tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70503650152357755682024-03-18T09:08:12.690-04:00Small Stream ReflectionsFor those who love small streams, wild trout, and life...in their simplest formBrk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.comBlogger1878125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-2614407479604193912023-03-30T08:27:00.000-04:002023-03-30T08:27:17.856-04:00A different kind of Opening Day<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: georgia;">As March is coming to a close, and April begins, for those of us in New England thoughts go to Sox baseball. The anticipation of what the long season has in store. If October will bring another championship or disappointment that many lifelong Sox fans had known for 86 years prior to 2004. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SNhCVW-qsP8zfC8EPlsvFFTAcUn3PX3EeTs2dI6euhiL6yzjFdNaK-msew4KPmvb8q3Uu-2HHPs7aim1e1AjXIJXvmJJhisma7mZqw_0LmAM-WFGAKjQDJ4GMvnzrGdh_-hOvkssP_PKFQlmXKKYr8mUlB_W2eq2KdUSEu6iG523dOwFjBHvrWE8uQ/s604/FB_IMG_1680104542783.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="604" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SNhCVW-qsP8zfC8EPlsvFFTAcUn3PX3EeTs2dI6euhiL6yzjFdNaK-msew4KPmvb8q3Uu-2HHPs7aim1e1AjXIJXvmJJhisma7mZqw_0LmAM-WFGAKjQDJ4GMvnzrGdh_-hOvkssP_PKFQlmXKKYr8mUlB_W2eq2KdUSEu6iG523dOwFjBHvrWE8uQ/s320/FB_IMG_1680104542783.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My love of baseball & the Sox spans my entire 48 years, mostly because of Pops. From a very young age, there was a baseball in my hand and Pops was there to catch it. </span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jbQ1srEuyIeZYmsJ1_Egoc43D2DuiQd8r58a8LvoeqgJ676qTxezfa8gfVii8ogrUyZsuEpfr1mersUS6K7WnsAc9lf5kg2o9AYUGG-K_Q0pDWpUR9jcKj078a62pN1v0ApEsN3PPyULyYu9P3_AVbnDPBVu-8OEaPaKIMEX8nxpuSQONUqzbywNcQ/s4000/20230329_122043%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jbQ1srEuyIeZYmsJ1_Egoc43D2DuiQd8r58a8LvoeqgJ676qTxezfa8gfVii8ogrUyZsuEpfr1mersUS6K7WnsAc9lf5kg2o9AYUGG-K_Q0pDWpUR9jcKj078a62pN1v0ApEsN3PPyULyYu9P3_AVbnDPBVu-8OEaPaKIMEX8nxpuSQONUqzbywNcQ/s320/20230329_122043%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pops started me young</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4dqp5HBJyF_zIkT9mGSjudmjpxzYHf5gS6LVcP38oG7nRIDJl3XeHQjEyrVGBJQNZlJWqGAE7zox1BhInPClZvDeHor7Tbhc6z2--wwMo0euC77HsbJOzU4qhNKABNeJ0jTdfpHyjhlfitPmWeZMz0u6w92e2Wd5wO8fv26RmV3EzZ8oKviDAFCRkw/s4000/20230329_115149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4dqp5HBJyF_zIkT9mGSjudmjpxzYHf5gS6LVcP38oG7nRIDJl3XeHQjEyrVGBJQNZlJWqGAE7zox1BhInPClZvDeHor7Tbhc6z2--wwMo0euC77HsbJOzU4qhNKABNeJ0jTdfpHyjhlfitPmWeZMz0u6w92e2Wd5wO8fv26RmV3EzZ8oKviDAFCRkw/s320/20230329_115149.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VERY young</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was lucky enough to grow up where the Sox AA Eastern League farm club played. From 1983 to 1995 the New Britian Red Sox played at Beehive field, right around the corner from our house. We were able to see many greats come through the system like Brady Anderson, Jeff Bagwell, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling & Mo Vaughn. For some of these years my parents had season tickets and we could be found most games sitting on the third base side. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV19IyrFCtCcNInN3LXYhoNGKTc9tnCHAx1skrOhX4PPkI0iJ4LZvxplGXPrJKzQ2xd45ue35T6_mlIM5PIJEglbaqXN-dPi64KKKftpClq5xLVGs_-RvqMhN1lzOi_AjdJfbbEOVVB325ehshhj9C9nSoNOvWJh-F-Rmz_wv69emC3PlHAMlrjvb3A/s4000/20230329_122153.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV19IyrFCtCcNInN3LXYhoNGKTc9tnCHAx1skrOhX4PPkI0iJ4LZvxplGXPrJKzQ2xd45ue35T6_mlIM5PIJEglbaqXN-dPi64KKKftpClq5xLVGs_-RvqMhN1lzOi_AjdJfbbEOVVB325ehshhj9C9nSoNOvWJh-F-Rmz_wv69emC3PlHAMlrjvb3A/s320/20230329_122153.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beehive Field</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It was always a family affair to go to the ballpark. Even my older sister soon became an usher at the games, as one of her first jobs. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I, of course, played little league baseball. Hopeful to make it to the big leagues myself one day. Little did I know, I would get closer to it sooner than I could ever imagine. