We have friends (guys and gals) involved in bass clubs/tournaments and they can pull ‘em out one after another. Others can fly fish in the smallest of streams and catch trout. Some will sit for hours by a lazy river and hook onto a decent sized catfish. I am in awe of their skill.
Hope she likes it!
Our trip included rafts and inflatable kayaks provided by a professional rafting company. Anyone one game could opt to paddle the kayak through the rapids and meet up with the raft with all the supplies. Theoretically, you take turns in the kayaks, but I was having so much fun; I really was unwilling to give up my kayak! Love, love kayaking. What a rush!
Our trip included just one night camped on a sandy beach, our rafting company hosts provided a fire-cooked meal and slushy drinks. Yeah, I could not believe it when they revved up a generator for a blender mixing margaritas. Excellent.
Our little pup tent helped keep out the dive-bombing bats through the night, yet the opening big enough to view a cloudless star-filled sky. Morning was bright and early with bacon and eggs. A quick finish to the meal and we are back in the rafts. The day ended at the Snake River and the drive back to home.
Always wanted to buy river kayaks after that but it never seemed practical. Although we lived on the Columbia River and it has a strong current, it does not provide the rapids required that make river kayaking so exciting. So, unfortunately that was a sport passed. But what a great, great experience.
It started when my Dad took us out to former farm lands that grew asparagus. The stuff would continue to grow wild near the river and small creeks. In the spring, around this time of year, the asparagus would be a stalk three-four inches tall—perfect for eating. You had to really look hard for them because they were no longer in neat rows and were often hidden between the cheat grass and sagebrush. It was like a treasure hunt! Magically appearing! And free!
A few years later we were introduced to Morel mushroom hunting in the Blue Mountains in the southeastern part of Washington State. Easy to spot and delicious! They look like little brown brains; so no mistaking for the poisonous variety.
Combine a fun camping trip in the Cascade Mountains in September and a hunt for huckleberries. Now we’re talking! We would wear big cow bells tied to our belts to scare off the bears. Buckets and buckets of berries for freezing, making jam or cobblers.
Every October-November I would hunt upland game birds in eastern Washington with Dad (future post) and a few of his friends and their sons. I remember one of the young sons pointing out to me wild rose hips and describing how they could be steeped into tea. Never tried it, but one of these days…
Lately, I have been reading about all the wild “food” available in the forests around the Olympic Peninsula near our home. I think it is time to get those foraging skills honed again!
What happened to Faberge colognes? The Woodhue fragrance was my perfume of choice during the dating years of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. I loved the musky cedar smell. Like a walk in the woods. Hated the flowery lavender scents—give me an earthy tone any day. It became my signature scent and I would get lucky to receive as a gift from the family or a “friend”.
That scent can conjure up so many memories. A whole lotta’ hormones, excitement and magic during those years.
The cologne splash bottles had wooden tops which I thought were SO classy. Did you know the men's Woodhue cologne was worn by Dean Martin and demanded a premium price? I always liked Dean. Good taste.
That is us in the photo, but not our wedding picture. Seems that long ago.
About 20 years ago, I was sent on a long-term work assignment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (mostly in Monroeville, the Westinghouse Corporation Headquarters). Up until then I would occasionally go on business trips to various locations in the US, but never anything more than a week. The Pittsburgh assignment went off and on for 6 months often away from home (Washington State) for two-three weeks at a time. There was never a reason on the previous business trips to explore—really did not have the time. The days were filled with meetings and work until late at night. It was also a convenient excuse to avoid venturing out on my own.
“Come on, Terry, we are headed to Shadyside this Saturday. And next week you are going downtown to experience a potato pizza and visit the fish market.” Jan drove me around Pittsburgh explaining how she explores a new place and how she learns about the locations you want to experience and those you need to avoid. Somehow a light bulb went on as I was enjoying the “culture” of Pittsburgh and listening to Jan describe all the places she has visited. By staying in my comfort zone, I was missing out. Missing a lot.
Since that time, I have been exploring—domestically and internationally. Some times on my own, most often with my husband or a friend. You grow tremendously as person by traveling. You become more tolerant of different customs, you begin to understand that ‘YOUR’ way is not always the best or only way to live.
Thanks, Jan. I think you are a pretty special person. You brought a little magic and knowledge to my life through traveling and walking in someone else’s shoes.
