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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

Hey kids,

This is our third season on Lake Powell. And our first season with our own powerboat.

The initial attempts to enter the powerboat era we’re unsuccessful. Overheating, shift cable adjustments, and missed water line connections plagued and almost sank the poor little 18 footer. But it taught me some lessons.

1. Don’t just assume all is ready to go. Research, eye-ball, and become familiar with something new before you put your faith in it.
2. Leaky things are more of an issue on a boat than a car.
3. Enjoy life. Even the bad times are valuable. I know my boat better than I would have if everything went smooth from the start and I appreciated it more when things went right.

It may have been some headache I thought I didn’t want, but at the end of the day yesterday, we cruised a small part of the lake and explored the parts previously explored only via kayaks and a little bit beyond.

On future trips, I’m sure we’ll be out on the old river channel and to parts we’ve never seen and way too far to have reached via paddle power.

Hey kids, It’s my birthday too!

53 turns around the sun done, #54 is now started.

I’m sitting on a boat floating over 90′ of rising water on Lake Powell. I’ve had a few days here by myself, working on the shared houseboat and a little on the 18′ boat I bought for myself. My time alone ends in an hour or so- about the same time my birthday does.

I’ve had some time to reflect, some time to figure some things out, a little time to at least plot a course. It’s been in the works for a while now. But here I go.

Year #54. Is this the year that things happen? Why not?

Hey kids.

It’s been quite a week or so. During the current pay period, I’m now 2 days ahead in the amount of hours worked over what would be normally expected. I also feel like I’m two days short in living.

The money is good, but the loss of time is expensive. What might I have done with that time for myself. Instead, I cashed it in. It’s a terrible habit to get into. But then again money buys the things I like. Getaways, dinners and movies with my favorite person in the world, my wife; and the ability to keep the lights on, the heater warm, and the vehicles working. For all the evil money might bring, it can bring good things too.

I had a dream recently. In this dream I had the impression that I would only live to 57. That gives me 4-5 years. What am I doing with those years? Where is this trajectory heading? Is that much time enough? What if that really is all I have?

I know it was just a dream. But it makes me think. What if it isn’t.

I work for the dumbest department ever. I leave work almost every day shaking my head and wishing I could just walk away. Not almost every day, but every day. It’s must be what it’s like to play on a professional sports team that really sucks. You get the game, you can try your best, but the collective effort from the team is lacking. Lacking to the point that it’s laughable. I’m struggling to want to step in the batters box, knowing that the pitcher can just pitch around you. And if he doesn’t, your hits, or number of hits don’t matter because no one is batting behind you to drive you around the bases for a run. And even if you do score a run every now and then, your pitching sucks. You just hope the organization trades for better people around you, or maybe even trade you off to a contender.

The trade wire is quiet.

So I have a few more seasons to win a championship. Or maybe just a batting title. Or even a golden glove. Is there still enough gas in the tank? Is there a way to rise above or away from a losing team? Is there still a dream to realize?

I must try.

To not would be like a called third strike.