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPBo9sl1FTKZP0Rz_RKccv9cwRlvmrS0iCY8d8sFwv4s1kFtwYlpnFNL-7HpsadJyqxpKnmw9lMwKV5tglCNACGgJjx4NV2c0d1s-Apcn96n8TfagduOR7czN5J5wisrepXu1CSUMHGL9LVlG_uy4E9qFkatmvyajZbUL5ZJyMUG8OWYQxrunB2FXWw/s4000/20230329_122111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPBo9sl1FTKZP0Rz_RKccv9cwRlvmrS0iCY8d8sFwv4s1kFtwYlpnFNL-7HpsadJyqxpKnmw9lMwKV5tglCNACGgJjx4NV2c0d1s-Apcn96n8TfagduOR7czN5J5wisrepXu1CSUMHGL9LVlG_uy4E9qFkatmvyajZbUL5ZJyMUG8OWYQxrunB2FXWw/s320/20230329_122111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping into the batter's box</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb1MY7pn182Nue-Q-hJ3dnoWeBaHWNyMMcB2REYsdRx5AkvKXbWniFLI3N03UchL1iDOZqQ6-NQOn0gciESHSl3rI7y9iAfr6Sktroe3bSc2drDRYdhOBrz26y4FE1Q21KVnskRx6xYl8pTdTifGhSkCYvYBgYKfvSfQU4anQHIH-Z7MIpdSGOTRxvQ/s4000/20230329_122118%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb1MY7pn182Nue-Q-hJ3dnoWeBaHWNyMMcB2REYsdRx5AkvKXbWniFLI3N03UchL1iDOZqQ6-NQOn0gciESHSl3rI7y9iAfr6Sktroe3bSc2drDRYdhOBrz26y4FE1Q21KVnskRx6xYl8pTdTifGhSkCYvYBgYKfvSfQU4anQHIH-Z7MIpdSGOTRxvQ/s320/20230329_122118%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a nice swing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwFa5ytiGDZal8uZddxdMxvAkgzV1_HTXXGjKj89fBDCCmWd4Ex51x2PEdtoMG1Yr6KnZ-YLx1nZls_xiRCJWs-Bo7q0uEKQhr0XTfc6FaEiEylYet4lkU262DF1bDxZG-vmlNTsw5OxPWNuS4XMv-ij_XJqT2ypB5e4s7qQsi3YcR0xFzdEoAI65TQ/s4000/20230329_122133.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwFa5ytiGDZal8uZddxdMxvAkgzV1_HTXXGjKj89fBDCCmWd4Ex51x2PEdtoMG1Yr6KnZ-YLx1nZls_xiRCJWs-Bo7q0uEKQhr0XTfc6FaEiEylYet4lkU262DF1bDxZG-vmlNTsw5OxPWNuS4XMv-ij_XJqT2ypB5e4s7qQsi3YcR0xFzdEoAI65TQ/s320/20230329_122133.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me, third row from the front, center. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My little league coach had friends at the stadium, and he heard that they were looking for a new bat boy. Luckily, being great friends with Pops, he thought of me. Pops took me down to the stadium and we talked to the manager. He must have liked what he heard, or was perhaps living vicariously through me, and said that if I wanted to take the job it was ok with him. Well, it was ok with me!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As a young kid, it was amazing to get to be in the dugout with the players or to be able to go with the team on away games and get to know them on a personal level. I don't think I appreciated it as much as I should have back then. But looking back now, it's pretty amazing to think that Roger Clemens used to give me rides home after the games. Or that I would go fishing with my dad, Tom Bolton and Charlie Mitchell. That it was normal for players to come over to the house for dinner. It all seemed natural and fun, not like a job at all. I would have done it for free but getting paid $20 a game didn't stink. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx92P6ysyVauWLN7wHsZEfLV3t2qypFfHfSz0yzHIZZH9gkHw9AzwAGkEIPysfyjSww8gnAklMdNnklLeHugMbBIgRQm8ZXR_MuXYb2HtOXhDx70HPEDRaW2_-yhSTSvqd8TYpoI4_S4e7QhzlFTj8TUIkBGqIyXyjNYT5I71L8xc21s7P1EaxpZGdZA/s4000/20230329_114602.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx92P6ysyVauWLN7wHsZEfLV3t2qypFfHfSz0yzHIZZH9gkHw9AzwAGkEIPysfyjSww8gnAklMdNnklLeHugMbBIgRQm8ZXR_MuXYb2HtOXhDx70HPEDRaW2_-yhSTSvqd8TYpoI4_S4e7QhzlFTj8TUIkBGqIyXyjNYT5I71L8xc21s7P1EaxpZGdZA/s320/20230329_114602.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern League Pilots from 1985 & 1986</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglN5ou907ATIUVrUV9QdkHkm7KF-9xuQ0szkKUQIqzSI0Si66kbqiUk108b5HKZkS8L7SNpZ7CjKiFLipsxc4oNFyzPcj-_mHxGJB1SLoFecQExisTtGBv26wko1qTecn5IeEugQPgrC0KVOSBt_DVlw4fwtYGe3-_jySQPwoXo33iX316S5o581qV1Q/s1080/FB_IMG_1680104640922.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglN5ou907ATIUVrUV9QdkHkm7KF-9xuQ0szkKUQIqzSI0Si66kbqiUk108b5HKZkS8L7SNpZ7CjKiFLipsxc4oNFyzPcj-_mHxGJB1SLoFecQExisTtGBv26wko1qTecn5IeEugQPgrC0KVOSBt_DVlw4fwtYGe3-_jySQPwoXo33iX316S5o581qV1Q/s320/FB_IMG_1680104640922.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roger Clemens autograph from 1983</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I got older, I had several chances to go with Pops and Mom to Fenway Park to see the Sox play. We had plenty of great times visiting the park that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. </span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkIh8O_45R__XNz_TOrPjvzu5yRmGMiWBnyUhVmU1gJpYcXUzcaUG7yjEhXmxAfJq7LdjGY4RxEebEkWSPsCupovV7HbX0FsVSiGlW06lw-ga9jyR-RKC2BdxyIa369rpMFG5QJqP07Q-r9NhBoHrbjUMqwusKFdzTph-zICZ21ZfR3H0DvJrtRdxKA/s720/FB_IMG_1680104502702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkIh8O_45R__XNz_TOrPjvzu5yRmGMiWBnyUhVmU1gJpYcXUzcaUG7yjEhXmxAfJq7LdjGY4RxEebEkWSPsCupovV7HbX0FsVSiGlW06lw-ga9jyR-RKC2BdxyIa369rpMFG5QJqP07Q-r9NhBoHrbjUMqwusKFdzTph-zICZ21ZfR3H0DvJrtRdxKA/s320/FB_IMG_1680104502702.