occur when you are ready to receive them, and in his younger days Junior was more into exploring new places than settling down.

Friday came and everyone could tell that Junior was a little fidgety, he told the boys to come straight home after school because the family had plans.

The drive to school was quiet and the boys were dropped off. Eva immediately says, “What's going on?”

“I’ll tell you what's going on, we are moving - you know the property you found. I made some calls. We are moving off the grid. Life is about to become simpler.”

“How? Are you Sure? Really?” Eva questioned.

“Yes, my lump sum came to hundred fifty-nine grand and our property should sell for two hundred grand. I already made an offer and it was accepted. Can move immediately as the property is vacant.” Tears, and laughter followed - emotions of love and nerves as a new life awaits.

So much to do in so little time, gathering the necessities and packing the vehicle. This trip will certainly surprise the boys.

“So what’s the rush? And where are we going?” Says Jim, who felt like it was his responsibility being the oldest son.

“You’ll See” replied both parents gleaming from ear to ear. This gives both boys a very bad feeling. A fews hours later Junior slows down and exits off the interstate. To the boys it's almost as if they are exiting society. The roads become more narrow and rough eventually they come to a stop. Eva pulls out a piece of paper and says, “This is it!” with a deep breath Junior and Eva look at each other and turn down the pine lined drive. So rough and winding, barely wide enough for the vehicle. Then they get a glimpse of an old barn tattered and worn with more than a few boards missing. A cabin, which is just as rickety. No way did Junior spend his retirement to live in such a place.

Eva says, “Let’s look around and see what we got.” They are all amazed at the mountain sides beyond the pine trees and look in wonderment at the natural forest. Jim and Thomas take off running towards the creek and notice an open field where a few deer pop up out of the tall grass. “Hunting will be great here if we can come during deer season.” They exclaim.

“That shouldn’t be a problem boys, we bought this place. Somehow, we’ll fix this cabin and make it our new/old home”

Everything stops, the boys look frozen, “NO WAY! WE DON’T EVEN HAVE CELL SERVICE!”

Eva and Junior expected this and knew they must stay positive and make the most of this adventure.

“Let's check out the cabin, after all you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Eva states as she hustles toward the rickety shack.

They all enter the main door expecting something to jump out, but nothing does. They quickly began exploring each room, “Work needs to be done, but it's all doable” States Junior.

“Doable! What do you mean Doable? Not by us!” Says Thomas as he opens a cellar door. He begins down the steps and CRACK, a step gives way. Thomas is startled and looks around before coming to his senses. He notices a little black book. Thomas reaches out under the dusty old stairs to retrieve the book. He wipes off the black cover which reads, ‘Appalachian Property Fortune.’

Thomas takes the book and makes it up the rickety stairs. “Dad, Mom, look. Is this about this cabin?” Junior takes the book as the family gathers round. When he opens the book, the first page is an old map that has 1851 written in the bottom corner. With a closer look Eva notices the creek and the mountain on the map, “This is sure enough an old map of the property.” The next page has 1889 written on the corner and the pine trees are now drawn in, and a cabin. With each page turn the property becomes clearer and clearer. From what they can tell the cabin was rebuilt around 1915 along with the barn. The maps also reveal scenic vistas and hunting and fishing areas on the property. “Well there’s work to be done”, States Junior as he and Eva begin cleaning up some of the old cabin. The boys, still engrossed in the book, turn to a written section that reads,

‘More than one person needs.’

Elderly and all alone

I made these mountains my home

I watched my family all pass by

I’m leaving this cabin a secret before I die.

I’ve been blessed with my than I need

Grew up here, and was given the deed

Wealth and fortune lies in these hills

Nature will bless you, she always will.

This cabin has more than I need,

Hidden in the southwest wall with the original deed.

Remote and well disguised,

My family’s savings from when we were alive.

The boys couldn’t contain their excitement and ran to tell Junior and Eva.

Jim shouts “Wonder what it is, and how much is it worth - can we find it?”

Thomas adds, “Where’s the southwest wall?”

Junior and Eva point and the boys immediately run over and start looking for any clues to the hidden treasure. “Nothing,” Sighs Thomas. “Maybe the next room.”

Jim stops for a second, “Wait maybe the loft or the cellar where you found the book?”

Eva looks at the boys and back at Junior, “at least that's keeping them busy” she says with laughter.

Days go by and things are starting to shape up. The buildings are starting to come alive with each nail and replaced board. The property itself begins to change as paths are becoming clear to the eye. Soon summertime will bring on new life and greener pastures. With all the work being done on the buildings, the family has had little time to explore the property. Junior announces at dinner, “This weekend we are hiking, boys where is that book with the maps? Bring it here, we will camp at one of the mountain tops.”

Ah what a wonderful weekend, clear skies, clear waterfalls, and a beautiful sunset.

Jim looks through the binoculars, “isn’t that the cabin? The sun is shining perfectly on the top corner. Where are we?”

Junior laughs, “on our property of course.”

“No, Dad, like directional wise?”

“According to the map we are in Tennessee, in the southwestern most part of the property.”

“SOUTHWEST, that's it………..the clue in the southwest wall, the outer wall in the corner. We were looking inside the cabin!”

The boys can’t wait to return to their treasure hunt back at the cabin. The entire night they share ideas and plans of what could be hidden. Dream up stories of being rich, and back in society

Eva,”Boys forget it this is our home, money can’t cure society and it sure in heck doesn’t cure problems.”

“But it helps Mom, what could it hurt?” Thomas adds

Junior laughs and with a slight smirk, “Maybe we are all a little bit right on this one.”

Once they returned to the cabin the boys were able to locate the spot on the southwest corner that the sun hit as it was setting. Sure enough, loose side boards starting about 3/4 of the way up. This will take a ladder. Jim sends Thomas to fetch a ladder, as he goes after something to pry with. The work begins, as they loosen a couple of boards they notice a square metal box, attached to a stud. More work reveals an old lock on one side of the box. Thomas can not contain himself and runs inside, “DAD, MOM WE FOUND IT!” as he turns to go back out to where Jim is still on the ladder.

“So what are you standing for Thomas? Go fetch the bolt cutters,” exclaimed Junior.

Thomas hands Junior the cutters, and Junior starts up the ladder. Eva stops him, “let the boys cut it, they found it after all.”

Junior passes the tool onto Jim who cuts the lock, and opens the box. Inside is a couple of old documents and an old cigar box. The original deed to the property, and a copy of bank records from 1900. This family was wealthy at one time, inside the cigar box are old coins and bank books with a note. “My last will and testament leaves all that I own to those holding this record. Please return the purchase price for the property and may their family survive for many generations here as mine had.”