High above where I live, on the side of Pewabic Mountain lies a giant cave. For days now I have watched wild Longhorn Sheep emerge from the cave and spend the day grazing on the mountain side. Having always been one with a curious nature, I decided last night to fight my fears, to ignore the "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs and climb up to the cave under cover of darkness.

Equipped with nothing but a bottle of water, a flashlight and my trusty 45 pistol I ascended the mountain. Finally, reaching the mouth of the cave after about an hour of climbing; broken up by repeated rests to catch my breath. Once I reached the entrance to the cave I again stopped to catch my breath and to calm my fears. After a short rest I drew my flashlight in one hand and pistol in the other and proceeded into the cave. Locals had already informed me that the "Granddaddy" sheep, alpha of the pack, was as mean as a Mountain Lion; so I was taking no chances.

Slowly I began my descent down a slight grade into the cave, the soil was loose and filled with small rocks. Afraid of slipping and falling I began stepping sideways; burying my foot in the loose soil before I moved the next foot. The light from the entrance quickly faded as I descended a couple hundred feet down into the cave. Then I heard it, a loud bleating noise that sounded more like a child screaming. Quickly I began scanning down farther into the cave with my flashlight. Out of nowhere I saw "Granddaddy Sheep" charging up the slope, heading directly for me. His eyes were glowing red and he was obviously pissed I was in his cave. With no where to hide and no way to out run him I quickly fired a shot at him, striking him between the eyes. As I watched him fall to the ground, dead, I heard the most terrifying noise I had ever heard. It sounded like 10,000 sheep stampeding up the mouth of the cave.

Before panic could even set in I felt myself being whisked up to the ceiling of the cave. What was happening I wondered. I was disoriented from firing my gun, I could barely hear anything after all the echoing of the gunshot. As I hung from the ceiling of the cave I saw sheep after sheep charging out of the cave below me. Then, suddenly, before me appeared a giant spider, hanging upside down just inches from my face. His mouth was moving like he was speaking but my hearing still hadn't returned. So for what seemed like hours he hung there, staring at me until I could once again hear. Not sure what was happening, in my panic, I spoke to the spider. "Thank you for saving me!" I muttered as the sheep still charged beneath me.

Then the spider spoke back, "Hi my name is Simon, why are you in this cave?" he said. Apparently the look of astonishment on me was obvious cause he immediately added "Guess you never seen a talking spider before". "Am I dreaming" I asked as he inched even closer to me. "You are not dreaming, I am the guardian of the City of Pewabic....now why are you in this cave?" he exclaimed. "I followed the sheep in here to see where they live" I said then followed with "I had no idea there was anything in here besides some wild sheep". As I said that, the last of the sheep charged up and out of the cave.

Then suddenly I felt myself being lowered back to the ground, Simon following close behind me. As we both reached the ground he sauntered out in front of me and said "Follow me, this is your lucky day!" and down the slope he went. After an hour or so of walking down the slippery slope we reached what appeared to be the end of the cave. Then Simon took one of his legs, placed it into a small circular hole in the end of the tunnel. Without warning the rocks around him started to move. At first I thought it was an Earthquake then I saw light shining between the cracks. There was something behind the rock, the rock this spider was moving to the side. When the opening was about 4 feet wide the spider said "You may enter now!". Slowly I walked towards the light, then as I neared the gap I felt a shove on my back and I landed face first on the other side of the rock opening. Before I could get to my feet the opening closed. I was stuck, inside a hidden area deep in a mountain. Trying not to panic I turned away from the rock and let my eyes adjust to the brilliant light before me.

As I stood there staring out across what appeared to be a several mile diameter cave I began to see shapes forming. Appearing in the light as my eyes adjusted to the intensity. Then from out of nowhere a Native American looking man approached me. I could tell from his headdress he was either a chief or an elder. He grabbed me by the arm, at the elbow, and lead me towards a path a few feet away. The path, I soon discovered, led down the cavern walls into the Lost City of Pewabic.

For about two hours we walked down and around the cave walls until finally reaching the city. Then a short walk to the city center where the Village Elders had gathered to meet the first outsider in over 100 years to wander into their city. My eyes still hadn't fully adjusted to the light but as long as I looked towards the ground I could see fairly well. I sat before the elders and was asked a series of questions. What year was it outside? Why did I come into the cave? Was I going to tell anyone of the city's existence?

By the time the elders where done questioning me my eyes had regained focus. I looked around as we sat and talked and could tell the entire city, every building, street, light post, everything was made of Solid Gold. It looked like most other Modern Cities on the surface, except this one was more 'Green' or 'Ecologically Friendly'. There was no signs of fossil fuel use, no visible signs of where they got electricity or light. But the city was gloriously spectacular. The simplicity and beauty was overwhelming. Not even realizing I was no longer talking, I was in fact walking around, I began to take in the sights. With each block I walked new and amazing things appeared before me. All the animals could talk. Dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, goats, cattle....they where all whispering about "the outsider" as if I couldn't hear them, but I could.

Then the Chief appeared before me, "Welcome to Pewabic" he exclaimed as he reached out to shake my hand. A little stunned by his excitement to see me I slowly stuck my hand out in return. After a brief handshake he said "Follow me" and away we went. Towards the far side of the city, towards where I think I entered several hours earlier. As we neared the edge of the cavern walls I could hear running water. Hidden behind a rock ledge was another smaller cavern. Inside that cavern there was a giant waterfall, some 2000 feet tall that dropped well beneath the city. Water was collected during the fall and funneled into the city via modern day style plumbing. Beneath the city there are numerous Water Wheels to generate power from the falling water. Well that explains where the electricity comes from I thought as he led me back into the main cavern.

Sensing I was tired from walking he stepped over to the nearest light post and pushed a button. Then within seconds an electric automated taxi of sorts arrived and he said "get in" (which was more like get on as it resembled golf cart) so I did. After a short drive around the city he took me once again to the city center. Around the center of the city was a set of spires reaching high up into the cave. Well above any of the cities buildings. As the chief looked towards the top of the spires he said "Each one of these spires is capped with a Phosphorescent Polymer that when a small amount of electricity is applied to creates a brilliant light. We keep the city brilliantly lit at all times, just in case a new comber wanders in and wants to do us harm or panics like you did. We are a peaceful people and do not have any modern weapons. This is our defense system.

When we left the city center, just a short walk away we entered a modern looking restaurant. As the chief sat down and encourage me to join him a gaggle of young Native American women rushed from back, setting plate after plate of food, fruits and nuts down in front of us. I remember starting to eat then the next thing I remember was waking right before sunrise back in my motel room.

Convinced it was all a dream I stepped out for a cigarette. Then I saw a native american man who lives in the motel, who is from near Trinidad, CO and I walked over to him and asked him if he knew of "The Lost City of Pewabic" and he just shook his head (in a yes nod) and walked off. Was this some cannabis induced hallucinogenic dream, did the city really exist? I can't really be sure, but one thing I know for certain, my ass is not stepping foot in that cave.....ever!

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