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a view!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd8yey5_nmDeTnyXm6WHUJjDR-7o2KaKxOJovAMCom2yJ1J2hnEviR7Q0Z2lRsAMSNBuvqQh4BBowT0g9vuMTVPSJx0vVB5EI0Wk5zbPXVSGjDLO-d_b4Ypft7sTR7Az6nstys4hB1RvbFFQ3zXorhIXV5OJ99HepSCdvT4c3JvLSssgNk4Rg2JvIdw/s720/FB_IMG_1680104510140.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBd8yey5_nmDeTnyXm6WHUJjDR-7o2KaKxOJovAMCom2yJ1J2hnEviR7Q0Z2lRsAMSNBuvqQh4BBowT0g9vuMTVPSJx0vVB5EI0Wk5zbPXVSGjDLO-d_b4Ypft7sTR7Az6nstys4hB1RvbFFQ3zXorhIXV5OJ99HepSCdvT4c3JvLSssgNk4Rg2JvIdw/s320/FB_IMG_1680104510140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Monster</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwvXdLa_n6pY_-hk0tqq4OfNdM4PH8QYEG2OxovGeOFNzm5EeBaPGDRo6N3atUHzw5Smh4xz0epdAS4wkPDUK03RVHiFEkQWqEcSN2v_s9tSM8MztJ31JcMZh2VbEpEuQDkD9JwG_OS3wNB84w5yWRtZHGFLHsa__painSwwMRN6To1RW56oepKAo-A/s604/FB_IMG_1680104558419.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="604" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwvXdLa_n6pY_-hk0tqq4OfNdM4PH8QYEG2OxovGeOFNzm5EeBaPGDRo6N3atUHzw5Smh4xz0epdAS4wkPDUK03RVHiFEkQWqEcSN2v_s9tSM8MztJ31JcMZh2VbEpEuQDkD9JwG_OS3wNB84w5yWRtZHGFLHsa__painSwwMRN6To1RW56oepKAo-A/s320/FB_IMG_1680104558419.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Iconic Budweiser sign</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnQjHtLj7Ga_Xx5C7D4jCG5deaFsCpxzvI2oB_NHse9cxJJ70IYHttyreFNG9AUemvd9L50eCKZsQHTQhsgW4yf_KYuXx_rCYeIdFvS2Ck2z3jJuuVEzylS8rQ9ad-wdDoIy5S6-MbtimSorwvBehxAXXmOqMqdwfq-RbE3RfzyWC0gHcXURiXM_8aA/s604/FB_IMG_1680104577741.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnQjHtLj7Ga_Xx5C7D4jCG5deaFsCpxzvI2oB_NHse9cxJJ70IYHttyreFNG9AUemvd9L50eCKZsQHTQhsgW4yf_KYuXx_rCYeIdFvS2Ck2z3jJuuVEzylS8rQ9ad-wdDoIy5S6-MbtimSorwvBehxAXXmOqMqdwfq-RbE3RfzyWC0gHcXURiXM_8aA/s320/FB_IMG_1680104577741.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the street.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdET5fEn5Xghk9l7oq7Tk4ydcTWBMaFJSE8kEkxR8eNZmtq2h-Wqwcr_U85WrkdtGyzj4KSkqczVt9t_QplLP5g8f3venPaRouaZ4OXnny8heGfcSzNx0h24E18TQ_gGWSdEmAtUoTMVKxKA57V1UYaEZAlQnMk4rHCyBF7TucoD19C5VI8hZegAc8YA/s604/FB_IMG_1680104594007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="604" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdET5fEn5Xghk9l7oq7Tk4ydcTWBMaFJSE8kEkxR8eNZmtq2h-Wqwcr_U85WrkdtGyzj4KSkqczVt9t_QplLP5g8f3venPaRouaZ4OXnny8heGfcSzNx0h24E18TQ_gGWSdEmAtUoTMVKxKA57V1UYaEZAlQnMk4rHCyBF7TucoD19C5VI8hZegAc8YA/s320/FB_IMG_1680104594007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panoramic view</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This will be my second opening day without Pops. If I listen hard enough, I can hear him upstairs, sitting in front of his computer, listening to the game on his little clock radio. "The best way to take in the game" according to Pops. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKPTA-SQyKhameGRX6AIp8Y97VewLi5J9IROO45xGNLoiKjrzJAw2ystLQq36W-Hojag4TQSZb4BJmNsj_irtal1bw76F0JfkrL24_g96HAf9jxEBcGK6sEsFra94GA4Hx9r5lwaE2HS1UZJpkL1TdUdRy68LXLPmpVotM_U-MnUTRckb67jfYoJ-Ig/s725/Screenshot_20230313_103907_Facebook%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="645" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKPTA-SQyKhameGRX6AIp8Y97VewLi5J9IROO45xGNLoiKjrzJAw2ystLQq36W-Hojag4TQSZb4BJmNsj_irtal1bw76F0JfkrL24_g96HAf9jxEBcGK6sEsFra94GA4Hx9r5lwaE2HS1UZJpkL1TdUdRy68LXLPmpVotM_U-MnUTRckb67jfYoJ-Ig/s320/Screenshot_20230313_103907_Facebook%20(1).jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful display by Pops, a lifelong Sox fan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Next week will be another type of opening day here in Connecticut that I will be gearing up for in the coming days. