Guide Training

Tonight after work, I took to my new school: learning to row and helping another catch fish.

We drifted the C section. I struggle sometimes to get the boat to do what I need it to do, but sometime it works out OK.

The fish was rising, I positioned the boat and held it steady in the current while my “client” threw the fly to the right spot and was rewarded with a beautiful Green River brown.

Its a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Sometimes It Comes Back Around

It was one of those normal work days, normal for this place anyway. We were finishing shuttling the cars for the day and we learned the BBQ food truck was in town. I placed my order with the one heading down to the truck whe I finished the last car on the list.

To my surprise, when it was delivered to me it was that person’s treat. I tried to refuse, but was told that I deserved it because of the things I had done for that person in the past and they just wanted to pay a little back. Reluctantly, I accepted.

Later, I joined the group for dinner at the Marina bar and grill. I enjoyed a nice dinner and lots of laughs as we stayed until closing. Again my bill was paid. This time by another. I was again told that it was a pay back for things I had done for them throughout this summer to this point.

I don’t recount this to say ” look how good I am” but instead to express how good it feels to be thanked for being a good person to those around me.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Thank you universe for the nice pat on the back when I least expected it.

Live and Learn

I did it again. I stayed out fishing until I couldn’t see anymore.

This time no moose was involved. In fact, no animal was harmed in the producing of this post whatsoever.

And no life threatening situations came my way.

And two nice brown trout into the net were the reward. (They weren’t hurt either).

Maybe I’m getting the hang of this.

Huff and Puff, and Go Away.

Last night as I wrote my post, clouds and lightning approached. After I finished posting, it all arrived.

For a few hours, the skies lit up in all directions, thunder began to rumble in the distance until it eventually shook my trailer with its booms. The darkness at times disappeared with evermore consistant and brighter flashes of lightning. The rain poured down in buckets and for a time it seemed it would be a long and torturous night.

And then it moved on.

Such a dramatic build-up. Such a threatening spectacle. Such a beautiful morning.

When the storms mount. They are fantastic and can be scary but they are temporary. Just hold your course.

Half Way Mark

I wish I could really show you this evening. I’ll attempt to describe, but I’m afraid I’ll sell it short.

I sitting in my beach chair, low to the ground, leaned back so my legs naturally spead out in front of me; the light of the day is fading fast. Not only has the sun set but dark clouds have gathered in the west and spread towards me. Flashes of lightening are to the west and south of me. Some are just flashes of light, buried in the clouds, others are bright bolts extending sideways just below the dark bellows.

The air is cool, but not yet cold. No rain has fallen. No booms of thunder have sounded either. It’s as peaceful and beautiful of a setting as one could imagine.

This is my home.

I am alone watching the light show. As I type this, I can’t help but look up and wait for the next Lighting spark between sentences.

I am truly in a remarkable place.

I have passed the half way point of my season here on the north slopes of the Uninta Mountains. I realize I have done a terrible job of documenting my time here. A lot has happened but a lot is about to happen as well.

Stay tuned for more to come.

(Fire from two days ago, started by mid-day lightening strike. I told you a lot has happened.)

Ebbs and Flows

Out of the blue on Tuesday of this week, I was sent home following my shift ( due to river conditions). It was unexpected and somehow it worked out that I was able to get a ride back to the big city.

Just that morning, I was walking to work and figuring I would be doing the same for the next few days as I waited for parts to come in.

I hastily gathered my stuff at the trailer and jumped into the available ride. It was all so rushed.

And then I was home through Friday.

And then we got our car back from the shop and since I was home, it was an easy thing to just go and get it.

And then I had a car to get back to the small town Friday.

And now I have parts here waiting for the truck.

But I was back to work and didn’t have time to put them in yet.

And then I did have time to install parts, but I had a working car so I went fishing instead.

Life gives and life takes. I need to just get used to it because all in all, it works out pretty well.

The Simpler Times

As I’ve been reflecting so much on what has been happening around me.154 years ago, my truck still sits and does not run. Despite what I do and throw at it, there always seems to one more possibility, one more part to replace.

If only I had to worry only about rowing.

Or maybe even just a carburetor and not injection. No sensors, no computer; just air, fuel, and spark. Those were the days.

History Brushing By

I work on a section of river that is well known to fly fishermen, here in the United States as well as in the world. The Green River is a destination that people save their vacation days for, fly from great distances to, and dream wild dreams about. The fishing here can be incredible. Clear waters, relatively easy access, and big fish.

This has not always been so.

154 years ago, Major John Westley Powell passed through this canyon as part of his historic expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers and through the Grand Canyon.

154 years ago, today to be exact.

The day began at Ashley Falls which lies under the waters of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, a few miles upstream of the current dam. And ended at Little Hole just over 7 miles downstream. It’s all written in the journals and history books.

As a very interested party to that great expedition, I am acutely aware that I am were they once were. I can only imagine that much of the river (besides the reservoir) looks the same as it did then. I can walk along the banks.and see almost the same thing they would have seen.

I rode from the dam to Little Hole several times today moving trailers. Each time looking at the waters and wishing I could see the four boats floating by. I could in my head but there was more.

Nothing physical happened. But I felt something, I felt a part of it. I made myself aware of the date, the place, and the circumstances; and history brushed against me, touched me.

I feel like i finally caught up to Major Powell and the 9 brave men that floated by with him.

Starting tomorrow, the ghosts of the past will be floating through the B and C sections of the river. I will also be looking for them again.

Two Months In

Today marks two months since I arrived in Dutch John, Utah. What have I accomplished?

On the checklist of tasks accomplished, I’m a little behind. I am working on my book writing and feel good as of late but I had hoped to be further along. I finished a chapter that will be the building block.of the rest of the story. I feel good about that. I have plenty of time to get the major part of this book done. So, good.

I have failed on a daily blog. But here I am again. That’s good. So, good.

I haven’t fished as much as I would have liked. Some of that has to do with the truck. Hopefully this weekend this is remedied. So ok, but could be better.

I have forgotten about my previous job’s stress and uselessness. I have concerns here workwise, but not like before. Those 30 years are gone and not missed. Whew! Monkey removed from back. Happiness is in the wheelhouse daily. Very good!

Two months have changed my life’s trajectory. What lies in the next months to come? Let’s see!

Walking in the Wilderness

My truck and I have not come to terms yet. It remains on strike and I have not yet figured out what it needs to be a form of transportation once again. So I walk.

It’s a 30 minute walk of mostly flat walking. Just one hill really. But it’s mostly overland walking and no roads, or at least recently used roads.

Yesterday, I encountered both antelope and deer. Both seemed really confused by a human walking amongst them.

I also encountered an elk. Kind of.

It’s been interesting and I hope weight losing at the same time.

Tomorrow calls for rain. Could be even more interesting.

What is funny, is how confused humans are that I really don’t mind walking. I’ve enjoyed it so much that when my truck is working again, I think I might still walk. We’ll see.