tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64232404570953743222024-02-21T07:46:11.139-06:00The River StoryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-20753101314860112032014-01-23T23:25:00.002-06:002014-01-23T23:25:17.907-06:00New postCheck out www.iescapeoutdoors.com for the new post "No Excuses"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-31737650058804670402013-12-11T23:26:00.001-06:002013-12-11T23:27:07.447-06:00New stuff found here.....Please visit and support the cause at <a href="http://www.iescapeoutdoors.com/">www.iescapeoutdoors.com</a>!<br />
<br />
Thanks for your interest, get outdoors, and try something new.<br />
-EvanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-54026270218095024282013-02-28T22:59:00.005-06:002013-02-28T22:59:57.003-06:00Fishing in the SnowiEscaped again this weekend. <br />
<br />
To reclaim sanity I did what I do best: went fly fishing in the Canyon. I had went hiking earlier with my family along a small stream in a tight, tall walled gulch. I had inquiring thoughts about this small stream before, thinking that the larger brown trout could use it as a nursery for the fry and fingerlings. Some larger trout might even call it home. On the way out of the hike, Charlie looked over at a small pocket water pool and yelled out, "Look at all the fish!" My fate was sealed...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03Qep6xSQFjcQiJlmFM3AqR6FnJuzXbtMudL6OU_W8jLHq5zY7vyraDzyXCc75TNpudl4laTS_dWa1-WZTFDnJLH6krgdFXF0q4-nITJw8muSZbpAtpdnkjgIK8cpiissosKlK0uc1gTb/s1600/P1120044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03Qep6xSQFjcQiJlmFM3AqR6FnJuzXbtMudL6OU_W8jLHq5zY7vyraDzyXCc75TNpudl4laTS_dWa1-WZTFDnJLH6krgdFXF0q4-nITJw8muSZbpAtpdnkjgIK8cpiissosKlK0uc1gTb/s320/P1120044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next day after breakfast I set off for the small stream. As I went further into the Canyon, the "partly cloudy, calm wind" weather report became more false by the minute. A blizzard quickly blew in from the west, dark gray clouds spewed thick, heavy snowflakes by the millions upon the quiet canyon. As I pulled into the parking lot the wind was howling, snow flakes stinging my cheeks, but from over the snow pile I could see large browns swirling in the beaver ponds above the bridge. It was deathly quiet, beautifully intolerable I rigged up a large stimulator with a small midge dropper and went off up the trail below the limestone cliffs that resemble towering fortresses. At the first pool I came across, I stumbled through hip deep snow to get into the water. I tossed a few casts up stream but a stiff gust of wind quickly over powered my little three weight rod. The line got pushed into some branches and I reluctantly walked up through the pool to get it untangled, watching for darting streaks of gold from under my feet. There were a few small ones, my hopes were actualized! I stumbled back up on the bank, essentially swimming through the snow to get to the trail. Out of breath, I kept going up stream, following the snowshoe tracks that were left by passers by before me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUibEc_92BVWPc77-2AME5PStdG4aS_B7YBDYFD10MuVnnhKFA_OwfezM3c3gh_Xg1QGj8Ilk2x7RwHa_cUwaGYWQ7Qx7Q9ic2BJYL2dQo4SIvN-l18qgIMFGIUGod5PItxR2WLZfYxXOf/s1600/P2180031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUibEc_92BVWPc77-2AME5PStdG4aS_B7YBDYFD10MuVnnhKFA_OwfezM3c3gh_Xg1QGj8Ilk2x7RwHa_cUwaGYWQ7Qx7Q9ic2BJYL2dQo4SIvN-l18qgIMFGIUGod5PItxR2WLZfYxXOf/s320/P2180031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Its these sort of small streams, the ones that everyone over looks and that go unnoticed while in the pursuit of trout, that I love to explore. They are technical, small, with small fish that can easily outwit me. They harbor the hidden gems of centuries past, like on this stream there is an old mine shaft dug into the base of the canyon wall along the stream bank. Its the intimate feeling you get, that primeval feeling of being watched when you're all alone, the bliss of exploration in water that's maybe never seen a fly before- all these facts are what makes these experiences so meaningful.<br />
<br />
The stream made a sharp bend in the canyon after a small incline on the trail. At the top of the incline I looked upstream, the tail snugged up against the wall and pinched the stream in between the other wall. The blizzard was getting worse, wind was picking up. The stream turned into a series of riffles and pockets, and ended up at the bottom of a twenty foot slope from the trail. "God, this is awesome!" I thought to myself. I started down the slope but the snow sucked me in. Up to my stomach in the cold white stuff, I was squirming around like a fool trying not to slide down the rest of the way on my face, more importantly not trying to spook the shadows in the pool below me. Awkwardly, amazingly, I contorted myself out of the snow cave I had apparently fallen into, slid the rest of the way on my butt and stopped before the water. As soon as my feet smashed into the snow, most of the shadows burst from the pool. "Well Shi*...Ha ha ha, God I'm so fu**ing smooth!" I sat in the snow on the bank for a long while, watching the last trout left in the shallow pocket of water. It was sitting on the far side in some slack water behind a rock, its light gold sides shimmering through the clearer than clear water, surely sizing me up as friend or foe. Snowflakes started bombarding the land once again, the wind was howling down the stream, and it was just me and the trout waiting for one of us to make the first move.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwTu3gj-g_7mh_yBECSoRkZPHXlsGDIAyMDPXFl4OsM4xyB30PKeTjgsTrICcKhljAqjbNaxhZrztezgPhIeIPKjbQZ44oM1zwypKPHk8zdBx6W_yjE33yhhC51dYH1oxiLth7Ua2EJpk/s1600/P1120046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwTu3gj-g_7mh_yBECSoRkZPHXlsGDIAyMDPXFl4OsM4xyB30PKeTjgsTrICcKhljAqjbNaxhZrztezgPhIeIPKjbQZ44oM1zwypKPHk8zdBx6W_yjE33yhhC51dYH1oxiLth7Ua2EJpk/s320/P1120046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Being the smooth guy that I am, I grabbed by rod from the snow and went to make a cast, but as soon as my arm moved (like two cowboys in a duel, reaching for my pistol) the trout shot first and darted upstream into the pocket never to be found again by this angler. I had lost the tense standoff, but at the same time, I was never so happy (or lucky) to be alive. Just another day on the water, I tell people often times on my fishing outings, "Some people got it, some people don't." But what really counts at a place like this is that you try. It gives you an excuse to try again- come the next blizzard, to be humble, to forget the troubles of your busy week and learn from the little stream all that you need to know. Maybe I'm just an optimist, but fish aren't the point of fishing for me.<br />
<br />
It took easily ten minutes to crawl back up to the trail, the slope was steeper after I plowed down a path in the snow. I prayed no one walked by to see me cussing and clambering for foot and hand holds, gaining a few feet, then sliding all the way back down to the bank. By some miracle, some inner strength I pulled myself up, got some of the snow out of my waders and walked back to my car. The blizzard hadn't stopped yet, but it just made the walk out, and the sweet defeat, that much better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WROivjHftEuW_9hwKclWi0oo8jswGkfmiy1GldONT85Dg0j2SD8ZeiqfD9HiCYB5lpwvhH3nCC8zvEE6uW2vJAee0yTh52qN147uJ-rhSL1iHRIvG5DSwuTjC3V4c-pzHUZUJ7BUCuZK/s1600/ironcreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WROivjHftEuW_9hwKclWi0oo8jswGkfmiy1GldONT85Dg0j2SD8ZeiqfD9HiCYB5lpwvhH3nCC8zvEE6uW2vJAee0yTh52qN147uJ-rhSL1iHRIvG5DSwuTjC3V4c-pzHUZUJ7BUCuZK/s320/ironcreek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
iEscaped to a small stream called iron creek. Even though I didn't hook a trout, I saw them, and they kicked my butt! I learned that I love that challenge and sometimes it pays to get a reality check- to realize that there is more to life than the goal at hand; to enjoy the experience more than obsess about fish that were way smarter than I was to begin with. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8x1yszELCKDbVDi9qaeAyVnTVXHMmF_g9tARKaSVelMxhqBSMHHqLaQbzbKBFa6oFfNch2a6GiMGBQ3P9EcQnkGWpuW_-D72ZN__xpl9FOCJJYI5IViJ6HPZ49uOcOynV7Gbo7k2MfP9/s1600/P2180040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8x1yszELCKDbVDi9qaeAyVnTVXHMmF_g9tARKaSVelMxhqBSMHHqLaQbzbKBFa6oFfNch2a6GiMGBQ3P9EcQnkGWpuW_-D72ZN__xpl9FOCJJYI5IViJ6HPZ49uOcOynV7Gbo7k2MfP9/s320/P2180040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-67983847467262893592013-01-27T13:49:00.002-06:002013-01-27T13:52:06.163-06:00Sights and Sounds of Spearfish Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx80-XYaC8fYBwK5vouJQh0YD_gCmVQe2Esf8e2cc49xli5AgTys8DTo6hrLfHATVdhgFABMjuyFXwyTEjyyPRvqvKg1zmtDqYxQCQ0zDmUdr9T_g-4x8E1-YqAyIIJOIj4sC1AlglQZRA/s1600/P1140004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx80-XYaC8fYBwK5vouJQh0YD_gCmVQe2Esf8e2cc49xli5AgTys8DTo6hrLfHATVdhgFABMjuyFXwyTEjyyPRvqvKg1zmtDqYxQCQ0zDmUdr9T_g-4x8E1-YqAyIIJOIj4sC1AlglQZRA/s320/P1140004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_DlRS0nr61WUdwpFQJTMkBkbaPgh1iIaYltnFbe7Q3SSA3HPzE4SdIvHiVdNxCcjRv0PL2zH-_8K9mzK4vHH5Cp792nVorZ8X0YPEt_1wj4RPMyoYTa94yuK_4a3fI-aE6YBsZCwDuz7/s1600/P1140006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_DlRS0nr61WUdwpFQJTMkBkbaPgh1iIaYltnFbe7Q3SSA3HPzE4SdIvHiVdNxCcjRv0PL2zH-_8K9mzK4vHH5Cp792nVorZ8X0YPEt_1wj4RPMyoYTa94yuK_4a3fI-aE6YBsZCwDuz7/s320/P1140006.JPG" width="198" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08CJ6B2eL8meTzXFczyTjLyPYDUCP9M2EhEvAMnabz6JugF-9E77k3w3QRu1EUvHLTD8eaBBG84-EfQfyb5i-o980BjIlOnaVYPzMBSdFxTPqKNR3b6N-4ddPt7VQ2GK931XeJM-30tnb/s1600/P1140007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08CJ6B2eL8meTzXFczyTjLyPYDUCP9M2EhEvAMnabz6JugF-9E77k3w3QRu1EUvHLTD8eaBBG84-EfQfyb5i-o980BjIlOnaVYPzMBSdFxTPqKNR3b6N-4ddPt7VQ2GK931XeJM-30tnb/s320/P1140007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwKEJ8EKApR00zikgd6CBAAz2TPgHqMyyAXUPLg0Fw-VHJcqlymg7rx74qQBRFNwbYLAT4fxaIMr8JpscInVkEreDJ2eUPRzi_KymnO9YfvJDrdYdRV6mayMsFlhrr1fmEz2pxxOBfc1f/s1600/P1140010.AVI.wmv" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D5a11fa9ea7792493%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908052%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D26562905259C89A71057FE431DC2952AEB2352CE.958E2D463A09E910DD1526FE6BE983C14D904144%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D5a11fa9ea7792493%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908052%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D26562905259C89A71057FE431DC2952AEB2352CE.958E2D463A09E910DD1526FE6BE983C14D904144%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6blkSh84LHEywLqnYFfmmPcG85dRbVcKt1n2dR7tmIR4FIL4Fjm0d1GWaLYtAgH4chS05lIFCCDpGBreqfAJ6a3y8NrOBtA5_N6IjgcapGsBOFp8nfC4MdaGj_Ypw60tbAjtD_qDl06P/s1600/P1140017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6blkSh84LHEywLqnYFfmmPcG85dRbVcKt1n2dR7tmIR4FIL4Fjm0d1GWaLYtAgH4chS05lIFCCDpGBreqfAJ6a3y8NrOBtA5_N6IjgcapGsBOFp8nfC4MdaGj_Ypw60tbAjtD_qDl06P/s320/P1140017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97U8dDDXT8V3-I7-7y15luUhVEia98qPLW67Be2n05ynKG-nYyYff3FkFsxxLJLHKjQ-wIm9rB2nYEpEsxmMwd55K5YfkkFif07ZG157jVZa9cEwZR_fxy3QvCzXhOxZFtqMx4LYKOAwi/s1600/P1140014.AVI.wmv" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dc229d79421228afd%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908054%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D8644E55AEDFAE517C7C60C3A6506987DA133B16E.87AFDE13739B2EF9B406110A9B870EFFC239E841%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Dc229d79421228afd%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908054%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D8644E55AEDFAE517C7C60C3A6506987DA133B16E.87AFDE13739B2EF9B406110A9B870EFFC239E841%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiSLyK9sbtJcxOv_yaY1JFLAZ0uVY5Qztv4v0AIl0cWrLcliekYuKtInyVa6cWmFRyVVvfmfTqxydnPu4tHBpaX4-p3QjB7ZSZI5faq9ADTUSyf2fNgRQ9qkzJU8PkQxIuS6YAog-bywy/s1600/P1140018.AVI.wmv" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Df3881e8aa6b9eff7%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908069%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D43BAF3784A2F32E90C868248AB090756040ECA6C.D68025139288C22781FE324BDF5A4467377DF661%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3Df3881e8aa6b9eff7%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908069%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D43BAF3784A2F32E90C868248AB090756040ECA6C.D68025139288C22781FE324BDF5A4467377DF661%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pqcuP5VK-xHoa9jmVWfRtUv2MEXhbPBww_VepJloMTwb0KmklT5Wq4P-2w1lMzytPkuYD2rBke4Qh_kOtaoYCsqLquZGiiecCkcnlL6tBNObazgp1fYYEtW51Z2ossG6M2HsqYCaKBX4/s1600/P1140015.AVI" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D695e48b227c6a0e4%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908062%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DD411AA2D65C833471178D58BB504A01C10F8CAB3.1F75A4BD339EE879180D2C186F6BD8E88453E232%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D695e48b227c6a0e4%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1361908062%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DD411AA2D65C833471178D58BB504A01C10F8CAB3.1F75A4BD339EE879180D2C186F6BD8E88453E232%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-12375801038690574302013-01-21T02:25:00.001-06:002013-01-21T02:29:47.034-06:00Why? - My Research on LifeI've been doing a lot of research lately. Reading, watching, talking, thinking- true soul searching, I guess. And recently the pieces have all fallen together. One such research topic became clear when my brother threw a vast call out for the most thought provoking question someone has had, I answered it with, "Why?" The possibilities are endless, it may seem broad but a narrowed question has an answer- the broad question has many or none or one to be created, now that's thought provoking! I've been asking that a lot lately too, a lot towards how our world and daily lives operate.<br />
<br />
You all know how much I believe in experiential education and the importance of reflection- so lets all take at least five seconds to think of a good question to ask ourselves. Something that's truly meaningful and containing the word, "Why," somewhere in it. I'll expand on my own question here to aid in reflection, but please hold onto your own. Alright, lets start!<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
Got one? Good.<br />
<br />
My question is: What do you live for, and why?<br />
<br />
I live for fly fishing- there's not a waking moment that its not on my mind. It connects me to the natural world and all the other dots in life like nothing else can- plus its fun to catch fish. But that is trivial, skin deep. What do I live for? Well- what do I want to do with my life- what's my personal philosophy on the "day in and day out?" Here's where a good majority of my (re)searching has come in. People are inherently here to "do something" with their lives, to fulfill a purpose. Humility and compassion are the only good things to pay and get paid with in my mind. Working for money is pointless, working for greater purpose and benefit beyond yourself is what's worth admiration- not six figures. Money is fickle and fake. I aim to live simply, humbly, in constant attention towards betterment- of myself and my society. I want to teach, teaching is an extremely challenging, inspiring, rewarding field that does "real change." A teacher does more work, for way less pay, in nine months than any lawyer will in twelve months. A teacher is constantly at the front lines of politics, family problems, mental issues and disabilities, standardized tests, piles of homework, all sorts of controversies- and then they have to go home and grade while taking care of their family... Yet they have the fate of the future in their hands. With their words and lessons, they shape how students perceive the world and help them know what they should do in it. The true heroes and saviors of this world are the ones teaching those who'll inhabit the future. Heavy stuff...scary stuff! But I love nature, I love students, I care for the future of this world we live in. What else is there to do but to teach my students how awesome nature is and how important they are, and how important everything and everyone around them is? Someone's gotta do the dirty work...<br />
<br />
Alright, so I've narrowed what I want to do down to teaching kids about nature. I know that I want to live a simple life. I also know that I want to fly fish every chance I get. Easy- that's what I live for, right? Well we could suffice our answer there, or keep analyzing. We'll stop blabbing about me for a bit, but keep analyzing, sound good?<br />
<br />
So there are many different ways to live these days. Ranging from "Bum" to "Billionaire," anyone can really pick their poison. Yet, I think there is a deciding factor- and that is your True Self. Not your Facebook/Twitter/Linked In profile, smart phone junk, or anything found at work, home, church, school. Your True Self, no matter how cheesy it may sound, in the words of a Dr. Palmer is "in your heart, its your soul." Its something that we know all to utterly well, so well that we can hardly even define it. I feel like truly knowing yourself is <u>as</u> important in finding the answer to the question, than the question is itself. Though this is also fairly paradoxical, it has merit. On matters concerning living life, you have to identify what you want to do, but along side or even before you have to know what you want, what's the point and goal of this whole ordeal? What <u>are</u> you living for as an end? You want to be rich beyond your wildest dreams, then pursue it. You want to be a dirt-poor bum with zero responsibility, then do it- but know the consequences with all your options! Being rich is stressful as hell, as is being poor. To live the good life or a good life- that's your call and to your own perception as well. What do you live for ends up becoming not only the ends, but the means for my question. It calls for truly knowing yourself and what will keep your passion a live. Happiness, in my mind, comes along with passion, but passion is not happiness- kind of like being friendly but not a friend- Passion is unadulterated sacrifice and commitment to what gives yourself purpose. I would suppose [good] parenting is akin to true passion, for a real world example. I know that truly being a good fishing guide, you need passion- committed months to learning the water, trial and error, good clients and bad, it rests on having passion, as does teaching and pretty much everything else out there.<br />
