Company on Mt Manitou

This week one of my best friends happened to be in town, so we took a trek up the incline; after all, is there a better way to catch up on someone's life than a mutually agreed upon hike up a mile long set of stairs at a 45% grade?  In between water breaks and gasps for air we enjoyed some great conversation and views, as well as a good work-out.

Once we had conquered the beast I took a diversionary tour of the hilltop to relieve one of my constant companions - the full bladder.  I happened to see a large rectangular iron box that seemed to have been built in the 19th century, when societies had uses for such contraptions.  I have no idea what it was originally used for, although I would guess for holding coal or something of that nature, and in my attempt to satisfy my curiosity I peeked inside a circular opening in the top.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered a man inside!  I'm assuming it was a homeless person, who used the box as his shelter, although this raised more unaswered questions.  Why was he sleeping in it during the daytime?  Why did he climb the incline in the first place?  Was this the fittest homeless person in town?  Was this actually a deceased person?

Needless to say, I am a bit tempted to go back in a week and make sure the same person isn't still lying there in the same position.  Or if he is, to make sure he's not bloated and covered in flies.  But that would require hauling myself up the incline again, and let's face it, I'm too lazy for that.  Perhaps someone reading this blog could take a peek and relieve all our minds.