The Birthday Adventure

I have a habit of running away from... errr.... for my birthday.  Getting older sucks, let's face it.   But, fishing on my birthday has become a tradition because then I enjoy it!  Haha.  Heading down the highway towards some good trout water makes me happy.  So, that is what I do!   I headed north about 5 hrs away this year.  My special friends were there to greet me and fish with for a couple of days.  I feel very fortunate to have such great people in my life.  I love the Almond family.  Always so hospitable.  Julie and Kerry have always been such great friends.  Fortunately, Garth was also there and "The Three Amigos" ended up celebrating this birthday in great fashion.  Kerry rowed Garth and I to many great fish.  The morning was especially active.  Lots of hungry rainbows.  Kerry got a few casts in too.  When it was all said and done, we left with tired arms and thankfulness for our friendships of many years now.

Nothing like eating dinner on the shoreline of Henry's Lake at sundown.  Bring on the bbq ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans and a yummy salad and you are set!

And no adventure would be complete without the damsel...

One of the many for Garth...

Thank you, Kerry, for the fun day and helping me

 with this birthday fish...

I also got to meet up with another fishing buddy, Lonnie.  We hit the Park and he took a fantastic picture with that beautiful landscape only Yellowstone can give.

Thanks, Londo.

Where will I end up next year?  =)  Who knows... Canada was last year and Island Park/Yellowstone was this year.  

Two great trips!

But, one thing's for sure...  No one can beat Julie's birthday cheesecakes!!   Yes, fresh peaches on top were a special treat!  

Much love felt.

Goodbye August.  Oh, and September!  Haha

 Bring on Christmas shopping...
Oh, did I really say that?

Miles Upon Miles...

Upon miles...  That about sums up my last couple of months.  It's been a crazy time of traveling down the highway. I am truly a road warrior!  About the only way to quickly tell you about where I have been would be for me to throw out a few pictures.  Hope you all have been well since I wrote on here last!  Sooo, Here we go... 

IDAHO BASS with my friend, David!   First bass ever!

UTAH BROWN & RAINBOW TROUT with my friend Zach!!!

THE MISSOURI RIVER, MONTANA w/ a bunch of friends!

WYOMING YELLOW SALLY AND PMD HATCHES with John and Greg!!!  Easy decision on what to cast out... Haha

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VACATION... Grandpa's cabin!

FLY TYING DURING THE DOWN TIME...

AND GRANDMA TIME... =)

I think that pretty much covers it.  Never a dull moment.  A few new places to scout out and some revisted water that I love so much.  Good friends to help me sharpen up my skills on the water.  You can never know enough!  Keep learning and growing.  That is what this life is about.  =)

Hopefully, it won't be such a long time away from the blog next time...  Have a great week, all!

RD

Did I Take A Dunk?

Oh, here I am!  Still recovering from the St. Croix River Dunk in February...  Well, not really.  I am not that crazy... And no, I am not following Howard's  pre-retirement cue just yet.  Besides February and March being very busy months with birthdays, out of town fishing trips, and actually not feeling well after those trips...  I am still standing upright.  And I think that I still can find a picture or two of what I have been doing since we got together last. 

I volunteered again for the World Cup Snowcross/Skicross Championships at Solitude Resort in February.  

There was a girl's float trip down the Green River 

in Utah at the beginning of March.  Brrrrr...

Bought a Tens Unit to help provide stimulation for my plantar fisciitis that has gotten worse with all the river rocks I trample over each week.  Hoping the pain will be healed finally.

I've been  playing with lots of polar chenille.

To catch some nice trout on streamers...

And there has been a bit of grandson time the

 past couple of months.  

And of course more time was spent in some of my favorite places with friends who are helping me improve on my techniques and casting skills.   Thanks, guys!

So, you can see that I have been dunking into a few things, but I still managed to take a breath in between.   Pretty good for the winter months, huh? 

Oh, did I mention that there was the annual "Three Amigo" trip at the end of March?  More about that next time.  

xoxo
RD