A Splash of Mountain Shasta Dew

This story comes tumbling, barreling, and rolling down a hill, outside somewhere by Trinity Lake, circa the summer of 1981, on a brand-new Huffy bike. “Look dad, no hands!” Proudly bolstering from the exhilarated 8-year-old brazen, Darren (aka Muscles). A glorious vacation had been designed, orchestrated, and every detail pined over by my husband’s father. Two weeks of summer for an out-of-this-world, “unearthly”, all “superhuman” and the supernatural too boot; vacay of a lifetime, started in Mount Shasta.

Pack light, more ways than one; we’re going fishing, camping, “exploring”, and hiking, oh, and around 14,000 feet above sea level. Ok, not to the actual summit, this day. Saved for another day of writing about altitudes, attitudes, and heavenly, celestial latitudes. There’s no mistaking; rising to 14,179 astoundingly awesome feet with a triangular, snowcapped summit visible from a vast area of Northern California; Mount Shasta dominates the skyline, penetrates the clouds, and permeates all the lands.

We’ll travel comfortably through the ether for an epic thrill, otherworldly “spills”, might meet an ascended master, or at the very least, a count with a pet panther. Stories, omens, legends foretold and lively translated, with an obnoxious amount of smores by the campfire each starry night. Invoking; where’s that fountain of youth supposed to be at? Maybe just in New Orleans, but I’m not ruling out, keeping an eye out. Grab your mountain dew (breakfast of champions), liquid energy sources, backpack, sunscreen, sneakers, and we’re off this beautiful May weekend …

“Shasta Lake is the largest man-made reservoir in California. When full, the lake has 370 miles of shoreline, which exceeds that of San Francisco Bay. Shasta Lake contains 30,000 surface acres and holds 4,550,000 acre-feet of water. Shasta Lake lies behind Shasta Dam, which is the second largest (after Grand Coulee Dam) and second tallest concrete dam (after Hoover Dam) in the United States. (Source fs.usda.gov) Trinity Lake, when full, has 145 miles of shoreline, contains 17,000 surface acres and holds 2,500,000 acre-feet of water. Trinity Lake Dam is one of the highest earth-filled dams in the world.”

California’s Mount Shasta has been the “hot topic” or “hot button issue” of an unusually large number of myths, “sightings”, and legends, not to mention, unknown aerial phenomena. For starters, it is “rumored” there’s a secret city beneath its mysterious peaks. In some stories, the city is no longer inhabited, while in others, dwells a technologically advanced society of “enlightened” human beings or mythical creatures. Might even be where “angels” fell, a million or more blue moons ago. Forgive me, I’m getting way ahead of myself. Let’s “teleport” back to the time of spoken language, first; and then make our way at warp speed up till today. Don’t lose your patience or place in line, otherwise, you could lose a bunch of time. I digress.

“Many of Mount Shasta’s strangest tales have yet to be told. Ancient Native American legends speak of a fallen race of prehistoric giants who once inhabited the Pacific Coast of North America. According to the legend, their civilization was destroyed in a Great Flood. In the early twentieth century, a treasure-hunter prospecting in the Mount Shasta region claimed to have found evidence suggesting that the offspring of the Anunnaki, also known as the Watchers and Nephilim, may have reached the shores of North America in a remote, prehistoric era. But before he could reveal the location of their “lost civilization”, he mysteriously vanished.” (Source and major props: ancient-origins.net)

“According to local indigenous tribes, namely the Klamath people (now mostly farmers), Mount Shasta is inhabited by the spirit chief Skell, who descended from heaven to the mountain’s summit. Skell battled with the Spirit of the Below-World, Llao, who resided at Mount Mazama, by hurling hot molten rocks and lava, probably representing the volcanic eruptions at both mountains. Writer Joaquin Miller recorded various related legends in the 1870s.” (Shout-out to Wikipedia and fabulous summer reads whilst under the stars. Special thanks to glasses with lights affixed, makes for easy night reading.)

