Day 117 - Not So Happy Trails

The closer and closer I got to the truck, the more nervous I became. Confrontation is not necessarily something I enjoy. In fact, it is usually something I avoid, so when it sought me out, I knew I had to stand my ground. Knowing I wasn't doing anything inappropriate, I wasn't concerned about whatever might be coming my way. I knew I was working on improving my land and creating a trail for my family. 

By the time I reached the garage and was turning the corner to the front of the house,  a lady had exited her truck and was knocking pretty forcefully on our front door. I gave a sheepish “can I help you?” and she right away responded with “Are you Peter?”

Clearly, she had done her homework..

She approached me and firmly asked why I was cutting down trees on her land. I assured her that to my knowledge, I was on my land and was working on clearing trees for a trail. While I explained this, the driver’s window of the truck descended and a gentleman I had no yet met explained that there was no way that we were working on our own land. He stated that he was the first person to develop in the area and that we were most definitely on his land.

Not sure how to proceed, I was saved by my neighbor who had caught up to the house, parked his tractor, heard the gist of our debate, and came to the window with a GPS map ready to share. It seemed like the gentleman vehement we were on his property was familiar with the map he saw as he quickly softened his tone.The interaction shifted from accusation to conversation. We talked about the history of the area. The man voiced his displeasure for the house being built on the other side of the property. My wife returned home with the children in the middle of the scene and quickly helped diffuse any issue. When introduced, my wife and the other woman figured out they shared a profession so they shared nursing stories. 

It wasn't the way we intended to meet the neighbors.