"This is the Most Painful Thing You Can Eat!"
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Those words echoed through the woods yesterday, but still at least 6 people partook of the evil plant known as Jack in the Pulpit.
Yesterday we hiked to the Walls of Jericho on the Tennessee Alabama border. This place has recently been preserved and has therefore been in the news alot. Yet, my vote: travel to this place either spring when water is present, or winter when you can see more rocks. It is a peaceful place. And if traveling alone will provide a hauntingly quiet moment of reflection. But yeah right not for us. We plowed strait down the mountain down the old trail, instead of the new switch back system.
But ah much pain was found. Running down the side of the mountain, I ran full speed (no dove full speed) into a tree. After Phillip finished laughing, wait he never did the whole night, we headed on. Then we ran across a 6 foot black racer. And well I was biten a a few places, in the first experience where I snake drew blood on me. Doh.
But the most memorable part of the trip was when we found some Jack in the Pulpit. Nothing on the planet which is edible is more painful than this stuff! And the pain will last for a good 3-4 hours. Everyone (Except Jason Who Ran Away) gave it a try. And after those first 15 seconds of, this isn't bad I don't feel anything... then the pain began. Tommy cried out to Phillip not to try it... but soon a numb faced Phillip jabbered words we could not determine as the pain hit...
We headed to a store where Emily quickly offered the findings up to the store clerk, who agreed to try it. Meanwhile our group proceeded to purchase everything possible from hot to cold to salty to sugar trying to make the pain end. It did not.
Jack in the pulpit... try it once, you'll never forget it... or it will take 10 years for you to be willing to try it again. (as it was for me). But fortunately the Indians used it to cure snake bite... so well guess there is a reason I ate it. Really it is edible! And no no one ate enough to die... but they do realize if you ate a handful of them, well that’s another story…. But according to Indian Legend, they have all entered their manhood.
Comments
More painful than a rack of ribs? Because that was pretty painful.
Posted by: Javann The Wonderful Friend | September 27, 2004 06:38 PM
More Painful than playing football with Javann, and him tackling you from your blind side at full speed....... When HE IS ON YOUR TEAM!! Sorry J
Whew, Jack in the pulpit, that sounds really interesting, painful, but yet in some strange way really fun. Jerm you should start your own online store selling it!
Posted by: Ben | September 28, 2004 06:53 AM
Haha. Wow, getting bitten by a snake and eating a plant that causes your mouth to go up in flames. Sounds like the perfect ways to compliment such a peaceful and relaxing hiking retreat. :p
Posted by: Dylan | September 28, 2004 10:17 AM
More painful than a rack of ribs...well...I've only eaten well-behaved ribs that allowed me to naw on them without attacking me.
Trust us, it's painful. Being one of the partakers, I say with confidence, this root could take on a rack of ribs any day. At 5:30 the next morning my mouth was still recuperating.
And I'm so glad to know that along with my two other female friends, we've entered manhood together, excluding Jason, who's unfortunately without hope. (evil laugh)
Posted by: anabell | September 28, 2004 10:37 AM
Yes, it's true I didn't share the painful experience that the others did. I believe it was the description of fire and needles in your mouth that turned me off to trying it. That and Philips jibberish after partaking of the small root. I can't wait to go back in the fall when the trees have lost their leaves and you can see more of the cliffs.
Posted by: Jason | September 28, 2004 11:12 AM
Actually i say early spring would be best... then we could see the rocks... and also there would be water... I want to see the water falling into that hole!
Posted by: itzjerm | September 28, 2004 12:20 PM
Yeah, good point. That would be really nice with water flowing into the water cut. I would love to try biking that trail back to the basin. Atleast the ride down would be easy.
Posted by: Jason | September 28, 2004 12:52 PM
I don't know Jerm, I think you have forgotten about the "dumb cane" plant that you tricked me into trying when you were just a toddler. My mouth was in blisters for several days. Yes folks Jerm has been up to this mischief for a long time. . .No its not called "dumb cane" because you're dumb if you try it(although I was) but because you loose your voice.
Posted by: Mona | September 28, 2004 10:06 PM
Been there, done that I would rather eat a large handfull of frozen kuckleburs
Posted by: solarsea fish | October 4, 2004 09:06 PM