“Mount Shasta has also been a focus for non-Native American legends, centered on “that” hidden city (called Telos (City of Light)), of advanced beings from the lost continent of Lemuria. The legend grew from an offhand mention of Lemuria in the 1880s. [by whom?] In 1899, Frederick Spencer Oliver published A Dweller on Two Planets, which claimed that survivors from a sunken continent called Lemuria were living in or on Mount Shasta. Oliver’s Lemurians lived in a complex system of tunnels beneath with jeweled walls and fur-carpeted floors within the mountain, and occasionally were seen walking the surface dressed in white robes.” Town folk have seen them!

The feller, I mentioned earlier has a wicked legend to behold and as goes; “The Legend of J.C. Brown occurred in 1904. A geologist and treasure-hunter who went by the name of J.C. Brown was hired by a mining syndicate to prospect for gold somewhere in the Cascades of northern California. During Brown’s explorations of the wilderness, he claimed to come across a rock-fall at the base of a cliff. His suspicions that something of value, like treasure, may be buried underneath and decided to clear away the rubble.”

“Hidden beneath the rock-fall, Brown described unearthing a mysterious tunnel of unusual dimensions. A passage 10 feet high and seven feet (three by seven meters) wide curved downwards into the interior of the Earth. Deep underground, Brown described encountering a weird array of primitive machinery which he attributed to a subterranean mining operation; and also, an unusual cache of gold treasures and relics belonging to an unknown people who inhabited California in ancient times.” (Source onlyinyourstate.com, npr.org)

“Among the treasures Brown claimed to have found, he described as golden tablets and plates, all neatly inscribed with strange hieroglyphics and cuneiform writings. Unusual tempered-copper spears fashioned out of a memory-metal alloy which remembered its “shape”, so that the spear could be bent, to the point where the head of the weapon touched the base of the shaft, whereupon it would morph back into its original state.”

“Brown also described a “worship room” containing statues that eerily glowed in the dark, and iconography depicting solar symbols, and unconventional crosses not of the modern type, suggestive of a Mediterranean origin. In another chamber he counted 27 giant skeletons laid out at angles to the walls, the smallest of which was six feet, six inches (two meters), and the tallest more then 10 feet (3 meters) in height. In another chamber lay the bodies of a man and a woman, dressed in royal robes, apparently embalmed and mummified by some secret process. Brown believed them to be the king and queen of a lost race of prehistoric giants.”

“After re-emerging to the surface, Brown reburied the tunnel and the next decades of his life are still shrouded in mystery. He is believed to have returned to the site periodically over the years but became increasingly paranoid and secretive. He claimed close family members and friends he shared his secret with attempted to betray him, and all of them succumbed to a deadly curse, and died in freak accidents and unnatural deaths.”

“During the following years, Brown became obsessed with James Churchward’s books on the lost continent of Mu (c. 1926-1935) and was fascinated with the theories about Lemuria which were beginning to gain a foothold in California and the Mount Shasta region, fueled by an intense public fascination with spirituality and occultism promoted by the Theosophical Society.”

“Brown became assured that he had discovered evidence of a lost race of prehistoric giants who inhabited California in ancient times, who were destroyed in a catastrophic flood. He believed that he had found a lost link in the story of civilization.” I’ve heard this eerie echo before, similar “ditty”, and a flood (pun intended) of questions to ponder whilst blanketed by the ginormous trees and sparkling ancient stars.

“At the age of 79, in 1934, J.C. Brown turned up in Stockton, California, to raise a party of explorers to return with him to the site of the giant’s tunnel and catalog the treasure-trove of fabulous relics. The size of his party quickly grew to 80 in number, but on the night before they were to depart on the expedition, J.C. Brown mysteriously vanished. Members of Brown’s expedition suspected foul play and feared that their leader may have been kidnapped; the police were called in to investigate but could find no cause or reason for Brown’s weird disappearance being a hoax. He never accepted any money from any members of his party.”

Nobody ever saw or heard from J.C. Brown ever again . . .” I’m definitely spooked now, but beyond curious for the curiouser.

