It was admittedly an untidy schedule-
A mish-mash of events congregated in close proximity.
I did not take the time to figure it out-
Why would I take what I do not own?
Nor did I make the time-
How does one create what already exists?
Time bestowed?
Perhaps…
Time gifted?
Grateful and thankful if so…
150 miles traveled North by Northwest-
An open site to soak up what light made it to Earth.
Donning waders I plunged into silver water-
Rays of a setting sun bounced off the highest of trees.
If 2 is company and 3 is a crowd-
They say the answer to “what is 4 and 5,” is 9.
Of brown trout…
I caught a “crowd.”
Keeping one to eat with yellow summer squash…
Both were cooked over an autumn fire.
Night was cold-
Riding the freezing line.
I myself was toasty-
Sandwiched between woolen blankets, notable constellations, and the Aurora Borealis.
The later danced in the Northern sky-
Lulling me to sleep, while enticing me to dream.
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| The Big Dipper A Part Of URSA Major (The Great Bear) |
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| The Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis |
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| The Entire Constellation Of Orion The Hunter |
Christmas in October?
Red and green decorated the Northern heavens…
And I in my cap?
Settled my brain for a long evening nap…
Nigh upon noon I again sought the trout-
In a different section of a squiggly blue thread.
A background of moving water against foundational bluffs-
Created an angler’s smorgasbord, and a mixture of brooks and browns.
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| A Brown Trout - Salmo Trutta |
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| A Brook Trout - Salvelinus Fontinalis |
Chunks of fish and syruped acorn squash…
Were enjoyed around a campfire.
Cool air enough…
For a cup of hot chocolate.
After the day’s activity I entered my tent with the darkness-
Prepared to sleep like the dead.
Serenaded throughout the moon filled night-
By owls, coyotes, and raccoons.
Now in nature’s cycle-
I woke at first light, and read for a spell.
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| My Tent & Campsite In The Background |
Do adventures lie in the map?
I studied and fantasized…
What trails should I run?
Loops, switchbacks, and routes of many colors…
I drove and parked at a designated trailhead-
Well tread paths went up and down in sharp contrast.
New shoes gripped rocks and roots-
The duff of pine the filler between.
Vistas with occasional creek crossings-
Everything was pristine and fresh, with an explorer’s spirit.
My heart thumped…
While lungs pulled air.
Nearly 9 miles of trail…
Run wide-eyed in wonder.
Though physically tired-
Voids filled with content.
If not for time…
Time would have continued to be utilized.
Once packed and loaded-
I rinsed refreshed, before the drive home.
How is the spirit of the Northwoods?
Alive and kickin’...
And what of the spirit within?
Grateful and thankful as time itself would tell…
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| A View Of The Terrain - October 2024 |
I’ll see you along The Way…