<br />
What is your passion? Some may truly say, "banking," or, "law," though I'd venture few and far between really would, and its probably the same for guiding and teaching, that's why you get so many burn outs towards the two to twenty year mark. But doesn't that solidify my claim towards knowing yourself and your passion? Without those things, you're miserable, truly just "making the big bucks." I've seen it time and time again in my drift boat, once you live for the money, no amount of money, travel, or booze can save you! Therefore, I implore you, be true to yourself in your life! Use the beautiful mind that God gave you to reflect and to live how you want! <br />
<br />
So, if you remember the question you had for yourself at the beginning, please email me it with your answer- I'd love to hear from you! More research to be revealed later, everyone- Do good until then! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-48083468686471995122012-12-13T18:55:00.000-06:002012-12-13T20:36:34.752-06:00iEscape- Green, White, and BlueWhat's white, blue, and green all over? ...Spearfish Canyon, of course! Winter is slowly wrapping its icy grip around the northern hills and I love it. The crisp air that makes you cough when you first breathe it in, the crunch of snow under foot, blinding sun by day-starlit by night, frozen snot in the beard, exhaling lofty-looming clouds, childlike exuberance on walks outside, cozy warmth under blankets inside. What's there not to love about winter?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8C7nwQwaFOKwtsEaXc_hm_EdBm462bnRSVylSh1xpShLzMAmjI38MDLSZ956l9d2OtAt5zMMaw2g-rQKTUSHk6rQPFpVGVQmd3IxhjMlF2u1ZTghlZQooVKePMug63vLZJg8oiT0J86W/s1600/PA240023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8C7nwQwaFOKwtsEaXc_hm_EdBm462bnRSVylSh1xpShLzMAmjI38MDLSZ956l9d2OtAt5zMMaw2g-rQKTUSHk6rQPFpVGVQmd3IxhjMlF2u1ZTghlZQooVKePMug63vLZJg8oiT0J86W/s320/PA240023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Though, its been a busy road getting here. The past few weeks have been coupled with exhaustion and annoyance for me. Exhausted from school and work and annoyance with much of the same. I hate complaining and won't do it here because this is a place of realization and reflection, not moaning and groaning. However, to boil it all down, I've been met with a lot of time being wasted and opportunities not being met, created, or taken. There is nothing so irritating to me to watch rivers become dammed and left stagnant when so much else could be done- I'll put it at that. This is with people and organizations a like. I guess I really just don't like: Waste. This isn't about this matter though, to steer back on course, this has all taken a large toll on me recently, making me quite bitter at the right moments. This week was the last straw, I really couldn't handle it anymore but I really couldn't find the problem nor confront it head on. But this feeling of resentment is one that I do not like to feel nor ever want to. Finally I had an opportunity to take a break, not deal with anyone or thing that has been chipping away at my sanity, and took my inch approximately twenty miles up Spearfish Canyon, and I ESCAPED. (That's what Apple should come out with next- "Introducing the all new iEscape, free of all electronics and unnecessary junk- get outside and live life!" Ha!) <br />
<br />
So with this ingenious new "iEscape" technology, I did what I do best- fly fish. Truthfully, the root of all frustration and anger <u>for me</u> is, in-equilibrium. When there's too much work, school, and annoying people/things and not enough adventure or exploration ("Outside Time" as Gretchen calls it) or simply not enough time to myself, I get pissed... Then I took a chance to slow down and decompress last night and saw how badly I was shaking, my hands literally were shaking. Some people shake from drug withdrawal or not eating for long periods of time- I shake from being out of balance in my life, from literally not fishing or going outside. Such a complex ordeal of anger has such a simple fix, and in fact I heard it best summed up by a Finnish fly fisher/jazz player last week when he said, "I'm a simple man: fish make me happy. Scarey simple."<br />
<br />
Truly scarey.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPeD0a49EMM4S_Spr3qauJ9NVc7lpT3kusjhQoWlSNbAtTJU6mJdLeUcdsynY4B6k-JTDT1dinZSKrlKMy3-5e8VYDWoTsBw9N1MabaL9lNmbkE-_6tyYtFSFReck_rshAtUaKbC6qK8l/s1600/PC120025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPeD0a49EMM4S_Spr3qauJ9NVc7lpT3kusjhQoWlSNbAtTJU6mJdLeUcdsynY4B6k-JTDT1dinZSKrlKMy3-5e8VYDWoTsBw9N1MabaL9lNmbkE-_6tyYtFSFReck_rshAtUaKbC6qK8l/s320/PC120025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Again today and last night, I had a startling realization. Just as the Jews in the old testament fell from God time and time again, I fell away from the things that make me happy and give me purpose. Yet, as God is benevolent, so is your passion- so are the fish. When you forget about what really makes you happy and fulfills your soul, then what else is making you happy?! Facebook, work, your iphone? Hell no!!!<br />
This week was a wake up call, I went to church on Sunday (an awesome little Antiochian Orthodox Mission built into a house in Rapid City) and had a lot taken off my chest by meditating on whats been on my mind. It was first then that by putting a block back in its rightful space that there was still more that had to be done! But what, what hadn't I been doing? ...fishing, exploring on my own, thinking deeply. "Duh, Evan! You've been ignoring your passion again! You let things get to you, you got too much going on, you're supposed to keep it simple, remember?" I do now!<br />
<br />
Forty degrees and sunny- no school, no work, no friends or family. In short terms, "Heaven on Earth." Not to sound like I aim to not spend time with friends and family, but I need my own space sometimes. I went way down to Cheyenne Crossing to scout Yates Ponds. Grabbed my trusty Sage and headed out. I've fished here a lot, its a favorite spot of mine and I loved to take my clients here back in the fall for the prime chance of hooking a huge fish. But there's more to this spot, and it's hidden by tall spruce trees.<br />
<br />
Well the ponds weren't fishing too well today, or rather I was throwing a huge streamer at fish that prefer tiny nymphs, and so I decided to take a look in the woods. I saw a glassy blue run, etched through dazzling white snow and slates of ice inside a tall green wall of spruces. For a moment- just a split second- I thought about throwing my phone away, giving all my cash to the poor, and never leaving that spot. Its amazing how quickly you remember how to be happy, what a profound and instant effect it has on you. I made a few casts across the current with my streamer and as I was ready to leave and find a new place to fish and was stripping in my line, I noticed a giant trout come from under a weed mat and slowly follow after the fly. I twitched it up stream a little faster and he sped up to chase it. In a ray of sun through the branches my bright white streamer stopped and the giant fish came from behind and engulfed it. I set the hook and the fish twisted, turned, and splashed- ran for branches and sticks. I locked my rod in my wrist and lifted his head out of the water and knelt down to net him. The water stung as I reached in to clasp him and take the hook out. And as soon as he was in my hand he was gone again, invisible under the clear, blue water. Then again the urge to never leave came sweeping back, "Why would anyone do anything else with their lives?!" <br />
<br />
I went to a few new spots in the upper canyon today, where the spruces reign and the stream is much more intimate. I never get too many chances to fish up there, but I'm always excited and surprised when I do. The big fish was the only one I got today but that wasn't the reason why I went out. I needed a break, I needed to get out, I needed to get back in balance and to be happy again. There's nothing like pulling over at some random point on the road and walking into the woods and stumbling on something beautiful- be it fish or water or rock or something else, maybe just an idea. No one is ever perfect, but to at least be balanced, that is all we can ask for! Happiness is found in equilibrium, as is perfection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqvWH9xLSwyrEfXiGikHgQOjs3v3UnELwOcROaCOC9aloLMKdLaUprop2-aLG6v5DodgSytHzMWK4dokhJrJ1Ecfnbcjt6kGRwrdlgeN13wak_Haq96DmxOUGjNKM7MFxIJPUhGm1YtNa/s1600/PC120032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqvWH9xLSwyrEfXiGikHgQOjs3v3UnELwOcROaCOC9aloLMKdLaUprop2-aLG6v5DodgSytHzMWK4dokhJrJ1Ecfnbcjt6kGRwrdlgeN13wak_Haq96DmxOUGjNKM7MFxIJPUhGm1YtNa/s320/PC120032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'll find myself in a few months or years or days realizing this all over again, its just the nature of our daily lives. Though this realization isn't a scarey one, more helpful than anything, what's scarey is how out of balance and mad I've been for so long (at most a month, I'll be it.) And I'm never mad- ever! It just goes to show that little things add up and big things take their toll. That life today is so much more inclined to make you mad, that there really isn't such a thing called an iEscape- even though that's really what the world needs. The saving grace is that the iEscape isn't found in stores though, its inside us, and maybe we just forgot about it as I did. Pull that sucker out and go for an adventure, do what makes you happy! Its such a scarey, simple fix! I can literally feel my soul being happy right now...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-90342773832538662382012-12-01T03:37:00.005-06:002012-12-01T03:37:46.848-06:00Spare Change. The last time I visited Hay Creek- my dearly beloved stream, my Nirvana, my Valhalla; close connection between some of my first memories, family members, and life lessons; a hidden gem that I've called mine for years and many more to come- I arrived to unimaginable change.<br />
<br />
Though the dead end trail was still overrun by the natural process, something about it seemed even more formidable, I knew something was array- there was a feeling in my gut that somewhat halted me from proceeding down the old stage coach road. In my mind, I accepted that the land could change. That trees would fall and weeds would reign. But even I, who first told the River Story and who has immense passion for the power of water on land and mind, neglected the power of it's forces on the little stream of mine. This past spring was a wild one in my sweet homeland of Minnesota. As much of the world was dying of thirst, we had more than our fair share! The same forces that created the place I loved over time I thought was something that was a legend of old. The twisted and mangled concrete bridge, the railroad trusses, all old ruins that hearkened a distant and turbulent past. But as all things, things of which we have no control, the past became renewed. That spring, massive floods- I dare not say "destroyed"- but totally altered the headwaters of the stream. Limestone boulders, still crisp and yellow, were strewn across the entire stream bed, pools totally purged, riffles moved, runs widened or filled in. Upon seeing my little stream, a pristine ribbon of blue amongst gold and green, it seemed now oddly foreign to me...<br />
<br />
But just thinking of it now, I feel ashamed in myself. Ashamed because when I looked into the turquoise pools, I saw no fish. Ashamed because I swore a lot and was angry at what had happened. Ashamed because I lost hope and feeling for my stream. I left within an hour of starting, disappointed and disheartened at the sight. I'm ashamed now because I broke my own rule: I turned my back on a lifelong friend. Change is a natural process, as is trees falling, floods coming, and rivers constantly shifting. I forgot that change can happen even to me.<br />
<br />If I could go back to that day- and be my own shadow- I'd slap myself and say, "What are you thinking? This is normal! This is just a little bit change!" It's simply a matter of time before the "new normal" settles in.<br />
<br />
It begs the question, how come change is such an easy thing to think about, yet when it happens- we all think the world is going to end? I know we've all dreamed of new homes, new jobs, new relations, but that sort of change is trivial, and frankly usually never happens. Change that shakes us to our core is when we seem happy, content, and familiar. When grandma suddenly dies, we lose our job, or we maybe even want to switch our majors, <u>and take things for granted.</u> There is nothing so terrifying when someone loses their i-phone! But what about people from slums getting a good degree and getting high paying jobs? Positive change? To me- that's another beast named, initiative. Similar effects but of another kind. Change is a frightening word to people. Unknown means leading to unknown ends. Total loss of control. <br />
Though it is usually for the better in the end, like getting dumped then finding a new, more perfect lover, it all comes down to time. When it hits, when you react, when you crumble, when you rebuild. All factors between life and death- figuratively.<br />
<br />
Notice the underlined phrase, "...take things for granted." Why is it when everything is hunky-dowry, feces always seem to hit the fan? My grandmother was progressively losing her mind. It was a real and hard fact, a fact that truly scared me and turned me away from her in the final years. I accepted and took for granted the fact that my grandmother was getting old and had forgotten my name and I would stop in from time to time to say hi and give her a kiss. From out of nowhere change happened, she got hurt and finally entered the Kingdom of Heaven. That event shook my family. Reflecting, without remorse or anger, perhaps I should have done more with her. But that change brought about many positives as well, one thing was to bring the family from across the world back together to a small waiting lobby in the hospital, there to help and support each other. Something Grandma had always wished for.<br />
<br />
It hurts us to be humble if you dig down deep enough. To accept loss of control is the hardest pill to swallow. To admit to laziness, lack of gratitude, false pride- there is no thing so unimaginably hurtful to do. But through change, we are forced to- forced to stop and look face-first into our own lives. That is what we are afraid of. We are creatures of comfort in an ever changing world. <br />
<br />
I don't think change will ever be an easy thing to "do." But we can learn to how to live better, to understand all things as a Gift. To say, "Thank you" to God, friends, family, strangers, places or objects, or even just yourself. To smile during good and bad times, to look for hidden meanings and ways to grow. Change is terrifying but the result of it shouldn't be.<br />
<br />
For all those friends and families that I've neglected to check in with- please I know that I haven't forgotten you, you're in my prayers, and I'll get around to it soon! Everyone please have a happy and safe holiday season, be unceasingly grateful, and try to reflect on ways to grow.<br />
<br />
As for my stream, I know it will only be a matter of time- <u>as Rivers embody Change. </u><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-2086165630442642282012-10-12T23:45:00.002-05:002012-10-13T00:28:36.984-05:00Gold Fever- a measure of successWhat's amazing is how perfectly this trip happened, in action and reflection. It's been a couple weeks since the troop returned from the Cloud Peak Wilderness in Wyoming, and we had originally made plans to go this weekend- but the near west and surrounding Black Hills has recently been receiving snow and cold temperatures. Not saying that snow is bad, its just that when you're camped in the shadow of a 13000' peak, weather can be extreme...<br />
<br />
