A couple of weeks ago we hitched a ride with Adam's dad to Utah—he needed to go for business and wanted to fly fish too. (Adam's dad used to SKIP his college classes to go fishing. And since there is NO fly fishing in Texas he was determined to make it happen.) So we all took the whole week off, packed into the car and started out on our 24 hour trip.
We stopped in Nebraska at Adam's grandma's house. It's a quiet place, out in the middle of corn fields. After hunkering into a bed in the nice cool basement we heard thumping on the glass window. I figured it was a june bug, and then realized it was too loud and thought maybe a frog was smacking his sticky little body upon the glass. Pulling the curtain back, I was surprised to see a baby bunny hopping up and down trying to get out of the window well. Adam woke his dad who pinned it down with a hoe so Adam could jump in and catch it. Have you ever heard a rabbit scream before? Poor thing was scared to death. But a few moments later, he scrammed.
The next morning we left before sunrise to start our 15 hour trip to Utah. After such a long drive we all went fishing the next day....based on this shot wouldn't you say it was worth it? I love this image Adam captured. I am STILL trying to contain myself and refrain from adding a rainbow in the background to help it reach perfection.
I fished for one and a half of the four days we were there. Both times were after rainfall, so both days were a bust for me—no fish. I learned when the water is muddy, the fish are full and can't see your fly hit the water anyway; good luck catching anything. But I DID catch a tree, several weeds, a couple of rocks, a stick or two and an old t-shirt and also a mild case of stinging nettle. Gah! I always forget what it looks like until I'm sitting in it.
The last day of fishing we woke early and hiked into Lower Fish Creek...most of the hike was along train tracks. A lot of them. I have decided I hate train tracks, they are impossible to walk on for long distances. I'm sure you know the spacing of the ties are too close together for a normal stride so you are either taking short marching steps or huge dancing ones...or slipping all over the rocks. Guh. Don't tell the guys but on the hike back I wanted to cry—or at least take a REALLY long break. Maybe visit with a cow or two before moving on....perhaps ride one....
Of course Dad was the most successful in number of fish caught.
This is my brother-in-law.... an in-law like me. He's new to this fly fishing thing too. But HE caught a fish. (Yes those are socks hanging from my hat. They needed to dry.)
Adam says he caught the largest fish. But admits he needs to learn how to hold it for the camera.
Mom came too and decided she wanted to have a go at the river. She now has her own weighters.
Since I was in the area, I called up Dwynne and surprised her. I asked if she wanted to go on a date with me. She thought I meant a date on Skype. NOPE! "What's your address cuz I'll be there in an hour!" Of course she kept asking me if I was serious. So we spent the afternoon and evening together.
The next day Dwynne picked me up after lunch and we drove to Natalie's house and knocked on her door. She opened the door and kept smiling and blinking. It was funny to watch the gears turning as she struggled to understand. So I just kept smiling at blinking back at her until she'd figured out it was me.
We all hung out. I spent the night. The next day we went to see my Aunt which was great, and then at the end of the day Dwynne took me back to stinky, fish smelling Adam.
It was a long trip but totally fun (and VERY busy!) We haven't been back to Utah since Adam graduated (so weird to be there with all those memories). Thanks to Mom and Dad who rented a van so we could go along.
