Hamptons Portfolio 27 Montauk Man Part 10 Shadmoor State Park
After a long break, here is the continuation of the "Legend of the Montauk Man". I had never been to Shadmoor State Park located in Montuak, NY and had no clue where the WWII bunker would be, which was the focus of my visit. I arrived to the small parking area, parked my car and anxiously rushed off to the trails with my back pack, skipping the park map, hoping to encounter someone along the way to ask about the place. Now mind you, you cannot see the bunker, as big as it is , from the parking area or the trails which are cut out of the tall bush. After a few twist and turns of traveling the paths, I came upon a group of about 6 people, nicely dressed, older folks, retired I would guess, enjoying the park. I greeted them and asked if they knew where the "WWII Bunker" was. The older of the bunch chimed in first telling me I missed the sign to the Bunker and that I needed to turn around go back to the main trail and come around the other way. A younger fellow more enthusiastic interrupted him and said I could go straight ahead make a right then make another right and there it would be. I thanked them and before I headed off the older man said once again it would be best to go back. I instinctively continued travelling straight ahead as the younger man suggested. I took about 20 steps forward and couldn't believe my eyes: There was the Bunker! I went left up the elevated path and stood before this dilapidated concrete fortress in awe. About 10 seconds later I watched the group I had spoken with continue on the path past me. I thought, "What the hell just happened?" Were they messing with me? After all the Bunker was right there and the older man wanted me to chase my tail and the younger man would have sent me right past the place! - I don't get it. They must have had something else in mind for I don't believe they had bad intentions in steering me the wrong way, I do believe they were sincere. If anyone could figure out this mystery let me know. PS: I did find the the older man later on in another part of the park and asked him if there was another Bunker he was directing me to and he said no there wasn't. I left it at that (I wasn't about to berate the man at this idyllic park) and went on my merry way....
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| View to Camp Hero and the Radar Tower |
The Legend of the Montauk Man Continued Part 10
There we were, behind the sand dunes watching what was left of our camp. Marcus finished destroying the site with his monster truck, screaming out the window he'd be back as he tore off the same way he came. It was early morning and we survived our first encounter with the junk yard dog. However, I knew, next time we wouldn't be so lucky. I was starting to wish I was back home, in a warm bed with no one chasing me. I couldn't let myself think these defeating thoughts and lose my edge- I needed every stitch of help I could get for even a small chance of getting out alive. I have to stay strong and help Tom, find the Montauk Man and rid Montauk of these evil doers who don't belong here. Tom and I collected what was left of our belongings. Fortunately the tents were still in tact. "Tom, you OK?" "Yeah, I'm alright but I still don't see how this is all going to work out..." "Tom, you may be right. Next time they will send out the pros for us, we need to do better."
We moved on, hugging the shore line in the dark, with a cold sea wind chilling our bones, Tom complaining as always he was cold, tired and hungry. The sun began rising as we reached Shadmoor State Park. Up above the Shadbush was the old World War II bunker. It had been built as part of the US coastal defense system but since abandoned after the war. She was beautiful sitting there overlooking the ocean. I indicated to Tom we should go check it out. We needed to scale the eroded cliffs that nature sculpted to get to the elevated terrain. There were trials everywhere and we walked up one which fortunately took us straight to the bunker. I saw a little smoke trail and followed it around to the other side, Tom was close behind me, nervous I suppose. I was startled to see an old man with a little dog and their makeshift camp. He was brewing some coffee. He looked up at us, smiled and asked, "Would you and your friend like some coffee?" I was suspicious but comforted by his hospitality. I was chilled to the bone from our hike and the timing of this warm offer was godsend. Tom spoke up first, "Why yes sir, thank you!" "Tom wait a minute. Sir, we're sorry, we don't mean to trouble you..." "Oh, no trouble at all. Please join me and Chester for some coffee, we could use the company." "In that case sure we'll join you." The small black dog, a mixed breed with long hair, had large eyes and pointed ears, it was as docile as this vagrant-he was curled up in ball at the feet of his master. You wouldn't think to find a homeless man out here, in a place full of unbelievable wealth but there he was, with his dog. "Make yourself comfortable and I'll pour you some of this brew, hope you like it."
Lanky, with noble features you could tell he was something in his past life. He had the demeanor and tenor voice of somebody like a Charlton Heston when he played Moses. This fellow intrigued me greatly, I had to ask about him. "Say old man, what are you doing up here?" "Well, Chester and I like to travel, we get around. When I saw this place I had to stop and stay for a while." "Hope it's not too forward of me to ask but you weren't always travelling... at least not like this?" "You mean as a bum?... I had a previous life. But it didn't go so well which may be obvious seeing me in my current condition." "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry or assume...." Before I could apologize further he continued, "You know what I really miss? My kids. I shouldn't have done to them what I did, very selfish of me...I still see them but not as I did in my past life." "I'm sorry to hear that old man..." "Oh, don't you worry any. I won't bore you with the sad details. I really rather not talk about it except to offer you this: A man can build a life into an illusion and believe that illusion to be real. Your time is limited but you act as if it's not." Tom was listening in on the conversation while sipping his coffee and seemed amazed by the vagrant. "You were rich, weren't you and lost it all?" "You can say that," "Wow, that's gotta hurt!" "Tom stop that! I'm sorry sir. Tom is a bit on edge lately..." "Edgy? You call getting chased like an animal being edgy? Hey old man ever been hunted before?" "No, can't say that I have." "Don't worry about Tom, he likes to make up stories" "Stories? Who's looking for the Montauk Man....?" "Tom settle down. Sir do you mind if I ask you another question, it's something that's been bothering me and maybe you could be of some help." "Ask away" "Do you know a man named Elijah, a man a bit down on his luck, hangs around the pubs in Montauk village?" "Oh I see, all of us bums must know each other - sorry my dear fellow I didn't mean to offend you. Yes I know Elijah an old rascal. He's one of Montauk's best" "See Tom, I told you Elijah was real" Tom shrugged his shoulders, "OK if you say so. But we ran a background check on every known resident of Montauk; No Elijah currently living, I'd remember that unusual name." "Sir, please tell Tom about Elijah, if you don't mind.."