No, the trip was perfect in its spontaneous ways! We started the four hour drive to the Big Horns at 9:00 pm, and arrived at the trail head somewhere a little after 1:00am. We then hiked a mile or two, without a detailed map, in awe of a full moon and silhouettes of peaks around us. We made a quick camp in a frozen mossy bog just into the wilderness boundary and settled in our bags with a cold nip down our backs and enthusiasm in our laughs. We woke up early, had a few bags of oat meal, and hiked for "four squares" or probably four/five miles (because the map we did have of the area was grossly lacking of detail and measurements) to the shore of Mistymoon Lake and the embrace of Cloud, Black Tooth, and Bomber Mountains. From the trail head we gained almost 2000' of elevation with the hike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b6TpSHRuPOOeS9Qw8iheq9b0Ss8AfsqMRlgs-eSIVNjFRZSKKNlav0uG4muXeEpwNgUU0D5P_XtmDuh4t_YL1zc5OpgcDJ1x6otCKmRjigXEuos_V2iFbNPfEgqCL8S_PFd3C9CKmJ5N/s1600/bighornmtn5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b6TpSHRuPOOeS9Qw8iheq9b0Ss8AfsqMRlgs-eSIVNjFRZSKKNlav0uG4muXeEpwNgUU0D5P_XtmDuh4t_YL1zc5OpgcDJ1x6otCKmRjigXEuos_V2iFbNPfEgqCL8S_PFd3C9CKmJ5N/s320/bighornmtn5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mistymoon Lake is a cool spot, and if your lucky to get the rocky outcropping like we did, the views are to die for. We set up camp in the direct line of fire of the full moon and rising sun over the peaks and lake. We spent the second night reclined on the granite slabs gazing at the moon's puppet show of clouds and watching the lake go from black to ripples of molten silver. Then a front moved in and blacked everything out but the whisper of wind and we went to bed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Kt71LyIZmR6rpzMH2IEI1kYmBMcQmxbhUFwue-cGjfAsXkcqEacmBL4BAz5tL9fecX5dJSamRUjkEd45dKaDjorBkW4w6zxoGIYWIfR7chnMmcvQk8zJywqVBMijbID4kdHRIdkzj6iT/s1600/bighorntmtn7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Kt71LyIZmR6rpzMH2IEI1kYmBMcQmxbhUFwue-cGjfAsXkcqEacmBL4BAz5tL9fecX5dJSamRUjkEd45dKaDjorBkW4w6zxoGIYWIfR7chnMmcvQk8zJywqVBMijbID4kdHRIdkzj6iT/s320/bighorntmtn7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As the expeditions of old, we all came to the mountains for our own reasons- Joe, Dennis, Bear, and I- but found ourselves closer together in the common pursuit of simply being there in the wilderness. Some of us wanted to summit the 13000' Cloud Peak, others wanted to simply do whatever we wished and enjoy the awesome grandeur of the place, and I- I was the mad prospector. Like the old days, I heard through the generosity of a friend that there was in fact real life gold below Cloud Peak. With whimsical stories and alluring propositions, I had to stake my own claim in those mountains. Its been one of many life ambitions since I was very young to find this type of extremely rare and elusive gold that can only be found at or around 10000' above sea level. The kind that's made strong men go mad, made city dwellers elope with mountains, and- to many- surpasses any other fine metal there is. <span class="st"><i>Oncorhynchus aguabonita</i>- Google it, or learn Latin, and maybe you'll understand what I mean. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">There's a very small lake in the wilderness area that is one of the last strongholds for this amazing piece of nature, and as soon as we made it to Mistymoon, I was hot on the trail again to find it somewhere in between the mountains. On the hike up, anxiety mounted, "What if they're not in there?" "What fly should I use?" "How far is the lake, what if the weather turns for the worst?" " How should I fish the lake when I get there?" The trail climbed up steeply into a pass and there, nestled along the mountain walls was the lake. I followed a small stream over boggy ground to the stream's mouth and tail end of the lake. I knelt and slowly took position on the bank and scanned the murky, green water. Right away I saw one dart from the mouth of the stream into the depths. "Good," I thought, "they're in here." I rigged up and put on a big bushy dry fly to entice the most ADHD of the fish to strike. But it took a long time and many blind casts, and even took to the point of deliberately planning on looking away from the water. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7f1lgI7mzntP7381naq2zlVAe5ssXhncXE5AkzuLtAoWHdmv-6frlZiUAB4H7W76AOFIPlpZN-98MA7X1bI30FCjU0bBFsFe9ZxVO4zJZaAmExFRmA3-vusSOvUSnsr35e4rSdlJXalc/s1600/bighornmnt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7f1lgI7mzntP7381naq2zlVAe5ssXhncXE5AkzuLtAoWHdmv-6frlZiUAB4H7W76AOFIPlpZN-98MA7X1bI30FCjU0bBFsFe9ZxVO4zJZaAmExFRmA3-vusSOvUSnsr35e4rSdlJXalc/s320/bighornmnt2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbZ_Mo4NtKv7EykA0EDUYCvFmRpocEFHokhSADtUu3N7iKGHqZz96lD4W7cEGyYv7s4N1OJU26Wt5G8u1QANvc86QGy8FqI9tvRkV1xIreqNlwJRRsnxCQIeSyoLOA1jazzrKuyuiwqto/s1600/bighornmnt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbZ_Mo4NtKv7EykA0EDUYCvFmRpocEFHokhSADtUu3N7iKGHqZz96lD4W7cEGyYv7s4N1OJU26Wt5G8u1QANvc86QGy8FqI9tvRkV1xIreqNlwJRRsnxCQIeSyoLOA1jazzrKuyuiwqto/s320/bighornmnt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="st">There was stage-fright for both of us...but sure enough, as soon I put the idea in my head of setting my rod down to run and get my rain gear a few yards away, I heard a distinct and loud "PLOP" from the water. I whipped my gaze back to the lake and was dumbstruck for a second to see the ripples on the surface of the water! I remembered then to set the hook and a few seconds later, I saw one of the most beautiful things of my life. From the green depths came blood-red flashes and the jutting through the rod of a thrashing head. I knelt down and simply couldn't believe it, I did it- I struck gold, </span>in my hand was communion with true and natural beauty. <br />
<br />
Golden trout can truly make strong men go mad...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HhLcpCnGIUNf1J7AUvwp3hSvJLKFjm4RDIV9WLFLLMq3RDsyUEr1tVlSW8-SZsigCkjmx6qUMXWnrtz9FapoEhi7iyCNeEywKIgmGmR8zDBDvikasf-Rsx6N2HuVfju0Dw_PcuoRYwBr/s1600/goldentrout3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HhLcpCnGIUNf1J7AUvwp3hSvJLKFjm4RDIV9WLFLLMq3RDsyUEr1tVlSW8-SZsigCkjmx6qUMXWnrtz9FapoEhi7iyCNeEywKIgmGmR8zDBDvikasf-Rsx6N2HuVfju0Dw_PcuoRYwBr/s320/goldentrout3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I caught upwards of ten fish or more that day. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXBe1alvsngSWjUjXHSZfTj4UHroT4idpIENAUYgRZBKPGeXdo8TpW8lYwdj97IBRNBPJphAdqkC5nFE1hAXHjYuEbV9s1lSCEBisI3HiPxpkwTV4LPtwrw_Vx6OYcE0puTfGqSN7Q2Pz/s1600/goldentrout1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXBe1alvsngSWjUjXHSZfTj4UHroT4idpIENAUYgRZBKPGeXdo8TpW8lYwdj97IBRNBPJphAdqkC5nFE1hAXHjYuEbV9s1lSCEBisI3HiPxpkwTV4LPtwrw_Vx6OYcE0puTfGqSN7Q2Pz/s320/goldentrout1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GFPE_-sR9-p78p4Nmy5z_e8v86K1VdtcNDkf91B46Erbc8mv-_6D4R4W3Z9o3KAvA3iT493qGcqbjSa-b5Jykq_5pXbCdf0SYFsNwjui-gK1DcBiSNJmjPV9EFUOSHLn5f06pqu4YKrF/s1600/goldentrout2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GFPE_-sR9-p78p4Nmy5z_e8v86K1VdtcNDkf91B46Erbc8mv-_6D4R4W3Z9o3KAvA3iT493qGcqbjSa-b5Jykq_5pXbCdf0SYFsNwjui-gK1DcBiSNJmjPV9EFUOSHLn5f06pqu4YKrF/s320/goldentrout2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The next morning was cold, the sun shone over the mountains and lake in a clear blue sky. We were all tired, facing exhaustion from high altitude and hard hiking. We rounded up on the precipice our camp was set up on and bathed in the sun huddling inside winter layers as the first hints of a breeze licked at our backs. "Well," Joe said quickly, "how are we all feeling?" We were all beaten and battered, Joe had a huge open sore on his heal, Bear was tired and sore, Dennis' heart would start beating extremely fast and get light headed when he exerted himself, and I was tired and my feet were sore. The proposition of climbing a mountain was looking slim. Despite it all though, Bear was the one who rallied the crew to gear up and try the climb. We hiked a half mile from camp around the bend and over a hill to see the start of the climb across a small stream in the bottom of the valley from a few hundred feet above on a steep hillside. To our surprise Joe reluctantly had to turn back to camp because both of his feet then had open sores and the it wasn't worth climbing the mountain and hiking out on two bum feet in one day. So the three of us carried on, without a map but strong will, to the summit of cloud peak. It was a grueling climb, climbing over boulders and loose rocks, constantly scanning the bland moonscape for cairns- stacks of rocks- loosely mapping a trail to the top. We started late, left camp around 9:00am- which doesn't sound bad, right? In terms of mountaineering, that only gave us four hours to hike around 2 miles or more vertically and back again. Why four hours, that doesn't seem impossible? Storms- they roll in on peaks around 1:00-3:00pm and a mountain peak is not where you want to get stuck for a rain/snowstorm. Not to mention we had to hike out of the back country that same day! It was a tall order but we were determined. We toiled for two and a half, maybe three hours to try and get to the top, or what we thought it was.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrtqXNs3dOEarF09FsD3uYh6Hld7M-RB-qKdfu0nztSazrtN1OyfyaJTak1bTVdBkNAgO2CuQNjE52hIsklExY7MdTH_XAHKGyQK3Ga_gl22fCA0fWkorz6KfR1UTTFI3EhkIMuY5bAnq/s1600/bighornmtn6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrtqXNs3dOEarF09FsD3uYh6Hld7M-RB-qKdfu0nztSazrtN1OyfyaJTak1bTVdBkNAgO2CuQNjE52hIsklExY7MdTH_XAHKGyQK3Ga_gl22fCA0fWkorz6KfR1UTTFI3EhkIMuY5bAnq/s320/bighornmtn6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Cloud peak is relatively easy to climb as there's a ramp or a gradual incline to the top, and is more dome shaped before the last push of 1000'. As we came to the top of the dome the actual peak was hidden on the other side, so we were somewhat confused- I remember we all asked, "Is this really the top?" "Did we do it?" A few tired steps further and we saw it- dark blue, cold, and dusted with snow. The sight was honestly not an inspiring one. The will was there but time was against us at that point, dark clouds were gathering along the slope, our turnaround time was in twenty minutes. We sat on a some boulders and looked back behind from where we came, we could see the small blue ribbon of the stream we crossed at the beginning, we could even see the lakes we passed on the hike to Mistymoon (which were probably five or six miles from the peak.) To see the world from such a grand position, to see your accomplishment and hard work, makes a person feel small when cradling the side of a mountain. We sat in silence for a quite a while up there, the wind had really picked up, the temperature dropped. <br />
<br />
"Well guys, what time is it?" "We have twenty minutes til turn-around." "We can make it guys!" "I don't know man, that's further than we think." "Those clouds don't look good. And we still have to hike down and out." "Yeah but we're so close, I'm gonna be disappointed if we don't make it!" "Don't make it an ego trip, that's how people die man!" "We have twenty minutes, how about we hike as far as we can and be proud of what we did accomplish with our bull**** planning!" "Lets do it!" "Sounds good."<br />
<br />
We made it to the ridge just below the peak, it would have taken another half an hour maybe but nothing was in our favor. We sat in awe, exhaustion, and defeat as the peak stood solemn and menacing above us. We took it all in: the snowy ridge across the valley, the sun soaked landscape below us, the crisp air, it was a amazing. Reluctantly our time was up, so we so started back down, aspirations set high to one day return again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh__KEnmdXfuYWholyu_XJml7XR2qZt-wIEYpX0jtgKTRhBnfVcSD2vfyJgcP1G1ADmM4ps0x8B9USw4dr190HRYjqZi1MLv7s-uBSfucEziicxrl5ZsKfII3Jr0vR5Bh60tqmfEd_iRDs/s1600/bighornmnt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh__KEnmdXfuYWholyu_XJml7XR2qZt-wIEYpX0jtgKTRhBnfVcSD2vfyJgcP1G1ADmM4ps0x8B9USw4dr190HRYjqZi1MLv7s-uBSfucEziicxrl5ZsKfII3Jr0vR5Bh60tqmfEd_iRDs/s320/bighornmnt3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We made it down the mountain in an hour and back to camp before two hours. Ate a hardy lunch, packed up camp, and hiked out. On the way we stopped at twilight to listen to some bull elk bugle from only a few hundred yards away- close enough that after a few seconds after their eerie cries we could here the crackling thunder of antlers and an intense battle for power. We hiked like robots into the night, our feet numb, backs and shoulders stinging, yet we were blissfully content. Around 9:00pm we made it to the trail head and made it home a little after 1:00am.<br />
<br />
The magic of mountains is that they put you in your place. They are the extreme examples of power, strength, and determination- those are also the characteristics that they invoke in you when in their footsteps. Just as the old cliche goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day," many mountains aren't climbed on the first try. In many cases its a life's endeavor. I went to the wilderness for golden trout and I found them, climbing a mountain was just a bonus. I honestly doubted myself the morning of the climb, but I couldn't be happier of how far I got. The sores and stiffness were badges of my determination. Measuring success is futile and pointless! The true joy of an experience is from what changed in yourself. Don't go to the mountains wanting to conquer them, because they'll crush your ego without trying. Don't go fishing planning to catch fifty fish, they'll skunk you with delight. Be humble, push as hard as you can, learn from everything around you, be thankful for what you have and what you've done, enjoy your surroundings, be happy and share your happiness: That is Success, anything else is waste.<br />
<br />
Cloud Peak- I'll see you in spring. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyYDNNNYuUNgQ2s8FZMUSRmt_XlW0ju3l7VeR7m2IAad8FuWR6N_dS8IvamXHQGXys_m1mfeA6aWFn6-9Ls25WeB0L-AAwLKqHMznhRS6QZYdDwRXRio2n2SezV8Ll-GcVn456-kaIRxo/s1600/bighornmtn4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyYDNNNYuUNgQ2s8FZMUSRmt_XlW0ju3l7VeR7m2IAad8FuWR6N_dS8IvamXHQGXys_m1mfeA6aWFn6-9Ls25WeB0L-AAwLKqHMznhRS6QZYdDwRXRio2n2SezV8Ll-GcVn456-kaIRxo/s320/bighornmtn4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(All but two photos courtesy of Joe Nagle)</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-14827910200517177852012-09-16T22:42:00.002-05:002012-09-16T22:50:41.004-05:00The saying goes that "life begins at the end of the road..."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpWHpdUIAigcK0HaoXMsMdrMCIOjsX90AexrttA30o1ESupLzfFtWzHdSxDqmpk-BmWqrepteo6PTyz1eaYDVYCx2kPUT0SSezSmCxw-ESNj_moorYFyFabjzu7orTK-sYXuEXcqTC-1b/s1600/crow+peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpWHpdUIAigcK0HaoXMsMdrMCIOjsX90AexrttA30o1ESupLzfFtWzHdSxDqmpk-BmWqrepteo6PTyz1eaYDVYCx2kPUT0SSezSmCxw-ESNj_moorYFyFabjzu7orTK-sYXuEXcqTC-1b/s320/crow+peak.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
School is well underway now, and for a class field trip, we
drove about twenty minutes into the hills to an obscure pull off down a long
dirt road. We hiked in a quarter mile and memorized some rare plant species and
stopped along the bubbling brook that gouged out the mountain
side. As we stood there resting in the sun a student asked where we were, the
professor answered, “Griggs Gulch.” I searched it on maps and asked around
town, and indeed it is Griggs Gulch, a beautifully secluded place that is
untouched by tourists and most locals allowing it to become a safe haven for
extremely rare plants to call home and for the true black hills still thrive. Earlier
this week Gretchen and I went back to Griggs Gulch to further explore its
depths. The trail started off strong as dirt, then got lighter and over grown,
then we were forced to bushwhack and use the small brook as a route through the
wild place. Near the end of the gulch was the source of the brook, a beautiful
mossy cascade of fresh aquifer water. It was cold, clear, and untouched,
gurgling up from under boulders and a small mossy wall that stood about six
feet tall. We stayed there for a while in awe of this pure and natural
splendor, I have a small (or rather large) obsession with spring fed waters and
their mechanics, beauty, and natural blessing for the world. What’s a cooler
welcome to a new home than a beautiful and secret spot in hills that shares
your name? And with my family history here in South Dakota, who knows- it may
have even been discovered or named by my own ancestors! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFLrIUq9OFn7ISqr5ZEgrvBqwsqqQPAgoMXtr0DRr1UPXd_q7zMHk7OqYteVd9BeEtBecWTaEXOFFLj6bovmkFcEIcBbvSUzw3Nt0tCUoC8I3KjpMx0oIzVQ1dLNbaP1tfQn2oK98nLHs/s1600/P9090001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFLrIUq9OFn7ISqr5ZEgrvBqwsqqQPAgoMXtr0DRr1UPXd_q7zMHk7OqYteVd9BeEtBecWTaEXOFFLj6bovmkFcEIcBbvSUzw3Nt0tCUoC8I3KjpMx0oIzVQ1dLNbaP1tfQn2oK98nLHs/s320/P9090001.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve spent almost a month in my new home now, in Spearfish,
SD, and it’s truly a paradise for everything I want and need in life. Spearfish
has a feel of a little mountain town, perched above the golden and rolling
prairies of western South Dakota. Its hustle and bustle with all ages that are
busy biking, climbing, hiking, and fishing the adjacent black hills, yet holds
a Midwestern charm and friendliness to it that many higher-end mountain towns
lack. Its everyman’s mountain town with less cost, less
crowding/commercialization, more outdoor opportunities, and most importantly-
less assholes! Upon my arrival and prolonged stay, I set clear priorities for
success in my new home:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1) fishing
spots, 2) hiking trails, 3) school, 4) work. Thus far everything has been accomplished. The second week in town, I was hired on to Dakota Angler and Outfitter's guide crew and am in the process of becoming a naturalist at the Outdoor Campus West for the SD-GFP. I have gone camping on the tops of mountains, hiked and fished in only a fraction of a fraction of what the area has to offer. I'm damn near heaven I'd say...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNPsaP8XeNR4aGPVdMyrdXWUz-DnYubSowmSV7AJa6WKxboTgcuZuvYYDpBZ5qZ4fvByUzHhoBvn6UYjC49a6lhPYdLLVMYa6ioZ_bvUdpp8k02weaCqavoLglsuWpB9BT9v8qo4PmkrH/s1600/P9030022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNPsaP8XeNR4aGPVdMyrdXWUz-DnYubSowmSV7AJa6WKxboTgcuZuvYYDpBZ5qZ4fvByUzHhoBvn6UYjC49a6lhPYdLLVMYa6ioZ_bvUdpp8k02weaCqavoLglsuWpB9BT9v8qo4PmkrH/s320/P9030022.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spearfish is affectionately called
the “Queen City” due to its location in the valley between three prominent
mountains- Spearfish, Lookout, and Crow Peak which form a “crown” around the
valley. It’s also situated along the banks of Spearfish Creek named by the
first white-men to venture into the area and saw natives spearing fish in the
creek. The creek has made a popular natural splendor known as Spearfish Canyon.
