Mount Campion National Forest

As the water from the Hot Springs Spa at Mt Campion tickles my feet, I cannot help but think back on the day I had upon the mountain. The warmth of the springs slowly melts away the ache from the long trails and winding paths, yet my mind still wandered through the forests I crossed only hours ago and the strange things I had discovered along the way.

I began my journey at the Nature Center, the buzzing of insects and distant calls of birds filling my ears from every direction, the smell of pine trees was almost overwhelming.

Inside I found a nature information kiosk which attempted to bring me up to speed on the wildlife of the world, along with helpful information about Mount Campion and its activities. However, a mountain survival guide might have been a nicer thing to have on display, as I am not what you would call a mountaineer.

I exited the Welcome Center and almost immediately a familiar scent grabbed hold of me, stopping me dead in my tracks.

“Well well well…” I said loudly to myself  “What do we have here?”

The unmistakable earthy aroma drifted softly through the mountain air, completely out of place amongst the pine trees and fresh wilderness surrounding Mt Campion. To the left of the welcome center lay a greenhouse, its windows fogged slightly from the warmth inside. The closer I moved toward it, the stronger the smell became until there was absolutely no denying what I had stumbled across.

A greenhouse full of weed plants.

Like a chocolate left on your hotel pillow this was an something I would consume without hesitation.

With my pockets full of Mount Campion complimentary chocolates, chocolates that would definitely help me sleep tonight, I noticed a nearby sign explaining several “creative” ways to use the chocolates. I would not be using for this.

It was not long before I came across the South Cliff Fort Ruins. A crumbling collection of ancient stone structures sat quietly against the mountainside, weathered by time and forgotten by most. As per normal, I picked up a small stone from the ground and slipped it into my pocket. Hey, I like collecting stones from ancient ruins. Sue me.

Not long after leaving the ruins, I spotted a hang glider sitting unattended near the cliffside. And like a genius, of course I had to try it.

Gliding above Mt Campion allowed me to see the full scope of the mountain. The forests stretched endlessly below me while rivers cut silver paths through the wilderness. The trees swayed gently beneath the wind currents carrying me through the sky. I was absolutely terrified but luckily my screams of terror were masked by the rushing air and the sounds of the river below.

The memory of that experience still clung to me as I sat steaming in the Hot Springs Spa. Even now, safe within the comforting warmth of the springs, my heart still raced whenever I thought about gliding over the beautiful cliffs of Mt Campion.. But would I do it again… Yesss I would! It was scary but fun…

I landed gracefully (crashed) in the middle of the forest, and as I was removing a small piece of branch from my jacket, I stumbled upon the entrance to a cave. There were signs directing people inside, which honestly felt like a good sign that I might survive this experience after all.

Every footstep echoed through the darkness as water dripped softly somewhere deeper within the cave. I pushed my way through a series of twisting tunnels until I finally emerged into a massive underground opening where the floor had decided not to exist anymore, replaced by a waterfall and a deep, dark hole – a place I would later learn was called the “Pit of Doom”.

I did not stay long at the Pit of Doom, but I remained there just long enough to throw a stone into the darkness below and listen as it never hit the ground. That was enough for me. Continuing deeper through the cave system, I eventually came across a beautiful statue of a woman holding a glowing light high above her head. The stonework was ancient yet somehow untouched. I would later learn this place was called: The Hall of the Lady of the Light. The moment I stepped into the chamber, I could tell this was a very special place.

I stumbled onward until I came across the most beautiful cave drawings I had ever seen. I stopped for a moment just to take them in properly. The faded colours and rough markings stretched across the stone walls, untouched by time hidden deep beneath Mt Campion. It made me wonder who had drawn them, and what kind of people must have lived here so long ago.

As I exited the caves, I found that the sun had already fallen. It felt almost timeless inside the tunnels, like I had lost track of the world above, and only now did I realize how much time had passed. With the light fading, I felt like It was to call an end to my adventure for today. I would have to explore the rest of the mountain another time…

That was me only a few hours ago, and as I waited for my massage to begin, I couldn’t help but wonder what other cool things I would find on my next visit to Mt Campion. If I took any lesson away from the experience, it is that next time I would hire a horse instead of walking up the mountain, because my feet are absolutely killing me right now.

The Wandering Pen, is a blog segment by Pen, an explorer for the Natural Collective SL, who ventures deep into member created sims in search of hidden path, overlooked details, and untold stories.