"Sure thing. Elijah is the soul and spirit of Montauk. He embodies everything that is magical about this place and I'm proud to call him my friend. In fact I'll be seeing him soon." "When you do please tell him hello for me..." "I certainly will." Before I could ask him any further questions he turned to Chester, picked him up and began petting him. You could tell by the way Chester looked at the old man he would die a thousand deaths to save his master.
I was amazed with the old man (Who wasn't so old, he just had that haggard life look) For some reason the image of Brad McCallaster from Elijah's story about the Montauk Man, came to me every time I looked at him but this couldn't be him, Brad was dead. I sat there on the sandy ground, drinking my coffee which was horrible and full of coffee grinds but enjoyed it more than any other cup of coffee I ever had- Funny how appreciation works in life. The sky was brilliant blue and the cry of the seagulls was soothing. I didn't want to press this stranger who was busy with Chester for any more information and just enjoyed the moment. "Would you two like to stick around for the day, maybe go surf fishing with Chester and myself?" I looked at Tom, "What do you think?" "Fish for dinner, I'm in!" The old man mysteriously found us a couple of old tired fishing poles that somehow still worked and we headed down the cliff via a more manageable path the old man led us down all the way to the beach. We set up a make shift camp and fished from morning to early afternoon. The old man was a sight to see. Casting his line into the big ocean, smiling enjoying himself to no end. Just looking at him brought a smile to my face. A smile would come to anyone's face looking at this character straight out of a Wile E. Coyote cartoon with his shirt and pant ends exploded away and far too short for his tall frame.
We caught some large bluefish, striped bass, flounder, what a nice catch for the day! The sun was setting and I decided to start a campfire with the drift wood I found on the beach. Tom and the old man began filleting the fish. Evening turned into night and the fire was going strong and we roasted our fish on the open flame. The old man pulled out a bottle Vodka (seemingly from nowhere) and passed it around. At this point it felt like Christmas; our belly's full and our cares temporarily forgotten. I don't know if it was the liquor talking but I felt the obligation to tell the old man of the possible danger he was in because of us. "Old man, I have to be straight with you. We're being chased. You may be in danger as these bad guys chasing us could happen upon us at any moment." "You don't say sonny? I sort of figured that out already." Chester was eating from the old man's hand, enjoying the days catch as well, Tom was rubbing his belly, happy as a clam and the moon was illuminating the shore on this star filled glorious night. The old man didn't seem phased by what I just told him. "How did you know?" "Well your friend did say you were being chased like animals. That is unusual out here in Montauk but I'm certain you did nothing wrong except maybe get mixed up in something you shouldn't have..." I was suspecting something very odd about the old man. He seemed to know more than he was saying like he knew exactly what was going on: It was almost like our meeting was set up. He acted not like a homeless man but more like someone who could conquer the world if he wanted to, he just chose not to... He needed nothing, feared nothing and other than when he was speaking about his kids he seemed very happy. This didn't strike me as the character of someone who lives on the streets; I was beginning to believe he was no homeless man. I went with my gut and waited for his back to be turned to me and blurted out "Brad!" He turned and looked me straight in the eyes, like Moses demanding Pharaoh to let his people go. Just at that moment a high pitched whiz passed by my ear and I heard a sharp horrifying thud and yelp; Chester had been hit. The old man quickly turned around picked Chester up who was bleeding-he was still alive but in bad shape, he looked at his master whimpering for help...The old man consoled him and told him he would be OK. I looked down the shore line and saw red lasers looking for their mark. Tom spoke up first, "They're here!" We have to move now!" "I can't leave the old man and his dog!" The old man pointed to the bunker on the bluff, "Make your way to the bunker! Inside is a wooden hatch that leads to a tunnel. Take the tunnel which will lead you to safety!" "But what about you and Chester, I can't just leave you like that!" "Here, take this..." I took what looked like an amulet and asked what it was for. He said when the time came I would know what to do with it. I tried to pick up the old man but he refused, "Get to the bunker!" he growled. By now a few more silent rounds we're hitting the sandy beach as a strong search light scanned the area. In the distance, I could hear a chopper approaching. The old man stood stoic holding Chester in his arms and still pointing to the bunker as bullets flew by him...
At that very moment some type of military ordinance went off near the old man who was holding Chester in his arms, it created a large red flash and blinding smoke. I could have sworn the sea stopped moving the wind ceased to blow and the earth stopped turning. My ears went deaf and I grabbed Tom by the shirt and dragged him up the cliff and headed to the bunker. When we made it to the safety up above the beach, all at once the world "turned back on." I could hear the ocean again, rounds being fired, and faint yelling from the beach. Our panting was heavy and the smell of fear was strong in the air. I tried to spot the old man and Chester, thinking I could still save them somehow but they were no where to be seen. It was then when I caught site of HIM; Colonel Harris. He was coming out of the red smoke clapping his hands as he looked up directly at me with his two red pupils. I was mortified. He tipped his hat to me and with a sinister smile gestured to his soldiers to follow us. I pushed Tom to move and we trekked to the bunker in terror as fast as we could. "Tom, look for a wooden hatch, it's our only chance...!"
Lewis Portal