This is home-base for all adventures: be it fishing, hiking, climbing, biking-
it truly abounds with opportunity and is a beautiful place in the world. The
canyon is home to some fantastic wild brook, brown, and rainbow fishing,
five-hundred rock climbing routes, and numerous trails that lead to everything
from hidden ghost towns, caves, and mountain vistas. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh4Ev2jdvjyNCjfxHD_7Ryf1f0UuznEHahG8jyZq52Ce7aifNWp6OzIG_8PXgNel8roIvhrA70N0tp4e4O8TQBoGoECUyT5j3Lb4soJF6Xf1PN8gS9GTttIFhMhL60klM1tdTW_mldcL4/s1600/P8210002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh4Ev2jdvjyNCjfxHD_7Ryf1f0UuznEHahG8jyZq52Ce7aifNWp6OzIG_8PXgNel8roIvhrA70N0tp4e4O8TQBoGoECUyT5j3Lb4soJF6Xf1PN8gS9GTttIFhMhL60klM1tdTW_mldcL4/s320/P8210002.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-4TnY2PoOV7nKxA5r02rmUTPGqtdgWXq1Fwqo3TOeiFrAWpGmQB_YKunzRe2iagOwQAvvAxJl7rZmtuWw1rV5Kjso3W9hafO8GOqQKAhFRGmdiLt4Nl8zK-GgdRRB2Z7-5Ld9mvCLF8D/s1600/P9040100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-4TnY2PoOV7nKxA5r02rmUTPGqtdgWXq1Fwqo3TOeiFrAWpGmQB_YKunzRe2iagOwQAvvAxJl7rZmtuWw1rV5Kjso3W9hafO8GOqQKAhFRGmdiLt4Nl8zK-GgdRRB2Z7-5Ld9mvCLF8D/s320/P9040100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s an overwhelming sense of freedom here- perhaps not
in the sense of “anything, anywhere, anytime,” but its damn close. There’s few
things you “need” in order to get outdoors here, as opposed to northern MN where
canoes are king- which is a beautiful fact. But here, all you need is a will and a
good pair of shoes and you can get lost for days. Last night, Gretchen and I
hiked to the top of Old Baldy mountain and slept under the stars: perfect
weather, no bugs, only one mouse in the middle of the night- this place is an
adventurer’s paradise. And in the morning the sunrise was bright pink and shown
the fall aspens in their golden glory on the hill sides. Fall is creeping in with
inconspicuous grace these days and I am thoroughly excited for the year to
come. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Tc84AyS21X9ELaz0YjnwrWL5_59ryAv1LFOHUx9I85c58PM79PHZ0GRASw9t2PE8mdnziiG6B-fqxxFuhtYdg-jnSHakmnDAejugVaZ6zJfXGDqrRvqNxebuuXgHhayO77cP7hNHSz8w/s1600/P9160015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Tc84AyS21X9ELaz0YjnwrWL5_59ryAv1LFOHUx9I85c58PM79PHZ0GRASw9t2PE8mdnziiG6B-fqxxFuhtYdg-jnSHakmnDAejugVaZ6zJfXGDqrRvqNxebuuXgHhayO77cP7hNHSz8w/s320/P9160015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To sum it up, I’m adjusting quite well. The trout are plenty,
trails sprawling, and school and jobs rewarding. I’ve come to realize that
people are the same wherever you go, and it’s no reason why you should change
yourself. Yeah, there are more cowboy hats than canoes here, it’s not at the
end of the road but in the middle of it- perched in an oasis that goes over
looked by those caught on their journeys further east or west- but it’s all the
same, its home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qXNJrQqsDHt61IDVWSD5bj9M3N0tK96p7oKlT_Zm0dlp1YMf2if1soJwLikNDgFqJCXkxsZ6LRokbzkQzUGX83jtLOVZ3R5tipFbnThb5SAEwr8178-oL04Dr5yowDawumflCHEDwJ2v/s1600/P8190001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qXNJrQqsDHt61IDVWSD5bj9M3N0tK96p7oKlT_Zm0dlp1YMf2if1soJwLikNDgFqJCXkxsZ6LRokbzkQzUGX83jtLOVZ3R5tipFbnThb5SAEwr8178-oL04Dr5yowDawumflCHEDwJ2v/s320/P8190001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-22356749140219514942012-08-05T22:51:00.001-05:002012-08-05T22:51:56.766-05:00The Wanderer and "Welcome to the Jungle"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UvWz1dSt6Nfzdi-T6VrpZU05ui68zJCyUFHhT3R-dsy-7Po0gleueZVakvnnk97y5wgxVRVUliaoWLM1ooE06WjnZDFR_vbXU_0UBcQnltfBCeLA-n5pcizLgrAckWk_3C7FaNPH8Dqy/s1600/USG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UvWz1dSt6Nfzdi-T6VrpZU05ui68zJCyUFHhT3R-dsy-7Po0gleueZVakvnnk97y5wgxVRVUliaoWLM1ooE06WjnZDFR_vbXU_0UBcQnltfBCeLA-n5pcizLgrAckWk_3C7FaNPH8Dqy/s320/USG.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<br />
Ulysses S. Griggs- the Rough Rider, the land surveyor, the civil engineer, the Lakota's friend, "The Wanderer" and my great-grandfather. Here is the missing link to my love for exploration and adventure, its been in my blood this whole time...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But I digress, this summer season I was offered a chance to visit a place I've been only once before many years ago. A place that often is left behind on my list of places to travel or fish in- "off the radar." A place that I knew almost nothing about. A place with mountains that once stood taller than Everest, with the second most annual rainfall in the nation behind Seattle, and some of the most rewarding hiking and fishing opportunities I've known yet. Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina was my stomping ground with Will Lillard, the fearless leader of Lillard Fly Fishing Expeditions, for the month of June.<br />
<br />
It's truly a jungle experience, think canopies of trees usually shaded us at all times, and thick undergrowth of vines and rhododendron filled in the river banks and valleys, while in other areas the ground was blanketed by lush ferns and grasses. Will and I led the first trip of Memphis University school for two weeks across this lush and beautiful area for two weeks. We did a bit of "front-country"camping along the Davidson River, just outside of Brevard, NC to get the group on par with their fishing techniques. Then for five night, six days we hiked along the East Fork of the Pigeon River and the South Mills River.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KSUnMZmLn5MwLUYfSa5Zsqq9DKZ1WQdVfLtlZPXxpv7-fU5khbFYY3YBkfKqJR6yQQk_H3CcyQzdUOrjtV2flXRhJyE6jHZsHJ7VXcbJxVffyuZMTvNo_9J2KbW37hU8jMbalMAqDRtg/s1600/P6110075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KSUnMZmLn5MwLUYfSa5Zsqq9DKZ1WQdVfLtlZPXxpv7-fU5khbFYY3YBkfKqJR6yQQk_H3CcyQzdUOrjtV2flXRhJyE6jHZsHJ7VXcbJxVffyuZMTvNo_9J2KbW37hU8jMbalMAqDRtg/s320/P6110075.JPG" width="201" /></a></div>
<br />
The fishing in PNF is usually for small yet wild, spooky, and spunky brook, brown, and rainbow trout. I've spent years and years on spring creeks full of trout of similar stature, but this fishing was some of the most technical and physically demanding that I've done. The only way to catch these trout was to cast from downstream and float the fly over them. Not so crazy, right? Keep in mind that these rivers are ancient, these mountains has withstood the tests of time, the rivers have eaten away much of their beds straight to the bed rock, there is no way you can fish from the bank (as illustrated from the photo above,) and once you take a few fish from a hole you have to move on. The name of the game was to hike down stream a mile or two or three and walk in the river back up to camp through rapids, over falls, and your on top of impossibly slippery boulders and bedrock the entire time. In short- its so f***ing awesome! The fish hide under the shade along the rhodo and behind rocks and in the deep pockets below waterfalls and in the rapids, and despite their size of 6-10 inches, I had multiple rainbows and browns fight like they were twenty inches. They'd go running up stream, down stream, and swim circles around you until you put your hand on them...even then they don't stop fighting- truly wild and beautiful fish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1aWWX6cjYgau5-n6d68_ewQaLZHjf5ij2ijHX8z_UEm2uDukUGHvp9l72hKcvbw-eT9cacpgFL4Ge3n5B6JaWlKc_i4YLvX5Ci-o_sqV-AcPYyu7QqYnjKaJkLzpt_cJ7V6NZih6n3Ql/s1600/P6050041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9f7wvpX_4PDe7cIGfrDKLN6VnImb8rRVQRNs-wMjbH73sDqghHm-CG6t5RyATQSAdTmJoLofnO6a2Mza8S23gDs5L4KuQVvMnr1wiXTzN4OOOlAVsIrczHFgl_lWvoHbjRMol7rRu4ln/s1600/P6060045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9f7wvpX_4PDe7cIGfrDKLN6VnImb8rRVQRNs-wMjbH73sDqghHm-CG6t5RyATQSAdTmJoLofnO6a2Mza8S23gDs5L4KuQVvMnr1wiXTzN4OOOlAVsIrczHFgl_lWvoHbjRMol7rRu4ln/s320/P6060045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1aWWX6cjYgau5-n6d68_ewQaLZHjf5ij2ijHX8z_UEm2uDukUGHvp9l72hKcvbw-eT9cacpgFL4Ge3n5B6JaWlKc_i4YLvX5Ci-o_sqV-AcPYyu7QqYnjKaJkLzpt_cJ7V6NZih6n3Ql/s1600/P6050041.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1aWWX6cjYgau5-n6d68_ewQaLZHjf5ij2ijHX8z_UEm2uDukUGHvp9l72hKcvbw-eT9cacpgFL4Ge3n5B6JaWlKc_i4YLvX5Ci-o_sqV-AcPYyu7QqYnjKaJkLzpt_cJ7V6NZih6n3Ql/s320/P6050041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tQqFuRyB9xy_gEO8-jlt7xqOSe5Dk-Tc5_z8tKwGa9kUJRgbErsNnkObhpGakNOE5OsvEn6V7uunEof03Xu4Vp1b3WFGbRAVvYXMg4uMPkUXvgKytW-OSUyHFJRKNQZvJyQR_C3z8t1Y/s1600/P6080060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tQqFuRyB9xy_gEO8-jlt7xqOSe5Dk-Tc5_z8tKwGa9kUJRgbErsNnkObhpGakNOE5OsvEn6V7uunEof03Xu4Vp1b3WFGbRAVvYXMg4uMPkUXvgKytW-OSUyHFJRKNQZvJyQR_C3z8t1Y/s320/P6080060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The back country was a great experience for all of us on the trip. And the rainforest stuck true to its name- it rained everyday for two weeks, and anything that was left outside and got soaked was soaked for the rest of the trip as the intense humidity wouldn't allow anything to dry. It didn't phase us though, at least those who didn't choose to level their packs uncovered and tents open. Other than the weather, the first trip went without a hitch and I think all of us came away with an experience we'll always remember and better outdoor/fishing skills we can take all over the world.<br />
<br />
Its a beautiful and delicate ecosystem in the jungle, with a maze of footpaths that tangle their way through tunnels of rhododendron and disorient your views with a overwhelming array of green life. You start down a foot path and walk what would seem a good distance and yet have halfhearted faith of exactly where you would end up, you stop at one point and listen, through the birds and breeze, for the roar of a waterfall. If there is nothing, you turn around- if there is a roar hidden within the maze, you keep trekking deeper in and continue the routine until it gets louder and louder, and then through a crack in the tunnel you can see it. The falls acted as sirens, a luring voice calling through the unknown, calling you to paradise. You'd twist and wind through the under growth until, BAM, there you are at the foot of this massive wall of water and rock. I'm so used to the big sky and open plains, this was truly claustrophobic at some points, its eerie to go it alone, but that was my style. I aimed for the pools at the base of the falls, not only because they held fish, but for the excitement and sense of adventure they held to try and find them. That's how it was in Panthertown Valley on Cold Mountain, same as the civil war novel and the start of the blue ridge mountains, we spent two days there on the second trip. There's waterfalls everywhere in that jungle and all of them are awesome in there own way. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi551w8N_K_eU9VUUZueKFTJ342STGik77OIPiVfvgpd1Xyd3GdBDY-7aBPpctaKEgxgofShzSHr-CrctX_X67pd60N_s5eZzemMXHSVHPYBOvXhu3bpRjk8EzusCQ0VaHepHKDUH_ivU2y/s1600/P6030009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi551w8N_K_eU9VUUZueKFTJ342STGik77OIPiVfvgpd1Xyd3GdBDY-7aBPpctaKEgxgofShzSHr-CrctX_X67pd60N_s5eZzemMXHSVHPYBOvXhu3bpRjk8EzusCQ0VaHepHKDUH_ivU2y/s320/P6030009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj93-k351Z2Gp4-T_DFT8YWtJRHY2eal1ilsUaWgNL7RB_1PQUkP83P1PdmLbZBIa3lHT6tQHLeKLmcHBG65fptIjuoG-qkXh0QtEH1PbXirOCYMrl_SehPlDvygkqUUz5Q0M44LXoAsY/s1600/P6210115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj93-k351Z2Gp4-T_DFT8YWtJRHY2eal1ilsUaWgNL7RB_1PQUkP83P1PdmLbZBIa3lHT6tQHLeKLmcHBG65fptIjuoG-qkXh0QtEH1PbXirOCYMrl_SehPlDvygkqUUz5Q0M44LXoAsY/s320/P6210115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG9160S-idNUs-P7PFT53u1tKZJ0YcG0UwzcsC9_LQYv5O7mJnqvWWrV5zwXx_RtGx3zF3wHidp8bs0Fhh38xRV6E1s4junMmziIX7a-kC1S0K-kKXFXx-h-Hmk0sNKU5vV1TI8akDpcx/s1600/P6210119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG9160S-idNUs-P7PFT53u1tKZJ0YcG0UwzcsC9_LQYv5O7mJnqvWWrV5zwXx_RtGx3zF3wHidp8bs0Fhh38xRV6E1s4junMmziIX7a-kC1S0K-kKXFXx-h-Hmk0sNKU5vV1TI8akDpcx/s320/P6210119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The second trip was my favorite by far. Not only was the weather way better than the first half of the month, but the group of kids was great and I was able to us the skills I've picked up in Ely and Outdoor Leadership. There's nothing quite as cool as getting a group of teenagers from around the country to become friends and efficient back country travelers and fly fishers. It was the coolest thing ever when the kids who more experienced than the others would go out of their way to help and teach their peers.<br />
<br />
A life changing, and addicting experience was what I got from my time in the jungle. Its unlike anything I've seen or encountered before, a place that challenges you around every corner and forces you to be witty and creative, yet has the power to slow you down and make you stand in awe of its ancient beauty. And if you really slow down and take it all in, it can reward you with treasures and memories that will last you a life time. I shall return. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrMHLABrs2vX3TiDyMdzoOskIH7pSlmvaSXcjjVmP4IfLhg-GnZMhb91H_PmgjTye_YT9z_HJBREkHqM2tY0xMxPLjeKLIuf7WxewdeUkf1bHzcHpDSXccIJg1VpfuBtFOf6oUnUS59ma/s1600/P6280169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrMHLABrs2vX3TiDyMdzoOskIH7pSlmvaSXcjjVmP4IfLhg-GnZMhb91H_PmgjTye_YT9z_HJBREkHqM2tY0xMxPLjeKLIuf7WxewdeUkf1bHzcHpDSXccIJg1VpfuBtFOf6oUnUS59ma/s320/P6280169.JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUE_fpc4IjFQL416XQu3qyp3HtIBX_6RSVoe8N9LfA2638V2183NTTc-rnFoCBkX0TeSyZhPT6k4GIvvqklT_fuaq4eLglvyTphXHM7G_fDFVhSCLvrvEflsiH5g_B_fNh_9ZlVtIEVKe/s1600/482082_474855845857997_1497354565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUE_fpc4IjFQL416XQu3qyp3HtIBX_6RSVoe8N9LfA2638V2183NTTc-rnFoCBkX0TeSyZhPT6k4GIvvqklT_fuaq4eLglvyTphXHM7G_fDFVhSCLvrvEflsiH5g_B_fNh_9ZlVtIEVKe/s320/482082_474855845857997_1497354565_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-85569020718666906302012-07-13T23:55:00.004-05:002012-07-13T23:55:58.653-05:00A Short Story...I returned to the north country of Minnesota this week for a few nights to visit Gretchen and explore the "other side" of the BWCA. Gunflint lake and Gunflint Lodge sit on the US-Canadian border, overlooking the '99 blow down and 2007 Ham Lake fire remnants, the area lacks the great white and red pine forests that tower around Ely. But its an area that shows the true nature of the area (pun intended,) and how resilient and perfected the ecosystem is for growing back fast after a burn. Gretchen and I aren't much for cushy lodges though, and we fund our selves paddling around a near peninsula to a campsite where we would stay. In the heat of a summer day, we sat on the birch tree bench behind the fire grate drying off from a swim, there was a little breeze coming across the sky blew water cooling our fronts as the sun baked our backs. We sat their, not saying much, both more lost in our own thoughts, and I found myself focused on a rock just off the shore that was sticking out of the water. Everyone has heard the saying about throwing a rock into a pond, but this rock was different than the one thrown. This rock was already in the pond, it had already made its ripples, it was now firmly fixed in its place. The pond, or 8 mile long, 200 ft deep Gunflint lake, was sending its own splashes back on the rock. Yet the rock, solid where it stood, still sent reciprocated ripples back into the constant motion of the lake. It got me thinking for the rest of the day...<br />
<br />
Later Gretchen showed me one of her favorite spots, Look Out Point. It was just a short hike from the lodge and sat atop a granite cliff over the lake and ancient hills. We talked about life and goals, ideas on it all and then the spot sort of took over and we just meditated, totally zoned out. The rock came back to mind as I gazed over the peninsula we were camped on: <br />
<br />
The rock is you, each and every day. <br />
<br />
The lake was the stimulus we receive from our lives: family, friends, strangers, work, school, weather, everything good and bad, anything that can affect us- that splashes up against us. The waves are how we react to it all, what we give back, what kind of "vibes" we put back into the world. Its our perception of the world. Will our ripples back be big or small, positive or negative? Its a constant play of giving and receiving in life, a true lesson in "give and you shall receive," "love thy neighbor"- just being and doing things positively makes such a huge step towards being happy and successful. It takes a bit of reflection and humility to do so, but it can turn into a domino effect. One nice gesture leads to another, leads to a new friend or exciting experience, or good connection to a better job, a new fishing spot, whatever life throws at you...how are you going to receive it? What will you give back? How are you going to live your life?<br />
<br />
A friendly wave, a smile and nod, a simple question, holding a door- start with small waves and see what comes from it. You may be surprised. <br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-32456003349612846972012-04-04T22:46:00.002-05:002012-04-04T22:46:45.334-05:00Pure Water<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Where is it in the world that you become your best, where all of your talents are shown, and best qualities shine through, where everything is right and good? For me- it is a tiny blue vein of water, snaking through valleys and woods. A place with history, character, and remoteness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtF4KSuDzOwLYfoOuQ9wsQZCYkQRvfVf1TbnytqEQ0_pSLIEdG_nlxVZvsUeiAof04yn0WsEGZvtA6b7cvWj2XAAdrHNYR5YB8kkHVh2mNWyoJxXGpf1q5isGihR7x9VACcJrhxf_U93P/s1600/P3090035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtF4KSuDzOwLYfoOuQ9wsQZCYkQRvfVf1TbnytqEQ0_pSLIEdG_nlxVZvsUeiAof04yn0WsEGZvtA6b7cvWj2XAAdrHNYR5YB8kkHVh2mNWyoJxXGpf1q5isGihR7x9VACcJrhxf_U93P/s320/P3090035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Wherever you go in the world, trout streams have a defining characteristic- clean, pure, blue water. But, no matter where you go, every stream is different. Some are large and forgiving, others are a few feet wide and extremely challenging, and then there's everything in between. Some are slow and winding, others are torrent and jagged. Some hold monstrous, ferocious fish, others have delicate individuals that define finesse. But they all are connected by that indisputable crystalline-blue water...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo69Xq8mLoWpiwHaZUX1HLHk0QnsBy0HwV2XcQfJpT4GQuaQa4MlVae8EVrWzF0qMb6YgUEB90bAm0HbqOAlExEDT_5CFkJ8EQAglo0wDtv3W_tPvun8h_oEEnvswnXmIr_Ma_opKOOdA3/s1600/P3090024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo69Xq8mLoWpiwHaZUX1HLHk0QnsBy0HwV2XcQfJpT4GQuaQa4MlVae8EVrWzF0qMb6YgUEB90bAm0HbqOAlExEDT_5CFkJ8EQAglo0wDtv3W_tPvun8h_oEEnvswnXmIr_Ma_opKOOdA3/s320/P3090024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Every fisher-person eventually in their life comes to holds one of those streams above all the rest, be it because of the fishing, the scenery, memories had there, or even because they see a little bit of themselves in the moving waters. I've fished in quite a few different places: Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP, the Madison, Gallatin, Bighorn, Kinnickinnic, Rush, Root, Whitewater, and various others in the northern and southern tips Minnesota and southern Wisconsin. They are all beautiful, all hold great fish, have great people- but if I had one day left to live, I'd want to spend it on the banks of the shy and quiet Hay Creek. Most have never heard of it, a good majority Minnesota fly fishers have probably fished it a few times, but in my book- it tops all. For those who've never heard of it or have an idea of what a Minnesotan trout stream might look like, I'll try to explain why this creek tops the nation's best rivers in the west.<br />