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG-Dw5IgxdY0L0QMuRpHFFkShuw8cu2rHECmpF04326QNroHdbfCa2E0KFI3BQElST3dO_FaDreVzxPUOvcITF9Bv5QDnSiJvFMgHS2e6xZXWd2mMdyaDxgP5x54zS3WgTskw2eXEWi4H8VIDj1utLNP3gqI3xWWZnURaBA3ORXxFZYpK7LSR42TJgQ/s1080/Screenshot_20230313_103827_Facebook%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1080" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXG-Dw5IgxdY0L0QMuRpHFFkShuw8cu2rHECmpF04326QNroHdbfCa2E0KFI3BQElST3dO_FaDreVzxPUOvcITF9Bv5QDnSiJvFMgHS2e6xZXWd2mMdyaDxgP5x54zS3WgTskw2eXEWi4H8VIDj1utLNP3gqI3xWWZnURaBA3ORXxFZYpK7LSR42TJgQ/s320/Screenshot_20230313_103827_Facebook%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;">But I think </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left;">today I will get comfortable in Pops chair, turn on the radio, and enjoy the game. </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lCbTu6iGCip1zRD9jOfO5tpbj-ttzcV2y6JRUaP-sAnVvgW3mTVWN_8k3_EfEpwmopTPXnnRGQRI8MqWCK2z49maaFlzlsS3Jceu9Rbu6JLhT237xRO_iDufvb4cEG_AVX8zUPQrP8U81CuZbxgJdOkPI9HZr3-DjFKon5gxuGm0OHtt8GaXefCgAg/s1080/FB_IMG_1679025833636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lCbTu6iGCip1zRD9jOfO5tpbj-ttzcV2y6JRUaP-sAnVvgW3mTVWN_8k3_EfEpwmopTPXnnRGQRI8MqWCK2z49maaFlzlsS3Jceu9Rbu6JLhT237xRO_iDufvb4cEG_AVX8zUPQrP8U81CuZbxgJdOkPI9HZr3-DjFKon5gxuGm0OHtt8GaXefCgAg/s320/FB_IMG_1679025833636.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">Go Sox!!</span><br /></p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-80982807545259115092023-03-22T08:47:00.000-04:002023-03-22T08:47:59.513-04:00A Marthon Trip<p> This past Fall I had the pleasure of taking a trip with a friend Peter to Seabrook, New Hampshire for a deep see fishing trip. </p><p>We got up early and made our way to the Eastman's Dock Fishing Fleet for 4am. We started our morning by enjoying a delicious, freshly made breakfast sandwich and coffee from the restaurant on the dock. The perfect start, to the chilly morning. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVMgDw5KpPpKzhFbi2oNIqVzeICIZv6fZboVt4hkzOjb5YuLCTNZMLfGbjYTFZZ8NvrO2d4GvrkHRuFyccAbeuDwH46wbpNcy0zxhIJshoOpseRduODvPa_rC60KMgqbEvVtDG0hostFQ29hfPD0uZ6Wf_mhhkwIzwIKEY5BPX9_5dnPkza6c3JTJ5g/s2048/IMG_20230309_214237.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVMgDw5KpPpKzhFbi2oNIqVzeICIZv6fZboVt4hkzOjb5YuLCTNZMLfGbjYTFZZ8NvrO2d4GvrkHRuFyccAbeuDwH46wbpNcy0zxhIJshoOpseRduODvPa_rC60KMgqbEvVtDG0hostFQ29hfPD0uZ6Wf_mhhkwIzwIKEY5BPX9_5dnPkza6c3JTJ5g/s320/IMG_20230309_214237.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastman's Dock </td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Eastman Fleet is a family run business, since 1946, of seven diesel powered boats. They do fishing charters, private charters, whale watching, and sightseeing trips. </p><p>We were there that cool fall morning to set sail on their marathon trip, a 12-hour fishing trip geared towards die-hard fishing fans. Peter had been on this trip previously, but this was my first time joining in on the fun. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3x7Uiq6r9tPesm_pRGXXPj3t4W21S0IExvKHYTYcnKsRLhoI6O77fh77IEtzO1mjP_-xWk-Q5KWgqzCdVHxuEQ3Wmyc8XIwCGR4Fx6y1OTtMO9DQckj9GaC1tOjqKouOxFJT50ZwYeJnhWq8BcBiUeOTVsGjUiCsyKbmmnGVll_agJHdsL1ESf9mbg/s2048/IMG_20230309_214334.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3x7Uiq6r9tPesm_pRGXXPj3t4W21S0IExvKHYTYcnKsRLhoI6O77fh77IEtzO1mjP_-xWk-Q5KWgqzCdVHxuEQ3Wmyc8XIwCGR4Fx6y1OTtMO9DQckj9GaC1tOjqKouOxFJT50ZwYeJnhWq8BcBiUeOTVsGjUiCsyKbmmnGVll_agJHdsL1ESf9mbg/s320/IMG_20230309_214334.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Water River</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We boarded the Lady Merrilee Ann III, a 90-foot Lydia vessel, capable of 20 knots and able to hold up to 70 people for fishing. She is equipped with satellite tv on both the upper and lower deck, outside benches for sitting and heated railing with built in rod holders. The marathon trip comes with custom rental rods with Penn 113H/3:75 gear ratio for deep sea fishing perfection. </p><p>We set sail with 50 on board and took the 30-mile trip out to sea, off the tip of Nova Scotia, to Jeffrey's Ledge in the Gulf of Maine, enjoying the beautiful sunrise on the horizon. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielZW9-ZzRKj3djYJvmI35oNfaCMxk2XM_TxAHhoq98Jk7gvckusFbN6PgOR5P1aKM1cr5O3ryZKa3dJ6fLbjICg-eixow8ulBvqP3W0UAM79o85Q9pgj1rn67Cdj10nmXoQg6SDgrXvPCKVZk7uJjZ5JlyWMOd9Z_0UZeO6bE0MUJi1pFGz_-LcFwlg/s2048/IMG_20230309_214241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielZW9-ZzRKj3djYJvmI35oNfaCMxk2XM_TxAHhoq98Jk7gvckusFbN6PgOR5P1aKM1cr5O3ryZKa3dJ6fLbjICg-eixow8ulBvqP3W0UAM79o85Q9pgj1rn67Cdj10nmXoQg6SDgrXvPCKVZk7uJjZ5JlyWMOd9Z_0UZeO6bE0MUJi1pFGz_-LcFwlg/s320/IMG_20230309_214241.