Mount Shasta’s ice-topped volcano draws outdoor adventurers and spiritual seekers from all four corners of our exceptional world. “We” won’t mention realms or dimensions. A plethora of legends say it’s home to a sacred spring, beings who have transcended the physical plane or a crystal city full of ancient foes of Atlantis. Or, possibly, all of the above and then some.

It’s an outdoor adventurers dream destination. Weekend warriors, adrenaline junkies, delusional under-estimators, come in droves to climb the massive snow-capped stratovolcano, camp in bewildering miles of national forest and enjoy some of the purest water in the state. Visitors, stargazers, and wannabe abductee’s, however, come not for wide-open spaces, but for healing and transcendence; the mountain has a global reputation as a gathering place for spiritual seekers.

No hunting, but avid fisherman my husband and his father were. In fact, “Muscles” caught his very first fish at the age of two years old, sitting in his dad’s lap, waving the line wildly and happily back and forth. Actually, caught a black, wide-mouth, bass fish. Big time trout fishing their game, but more importantly bonding and keeping with their sacred Mayan roots their gain. These were the excursions that passed along family ancient secrets, knowledge, traditions, and mostly hysterical memories and antics. Hysterically funny, that is!

Now pertaining to Lemuria; “The Lemurians are believed to be an ancient civilization that lived on Earth long before humans. According to noteworthy legends, they were a highly advanced society with incredible knowledge of science, spirituality, and technology. Some even believe that the Lemurians were able to communicate with extraterrestrial beings and that they had access to powerful energy sources that allowed them to manipulate space and time.” Things that make you go, “Hmmm”.

“The Lemurians are said to have lived in underground cities, which were built with crystal technology and were powered by a mysterious force known as “Vril.” This energy was said to be so powerful that it could heal any ailment and even bring the dead back to life. (I truly thought that’s what my 48 oz. mountain dew was for) The Lemurians were also known for their ability to communicate telepathically and for their deep connection to the natural world. Many people believe that they left behind a legacy of wisdom and spiritual teachings. Rumored to be a huge framework; built a network of tunnels and chambers beneath the mountain, which were used for meditation, healing, and spiritual practices.” Day spa on fleek!

“Over the years, many people have reported seeing strange lights, hearing unexplained sounds, and feeling a powerful energy emanating from the mountain. Some believe that these phenomena are evidence of the Lemurians’ continued presence on the mountain. One of the most fascinating aspects of the Lemurian legend is their supposed connection to extraterrestrial life. Some believe that the Lemurians were able to communicate with beings from other planets that allowed them to travel through infinite space continuum.”

“Those who have had spiritual experiences on Mount Shasta claim to have encountered extraterrestrial beings, including the Pleiadeans (“seven sisters”) who are said to have a strong connection to the Lemurians. Some even believe that the Lemurians themselves were extraterrestrial in origin. While there is no concrete evidence to support these claims, they continue to capture the imagination of spiritual seekers and UFO enthusiasts, and yours truly, who are drawn to the mystique of Mount Shasta.” (Extraordinary source, pacificadventureclub.com)

“Mount Shasta straddles the territories of the Shasta, Wintu, Achumawi, Atsugewi and Modoc tribes. Not surprisingly, the formidable mountain shows up in tribal myths and stories. It’s especially important to the Wintu tribe, who trace their people’s origin back to a sacred spring on the mountain.” Sounds refreshing and enchanting.

“Every August they do their revered ceremonies for just the tribe and their invited “special” guests.” “Those are beings who have had many lifetimes on this planet,” explains “Muscles”, dad, “and no longer need to come back to that birth-death cycle that we’re in, because they’ve learned to master the physical plane.”

Now, to master this Huffy bike down the hill with no hands, was another level of impressive feats for the bold and fearless lad. The split second, his hands left the handlebars, Muscles plunged forward, and a nosedive of epic proportions was about to commence. We’re in for a bumpy ride!