Hay creek starts from a good sized spring coming from the side of a large hill, hidden beneath a vale of deciduous trees. It zigzags through a small cow pasture lined by tall limestone bluffs, the valley is cut in half by a turn of the century railroad line and stagecoach road. Remnants of these can be seen by a few trusses still left standing on the edges of a few pools where a bridge once crossed over the stream and a huge concrete slab that was once a low bridge crossing the stream that had been ripped from its concrete footings and tossed down stream about 75 yards during a raging flood. After the cow pasture and picturesque valley, the stream runs along the side of a bluff and cuts through a forest that in the spring time is full of wildflowers and wild turkeys. It runs through the woods in a deep, shadowed valley between the bluffs for a couple of miles to another field of tall prairie grasses and cow pasture and eventually into woods again and snakes its way all the way back to Red Wing and into the Mississippi. Before this new field, the stream is patterns of riffle, run, pool, riffle, run pool and the deeper water is a bright turquoises blue. This section rarely ever sees fishermen except for the knowledgeable and determined and its where it all began for me, this crazy passion of mine.<br />
<br />
Before spring break, school and life had been hectic. All I could wish for was to have a fly rod in hand, crouching on the banks of this little gem of mine- and a week of freedom was all the chance I needed to finally break loose, break away, and dissolve back into the realm of bliss I yearned for so badly. The very next day I was home from Ely, my best friend and I took a jaunt down to the stream and fished below the deep valley in the pasture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0W-S2d4rFu1QSL-Zu8aNK4C1Io-Vda7QeFqAX_FPwVTCNQkF2viBE69oUs1Vno94WvG_xODYH2yD4ym_0RvDGr0RAaE3tVrWhtArJcsMAzS9uDtdG_lx1BjiaWGAH1XhUedlUVcP1Mwy/s1600/P3040026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0W-S2d4rFu1QSL-Zu8aNK4C1Io-Vda7QeFqAX_FPwVTCNQkF2viBE69oUs1Vno94WvG_xODYH2yD4ym_0RvDGr0RAaE3tVrWhtArJcsMAzS9uDtdG_lx1BjiaWGAH1XhUedlUVcP1Mwy/s320/P3040026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We had it all to ourselves. It was mostly cloudy and cold, but it didn't matter- we were there and used all the time we had and honed our very best skills--- for Hay Creek demands excellence when it comes to it's fishing. One must refrain from waking too hard, moving their shadow over the water, and casting carelessly while there, for it's fish- though usually small- are smart and spooky as hell. More often than not, we crawled to the bank and nymphed without an indicator as to try and not disturb the weary trout, though they usually have the upper hand as the water is perfectly clear. As my dad told me when I was still the apprentice, "If you can see them, they've already seen you."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj-49WgIh4y1DSEO94DBW79dIlvWcz8pXhBmD6Ml5JRSyX-QO_MBRgY5RZV66Hs6L3tXVaQmH0RcUK25X8LQ8Y2dNo4l93TWWIBTqoGl4MsubWOAGmriIdPR3HffLnQ1bNO54q-CxjYjZ/s1600/P3040022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj-49WgIh4y1DSEO94DBW79dIlvWcz8pXhBmD6Ml5JRSyX-QO_MBRgY5RZV66Hs6L3tXVaQmH0RcUK25X8LQ8Y2dNo4l93TWWIBTqoGl4MsubWOAGmriIdPR3HffLnQ1bNO54q-CxjYjZ/s320/P3040022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXhYTQeajtlBPSS_ViWs1Zd-pFyv5I1x9oBMobvG4VwGTCj8iTYRR88sS9GovMo2rM6oXkIzFzi9vfmdYI4pnfvjCjDTvux1p2o5cHYznfIj3aWJGf52Eb0Q9ME5qEtpwTshnkH54J24h/s1600/P3040025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXhYTQeajtlBPSS_ViWs1Zd-pFyv5I1x9oBMobvG4VwGTCj8iTYRR88sS9GovMo2rM6oXkIzFzi9vfmdYI4pnfvjCjDTvux1p2o5cHYznfIj3aWJGf52Eb0Q9ME5qEtpwTshnkH54J24h/s320/P3040025.JPG" width="294" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You might think, "That sounds like hell!?" Well you're kind of right- but its what I love.We spent four hours there with numb fingers, sore knees, and only landed one trout to show for it. But that's just how it is on Hay Creek, it's like what appeals my girlfriend to cross country skiing, "You have to ski up the hill to go down it." Hard work for the reward, but even though small- its well worth it. You can see the fish at the bottom of the pools, like an aquarium and you sit there drooling and rain storming to figure out the missing piece of the puzzle until it falls into place and a fish strikes. It's fantastic torture. While I was warming my hands I let Beau fish the pool I had stalked up on, "Just cast it at the bottom of the riffles, you want it on the edge of that undercut- in the bubble line." He did just that, and half way down the pool, as the fly sank to the kill zone, a spunky trout struck his fly. A few splashes and cheers later I netted the fish and we took a quick second to revel in his beauty. It was well worth the torture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r2tFgup60qJMBlic1pfXIYpzGvXkmamzozGQ0Ray9IOL9TREkV-N3_fQBJdvbxirORYSg5e3ggn2n0ourcPnhCzoQhlfNQ2cmBxPHAVuENC6AoAx_ItP1B8dZcv2vAXNCYPvzl2cLteq/s1600/P3040023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r2tFgup60qJMBlic1pfXIYpzGvXkmamzozGQ0Ray9IOL9TREkV-N3_fQBJdvbxirORYSg5e3ggn2n0ourcPnhCzoQhlfNQ2cmBxPHAVuENC6AoAx_ItP1B8dZcv2vAXNCYPvzl2cLteq/s320/P3040023.JPG" width="194" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Come the end of the week, I happened upon the realization that my thirst hadn't been quenched quite yet. So a couple days before my break was over, I brought my girlfriend back to the same spot. It was a much more pleasant day, Gretchen bathed in the sun and I fished.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDpcB8S02fYzgx0MElFfJXWGELj55qyiJ7nSOoaDFkkMF1xsxRnsKTBPkby9ytbOFuk1Gt9VJDL7nn4wj7p0rVaQOljigg7ZkNfoC8nfrshUM_qzSepFiTBSm0PS9r7HbaXxP-erR9rc7/s1600/P3090031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDpcB8S02fYzgx0MElFfJXWGELj55qyiJ7nSOoaDFkkMF1xsxRnsKTBPkby9ytbOFuk1Gt9VJDL7nn4wj7p0rVaQOljigg7ZkNfoC8nfrshUM_qzSepFiTBSm0PS9r7HbaXxP-erR9rc7/s320/P3090031.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was warm with little to no breeze, and we were all alone on the water again. From the previous trip I had remembered where some of the fish had been holding up in the deeper water, but with the bright sun, I had to be even more weary of my shadow and movements around the water. But this whole method to the madness inevitably slows you down in general. You sit along the water's edge and you're silent, still, and watching. Watching the water, the fish, the bugs, the things around you, the clouds and birds above. You breathe easy and say, "This is $%@king awesome..." and mean it in the best way possible. Things just figure themselves out or they are forgotten all together. That's the beauty of equilibrium. That's the essence of Hay Creek.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TXpBXefh7nRMUzAY__aNjS7gxtP-v1D6tXRfXbxy9ZAKekQAbuZX4JdB_mwTy07zqpiG1tVpczH2kLrQZe1-m0u9MogMB_znS8CFysH8PK3xsLeCmPBfKe6SkcYtTozh-Jq4NZ6EbkPu/s1600/P3090016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TXpBXefh7nRMUzAY__aNjS7gxtP-v1D6tXRfXbxy9ZAKekQAbuZX4JdB_mwTy07zqpiG1tVpczH2kLrQZe1-m0u9MogMB_znS8CFysH8PK3xsLeCmPBfKe6SkcYtTozh-Jq4NZ6EbkPu/s320/P3090016.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
To be honest, I didn't move much that day. I really pretty much fished the same pool because I knew the fish were there in front of me. You see, on the Bighorn River at the end of the day and you got skunked or only got one fish, you're a little angry that you didn't catch more. In the Driftless, especially Hay Creek, I learned how to be humble. Though I fished in mostly one pool, I caught three fish and hooked probably four- that's a damn good day for my stream. Though I sat there all day looking at the pure, clear, clean water at the pod of fish at the bottom- I thought my ass off and figured out the puzzle. I started with my favorite nymph pattern, a bead-head pheasant tail nymph, couldn't tell you the size probably an 16 or 18. Fished without split shot or indicator and drifted it over the fish time and time and time again watching their reaction, learning the timing. A few fish would look up at it but none would strike. Stumped I stopped for a little while and waited for something to happen when, out of no where, there was a splash on the water and a gold streak headed back to the pod. "Emergers, maybe." Waited for the next clue, a little black midge skidded across the water in front of me. "I'll go with emergers!" I recast and let my fly sink until just in front of the pod, when I lifted my line slowly out of the water as it floated over them (like a bug going to the surface from the bottom.) Boom! An instant hit and the first fish landed. That was the first fish I've held in months, I was so excited I kissed the fish all over, released it, and ran over to hug Gretchen, absolutely wiggling with joy. She laughed and sent back to do it again, and so I did. That's a specific instance that many choose as their reason to fly fish- to figure out the equilibrium and to replicate it. For myself, there's very few feelings that I know to top it and I can perfectly recall every time I've seen it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ByW9FRRfC97mbCyC19hK93w6gBVxmjwCU_vnYiJWepBDStFPQ4kwhTD9nYl7gcyNFaJBiqdAE9YDz8ZOQ8iWvT3z8z1NgcaJPzXMN1oi524pBBaDQxQAriNP_ww1aV-ShIicxcOCUfL4/s1600/P3090029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ByW9FRRfC97mbCyC19hK93w6gBVxmjwCU_vnYiJWepBDStFPQ4kwhTD9nYl7gcyNFaJBiqdAE9YDz8ZOQ8iWvT3z8z1NgcaJPzXMN1oi524pBBaDQxQAriNP_ww1aV-ShIicxcOCUfL4/s320/P3090029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5PZqCQpABS8g1Xj04_W-uFLYtyEGzeWq0lH4SQp0XuyiB_o38JTu1YAWJE73Ck5GRsCSD_JLFboZWhFuEs6wk1p4HcvGGSnM7HhESOzUKlCmeF5F-g7wXG1yRCqDwcZwZniv_kXz3jBy/s1600/P3090033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5PZqCQpABS8g1Xj04_W-uFLYtyEGzeWq0lH4SQp0XuyiB_o38JTu1YAWJE73Ck5GRsCSD_JLFboZWhFuEs6wk1p4HcvGGSnM7HhESOzUKlCmeF5F-g7wXG1yRCqDwcZwZniv_kXz3jBy/s320/P3090033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Did this become a fishing story? I'm sorry if it did. Hay Creek has a shy, calm personality that can bring out the innermost joy in anyone who gets to solve its daily riddle. That day was mine. I asked Gretchen what she thought about the creek, just as a bystander. "I love it!" she said with a smile.<br />
<br />
"Are you just saying that to make me happy?"<br />
<br />
"No, I actually love it, it's so quite and when you just listen to the rapids you can completely let your mind go blank and relax. It's beautiful here, the water is blue, there's no one around. I'd be a fool not to love it!"<br />
<br />
"Cool." I smiled.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I've caught twenty five inch trout on the Bighorn, scrambled over mountains to get to tiny streams brimming with fish in Yellowstone, seen epic caddis hatches and stonefly hatches on the Madison. But there's more than fishing on Hay Creek- there's a lesson around every corner, a memory at every pool and hill top, forgotten history locked away in the woods. Its the perfect place to escape and become one again- with yourself, with nature, with your God, or with whatever is going on inside you. I love Hay Creek- I can't get it any more simple than that. With in its pure clean water is a challenge and message for us all- not only with its fishing- but with everything that embodies it as a whole.<br />
<br />
Where's your favorite water- and why? <br />
<br />
To sneak in some advertising: If you want to experience Hay Creek for yourself- I'd be honored to show you around my home water. Take a look at the Guided Fly Fishing page for more info and prices. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-64652608788984451222012-03-29T00:45:00.000-05:002012-03-29T01:01:58.378-05:00SPRING CLEANING #1 "Going herbivore"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<article> <span style="font-size: large;"><u>Going Herbivore</u></span></article></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<article><i> </i></article><article><i> </i></article><article><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. </i><br /><i>But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. </i>
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><i>Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not
to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. Amen."</i>
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<b><i> ~Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem </i></b></span></article><article></article><article><br />
<br />
Great Lent is well underway now. It is a time for Christians worldwide to sacrifice something "important" from their lives to repent and become closer to God. We all know lent from our youths when we would give up t.v. or ice cream or saying bad words for the 40 day fast. But its much deeper than just giving something up, its much more than ice cream or t.v. And this year I've embraced that fact. Being an Orthodox Christian is a way of life and on this seven week journey, I've already learned so much about my faith and myself.<br />
<br />
In St. Ephrem's prayer, we can find a perfect example of what Lent is aimed at accomplishing within the individual. This is a period of which we are all to reflect on and better ourselves above all else in our life. This means to cut as many distractions from our lives as possible- or fasting (hence the "no pop or tv" notion.) In accordance to Orthodox tradition, during the Lenten period, Orthodox Christians are called to not eat meat or fish with a backbone, nor dairy products, nor olive oil, or to consume alcohol. When people hear that list, they seriously question me, "Why?!" Granted, its been a few weeks and I've seriously been hurting for a few McDoubles by now- but why go through all the trouble? Why overhaul my routine and do something that is entirely not easy- especially here at my school (since most of the food is meat or drowning in cheese)? </article><article> </article><article>Well- answer me this- how many times have you set out in life to change something about your habits or character and have it succeed for a few weeks, but then you fall back into your old ways do to convenience? I know I've done it with most things I've ever tried to change. "I'm going to study more", "I'm going to exercise more", "I'm going to read more", "I'm going to go to church more", "I'm going to quit smoking/drinking." This list can go on for an eternity. Going herbivore isn't what I'm doing for Lent, I'm not "giving up" meat and dairy. This is a tool to help me accomplish my goal- to become a: Better Person and a more well-rounded Orthodox Christian. </article><article> </article><article>In order to set in motion this cascading effect of betterment, there must be a consequential process of attitudinal adjustment- the ultimate result being: Utmost Gratitude. But because everyone isn't perfect, we can lose focus and drive with our ambitions, so we need extra wood to stoke our fire. For Orthodox, that extra wood is the sacrifice of convenience and some level of enjoyment of having no meat and dairy. Do multiple "negatives" make a positive though? With an essentially vegan diet, on top of an awareness of all my flaws, and the urging need to try and replace the negatives with positive attributes, topped off with increased prayer and spiritual vigil. Sounds like a mess headed toward inevitable destruction, doesn't it!? </article><article> </article><article>At the end of the day, drawing in the cool, moist evening air- all that's left is gratitude. The fasting initiates gratitude for God's creations, for the things you have and don't have, for the good and bad experiences had in the past and present. It may be a process that could send many to insanity, but the integral part of it all is having gratitude, faith, and motivation- belief in your God and in yourself. Lent is the binding element between God and the very basic elements of our characters. Going herbivore and fasting from other bad things isn't the point- its the heightened self awareness and motivation towards self betterment, and the increased spirituality into everyday life that makes you become the best that you can be. Lent isn't just for Christians, its for everyone that acknowledges that they could be better to their brothers and sisters in the world, and wants to be better, <u>and strives to be!</u> Gratitude is contagious, and spawns humility, unity, compassion. It helps
us forgive and relax, to meditate and pray and to cherish what we have. It
changes lives if given a chance for its roots to hold fast to the bedrock within our character. </article><article><br /></article><article>From this quickly dwindling Lent, I feel I have so far learned the
meaning of gratitude. Maybe its insurmountable compared to some and the
opposite to others, but in my own eyes and my own life I am grateful
for: my education, my family and friends, my freedoms and liberties, my
health, my personal finances, my talents and weaknesses, my good and bad
expereinces, fly fishing, nature, food (herbivore and omnivore), clean water and air, the sturdy
roof over my head, electricty, air conditioning, shoes I'm thankful for my Orthodox faith and- most importantly- my God, and , no matter how trivial or important it is- it is a gift.</article><article> </article><article>Lent doesn't have to be contained and, in many ways, it isn't. The act of being a good person or a good Christian is simply condensed, intensified, and given a name during this time so that people remember to reflect on themselves, to be grateful, and to become better in a whole. As the end of this Great Fast draws near, do STOP...........and reflect.........on your relationship with God and with your neighbors. How can you be more thankful for all that you have, how can you treat your loved ones (and those that you don't know) better------ and how are you going to change your life to do it? </article><article> </article><article>I pray that you all remeber the prayer of St. Ephrim sometime again in your life, and that maybe you'll even recite it- to God or to no one- its message helps us all. </article><article> </article><article> </article><article> </article><article> </article><article> </article><article> </article><article> <br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
</article>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-3010295052466854102012-01-29T12:36:00.001-06:002012-01-29T12:36:45.303-06:00Negative Thirty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nbp-qM82KWDstlKiiq57XC54_XDa0EpwiVRxhkRxiyrg1lDIrq_s3_tP3Xp9mgoEb6-HAtgyW0h69BzVPnvTSiQPtb9bHeOWkGrXcfXfMq0VzeFxuWRrXBdwwua8znEGnqFCe_ofTHiI/s1600/P1210127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nbp-qM82KWDstlKiiq57XC54_XDa0EpwiVRxhkRxiyrg1lDIrq_s3_tP3Xp9mgoEb6-HAtgyW0h69BzVPnvTSiQPtb9bHeOWkGrXcfXfMq0VzeFxuWRrXBdwwua8znEGnqFCe_ofTHiI/s320/P1210127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you imagine negative thirty degree temperatures, where
would you go to get away from it- a under a toasty blanket by a fireplace, a sauna
or hot tub, a sun bathed beach in Mexico? I bet very few of you thought,
“Negative thirty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would you want to
go anywhere else?” Since I returned to Ely this fall, I’ve been dreaming of
blisteringly cold temperatures and a couple feet of snow. But this winter has
thrown us here in the Arrowhead for a loop, just as winter for much of the
state is unheard of; we finally have enough to play in here in Ely. But, better
late than never, and Austin,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zach, and I
were bitten by the adventure bug. We packed up our pulk sleds with all the
winter camping essentials and trudged across frozen lakes on Friday afternoon to
spend the weekend, as we called it, “Being men!” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Winter camping isn’t for the faint of heart, as you may
imagine, but it’s also not particularly for the right minded person, as you
also may be able to tell from our willingness to freeze in horribly cold temperatures.
