As I sit and watch out the window today, I am smiling. Despite the frigid cold weather and blanket of fresh snow on the ground, I am warm and dry. The birds are frequenting the feeders. The dog is resting quietly. Hubby is happily pushing snow with his four-wheeler. All is well in my world.
We got up early on Saturday morning, and of course, I had a plan. Today would be the day we would delve into the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area, at the recommendation of my old friend Steve Schweitzer, esteemed author and fly fisherman. I had maps. I had trails marked. I had alternative trails marked. We had our gear ready, food and water packed and off we went to find Hallie Trailhead to start our hike.
Day Two took us up the Peak to Peak Highway into Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Our plan was to meet a friend of mine through fly fishing of over two decades, Sister Sue K. Sister Sue is a Colorado gal who knows her way around the area AND a trout stream.
I cannot help but share a bit more about my recent visit to British Columbia. The days were full of fun and friendship… and we did manage some fishing!
I have been fishing since I was old enough to hold a fishing rod. My earliest memory is being five years old, standing streamside with my dad and little brother. My dad handed me a bamboo rod with an old Pflueger fly reel. There was a 15-inch fish on the other end and my dad said “Reel it in Kim!”
I did.
Not only was the fish hooked, I was too.
We woke this morning and left the hotel by 7:00 AM. We had protein bars, bananas, and coffee with us for breakfast on the run. Our goal was to reach Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park by sunrise. Our hotel was less than a half an hour away, so we would be close.
The weekend was a whirl of activity. Yesterday I was back at Mum’s, this time with Hubby and his truck of tools. She has a swimming pool that has been in place for well over 20 years. Pennsylvania winters pose a bit of a challenge to aboveground swimming pool owners. Over the years, the ground has shifted, and with it, the supports. This year the decking was heaved so badly it posed a safety hazard. We had the task of disassembling the deck on her swimming pool, attempting to re-level the supports, and reassemble the deck.
When I was in my early 20’s, I lived in Virginia. I was on a visit “home”, and my dad and a dear friend of his were going fly fishing behind the house. (Being raised on a trout stream is yet another story!) They asked me if I wanted to join them. At that point, I had better things to do than fish, but enjoyed being outside, so agreed that a walk along the stream would be nice.
