The story of Brian and Gunner

The story of Brian and Gunner

I am a free-lance landscape photographer, who frequently travels the
Old Mine Road at the Delaware Water Gap located in New Jersey.
Seeking that one in a lifetime photograph, this one particular day in
(1989), I past by Millbrook Village and on up and down the one big
hill over the bridge that flows the Big Flatbrook stream, and passed
the stairs that leads to nowhere. Driving north, I came across a
pull-off on the right side of the road.

I grabbed my camera and got out of the car. In front of me was a
trail that parrelled the Big Flatbrook stream. I leasurely followed
the peacefull, water running trail for about a half mile, where,
(well into the woods now) I walked across a walking bridge that
had seen it's day.

Twenty five yards or so past the bridge, I came acrossa late 1700's
wooden frame house. Out stepped a teenage lad and his dog.
He introduced himself as Brian and the dogs name was Gunner.
His mom and dad peaked out of the door to see who this intruder
was. I said my hello's, but from what I could tell, they were both
mute.

I talked with Brian and we both played with Gunner, tossing a
stick to have him fetch it. I finally said my goodbye's, and left

the place walking back over the bridge puzzled not knowing
how these people lived out here.
No running water, no electricity, no transportation.
But, then again, I'm a born and bred city man, and I guess
that's why it didn't make any sense to me.

The story moves ahead to the fall of 2005
I always wondered what happened to that family that lived in
the middle of nowhere.
One crisp fall day, I parked in that pull-off.
I proceeded with camera in hand, to follow that peacefull water
running trail that parreleled the Big Flat. Finding however, that
the trail had been overgrown and washed out in spots. I continued
on to where the walking bridge, which had seen it's day 17 years
ago,was still hanging on to it's foundation. Crossing the bridge, and
turning the corner, I expected to be greeted by someone. Instead,
lay the remains of the collasped wooden house with all the families
belongings still inside. I stood their puzzled not knowing what had
happened to Brian, Gunner, and his mom and dad.

I could still see Brian laughing and teasing Gunner with the stick,
and as I said my goodbye's, I could still hear Gunner barking in
happyness for all the attention Brian was giving to him.

By: George R. Draney
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