But-joking aside- it isn’t for just anyone. Anyone can go camping, but it’s a
whole new concept in the winter: if you fail to plan ahead or ignore essential
hints as to the weather or your health, you can die- quickly. Winter camping
takes an impressive amount of mastery and method.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the method to the madness:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Travel fast and efficient as day light is
limited. DO NOT LET YOURSELF SWEAT.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Once you arrive at your site, set priorities:
cut a hole in the ice for water, gather firewood and start a fire and start
boiling water, and set up the tarp/tent for shelter.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Do everything possible to stay warm, but don’t
sweat. (E.g. keep gathering fire wood throughout the day and night.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sounds simple and it is, but there are a lot of factors that
need to be taken into account. The real trick to it though-have fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnyvkF0cxvdbDlOYzwFJhtQfC28IQTt7zIqKc3Sbt8slprq2M-YOXOCFiPJo5z45nkEmhv0K2OgT2PtCJpZpU8Q_vM1IPQvJVkwP8_Z468ASq9LTOA_0K5ol-jOyu6aNEDvJiwum4yUtr/s1600/P1160087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnyvkF0cxvdbDlOYzwFJhtQfC28IQTt7zIqKc3Sbt8slprq2M-YOXOCFiPJo5z45nkEmhv0K2OgT2PtCJpZpU8Q_vM1IPQvJVkwP8_Z468ASq9LTOA_0K5ol-jOyu6aNEDvJiwum4yUtr/s320/P1160087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We made it to the boat launch a little after 2:00 pm, got
sleds packed and started across Ojibwa Lake around 2:30. At that point, we were
behind the eight-ball, had about two hours left of sunlight. Thankfully there
wasn’t a lot of snow to trudge through, it was wind swept and packed down most
of the way. Coincidentally, we followed fox tracks almost the whole way to the
portage into Triangle. He was our spirit guide and any time a snow drift
covered his tracks we panicked (jokingly) until they were found again. But
trekking over frozen water is also a lot like driving down an interstate across
North Dakota- its mesmerizing, hypnotizing- but with a different air. The
weight of your sled disappears from your waist after a while, the hiss of it
cruising over snow and ice melds with the creaking of your ski pole into a
serenade with the wind blowing across your ear. Your mind empties, your eyes
pick up on the splendors around you, and things suddenly become half blur-half
art.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwoBi_UU9bh1bXeZgMt4HZg2v2kAAEy5v1HEm64AS8Am1jS-1CmBi2_WFn8x8wPDk7xsBw5yia_C2BvYmsWA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you remember
your friends are behind you making smart ass comments and making fun of you and
you turn around to flip them the bird and laugh about it some stupid joke. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forty five minutes later, we made it to Triangle lake. The
cool thing about these lakes is that they are so easily accessible and though
Ojibwa has a lot of cabins on it and they allow motor use, once you get a mile
away from the launch, you feel like you’re in the BWCA. They’re amazingly
beautiful lakes with lots of islands and rolling hills around them with tall
pine trees. Triangle is even more beautiful in that it is too far for cars and
ice fishers to get to and most people that are there intend on heading into the
boundary waters and are on foot. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9GH6Uo3MBt1x9YJIPrO2ab3VW8RE1J1tE86JluOesf_K4MNACHl9RyXnISUCcz_V6m7rfOjTlUltID94TCsaJ2oqWNSErFdLcxtQV2Gvd8Ve88cPD7oyzOrF8BpIO2xQoSIScVWjAbis/s1600/P1200091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9GH6Uo3MBt1x9YJIPrO2ab3VW8RE1J1tE86JluOesf_K4MNACHl9RyXnISUCcz_V6m7rfOjTlUltID94TCsaJ2oqWNSErFdLcxtQV2Gvd8Ve88cPD7oyzOrF8BpIO2xQoSIScVWjAbis/s320/P1200091.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With an hour left of sun light, we pulled into our little
cove. We quickly organized into different jobs: Austin started getting wood,
Zach started drilling a hole for water, and I started setting up our tarp for
shelter. It didn’t take long and once we got into a rhythm, we got camp set up
right as the sun was going past the trees. It’s really the perfect spot; we set
up in a little nook along an island. The cove is sheltered from the south,
east, and west by islands that are nestled closely together. They act as an
adequate wind break and allows for more snow to pile up instead of blow across
the open lake. The sunset illuminated the cove as we worked; giving a golden
glow on the snow and tall pines that surrounded us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNdxr_BEq-syO8yllLhztsFzRvo5x5VN1PD4FYZorQUGFJD2kU-VmkgBx4m2LETpGUCU6N8msM31LLeHZS3ntCbHVVi45-Pnhbx890gpcwggTHkK9KAKSzkLxfy_kGYZ9LWnQ5eSWJks4/s1600/P1200097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNdxr_BEq-syO8yllLhztsFzRvo5x5VN1PD4FYZorQUGFJD2kU-VmkgBx4m2LETpGUCU6N8msM31LLeHZS3ntCbHVVi45-Pnhbx890gpcwggTHkK9KAKSzkLxfy_kGYZ9LWnQ5eSWJks4/s320/P1200097.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrx9Cb47zRnBQfZrwxeGkXLKqOYo1udFFV03LevfP543M4CkE8joa7BxdtBojcTJUrzH-CZNcH2EWAWmXtG0uF7IpqGgCpsxzXhWdlvodh-EzY2MD6i-X4F3XclFhUMe1-I9IMhoF7nVT/s1600/P1200098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrx9Cb47zRnBQfZrwxeGkXLKqOYo1udFFV03LevfP543M4CkE8joa7BxdtBojcTJUrzH-CZNcH2EWAWmXtG0uF7IpqGgCpsxzXhWdlvodh-EzY2MD6i-X4F3XclFhUMe1-I9IMhoF7nVT/s320/P1200098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fire spoke sporadically with snaps and cracks and the
kettle gurgled softly as the dehydrated chili boiled inside. We finally set in
for the night under the crisp night sky after we made camp and organized gear
and firewood. It’s a rare and inspiring feeling to hear nothing man-made and to
see nothing, to be totally cut off from the world, to just <u>sit and laugh and
be free</u> under a few trillion stars. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm46Db5ntusXC7lKW7YmMPw75nqtkrsG3OFhq_IVaR8lwV2RN_8-wjpbVXKjg7-cjahJ5hIzx5O4v4dFWswaefRcccqkvjagLhrRusUXknvYI72FxIU9tTkJCS-O22aNE5IB1JWeC131l2/s1600/P1200101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm46Db5ntusXC7lKW7YmMPw75nqtkrsG3OFhq_IVaR8lwV2RN_8-wjpbVXKjg7-cjahJ5hIzx5O4v4dFWswaefRcccqkvjagLhrRusUXknvYI72FxIU9tTkJCS-O22aNE5IB1JWeC131l2/s320/P1200101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By then, it was around negative ten to
fifteen, but it wasn’t too bad yet as there wasn’t even a whisper of wind that
night. The chili and a liter of hot chocolate kept us warm too. While starring
contently in the flames, we joked of past adventures had and shared, swapped stories
of any experience that made us laugh, and came up with ridiculously impossible
and hilarious circumstances to encounter- nothing out of the usual really, all
of except there was more sense of place I feel. There’s a difference when talking
about paddling rapids or accomplishing the impossible when indoors rather than
talking about doing those adventurous things around a fire, especially when
you’re a couple miles from the nearest route back home. Rather than lust and
envy behind the memories, there’s appreciation and nostalgia with knowledge
that you’re in the midst of creating yet another one to tell. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbqj2-YB3IscUd5wXqts594IxJFl7x32hbunC39vB7kfivVqhuSsgTZtYeweliZ7zKa45vHJ_hLvfjBiRvH9dzyQqDS0uQ0nKjxOkrgNmNSxugYEoZ0p6CLJmTITZOy7GypfufKQZenA8/s1600/P1200106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbqj2-YB3IscUd5wXqts594IxJFl7x32hbunC39vB7kfivVqhuSsgTZtYeweliZ7zKa45vHJ_hLvfjBiRvH9dzyQqDS0uQ0nKjxOkrgNmNSxugYEoZ0p6CLJmTITZOy7GypfufKQZenA8/s320/P1200106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Around 9:00 that night, we all started to get cold. It must
have finally dropped to the fabled depths by then, so cold that the cloud of
your breath would instantly freeze your eye lashes shut and turn anything that
was away from the fire and wet, to solid ice in a second. We went for a walk
around the ends of the islands to scrounge for wood and to warm up. Have you
ever seen the night sky- a sky filled with more stars than black space? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, to our surprise, when we happened to
look up I swear I have never seen so many stars before. Not in the big sky of
Montana or even on Lake Superior, it was like it was so cold the stars all had
to come out and huddle together to keep from freezing. I was absolutely amazed,
the entire universe seemed to be squeezed together into the respectively little
space of sky we had above us. It seemed a shame to go back to the fire after
our walk and sleep under a tarp! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we
brought back some nice pieces of wood for splitting in the morning, filled up our water
bottles with boiling hot water, tossed them in our sleeping bags, and waited a
few more minutes for them to heat up. What we were about to do is one of three
of the worst parts of winter camping: 1) stripping to our long under wear,
cramming our clothes and essential gear in our bag around us, and going to bed.
2) Waking up and getting out of your bag in the morning. 3) Taking a crap/pee
in the middle of the night and being the first one on the slammer in the
morning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It feels like you’re freezing solid (and there’s some truth
to it at negative thirty) and you have to try and move as fast as possible into
your cocoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once you’re in and
synch the mummy bag as tight as it will go around your mouth and nose, you
never want to leave.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The morning was a delight, however very cold. I popped my
head out of my bag and looked to see if my friends made it through the night.
Around their mouths and on the tarp above them, was thick with frost, a half inch
or more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Damn its cold!” I laughed.
They were awake too and started yelling with joy to hear that everyone was
alive. The sun rise was bright and ushered in another brilliant display of the beauty of winter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_5ra3_uPIxgc99MclVunCzhhw7tbbNsulDhiUzmDOT56_KGJaFkbSHakMWAl-xG_t0QuW5ETWSnnFreXKPgEcltYfm4w0X_S3I0oRe-ju3cI0QLcTYkESvpuNqX7N93UDeP5qSlzIdb7/s1600/P1210108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_5ra3_uPIxgc99MclVunCzhhw7tbbNsulDhiUzmDOT56_KGJaFkbSHakMWAl-xG_t0QuW5ETWSnnFreXKPgEcltYfm4w0X_S3I0oRe-ju3cI0QLcTYkESvpuNqX7N93UDeP5qSlzIdb7/s320/P1210108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the first few hours of the day, it was
sunny and calm and rather enjoyable. As Zach and Austin went ice fishing, I
chopped wood all morning to stay warm and got damn good at it too. We sat around the fire and swapped more stories and simply relaxed with nothing to do-though doing nothing was the only thing on the agenda. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O4903E4v1_qWRwrpSFLJThFdyMaCyTVYw6xZhH1c0G0aN7zXGxP-4DTCRH3okci7UJYAFoU75CXV0S5SzD_WL2AO2G6_0kOEbk3ByMMq7nGU0S-OCk9Bu_v9GpDGTA1TZchIsjv-MIst/s1600/P1210117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O4903E4v1_qWRwrpSFLJThFdyMaCyTVYw6xZhH1c0G0aN7zXGxP-4DTCRH3okci7UJYAFoU75CXV0S5SzD_WL2AO2G6_0kOEbk3ByMMq7nGU0S-OCk9Bu_v9GpDGTA1TZchIsjv-MIst/s320/P1210117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But as the
day drew on, clouds rolled in, the wind really picked up and snow started
falling sideways. We weighed the pros and cons of staying for another day and watched our tarp get
thrashed around by the wind. We all pretty much made the decision at that- its one thing if its cold, its another if its windy and cold. We packed
up camp and left a good sized stack of wood for the next weekend we go camping
or the next group of travelers to stop by the cove. It couldn't come soon enough, as winter camping melds many different aspects of life together- relaxation, hard work, suffering, and joy. In the end, you're always laughing about it anyways. You don’t need to spend two weeks in the wild to experience
it- you just need to get out there. And that’s goes for anything in life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-10429761795919540492012-01-22T21:21:00.000-06:002012-01-22T21:21:18.999-06:00Frozen Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To me, a good quality for a person to have is a love and
thirst for adventure. Last weekend, Gretchen and I quenched that thirst along
the north shore of Lake Superior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
beautiful thing about winter on the shore is that all of nature is turned into
a work of art and is stopped in time. The freestone rivers, majestic waterfalls,
and the lake shore itself pose a prime example of this. We visited Split Rock
Lighthouse State Park and Cascade State Park, a new experience for me as I’ve
never seen the lighthouse before or been further north than Tofte and the
Temperance River. I have a secret love affair with the shore during the winter.
It’s a beautiful display of elements- or really, one element: H2O. However, no
amount of words could correctly portray the beauty and joy of the trip, so
below is a collection of photos and videos to help conjure a sense of place.
Enjoy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymOBQ5D2AR26Mf3DWVyn6qagxaJQtwBXjm1nlAzZ_G62g739UalKoEUnmhMOwXVaHNJFU4BQIs2kKif51L1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA5sjKh19MMX7pcIGU0hz47Qabv8ErObVd9e1VIMqgnu041x9UTilLADn5X5ZXON8UnPFrH6Xx1shcQ8E5KmlkgnmYes46t9dLRPrnZK-WerLgTojP1yPA6reT05kdYf78v6BHj37IsSV/s1600/P1150083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA5sjKh19MMX7pcIGU0hz47Qabv8ErObVd9e1VIMqgnu041x9UTilLADn5X5ZXON8UnPFrH6Xx1shcQ8E5KmlkgnmYes46t9dLRPrnZK-WerLgTojP1yPA6reT05kdYf78v6BHj37IsSV/s320/P1150083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5rAKjq499h6d9nYnBAIJpOhsPUlzquL4jxktq2exDdaloYClxn5UGQXb1CDU2MbJfqVusd3VMRZDNI5Vv3KZLu_Pi9ZhX0WJd1_Th_TDd6fb1jrvaciSrpvArRFB90Of_hRwmUYT_jox/s1600/P1150081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5rAKjq499h6d9nYnBAIJpOhsPUlzquL4jxktq2exDdaloYClxn5UGQXb1CDU2MbJfqVusd3VMRZDNI5Vv3KZLu_Pi9ZhX0WJd1_Th_TDd6fb1jrvaciSrpvArRFB90Of_hRwmUYT_jox/s320/P1150081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt60dqGkpMpSUqsOcgtnOXQMf1-zRjRmnnSfaHC56MrTkwXE9T_21ka_YRpfutxgILeHD16CYKdrCq5qMUSM6MI-yvdBdPFrug9SOadelhMkxuCbBAjgiMN8gwtucv5vql01O5Ogga762/s1600/P1150086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt60dqGkpMpSUqsOcgtnOXQMf1-zRjRmnnSfaHC56MrTkwXE9T_21ka_YRpfutxgILeHD16CYKdrCq5qMUSM6MI-yvdBdPFrug9SOadelhMkxuCbBAjgiMN8gwtucv5vql01O5Ogga762/s320/P1150086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cbU6Piyx7e1MKX0kXgGN-zIVxbjvntR9eAN1FZ6VsamSEuH0Rqw0ZVlq1ETakhm1XmRkBNg1pr5liKAOpj6xQheyWFgfHepwIDGDDZMMCCayZpOzmVmCXmq2QqSxtF4n7UfotZJnFS7m/s1600/P1150089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cbU6Piyx7e1MKX0kXgGN-zIVxbjvntR9eAN1FZ6VsamSEuH0Rqw0ZVlq1ETakhm1XmRkBNg1pr5liKAOpj6xQheyWFgfHepwIDGDDZMMCCayZpOzmVmCXmq2QqSxtF4n7UfotZJnFS7m/s320/P1150089.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFMoL2WmFOtZPETnrYd1uXhYocjjHBsYQ3JPBX07-TvC3HqIIiZArkMVuAXx0v1aTBPbyaXAb0zMaVKC-u7kTuWyvbEvaNjSlUASL2UNxIZFt8zcEC_fiaSeuF2eh8mYrZxgB1zYFdLWt/s1600/P1150094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFMoL2WmFOtZPETnrYd1uXhYocjjHBsYQ3JPBX07-TvC3HqIIiZArkMVuAXx0v1aTBPbyaXAb0zMaVKC-u7kTuWyvbEvaNjSlUASL2UNxIZFt8zcEC_fiaSeuF2eh8mYrZxgB1zYFdLWt/s320/P1150094.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v4QDCPr_kfL_y1lBjppPsM8yIgMJ3Yv5Eu6Gk5qf-ObGhBJ3xsUKceLOJKeal-rtyraak61hfhp7BHYqi0d_HAboxXI_e3qqNy6oDphjFCc0jCdz6QD8hgbOe5mzYd-jc5qq_2KG-CDg/s1600/P1150095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6v4QDCPr_kfL_y1lBjppPsM8yIgMJ3Yv5Eu6Gk5qf-ObGhBJ3xsUKceLOJKeal-rtyraak61hfhp7BHYqi0d_HAboxXI_e3qqNy6oDphjFCc0jCdz6QD8hgbOe5mzYd-jc5qq_2KG-CDg/s320/P1150095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmg-oKyfEbBdhXgcuyTmclcmykrFPrDBgUujgJclZPesz0uWkFwE74hM43yoL1D8UUXpN1qMArEihFBM2a5jj6V-S2Jp5luBMcSdI2SZ2BqNRlM-pSUQk4hyAs2zzDhyphenhyphenutdnpaK3SU59A/s1600/P1150100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmg-oKyfEbBdhXgcuyTmclcmykrFPrDBgUujgJclZPesz0uWkFwE74hM43yoL1D8UUXpN1qMArEihFBM2a5jj6V-S2Jp5luBMcSdI2SZ2BqNRlM-pSUQk4hyAs2zzDhyphenhyphenutdnpaK3SU59A/s320/P1150100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RxZ8RHS4CXhOGI-KmZrf5lpcDcjDDxC0yxr_Twh3pF7kOVQFvNM-IWQkAOFj1VU6blm1PdbdjOmnQVpZeWLfQST77S2cMSudsAiJ9TdI-r5WKKVWNHL3io1efG2G0S9AqqLXdj1dFFcv/s1600/P1150102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RxZ8RHS4CXhOGI-KmZrf5lpcDcjDDxC0yxr_Twh3pF7kOVQFvNM-IWQkAOFj1VU6blm1PdbdjOmnQVpZeWLfQST77S2cMSudsAiJ9TdI-r5WKKVWNHL3io1efG2G0S9AqqLXdj1dFFcv/s320/P1150102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r2qRRI3163d6zfiBjhn7wI3G8qyXXeZ2VwbshSpxCNVtlH9CSyuPKlt7i7rG-5QYjHfOxpdOXzdErfcGN_JkxAUDiyZ7riGn753wusa6AcVCcNsUVv6KdjTnU_yvr63v2ssRnV6Da-64/s1600/P1150103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9r2qRRI3163d6zfiBjhn7wI3G8qyXXeZ2VwbshSpxCNVtlH9CSyuPKlt7i7rG-5QYjHfOxpdOXzdErfcGN_JkxAUDiyZ7riGn753wusa6AcVCcNsUVv6KdjTnU_yvr63v2ssRnV6Da-64/s320/P1150103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kInIi_W5YQQMu4u_dE2CQbyULaze1uO4COFtyBI_8d3pxbg_aKrTRNJJs04M5zClLBiQuvh1mCEDj9I1iOVQixWG4-Q98oJzRkzS8A7e0k1O4QvnO-jMfuaVYnyWgP_1r6IE_EWr_idz/s1600/P1150108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kInIi_W5YQQMu4u_dE2CQbyULaze1uO4COFtyBI_8d3pxbg_aKrTRNJJs04M5zClLBiQuvh1mCEDj9I1iOVQixWG4-Q98oJzRkzS8A7e0k1O4QvnO-jMfuaVYnyWgP_1r6IE_EWr_idz/s320/P1150108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ygo7UsqIyipdTFOHfyC5Cam-qZrz0pD6wZWv8qp8qIeCXRzCla_4NEt1LQu1SigN9R7qNXvS35J8zdIzreBjr_kdJGQw4UbsraFMM2jMdnX27P1Zhy9BpAVTLVvYFEgPOwFG07EuJ2TK/s1600/P1150109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ygo7UsqIyipdTFOHfyC5Cam-qZrz0pD6wZWv8qp8qIeCXRzCla_4NEt1LQu1SigN9R7qNXvS35J8zdIzreBjr_kdJGQw4UbsraFMM2jMdnX27P1Zhy9BpAVTLVvYFEgPOwFG07EuJ2TK/s320/P1150109.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd47SNH9AdPnlI-W9GUC3h9pN9MkwyUMg-hBIXrxIZrS4xvtLXVVswrMC1D2UoXtQEHKNLhc80yDEWd3BzzL5HDaGbx9Z2G2bHkGxkdnoqGCfFRENTW7QdR6eJFgTSvwfX2hoslEu_-PJ/s1600/P1150111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd47SNH9AdPnlI-W9GUC3h9pN9MkwyUMg-hBIXrxIZrS4xvtLXVVswrMC1D2UoXtQEHKNLhc80yDEWd3BzzL5HDaGbx9Z2G2bHkGxkdnoqGCfFRENTW7QdR6eJFgTSvwfX2hoslEu_-PJ/s320/P1150111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufXt8W10nVHAQgPVBZ4r4FcYGrWunbWACFY6LVdVswzggg57e2yaAit9efxORqdpYB8Gb48kjmcf-u9uiH2BxGhF4jA3k47LMie83tUv-JeNZAQ3d4zU7dFpZiYnsBa4nAjSx-158veWe/s1600/P1150117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufXt8W10nVHAQgPVBZ4r4FcYGrWunbWACFY6LVdVswzggg57e2yaAit9efxORqdpYB8Gb48kjmcf-u9uiH2BxGhF4jA3k47LMie83tUv-JeNZAQ3d4zU7dFpZiYnsBa4nAjSx-158veWe/s320/P1150117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAFoSMiXRlv2V5IAAlkkda0Bl_DUmb20qP37pGWYIqEqcke0bTkefeWmzYRSc7Jf2PLnEUs_ODqnjqgKp8dDb1xaFYmopnWlpWNEE-LKRcF3miQFrJF4xeYb9sTB0BRjbeUaeNkA9_cY8/s1600/P1150120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAFoSMiXRlv2V5IAAlkkda0Bl_DUmb20qP37pGWYIqEqcke0bTkefeWmzYRSc7Jf2PLnEUs_ODqnjqgKp8dDb1xaFYmopnWlpWNEE-LKRcF3miQFrJF4xeYb9sTB0BRjbeUaeNkA9_cY8/s320/P1150120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr52dUQ65iHv10uk8cE04gtzpfrTE6hZhaXnh8TFQHxPYBKLBTnrT7fQ-_BKsRBuMWeDQwtitoTTdb3n2TQgvi52oXqHJ96q4-D_LJCW4xycTSLv4N2I4L-rn3fCdrJ9knXc-6eIKuDNBy/s1600/P1150122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr52dUQ65iHv10uk8cE04gtzpfrTE6hZhaXnh8TFQHxPYBKLBTnrT7fQ-_BKsRBuMWeDQwtitoTTdb3n2TQgvi52oXqHJ96q4-D_LJCW4xycTSLv4N2I4L-rn3fCdrJ9knXc-6eIKuDNBy/s320/P1150122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmkyv_LWGa_Wr4ltmPACZKjEexq99zvLCWwVs4afVOu_BcIZRzk3DGCTh8XwyFkDZlyCrCpK_BQiYbzBcBs6dUw9H2l_XwVkDXll7FdtxkImOTqcZuPeaeaLYVNZ4LLGxKstU_yIIK-vH/s1600/P1150125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmkyv_LWGa_Wr4ltmPACZKjEexq99zvLCWwVs4afVOu_BcIZRzk3DGCTh8XwyFkDZlyCrCpK_BQiYbzBcBs6dUw9H2l_XwVkDXll7FdtxkImOTqcZuPeaeaLYVNZ4LLGxKstU_yIIK-vH/s320/P1150125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BnWI7jA9O-8AADGFteQ4WwcZcNHXNep0_m0VFdKv5KGl0GzQu-v_UgqHz0CwojzVrNzfFqIcZ-zeBx-nHpJj51SFJGb9Qnz_434gOOFkCmfkiqkCNbHsS_SqsQqWKIDAsCL0WK5WxPgX/s1600/P1150134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BnWI7jA9O-8AADGFteQ4WwcZcNHXNep0_m0VFdKv5KGl0GzQu-v_UgqHz0CwojzVrNzfFqIcZ-zeBx-nHpJj51SFJGb9Qnz_434gOOFkCmfkiqkCNbHsS_SqsQqWKIDAsCL0WK5WxPgX/s320/P1150134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZtKgIEA2jxoDYS4EnWHZiyc4PdSyeO4dgr2FBPTt8QUIW_QR3lqYj3FjyrI6agyPGao5esSORpyaS72vcR4O_u8UH4LSkZsMBxlpmwkfxews8tvThV1JczKy2CCToDPeiE0mr6hr1R8V/s1600/P1150139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZtKgIEA2jxoDYS4EnWHZiyc4PdSyeO4dgr2FBPTt8QUIW_QR3lqYj3FjyrI6agyPGao5esSORpyaS72vcR4O_u8UH4LSkZsMBxlpmwkfxews8tvThV1JczKy2CCToDPeiE0mr6hr1R8V/s320/P1150139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leave No Rock Unturned, Discover the Far Horizon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-2047342920533644562012-01-11T21:10:00.003-06:002012-01-11T21:46:51.311-06:00"Something Special"- a letter home, and the importance of Reflection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC2MER9pg8HtHcZc-H12488T6VNxh7xBK20Bvfahw8Qnp_tiZQU8IijjYk4ho7ipICzRJ09kbfqZlNEWjjHZQMAwmDbCRc2MVcUk2BZXsUdbzhf4vkTW0qjNDhaO2rAlav1SF78F_3B5x/s1600/P8030028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXC2MER9pg8HtHcZc-H12488T6VNxh7xBK20Bvfahw8Qnp_tiZQU8IijjYk4ho7ipICzRJ09kbfqZlNEWjjHZQMAwmDbCRc2MVcUk2BZXsUdbzhf4vkTW0qjNDhaO2rAlav1SF78F_3B5x/s320/P8030028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Hey everyone,<br />
<br />
Well the countdown is well underway- just about 3 weeks left til I'm home. I truly can't wait!<br />
<br />
However-
this sort of perception is very broad, the longing and wanting of home
is a vast undertaking for one's soul. So instead I will focus on the
minuscule events of this summer that have influenced me most. For
everything is put together perfectly by tiny, seemingly insignificant
pieces- even experiences. <br />
<br />
A few days ago, sitting under the awning of my tent in my
time-off-chair, I was being swarmed by gnats and other annoying bugs.