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5rHhU6arMXFBX7T0-o_5AY06GE10TJcyjNX-zwKj7eU0iDAD41JU66kMXuJ4jbJanj4N4wytCfEAqVNikRGpqLv4vuZdAvy2bYYnEFG58I_pyGX2qBFHfY71Fhm-2Yo-dQSt7FBVDkW7jUAnyHPrFl5unHmwuN-2sj2O72B_o04fZ6X_Z0oNPD3ldQ/s2048/IMG_20230309_214248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5rHhU6arMXFBX7T0-o_5AY06GE10TJcyjNX-zwKj7eU0iDAD41JU66kMXuJ4jbJanj4N4wytCfEAqVNikRGpqLv4vuZdAvy2bYYnEFG58I_pyGX2qBFHfY71Fhm-2Yo-dQSt7FBVDkW7jUAnyHPrFl5unHmwuN-2sj2O72B_o04fZ6X_Z0oNPD3ldQ/s320/IMG_20230309_214248.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RAhSNMYP-021GWhboJBdmmXCQJj5JrL4lx9MTbEzLaGq3qTeeReoNsV2DDWKvZTK_rtH2vJs6q3C6KqyBRFEEun9duQi5OoqOq448MZ0LSLE6WAvUibqyhaBLedu4ZO1sGsb-qowBB33j_rrbdeqkH8SWoVJBoM-cEOp1pUuozuJDtrMSk0zP_dNbw/s2048/IMG_20230309_214252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RAhSNMYP-021GWhboJBdmmXCQJj5JrL4lx9MTbEzLaGq3qTeeReoNsV2DDWKvZTK_rtH2vJs6q3C6KqyBRFEEun9duQi5OoqOq448MZ0LSLE6WAvUibqyhaBLedu4ZO1sGsb-qowBB33j_rrbdeqkH8SWoVJBoM-cEOp1pUuozuJDtrMSk0zP_dNbw/s320/IMG_20230309_214252.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxcpbipwfUWVJ1JXaHBv4VJYfztf9EZLf0gc1Zq1CXqBLG8bdU60pNnshAU5ihF1s1Si9DMCFDl-maOaztv5dSwkI3Q3sOCqRiSduTV_foChJZWaAdPs9lIBc7tiQzn0JZZ5rVv30kBOVoZFmA66EWtZImJ1DvmxJZTgC595rRho4059C7PxDgmsw9w/s2048/IMG_20230309_214322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxcpbipwfUWVJ1JXaHBv4VJYfztf9EZLf0gc1Zq1CXqBLG8bdU60pNnshAU5ihF1s1Si9DMCFDl-maOaztv5dSwkI3Q3sOCqRiSduTV_foChJZWaAdPs9lIBc7tiQzn0JZZ5rVv30kBOVoZFmA66EWtZImJ1DvmxJZTgC595rRho4059C7PxDgmsw9w/s320/IMG_20230309_214322.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beautiful sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The boat was full of comradery and excitement on the trip out to the fishing grounds. Everyone bringing abundances of food and drinks to share with everyone else on board. Tables filled with everything from sandwiches to crockpots full of chili. A real festive atmosphere, filled with the anticipation of what lay ahead. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6Z3Krtl06wQfPEDVUkni08vc6FGN14vRYjUQrX-J2Gp0Jti4MPZqhC7gabKiYOkOeiaRg_F9pZLTLZoO0Ks5raLJt8bz1Z5kCgK2hmYDy2a7EhQJ6IV_cltlWovEOe36H3sneetoNSd6Eyu4HbqT5nH6BYgoMJ-vRSZs-ymmGVtW_8dwYig8OFOwPg/s2048/IMG_20230309_214245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6Z3Krtl06wQfPEDVUkni08vc6FGN14vRYjUQrX-J2Gp0Jti4MPZqhC7gabKiYOkOeiaRg_F9pZLTLZoO0Ks5raLJt8bz1Z5kCgK2hmYDy2a7EhQJ6IV_cltlWovEOe36H3sneetoNSd6Eyu4HbqT5nH6BYgoMJ-vRSZs-ymmGVtW_8dwYig8OFOwPg/s320/IMG_20230309_214245.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rods at the ready</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>After a two-hour trip out to sea, we arrived at Jeffrey's Ledge, the North East's most productive fishing grounds, that stretches off the coasts of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. Due to the relative inaccessibility, and limited recreational fishing allowed at Jeffrey's Ledge, the area is largely unspoiled. As a result of present regulations and limits that are now in place, this area continues to recover from overfishing in past years. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyoEIjVa9UWOAzdRUZE0gJyImdYxzy101wu4AB2ryzo-8j5IlKG-90OoKNv_zZE1Zr6b-MJiw92DWV_FUKTEQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr8GpLkYN4_QXC8FK2bvEOSJmrvKEU6G1VLq6-l7VIQjVR7wpyaYujyqOzCePIohQw2q1gOu4xvIWA1opNRzianyM4QxxciFVJ3Rh9g3THMRvtdaWRjU8qX16roVjn7n2vifg5LrUfWYE64XMVcbWUYjZ-k4B1nzi3ChtZcnoBBRM_DcB4RbHG99GIg/s2048/IMG_20230309_214331.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr8GpLkYN4_QXC8FK2bvEOSJmrvKEU6G1VLq6-l7VIQjVR7wpyaYujyqOzCePIohQw2q1gOu4xvIWA1opNRzianyM4QxxciFVJ3Rh9g3THMRvtdaWRjU8qX16roVjn7n2vifg5LrUfWYE64XMVcbWUYjZ-k4B1nzi3ChtZcnoBBRM_DcB4RbHG99GIg/s320/IMG_20230309_214331.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tip of Nova Scotia in the distance</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3PStujGgEV0eKxkoPmQ_ISeSK0DZpBGnHA5UCIilu-82eyjVROWRs1K1ehpC9EkfxLqqBNQOEQdUmw20Q4_F85JDkLClEmTpiGHkNPEn39UPwvZmcE_2-4D0V3e0PLlEaGJ052ShztQ9h0FnqLirJ65QXO_x7248EsPulC_HsW3As5rAqlmP31MxLQ/s2048/IMG_20230309_214319.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3PStujGgEV0eKxkoPmQ_ISeSK0DZpBGnHA5UCIilu-82eyjVROWRs1K1ehpC9EkfxLqqBNQOEQdUmw20Q4_F85JDkLClEmTpiGHkNPEn39UPwvZmcE_2-4D0V3e0PLlEaGJ052ShztQ9h0FnqLirJ65QXO_x7248EsPulC_HsW3As5rAqlmP31MxLQ/s320/IMG_20230309_214319.