No telling how many bangs, bumps, and bruises there were, or if Muscles had been knocked out for any period of time. There was definite pain emanating from his noggin, bones, and for sure his knee, but the massive gold eyes peering into his soul, kept Muscles completely paralyzed. With fear that is!

Not your regular house pet or kitty; “Black panther (the cat and not the awesome movie) colloquial term used to refer to large felines classified in the genus Panthera that are characterized by a coat of black fur or large concentrations of black spots set against a dark background. The term black panther is most frequently applied to black-coated leopards (Panthera pardus) of Africa and Asia and jaguars (P. onca) of Central and South America; black-furred variants of these species are also called black leopards and black jaguars, respectively. In addition, the term is sometimes used to describe dark-colored bobcats, lynx, jaguarundis, tigers, and pumas (cougars), even though reports of black-colored representatives of some species, such as the puma, have not been confirmed.” (Source britannica.com)

“One of the biggest factors that distinguishes panthers from other big cats is their stealth. Panthers are nocturnal, so they hunt at night. Their dark fur allows them to seamlessly camouflage with their surroundings, while their excellent eyesight and sense of smell help them to locate prey. Panthers generally hunt on the ground but have been known to ambush prey from trees.” (facts.net)

“One of the more somber panther facts is that these animals are extremely rare. This is partly because of genetics, but also because these magnificent creatures and their habitats are at risk, increasingly so in recent times. Human activity, such as industrial deforestation, is greatly reducing the amount of territory available for these big cats to live on. Furthermore, the hunting of panthers for their fur, or for other trophies, has caused a vast decline in their numbers, along with those of regular leopards and jaguars. For this reason, they are known as the ghosts of the forest.”

Lying flat by the embankment, muddy and beat up, Muscles, held his breath, while this majestic beast sniffed his head. He could feel the brute’s breath, hot and powerful. Won’t mention how big his head was compared to Muscles’. By the grace of God, and out of the corner of Darren’s blurry, peripheral vision, an assumed man walked by the water’s edge in what appeared a long flowy, white robe.

Probably only nano seconds, but Muscles stated he felt “stunned” and entranced, couldn’t look away from the spellbinding golden eyed panther. Most likely, Muscles, had-had a full-blown concussion. The spell was broken when an unknown language was “spoken”. Mainly, Muscles heard, “Kahosadi”; which he later discovered is what the Shasta Indians would refer to themselves and meaning, “plain speakers”.

The beast head nudged Muscles, likely leaving his scent or quick kudos, then sprang over the discombobulated lad’s limp body in one giant millisecond bound and right on cue. Then both mysterious figures vanished. Only moments later, Muscles heard his father yelling for him. Factually, cursing up a storm from sheer fear and dread. Don’t be scared, that’s just how he talks.

A relieved Muscles’ dad located his son stumbling and trying to regain his bearings. No harm had befallen, except for a bum knee, covered in dirt and leaves, and an extraordinary story. A story that entailed a panther. Muscles’ dad knew, if his mother found out anything happened to her “cub”, she’d make that fierce and ferocious panther look like a house kitten.

Later and while packing up for the better half of the next “trip”; a SoCal journey that starts with a wedding, the camp discussed the events that day. Concluded the figure in white must have been the Count of Saint Germain.

Yup, you heard the Count of Saint Germain, right. As the last of the embers dwindle out on that campfire light from that long ago summer of 1981, I leave you to ponder under the moons light; do you really want to live forever? I “know” “they’re” working on exactly that. The next quest continues …. Let’s count the ways … To be continued …

I believe the moral or gist of this story, summers are eternally magical, the eighties were crazy and mysterious, mountain elixirs are scrumptious; Mount Shasta is beyond words, comprehension, and imagination; most importantly, don’t take your hands off the handlebars!

*** Disclaimer: This post is a work of fiction and fantasy. No animal or human was harmed in the making of this story. Hope you enjoy, share, contribute, or donate to this site in a Sirius way. Happy trails and summer to you, yours, and the countless souls; here, there, on-line everywhere! Come back for more tales with tails, seas to sail, and mysteries to unveil …