Swatting and swearing at little things I could hardly see finally took
its toll on my patients and so I finally found a specimen trekking
through my arm hair. Upon closer observation, I found that what I had
come to hate and set out to kill was actually an amazing work of
Creation. This tiny bug, no bigger than the ballpoint of a pen was
beautiful: with a bright neon green body and white wings that stood
together over its back and veined with a thick black line that branched
out like a watershed being looked down upon from an airplane window.
This tiny little annoying thing was a masterpiece and I instantly let
the bugs do as they wished around my head and sat in contentment that
around me was something truly amazing....there was no way I would let
them into my tent though, death would come swiftly if any of them even
tried to cross that line. <br />
<br />
Yesterday I took two guests for a float down the river. It was one of those odd days on the Bighorn. My clients were Joe
and Shawn, brothers-in-law from Arizona, and avid fishers but first-time fly fishers. Joe had fly fished before but it was Shawn's first time
ever. There was lots and lots of activity especially on the surface
and I knew exactly what they were eating, there were not too many boats
on the top 3, but for whatever reason the fish did not commit to taking
anything casted by man. Of all the professional, long time guides that
were on the section with me yesterday I only saw two of them hook up
with a fish. But as the old saying goes and holds true, "That's why they
call it fishing, not catching." And for these guys, they took that
acceptance with flying colors and used the few hours we were out as a
learning experience over a fishing trip. However it was the appreciation
of frustration that curved my interest. I often tell people that I love
fly fishing because it pisses me off more often than not! You're forced
to mimic a minuscule part of the ecosystem, nearly perfectly, in order
to spur success. A tiny variable over looked and it will spell utter
failure, as it did for many of us on the river that day. But we all
loved it. <br />
<br />
Tonight I went fishing on a whim, and turned out to find an old
friend in the valley of wild flowers and grasses along the river. The
lone black stallion, Fernando, as I call him. Fernando is an interesting
character, and all the times I've seen him he's alone, usually standing
under the same tree, doing his own thing on his own time. Last year,
Fernando was seemingly shy and cautious anytime I would approach him, as
I've always been fascinated by his charm and antisocial nature and
would try to form a bond with food and a touch. Usually when you pass
him by, he'll glare at you, watching you almost in shock or fright. But
today, I was walking down the trail and saw him in the distance, a
stunning figure alone in a speckled valley of color and a backdrop of
golden mountains and purple skies. And as I approached him, I started
clicking my tongue to let him know I was coming so he wouldn't get scared.
He looked up from grazing and glared at me for awhile, I stopped
silently and waited to see what he would do. A breeze rolled through the
cottonwoods on the bank and rustled the grasses, he huffed a sigh and
lowered his head and I clicked and called his name and he walked up to
me. A first ever! He whinnied and huffed and stuck his nose in my chest
and at my feet as if he was saying, "Welcome back, where have you been?"
I patted his head and grabbed his ear and he went back to grazing and I
kept on down the trail in search of hungry fish...<br />
<br />
After landing a nice 17" trout on a large streamer (minnow imitation
fly) I called it a night. And on my way back I noticed something that sent me straight to the savannah- two sand hill cranes standing in the middle of the field. I strayed off the foot path and slowly stalked the great birds and was was overcome by almost other-worldly perceptions. What appeared to be so small from a few hundred yards away now stood just as tall as I and we were the only ones in the field, with the mountain behind them and sunset behind me showing everything off in immaculate colors. Time slowed as the distance closed, as steps became planned and steady. I came within twenty feet of the majestic birds and was honored to know that their migration spans the world and back, and here they are in front of me. I stopped as they started to walk away from me. It seemed prehistoric or more really beyond words, something straight out of a national geographic magazine as they swayed and strolled their way through the tall grasses. And once they stopped again, I turned and went back to my little tent happy to know that not only will I hear their exotic calls at twilight, but now even more happy I had finally seen the musicians. <br />
<br />
As a reminder, always remember the little things. They are so easily
missed in today's life of action, yet play such a crucial role in even
our daily being.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Evan"<br />
<br />
<br />
In the field of Outdoor Leadership and Outdoor Education, <u>reflection</u> is the most important part of the entire experiential process. Through reflection, we can figure out what went wrong, what went right, and what we could do differently to improve in the future. But it can be, and should be, inducted into almost every facet of our life. We can divulge into a deeper and better amount of experience when we simply talk about it and put perspectives and thoughts around the situations, then revealing hidden meanings, hidden realizations and understandings and creating lasting influences on our outward and inward perceptions. We can apply this to school, work, relationships with friends, spiritual life, even the family vacation. In July, I became good friends with the Wittry's of Denver, CO. At the end of their stay, just before they left, we circled up, put our arms around each other, and I told them, "Reflection is the most important part of any experience- and I'd really like to hear what you liked best about your trip." Connor started it off by saying how he "really liked being together as a whole family," and how he missed times like those since he left for college. Then Brennan went and said how she was happy to have spent so much time with her family and felt like they all got to know each other better than when they arrived. Eddy, the dad, holding back tears, said, "I'm happy I got to spend so much quality time with my family too, its the most important part of my life." A simple question revealed a powerful connection.<br />
<br />
I swear by the use and practice of reflection as a way to better understand who you are, who your peers are, and how you will grow from your experience- good or bad. To focus in on the little things in life can reveal huge connections and broaden perspectives to vast horizons never imagined before, or at the same time, it can narrow in on traits or defining moments that explain exactly who you are and why. I would urge you to take a few moments everyday, at really any point, and reflect on anything and everything you have done that hour, that day, year, decade, and eventually your whole life. Examine all the little bits and pieces- Leave no rock unturned. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-19376901637546413842012-01-10T20:46:00.002-06:002012-01-10T20:46:50.791-06:00Friends, Honor, and Good Fishing<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve spent
the 2010 and 2011 summers on the Bighorn River at Cottonwood Camp: guiding,
shop keeping, maintenance working, and grounds keeping- you name it, I’ve done.
And the past two winters, I’ve returned to the camp for a Christmas present and
get together with my dad. Right now, I’m out on the deck of the fly shop- and
it feels just like home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It amazes
me, from personal experience and from working with so many customers over the
years that no matter how far you travel from, you always arrive with a smile on
your face and leave with one too. This trip was no exception. Dad and I barely
made it out west this year and if it weren’t for sheer determination and last
second decision making, it wouldn’t have happened at all. We drove west from
Minneapolis after picking him up from the airport at 6:00am (he flew all night
from San Francisco!) Thirteen hours later we arrived in the dark valley, stars
blazing in the cool night, and walked into the fly shop greeted by smiles, laughs,
and a ferociously-loving pack of dogs just like so many times before. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day
we floated all thirteen miles of the river, a tall order with a novice
fisherman and short time frame of day light. My dad, never using a shuttle
company before, and coming from a large city, had some difficulty wrapping his
mind around how we could leave the car unlocked, with the keys in the gas cap,
and pay (and trust) someone to drive our car thirteen miles to the take out and
leave it there. Also that leaving our boat unattended and anchored on shore
wouldn’t result in it mysteriously vanishing behind someone else’s truck. “This
place still runs on the honor system, it’s really amazing actually.” And he’s
completely right about that. I’ve written about my experiences on the Bighorn
for two years now and a reoccurring theme is: trust and honor. I favorably
remark time and time again that Fort Smith is still a place where people help
each other out, can trust you and others, stick to their word, and a good
reputation goes a long way toward success. Good traits to have in this day and
age, and a blessing to be a part of I’d say. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Warm weather had brought more fisherman and hunters (way more
than last winter!) The crowd was nothing compared to summer time but, being
Minnesota trout fisherman, we like our space and variety of wade fishing. Once
we got past three mile the group really spread out and we had a great
opportunity to hit some of my favorite spots that, previously in summer, were
flooded out due to high water and/or were overrun with other fisherman. Our
second stop past three mile was a small side channel called by a few names, but
I’ve always know it as, “Rattle Snake."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSqZi9g7etdTWsk_zRiMjdZVTf0b2xITJFVMQ4onpzwvHQF-lj0V6BnjSsS6wwa5hgYDOkOR47318cwaUBLrDwPjlED6BBgDYkFNwk-UTB6d6lvhFkRXtEKBsW9r-0GJY3z6QBYqo1M0U/s1600/PC270085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSqZi9g7etdTWsk_zRiMjdZVTf0b2xITJFVMQ4onpzwvHQF-lj0V6BnjSsS6wwa5hgYDOkOR47318cwaUBLrDwPjlED6BBgDYkFNwk-UTB6d6lvhFkRXtEKBsW9r-0GJY3z6QBYqo1M0U/s320/PC270085.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a small side channel, not even a
hundred yards long and maybe forty feet wide and the top third of it is a
beautiful riffle that bends along a high bank with a small creek running into
it on the bend. At first I thought it was going to be a bust, as we anchored a
few shotgun blasts went off from the channel going river left had us questioning
our safety, then our first few casts came up with nothing. But as we moved into
the middle of the riffle and started casting into the shade along the undercut
bank, it was one after another. The riffle was almost boiling with fish as they
even came to the surface to strike at our orange strike indicators! Dad also
caught the “King-Daddy Trout,” a fish of well over twenty inches and sheer
muscle. It took his fly and thrashed like none other and we worked together to
and the fish, as it was determined not to run back toward him upstream. He let
his line on, keeping tension out as I calmly waited downstream with the net, it
was a beautiful sight. Dad masterfully kept his rod bent like a rainbow and let
his reel scream out line just the right amount. The riffle was totally
illumined by bright sunlight and flashes of golden bronze flickered beneath the
crystal clear water like a torch through an old window. A few moments later I
waded a little further into the stream and extended the net below the surface,
and with a cheer, rose my net with the King himself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2cxx0moRreFItnhUTyKWHhL2148HGIrVTJ8BqgzAIotBf83KhGQ1X_WLZ-1ghQ6n4dcGVvzuhMZWZTppMN-2y80cjGxNsDJFtbV14zRH_RkC1ylRgmzZGJzZmYOBsxI2XabKY8_-fYLo/s1600/PC270087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2cxx0moRreFItnhUTyKWHhL2148HGIrVTJ8BqgzAIotBf83KhGQ1X_WLZ-1ghQ6n4dcGVvzuhMZWZTppMN-2y80cjGxNsDJFtbV14zRH_RkC1ylRgmzZGJzZmYOBsxI2XabKY8_-fYLo/s320/PC270087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We spent a
couple of hours there catching lots of fish (we even trippled up!) and sharing many laughs until the
crowd started catching up with us, and we continued on downstream again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPqUfg6MTF5qno_4cQRfvq-dk3iYFFPEHjxVGk2jMkO6qc5sUlDjCiMwbX6fjxqozPEmhLzIWQa_b3GvPQhqVkYNr41cdDngdPxbMZTDWuXtRtnpzP2_ZR7neRrSuFQfd1f-X9MG-VuSA/s1600/PC270086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPqUfg6MTF5qno_4cQRfvq-dk3iYFFPEHjxVGk2jMkO6qc5sUlDjCiMwbX6fjxqozPEmhLzIWQa_b3GvPQhqVkYNr41cdDngdPxbMZTDWuXtRtnpzP2_ZR7neRrSuFQfd1f-X9MG-VuSA/s320/PC270086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (Three in one)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
tried a few other places with similar results and with about two hours of
sunlight left we tried one last hole that really has no name (I call it “Secret
Spot”,) but in summer it was where I witnessed the natural splendor for the
great San Juan hatch. I was fishing with my outfitter, Roger, during the high
water and came up on this spot fishing a double san juan worm rig. Towards the
end of the drift, I was pulling my line up to recast (mind you- I had two flies
on that look like worms) and a huge trout came flying out of the water after
them! As we rounded the river bend and gained sight of the spot, memories of
large fish flooded my mind again. We pulled over and I stormed my way up thigh
high fast current to fish well above the riffle along a cut back. A couple
casts later I landed a chunky nineteen inch fish. Netted and released and not
five minutes later I casted straight up stream from me and let my line drift
back through the reflection of the sun, for a little while I was fishing blind.