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start fishing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As soon as we reached the fishing grounds, the lines started to hit the water. On this particular day we were trying our chances at haddock, pollock, and cusk, a cod like fish, with no limits on any of them. We were using squid as bait and had to fight off the sand sharks & sea gulls to allow the squid to do its job. </p><p>All the adrenaline flowing, and the anticipation of the first bite. Hoping that we are pulling up a keeper, and not a sand shark. They are abundant this time of year because of the warmth of the waters having baked in the sun all summer long. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wcQWva8Ca81OIC4QHev44TQoLRB0Ho17VccLJs3nJMYzQJHTQpVigtO3Ww8NZgB-chBvZbosC0ppRyqew_r36ZvP0QHDfdaUoDeH64OeVRf_Tb1lTz7DvKnn_4unkNg95RSjjCqETT17XsDzcSDD1vN4-QjggOHfLGr6hzPT7gt2yV8DpIbY1b4NAQ/s2048/IMG_20230309_214303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wcQWva8Ca81OIC4QHev44TQoLRB0Ho17VccLJs3nJMYzQJHTQpVigtO3Ww8NZgB-chBvZbosC0ppRyqew_r36ZvP0QHDfdaUoDeH64OeVRf_Tb1lTz7DvKnn_4unkNg95RSjjCqETT17XsDzcSDD1vN4-QjggOHfLGr6hzPT7gt2yV8DpIbY1b4NAQ/s320/IMG_20230309_214303.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seagull floats atop the water trying to get whatever he can being dropped from the boat; unaware he had competition directly below. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Soon the fish started biting. People pulling keepers onboard as the two mates hustled around lending a helping hand wherever they could. The captain and two mates on board were very friendly and knowledgeable. A great group to spend the day on the water with. <div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz39xMjEdQyMq92ZW7a4YmkpUTotDfsMuL_SMWtJd3jNtrwM20cou2SvF-W--J-jvRrIItKKH0aSz8Ax4xVG0uzUqMThhSRjsY819wnn6PT1oHAm4JRkycPd76sB_n4qc-Lb73LSxu_7nnM6Wk05WUDF2_9BBOQkm312Oi4ILjFblxS_VFtKAoz0prKA/s2048/IMG_20230309_214255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz39xMjEdQyMq92ZW7a4YmkpUTotDfsMuL_SMWtJd3jNtrwM20cou2SvF-W--J-jvRrIItKKH0aSz8Ax4xVG0uzUqMThhSRjsY819wnn6PT1oHAm4JRkycPd76sB_n4qc-Lb73LSxu_7nnM6Wk05WUDF2_9BBOQkm312Oi4ILjFblxS_VFtKAoz0prKA/s320/IMG_20230309_214255.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KT50n6zEYlwFWL920uKdrfj7OmNAINNgXXN6yQx6ANTVe-22dFDgCgPlSZSUBs7NP05Yc6aCay5lcR5LThr14mNjdUzO75g76VCZQY2fCJExCMFrHtfPxL04Qy9SLJhzeYjJhhuOsDLILYkQimWQoqQ85i_WUSivNixIWbNfkm4GePLSPgrHU0zh-w/s2048/IMG_20230309_214258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KT50n6zEYlwFWL920uKdrfj7OmNAINNgXXN6yQx6ANTVe-22dFDgCgPlSZSUBs7NP05Yc6aCay5lcR5LThr14mNjdUzO75g76VCZQY2fCJExCMFrHtfPxL04Qy9SLJhzeYjJhhuOsDLILYkQimWQoqQ85i_WUSivNixIWbNfkm4GePLSPgrHU0zh-w/s320/IMG_20230309_214258.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT4HV7N4M3OLfqrZAxUXuTUXitdZgJ_lr1SAiM1y8Kg3Eyh0ttV71vFfGNc1CMOWR9Z2R-KjRjc0YgBZDLb6xzoH4TTeEnCVgLtLzqCTj2SAPmhJKLwCM1SEvbHSMdUlfVJAP486fwnPBTBiUBIixJabXlve_cWPZ1BSTpQzi9aH4u_Tj1DfWUV74NQ/s2048/IMG_20230309_214313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT4HV7N4M3OLfqrZAxUXuTUXitdZgJ_lr1SAiM1y8Kg3Eyh0ttV71vFfGNc1CMOWR9Z2R-KjRjc0YgBZDLb6xzoH4TTeEnCVgLtLzqCTj2SAPmhJKLwCM1SEvbHSMdUlfVJAP486fwnPBTBiUBIixJabXlve_cWPZ1BSTpQzi9aH4u_Tj1DfWUV74NQ/s320/IMG_20230309_214313.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzkJzhxGjjvgkA_pfCKO8m2WF1iyfFZbNA0VITEQ_8bqZs50xnBi_MqyakzHFZNyiJyQYHs17SX4MU6OuVqcK9KtG0VXIsXPoDlFtN3-2KEu3Ie6P8saLHWEhVdLrW_9x7q7O4BRzpMVTvmtK18WkssWGFzBfDM_47ZSJ4peT1awH27RKUQ_GdVY1uA/s2048/IMG_20230309_214316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzkJzhxGjjvgkA_pfCKO8m2WF1iyfFZbNA0VITEQ_8bqZs50xnBi_MqyakzHFZNyiJyQYHs17SX4MU6OuVqcK9KtG0VXIsXPoDlFtN3-2KEu3Ie6P8saLHWEhVdLrW_9x7q7O4BRzpMVTvmtK18WkssWGFzBfDM_47ZSJ4peT1awH27RKUQ_GdVY1uA/s320/IMG_20230309_214316.