The Tooth of Times Been Chewing On Me

Here I am, five months after returning from Philmont and I still feel like it was just yesterday I was climbing the Tooth of Time.........New Mexico has a way of getting into your head, once you've seen what it has to offer you can never forget it.

  Have you ever been so lonely you could cry? it isn't a lovely, fuzzy feeling, in fact! it isn't even a remotely warm feeling, for those of us who know the feeling well, we try to avoid it. For me, that feeling has been caused by the lack of high mountains and brilliant night skies in my life recently. The song "Tooth of Time Has Been Chewing On Me" has a much deeper significance to me now. Here are some of the lyrics that touch my soul.

     
"I think, the Tooth of Times’ been chewin’ on me”
The Tooth of Time been chewin’ on me
Fiddles and a campfire are all I need                                       
Cause the Tooth of Times’ been chewin’ on me

Well I think I’ll probably be out here, until I’m dead
And I remember back on what that old timer said
I ain’t that smart, but this I know
The Tooth of Time is a damn good way to go

And you may come and you may leave
But ‘round February she’ll be in your dreams
A great big mountain and the sky so blue
Yeah, the Tooth of Time’ll have its teeth in you
 Alright, the Tooth of Times’ been chewin’ on me”
The Tooth of Time been chewin’ on me
I’m smelly and I’m dirty and it’s plain to see
That the Tooth of Times’ been chewin’ on me

One more, the Tooth of Times’ been chewin’ on me”
The Tooth of Time been chewin’ on me
I hike so much, I got stumps for feet
Yeah, the Tooth of Times’ been chewin’ on me
Chewin’ on me
Chewin’ on me"


There is something about carrying everything you need to live on your back that makes me feel.....well, feel. The udder simplicity of it all is refreshing. I don't mean "simplicity" as in it's very simple to do, it's the mindset you are in while backpacking that is simple, you take what you need, and that's enough, you're happy to be without. 

Like the song says "she'll be in your dreams" and I can testify to that. It is driving me insane being away from the Mountains of New Mexico, the Tooth of Time has been chewin' on me for sure, and there is only one remedy for my Insanity and it can be summed up in seven words......I WANT TO GO BACK TO PHILMONT!!!!!!!