But then, just as my tiny indicator floated back into sight, there was a
legitimate tug, a pause, and then one of the greatest fights a trout has ever
given me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me by complete
surprise when the fish ran straight up stream and even kept taking line off the
reel once it had eaten up my sack, it thrashed and pulled and as soon as it got
bored of going up, then it turned right around and flew down stream and then
across the current toward the middle and back again. I ran or more realistically,
slid and stumbled, around the river bed chasing the fish and trying to maintain
what little control I had. Finally I managed to cock my wrist and get its head
above water, cutting his last run short and just barely pulling him back to my
net. It would appear both of us grappled with kings, as my trophy trout greeted
me with the largest kype I’ve seen yet. He was shorter than dad’s fish, but
bulky, tough, and mean. It was an honor to shake hands with him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXFZOMCH_5UJBYuRu8l27c-RkNMFrujjJfwU2SS33FWS1nWleZQ38SUL2T90JKwMsT8kKT949Kb0du4eCnmTODXW85m7JkteGV8EDWZ_LmHgzvIA5XEMxVq0oPDXiAIWXPbHRFEeh7Zmf/s1600/PC270099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXFZOMCH_5UJBYuRu8l27c-RkNMFrujjJfwU2SS33FWS1nWleZQ38SUL2T90JKwMsT8kKT949Kb0du4eCnmTODXW85m7JkteGV8EDWZ_LmHgzvIA5XEMxVq0oPDXiAIWXPbHRFEeh7Zmf/s320/PC270099.JPG" width="246" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (My Trophy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkh-5A_Xhf_gdalTiVs8jXiZYsOkMT9kiDLf1oiXEl-SnjpK7QcotAhbIUPdpoVKauCJKQUogLO2pq6sz8qCgFlebOUCvy1BwMi-kxqr04mPjeX6H_ax9ZqvljBlIIa3_mJGVrYpPzJHm/s1600/PC270102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkh-5A_Xhf_gdalTiVs8jXiZYsOkMT9kiDLf1oiXEl-SnjpK7QcotAhbIUPdpoVKauCJKQUogLO2pq6sz8qCgFlebOUCvy1BwMi-kxqr04mPjeX6H_ax9ZqvljBlIIa3_mJGVrYpPzJHm/s320/PC270102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day
windy, fifty to sixty mile per hour winds- sustained. We tried fishing at three
mile but it was way over crowded. So after lunch, we hiked down from Afterbay
to the first island and spent a few hard hours on the first half of the side
channel there. We caught some fish, not as many or as big as the day before but
we strengthened our bond through the shitty-ness of the weather. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All in all,
it was a fantastic trip. It was short, but it got me back in touch with my
passion, as Northern Minnesota is all but frozen over. You know it’s time to go
fishing when you’re casting an imaginary rod as you down the hall and row an invisible
drift boat as you sit in front of the lap top. It’s good to have a home away
from home, a place where you can go to escape, to live dreams, to reignite
passion. Fort Smith is one of those places for me, a place where friends,
honor, and good fishing still abound. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg1lE2DkrsAndMTmGGNEvMxzLB9vdSjwmhydryOJhElKA2lacyg-JvwVq3W__5gcfzZuCDe8tOccmhD4wPtUi-JM-B_T6m_KuOnQzT9sJ81gkOKqsOAcBKoE07PyTyx1mdhBuF26mc3TE/s1600/PC270108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg1lE2DkrsAndMTmGGNEvMxzLB9vdSjwmhydryOJhElKA2lacyg-JvwVq3W__5gcfzZuCDe8tOccmhD4wPtUi-JM-B_T6m_KuOnQzT9sJ81gkOKqsOAcBKoE07PyTyx1mdhBuF26mc3TE/s320/PC270108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-78540438917866257862011-12-21T20:17:00.000-06:002011-12-21T23:04:54.123-06:00"Masterful"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacstx7RgtSEetLZEfwV9elb6xSrDKxqO-TthILxuUtA77QgWcM0blDpfQHMs9G3VxBMhW9LpZKVzQeBChwZBu02pe9J_1EF_X45-zj1K3VGQgr4C-X8XGxhrchGuvSmaM4IHtXH8UTyPt/s1600/cattle-drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacstx7RgtSEetLZEfwV9elb6xSrDKxqO-TthILxuUtA77QgWcM0blDpfQHMs9G3VxBMhW9LpZKVzQeBChwZBu02pe9J_1EF_X45-zj1K3VGQgr4C-X8XGxhrchGuvSmaM4IHtXH8UTyPt/s320/cattle-drive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A few months ago over the summer at Cottonwood Campground, I was walking back through camp to my tent when I heard a
strange, soft rumbling. I paid no attention to it at first thinking it
was the construction down at Three Mile, until I heard yelps and
hollers. I looked behind me and saw a herd of <span class="il">cattle</span>
kicking up a cloud of looming dust rolling sideways off the breeze,
hazing the actual scene. At first I was unnerved as livestock on the Crow reservation have a
nasty reputation of being "free range" and tampering with whatever they
choose. But my worries were off set as I observed the group of natives
on horse back, of all ages, moving the group with great care and skill
up towards the highway. It was an interesting few minuets as I watched
old knowledge and mastery and culture come alive. Though yes, it wasn't
"true" culture as natives wouldn't be wearing cowboy garment and herding
<span class="il">cattle</span>, but it was enough to remind me that I
wasn't in Minnesota anymore. The horses seemed more like extensions of the
rider's body, moving and working seamlessly with the rider's split
second reactions. In simple terms, I was impressed- not to think I could
do the same nearly as perfectly- but I was impressed with the fact that
a western tradition was still alive and not commercialized, this was an
actual <span class="il">cattle</span> drive-not just a rodeo. Impressed
that the true essence of hard work and teamwork have not been skewed
too far from their prime example. Impressed that there were even young
boys and old men out riding, melding generations and experience to
ensure that, maybe not so much the long life of the tradition
survives, but the appreciation of ethics and value of hard work and
teamwork are passed on into the future. To ensure strong life lessons learned together. This emphasis
perfectly emulates what we all need to do: work hard and masterfully. <br />
<br />
Last winter, before I skied off into the BWCA with a group of peers
for a week of winter camping, my instructor from college, Mark, told us to act
"masterfully." To not only practice the winter camping skills and group dynamics, but to master them. We shouldn't be content with just
mediocrity, or just getting the job done or gripping a fake smile when
dealing with unfavorable people. We should truly learn to deal and solve
and strive for the best! My mom has also always told me to do my best.
This past summer, I took it to heart and have worked with unfavorable
people and long, hard hours, and mastered many skills I once didn't
have. I could probably mow any lawn in the world and fix any mower out
there (if you have a challenge-bring it on! I charge $15 an hour!)<br />
<br />
But
more importantly, becoming a master means learning and <u>accepting that
you're not already one.</u> And that's a lesson I and everyone can truly
never stop learning enough. To be humble is hard these days, but it can come with the best rewards. People are always forced into competitions, whether they realize it or not- to have a higher GPA than your peers, to speed and get in front of a stranger to make a green light, to crowd and intimidate fellow anglers if they're in a good spot. Basking in our own self-indulgence and minor accomplishments is revered in this society. But what I came to understand at Cottonwood that day is that greatness can be found in the whole, self can be defined with the many. When a young boy hustled a loose cow back to the group on his own, they all cheered and praised him. When the old man stopped for a moment under the shade of a tree, another would ride up and share some water. That is the sort of greatness that should be rewarded- not the most opportunistic or lucky individual- but the utmost dedication to goal and team. A master in my mind is someone who doesn't strike at every opportunity to hold up a social status, he is one that helps the old man and cheers for the boy and works just as hard, not for reward, but because he is loyal to his team and understands that success is to be shared by all through a common goal. He is one who knows all the tricks and tips of the trade, and he teaches them to others. He knows and humbly accepts that he is no better than anyone else, but in the end helps others to become the best that they can be. That is mastery to me. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-8359495576810158612011-12-19T21:08:00.000-06:002011-12-19T21:08:00.837-06:00Listening Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsDKEsCPhlg9JPcpbZm3mn_d2LfocyfPgxHQmD7fRehE4iuHjKGkjR6ILOtZvy2xce_PYq4o2PdNw_3lgRdNHpDuVejRfPd1QyZxPtxCevpu9uIc4CMtwMkxwMtza_5PLaLSpr6I0D7a7/s1600/P5070079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsDKEsCPhlg9JPcpbZm3mn_d2LfocyfPgxHQmD7fRehE4iuHjKGkjR6ILOtZvy2xce_PYq4o2PdNw_3lgRdNHpDuVejRfPd1QyZxPtxCevpu9uIc4CMtwMkxwMtza_5PLaLSpr6I0D7a7/s320/P5070079.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Earlier this year, my friend took me to a secret haven here in the north
woods. It was the retreat of the inspiring environmentalist, Sigurd
Olson. You probably haven't heard of him or if you have, know that he
was closely tied with the BWCA. In fact, that is a miss calculation for
his love of our Minnesotan Wilderness- he was a part of it. One day he
stumbled upon a place on Burnt Side Lake that so perfectly captured all
of his needs, his experiences, his memories, his meditations, his
passion that he had to call it his own place, and so he did- <span class="il">Listening</span> <span class="il">Point</span>. I also read his book <i><span class="il">Listening</span> <span class="il">Point</span>, </i>which reflects and defines our own need for adventure and nature through his stories at the <span class="il">point</span>. In the last chapter, he calls us all to find our "<span class="il">Listening</span> <span class="il">Point</span>",
a place where heaven and Earth collide, where we can feel free and
meditative, where we can slow down and truly be happy and at peace. <br />
<br />And going there, to Sig's little slice of perfection, going into his
humble cabin where all his simple things still hung in there original
place except for his trusty canoe which was placed in the rafters, I was
truly and fully humbled. I felt an ambiance of peace and respect not
only for Sig but for the place itself and how truly when sitting on the
bare rock of the <span class="il">point</span> that rare windy day on
Burnt Side had the waves slapping against the rocks so rhythmically and
perfectly I totally understood why this man chose this place as his
culmination of perfect place. He had traveled everywhere in the
arrowhead, into the conifers and tundras of Canada, seen many adventures
and wild waters. It was merely an honor to be in his perfect place, it
truly is to be in anyone's perfect place.<br />
<br />But the whole time I was there, I remember his call to duty- to find our own <span class="il">point</span>. And I thought of the places I've been, where could I claim my <span class="il">listening</span> <span class="il">point</span>?
The first place that came to mind was Montana, along the banks of the
Bighorn. But honestly, reflecting on it, I could never call that place
perfect or home. But then there's Glacier park, Yellowstone park, Banff
Provincial park, all beautiful paces but not home or familiar in the
sense where all my memories and passions are met. But there is one
place- Hay Creek, in the big spring pools- that I could and always have
wanted to call home. Its a place I hold near sacred in my heart with all
the memories and education I gained from along its muddy banks and the
pursuit of smart little trout. The connections and relationships I've
made there, the peace, nature, and solitude of it. But at the same time-
maybe its ok to not yet know where that perfect place is. Maybe we can
have more than one, maybe the pursuit of our perfect place is in fact
what we would call "perfect." We can all define what it really means. <br />
<br />Where is your <span class="il">listening</span> <span class="il">point</span>?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-48055751873679374132011-12-10T00:37:00.003-06:002011-12-10T00:49:13.090-06:00Reckless Abandon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkRb16WzfOuVVufnfx46sl6NFnP0giGPPQ3cwDj7MXzEVVS5zzFqexuaZjH-HZmaXvrjbWx2Jonq6qTG_rkn8mnk4XJORaAflTYXHv3v37Vhh7VhtSjUWgM-Xkox_jgYEx7K_IS0QCx1O/s1600/P3170004-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkRb16WzfOuVVufnfx46sl6NFnP0giGPPQ3cwDj7MXzEVVS5zzFqexuaZjH-HZmaXvrjbWx2Jonq6qTG_rkn8mnk4XJORaAflTYXHv3v37Vhh7VhtSjUWgM-Xkox_jgYEx7K_IS0QCx1O/s320/P3170004-1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Adventure is the very basic core of man’s living spirit.”</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">-Christopher McCandless</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Adventure is an aspect of life that is as important as air and water. It is the root of creating new experiences and stories. It can be found in many forms: to be out of the ordinary, out of the comfort zone, for honor, for thrill- but in all forms, adventure ends with the same two things- a revelation and something to share. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Early last spring or even closer to the end of winter, spring was a far cry from the frozen, snowy times, my best friends and I took a couple of canoes down the barely unfrozen Kawishiwi river outside of Ely. The 2010-11 winter was a long, snowy, cold one- but the lure of open water was inescapable. We strapped our alumacrafts to our cars and headed straight for the river as fast as we could to try and beat the rain. We trudged our canoes through melting snow to the river bank and launched the best we could without getting our feet wet. From the get go there were challenges: rocks, rapids, and ice to be specific. We faced them all with laughs and smiles. We probably made it three quarters of a mile down river before we hit solid ice, but even then we raced to see how far we could break into it. Then the rain came- and all of us, except for one was prepared for it-but let me tell you, I have never seen that girl have so much fun and so much strength before that day. We paddled back, dragged the canoes over the snow back to the parking lot, ran the rapids a few more times, then went home cold, wet, and excitedly exhausted. I’ve heard countless stories of the “Good Ole’ Days!” Back when kids actually played and explored outside. Every time I’ve later asked myself, “Why don’t I have stories like that? Why can’t those days be today? Why did those good days end?” Ever since-I’ve made that a priority in all my ventures- to truly cherish and fully live up the experience. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZw3_wD2ENuBp1BNfUKLfYJh3C1lyJ5c6vCd_bzNjGqkfQoEuLwMQ9o13HKnIU9Le-v5HfxV6L87P4gHkVNnEE1IMZyVXJS3DoLuA_yaIbQR2OnPbVBE4YztbJbTGxll-_airY-tE_4y5/s1600/P3170009-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZw3_wD2ENuBp1BNfUKLfYJh3C1lyJ5c6vCd_bzNjGqkfQoEuLwMQ9o13HKnIU9Le-v5HfxV6L87P4gHkVNnEE1IMZyVXJS3DoLuA_yaIbQR2OnPbVBE4YztbJbTGxll-_airY-tE_4y5/s320/P3170009-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since I began school in Ely and found a love of paddling, I’d always wanted to paddle a remote northern river. And so a few weeks later, once more snow had melted and more rain had fell, my friend Zach and I went to paddle the beautiful Stony River. This river is the epitome of a paddler’s dream: interesting water and terrain, periods of rapids and slow deep pools-even a mostly frozen lake-and it’s a good length to take up a day with. However, we underestimated water levels just a bit. The rapids were running high and fast, but not enough so to totally buffer some of the larger boulders. It took split second decisions and maneuvering to avoid disaster, and we did all right for the first five to six miles but eventually, due mostly to over confidence, we came to a ledge fall in the river and had our sixteen foot canoe get stuck right in the middle of the hull. The bow dove into the bottom pool and the stern was lifted up and twisted by the current and we were literally dumped into a ten to fifteen foot deep pool. The scary thing was, it went really slow- we tried leaning, humping, bracing until finally the current had swiveled us enough where we simply toppled over into the freezing black water. It was a powerless feeling, a feeling similar to something to perhaps shell shock, disorientation, numbness. I finally heard Zach yelling from behind me, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Evan! Help! Grab the canoe, get to shore!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I swam and grabbed the bow of the boat which was now totally full of water and we sluggishly towed it to the nearest shore, stripped of our wet clothes and as quickly as possible dug out the dry clothes, it was one of the closest experiences I had to hypothermia I’ve ever encountered. It seemed like no matter how hard you tried, you were quickly solidifying into a frozen sculpture. But, I found the importance of trust and teamwork then, as we motivated each other to keep moving, to empty out the boat and keep going to get warm. We did. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Around the next bend though we heard the river gurgling beyond, and we just didn’t yet have the strength or warmth to try to face another uncertain rapid. We busted our seventy pound canoe through face height black alder (once you let go of them, they hit like a bull whip right around your eyes) for the longest fifty yards of my life, we hauled the canoe over a beaver damn and down their slide and back into the water. We passed through beautiful small lakes and chased a few loons, limbo-ed under at atv bridge and went a good distance before Zach made a startling observation, “There’s lots of houses now, we must be getting close to more rapids." Rounding the next bend, there was a long stretch of rapids that appeared to be manageable so we aimed down the middle and did our best to hold course. But as we came into the heart of it, the bow hit a rock and jutted to a stop, the current caught the stern and scraped us along the bottom as we swung and tipped again. We grabbed onto the canoe and tried our best to keep our legs pointed downstream (easier said than done.) At the end of the rapids, it emptied into a circular pool and then turned to the left into another large rapid-one we could not get sucked into. We quickly swam the canoe across the pool onto some rocks and dumped the water out, took our wet clothes off and rang them out, and stayed there for a moment checking for major injuries and losses. We were both scraped and bruised but not badly hurt, and Zach had lost his boots and one of the portage pads had been ripped off from the yoke of the canoe. “Now what?” we asked. There was no way we had the strength or warmth to paddle our way out and we didn’t know how much farther we had to go, but we knew it couldn’t have been too far since there were so many cabins. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEfwkITD9cXEs-70tHJqlUf1ijLhDCXCQRCKVqzQTl1g0_raTDMQU1nhYiFfBUOb4v6YgVdnUQmdyKqHEG22J4LqSGewBq-XritJ6JxVWCmBxFRBOb_VFtrT2d0swfK8nxl0Y6v1g27MS/s1600/P4200029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEfwkITD9cXEs-70tHJqlUf1ijLhDCXCQRCKVqzQTl1g0_raTDMQU1nhYiFfBUOb4v6YgVdnUQmdyKqHEG22J4LqSGewBq-XritJ6JxVWCmBxFRBOb_VFtrT2d0swfK8nxl0Y6v1g27MS/s320/P4200029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We jumped back into the boat and paddled like hell across the current to the other bank. We abandoned the canoe on the shore and started the long trek back, which was even longer for Zach as he walked through snow and gravel in his soaking wool socks. I cannot even begin to express the joy felt when his car came into view- I also don’t think I’ve ever ran so fast in my life. We jumped into his car, cranked the heat and raced home to return later to get the boat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s the moral of the story here? I don’t really know…if there is one except to be prepared and always go with a buddy, I’d say it would be to never underestimate an experience and to be prepared for a larger adventure than anticipated. When I’m old, I’ll tell my children and grandchildren this story and laugh just as hard as I do now when I think of that day. Everyday should be lived as a good ole’ day- no exceptions. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6423240457095374322.post-45276149217227353022011-12-08T22:28:00.000-06:002011-12-08T22:28:12.319-06:00The River Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMYpdKPqHVG2ivK5D3fRiIFWAHNtdXOt8rkKEYVCG4TRFfZaZAFFMQ8fHqYEkwkpPrXjneTs3LFsaWMkHwnuJ_pcZiRJxX7xSD05CsvaKT6LLJIDfdVsk3SRFGZjJ2iNZb8kEFuDQbg7i/s1600/34244_1380342110292_1284090364_31016117_7506665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMYpdKPqHVG2ivK5D3fRiIFWAHNtdXOt8rkKEYVCG4TRFfZaZAFFMQ8fHqYEkwkpPrXjneTs3LFsaWMkHwnuJ_pcZiRJxX7xSD05CsvaKT6LLJIDfdVsk3SRFGZjJ2iNZb8kEFuDQbg7i/s320/34244_1380342110292_1284090364_31016117_7506665_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life is a lot like a river.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style> <![endif]--> <div class="MsoNormal">In order to grasp this concept, first let's examine the similarities between a well lived, successful, happy life and bodies of moving water: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><u>Passion:</u> To us, passion is something that gives one purpose, joy, an escape, a release, a reference point, community and cohorts, understanding, direction, and foundation. To a river, passion revolves around one thing- getting downhill, to the ocean. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><u>Direction</u>: Rivers use their passion to guide them to the ocean; they have direction in their "life." Though sometimes they wind slowly through valleys or crash and roar through mountains, they know where they’re going. People with passion(s) use it in the same way. Often you can feel lost or stressed or meaningless, but with a passion, we are rooted and defined. We can better tell where to go in life and how to deal with problems that arise.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These two aspects are in my mind the foundation of being- aqueous or human. A stretch I know, but let me explain. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rivers represent a passionate life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have direction and a goal-to find the straightest, fastest way to the ocean. Rivers make wide, snaking bends and meander across valleys and swamps seemingly lost, but then they’ll find a clue, a path and it will send them shooting down rapids with veracity and intent until they hit a metaphorical mountain range-another challenge, “do I go through them or around them?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One option takes a long time of slow wondering, and the other takes a long time of arduous work-but either way, they’ll make it past their troubles. Rivers follow their passions; they set a specific goal and they overcome all obstacles that face them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even dams can’t totally contain them, they MUST accomplish their goal. They represent good times and bad times; hard times and exciting times-they seem to carry on emotions and lives of their own just as we do, especially if you take time to know them through recreation and study.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal">The better we can mold our lives into a perpetual motion, the better we can define our passion and find our direction in life. Then come slow and meandering portions of life we can reassure our self that we just need to keep going, soon we’ll find a path again. Then come the rapids and falls, when we reach the pinnacle of excitement and achievement, letting loose our full potential. Then the ocean, the fulfillment, the absolute climax of our great river where our full potential becomes absolute and the hard work pays off. Without passion rivers lose their path and end in a lake or even dry up. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Passion is the defining component. And that is why life is like a River. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16387050931402365986noreply@blogger.com0