Sometimes I honestly feel like I must be from a different planet, struggling to survive the wilds with limited gear and faculties in this foreign land. Pressing forward can be taxing. Fortunately the blessings of the unexpected, and one’s giftedness, can occasionally coincide in such a way as to provide a breath of fresh air; often just in the nick of time.
This has been the summer of Camps, Cars, and Classes. I worked three different camps, spent time looking and buying a couple of newer-used cars for both Jodi and us, and then took two graduate courses. It’s also been the summer of running. Running was the one activity that provided an outlet in the midst of busyness, but it doesn’t start with the letter “C.” A friend suggested I try calling the running I did, “cardiovascular.” So I suppose I could entitle the warmer months of 2019, “The Summer of the Four C’s”: Camps, Cars, Classes, and Cardio. I’m not sure it has the smooth, catchy ring it needs for me to “Hang my hat on it,” but it does adequately describe how I’ve spent most of my time these last couple of months.
Thankfully an overnight presented itself that allowed my Dad and I to escape, and head into the Western, middle area of Wisconsin to do a little trout fishing. Because of the unusual schedule this summer, and trying to reign in any urges that I might have had to ignore my studies and escape to moving waters, I was excited to finally have a chance to head North.
Dad and I headed out the morning of Friday, August 9th and made our way up to a favorite little creek, after first checking into a hotel we would return to later that evening. The day was beautiful. I caught a nice 14 ½ inch brown trout that I kept, and then released a 12, 10, and 9 incher. Dad himself caught a brilliantly colored 13 inch brown. We took some pictures of the creek, bluffs, and fish. I also took a video of our hike out. In typical fashion, it was a struggle through brush and prairie. In addition, the trek was up hill, but at least it provided us with some awesome vistas that I tried to capture in pictures as well. After the drive back to the hotel, we had dinner at a local restaurant, got cleaned up, and fell right to sleep.
CLICK FOR A VIDEO:
CLICK FOR A VIDEO:
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| The Vista |
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| After The Hike Out Of The Valley |
The following morning (on Saturday, August 10th), we headed out again, but decided to explore a different creek in a different valley. It was equally as beautiful, and was a little more accessible; which may not always sound great to someone who likes to fish out of the way places, but after enduring what we had the previous day, it was a fringe benefit. It was fun to explore new and uncharted waters. The creek had a lot of fishable areas, and some deep bends that must have held some extraordinary trout. We saw a few, and I managed to hook into a 14 inch brown. On our hike out we did have to thrash through some thick grass and cattails, before crossing a soupy drainage ditch. But then that’s what typically comes with the territory, and we did soon come out onto a road that led us straight back to my Jeep.
Once we had our gear off, and stored away, we began our trek back home. We stopped for a chocolate shake at one point, but if I remember correctly, I practically had it polished off before we got onto the highway. When I returned home, I still had to complete the homework from the second class I had taken this summer, and school would begin in two weeks, but that outing with Dad reminded me that brighter days were ahead. I just needed to stay the course and finish. These last couple of months may be known as “The Summer of the Four C’s,” but beyond that, this particular trip will also be known as the adventure when the unexpected, forged with the giftedness and love for the out-of-doors, created a lasting memory.
See you along The Way...