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Not long after the fishing started, we were interrupted by a low moan in the distance of a humpback whale. For a moment everyone paused to get a glimpse of the majestic creature that few get to experience this close. Just as quickly as he came, he disappeared beneath the dark water, and everyone turned their attention back to the task at hand. </p><p>The fishing was non-stop. I quickly realized why this is called the Marathon Trip, 12 straight hours of fishing is not for the faint at heart. Luckily for me, fishing is in my blood, so I enjoyed every minute of the day. Peter is the best fishing partner for such adventures because he is like the energizer bunny and keeps your energy going too. </p><p>As our day started to wind down, we had one more visitor. Hopeful to monopolize on the loose chum around the boat, a mako shark started circling. I watched in amazement as his jaws snapped at the pieces of squid and guts in the water. Another splendid creature that disappeared as quickly as it appeared. </p><p>As we started to head back in the two mates filleted all of our keepers and we packed the fillets in to coolers of ice for our three-hour ride back home. The only thing left to do was to enjoy our catch with the family. A little bit of Ritz crackers with butter for a coating, and a squeeze of fresh lemon is all that is needed to achieve perfection. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW08Za9uGTU_fX_GKw6DiHViGiVsh3zk1v8KRMP8q917jNVLml2W51MEsOFHoON0MyBLBJZQTyDsXVh_MG6bGC3Q9sVMbhuIn5dId5LuiuX-5zWh_94dVpnVQpdzB8toRKgv2h8Ywe95LRPpTvyzyi06pv1ertUiZ0buGSj0yZqkyIvx1ZiXvyKkbkhA/s2048/IMG_20230309_214306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW08Za9uGTU_fX_GKw6DiHViGiVsh3zk1v8KRMP8q917jNVLml2W51MEsOFHoON0MyBLBJZQTyDsXVh_MG6bGC3Q9sVMbhuIn5dId5LuiuX-5zWh_94dVpnVQpdzB8toRKgv2h8Ywe95LRPpTvyzyi06pv1ertUiZ0buGSj0yZqkyIvx1ZiXvyKkbkhA/s320/IMG_20230309_214306.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great day of fishing come to an end.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>This was a great trip. Great fishing, great company, and surrounded by the beauty of the ocean. A completed marathon. </p><p>The season for them opens back up this coming weekend...I think I see another Marathon in my future. </p><p><br /></p></div>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-75966346980771468712023-03-21T09:32:00.000-04:002023-03-21T09:32:05.912-04:00Hello Spring<blockquote><h2 style="text-align: left;"> "Happiness? The color of it must be Spring Green." -Frances Mayes</h2></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2b-x_LRQx-x5Var-KKKCwxHUvvn5OinvNRpCh3tpL2e3bTlcnJ1cq9rWjWkcf2YUuiV8bnTVMuqmAz-FSc1CIBvTIjK7N8j776pr6Y8JznR4G7CH4Sm1sCNwHEBv6J4fbeoV_8TuRujYky66RuIbN7ByguQFGhoxv_oxbl9abLutP6p5YlF9SabvXg/s1080/FB_IMG_1679404358202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2b-x_LRQx-x5Var-KKKCwxHUvvn5OinvNRpCh3tpL2e3bTlcnJ1cq9rWjWkcf2YUuiV8bnTVMuqmAz-FSc1CIBvTIjK7N8j776pr6Y8JznR4G7CH4Sm1sCNwHEBv6J4fbeoV_8TuRujYky66RuIbN7ByguQFGhoxv_oxbl9abLutP6p5YlF9SabvXg/s320/FB_IMG_1679404358202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Warm, glorious days of fishing are just around the corner!</h3><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMufyW2-jHV0p-S5o04w9HU_8w_NieN1XjITTSVGeyfpxfcRXckwSSCOTnStN2La3DaEG_HcvwIpshDjQoIPfjhjHoCzLSjg4K5BuF4UIjag4w45SyRscadlhe45Z2Ot3w3oXFLt4xEDIlzgl5mcErdhq7oychhH5FObxC7cBXVSGgh252eRtSysKkw/s1073/Screenshot_20230321_091340_Facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1073" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMufyW2-jHV0p-S5o04w9HU_8w_NieN1XjITTSVGeyfpxfcRXckwSSCOTnStN2La3DaEG_HcvwIpshDjQoIPfjhjHoCzLSjg4K5BuF4UIjag4w45SyRscadlhe45Z2Ot3w3oXFLt4xEDIlzgl5mcErdhq7oychhH5FObxC7cBXVSGgh252eRtSysKkw/s320/Screenshot_20230321_091340_Facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /> </h3>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-35495443880553527812023-03-17T15:08:00.001-04:002023-03-21T21:32:31.841-04:00Luck of the Irish Giveaway winners<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, comments are not allowing us to reply to anyone, hopefully we will have it figured out soon.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">But without further ado, we have the winners for the Luck of the Irish giveaway.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> #1 Patrick-NJpatbee</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> #2 Mark Kautz</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> #3 Brad from Potter</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> #4 Beaverdam</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span>Congratulations to all the winners! Please send your name and mailing address to Uppahdam@gmail.com so we can send your prizes out to you. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><span>Thank you to everyone that commented and continues to interact with SSR, we appreciate all of you! We thank you for helping us to keep Pops legacy alive. </span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OD-S_5P_qTChBmi9xMq0kdNoR9oan4s-ttJXOSFDB9N9bWIjss0OZM9l6i8fWXWwtjZ2jX8uEYEe28TtvhrvLipVzOh03skq5Bj_ZRDk_58MwMIeHzlL88shjUxA4m5Ce6Dg-_PbF7TG124B1cgQrumBBu7xk3M6-wSysbtfYi0hcJuXEqFEpVZhkA/s2394/20230317_092610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2394" data-original-width="1796" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OD-S_5P_qTChBmi9xMq0kdNoR9oan4s-ttJXOSFDB9N9bWIjss0OZM9l6i8fWXWwtjZ2jX8uEYEe28TtvhrvLipVzOh03skq5Bj_ZRDk_58MwMIeHzlL88shjUxA4m5Ce6Dg-_PbF7TG124B1cgQrumBBu7xk3M6-wSysbtfYi0hcJuXEqFEpVZhkA/s320/20230317_092610.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZKpMK2_lQiWKCiEE7wY7mkcmikP_Q6N4pDbU0hNIJ6gnsZtm50iSafCsO-e9ajHmCZziC2qstQZW6_m259_j6QCE78d45FodqleOlm6NEYvTaxQGHHWnz0exBFR96nYZGMLb75cpn9C4zI4vVEtUju_BgN6mNrzwM_rOfGn-dMUAw9WLZSU791t-ig/s4000/20230317_090931.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Happy St. Patrick's Day to you All!</span></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVqTUZIfFAcJxWpoR-RcwJwvRxmaoMJvJGRzTU0BOnGX6G6OQ62_xgBPADgjfzDh-vKMAVAnptHzr9px84XpUSvwwrs5GdIl158qJS9xOWE2dZy8qpmtCJVcspB7QXNIGXmjc2pwpA0wvBHv_Yoe0pRISFErTY_3JV3aXX9jQPsD9jvWO4k1rIm79XA/s4000/20230317_090931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVqTUZIfFAcJxWpoR-RcwJwvRxmaoMJvJGRzTU0BOnGX6G6OQ62_xgBPADgjfzDh-vKMAVAnptHzr9px84XpUSvwwrs5GdIl158qJS9xOWE2dZy8qpmtCJVcspB7QXNIGXmjc2pwpA0wvBHv_Yoe0pRISFErTY_3JV3aXX9jQPsD9jvWO4k1rIm79XA/s320/20230317_090931.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-36558679849334309452023-03-13T13:28:00.001-04:002023-03-13T14:31:22.671-04:00Maverick's Birthday Celebration<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> A few of you have reached out recently asking on an update on how our little boy Maverick is doing.</p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Well, he is doing fantastic and is a big 70-pound boy now. </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">On February 15th he turned 1 years old, and we were able to celebrate with some family and friends. </p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeCdqI7M0D65obqaAO_TU375LySBB8-hu36HiWzSaSDXQMgz64btB2ek6iFhqW7D5lgxoRlnr3OtWZH48oVfcqs1GyZ7aUGXiiBrJqUKvUH3n75DVJqEH0ADh1Yd_94sVIKNYU5FDZ90N5WKqlD5w3W5kILdPj7N-nhlXciDkvrMLY7BFTlUIOiGBrA/s4000/20230215_111114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeCdqI7M0D65obqaAO_TU375LySBB8-hu36HiWzSaSDXQMgz64btB2ek6iFhqW7D5lgxoRlnr3OtWZH48oVfcqs1GyZ7aUGXiiBrJqUKvUH3n75DVJqEH0ADh1Yd_94sVIKNYU5FDZ90N5WKqlD5w3W5kILdPj7N-nhlXciDkvrMLY7BFTlUIOiGBrA/s320/20230215_111114.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> The Birthday Boy<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"> There were lots of puppy themed treats for both the humans and the birthday boy. </div></blockquote><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8mFvAvD8DNhWRD3tU_ZDchkYOB3pStuwRiAAq1ewje9DGb7jUciNJxIr6ag7cGN37Fc4XldicjrRkzZ2uM_fvnHW-I4qtHybXcEe0ZsNfjNNl-FFaUdjvfKTRBbeCN77qjPj24gJeoDkL2_NqVPGI1_XqdcQMgW6UeMlvn2nKvXFy7f7eZRJbO7sjw/s4000/20230215_150926.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8mFvAvD8DNhWRD3tU_ZDchkYOB3pStuwRiAAq1ewje9DGb7jUciNJxIr6ag7cGN37Fc4XldicjrRkzZ2uM_fvnHW-I4qtHybXcEe0ZsNfjNNl-FFaUdjvfKTRBbeCN77qjPj24gJeoDkL2_NqVPGI1_XqdcQMgW6UeMlvn2nKvXFy7f7eZRJbO7sjw/s320/20230215_150926.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla Pup cups and a peanut butter bone cake<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0WO7xyGxWobZf-lnEts1eilGQWwqyr5ooyv7kXUDs7isiBaAjIgrApmuwGrXX946js9reVqY73ODwcdGyiwmE0mc2rHqoEit_O9ZqIw5LRWsgfI2hIP3ayw5QCndpDS3EzEabuaNk85ZXlmMrXoiyFcPotpP2T19zU8dIF0FNMVsFro6FkZUa0ypsg/s4000/20230215_155312.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0WO7xyGxWobZf-lnEts1eilGQWwqyr5ooyv7kXUDs7isiBaAjIgrApmuwGrXX946js9reVqY73ODwcdGyiwmE0mc2rHqoEit_O9ZqIw5LRWsgfI2hIP3ayw5QCndpDS3EzEabuaNk85ZXlmMrXoiyFcPotpP2T19zU8dIF0FNMVsFro6FkZUa0ypsg/s320/20230215_155312.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A custom birthday treat from Auntie Tricia<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvQntM3kBQ6vc6lpj7R2sFUiwi1laupDJHXbVnP9dfxQDsIu6L1Q_bPaNq-cHJwctH35SBj75cwahofA9_MPFuDQQbHGN6xG6pxUihgPZpkejDhPzpuH_PT4g948IsPOupxW-8YcT8xrgNCYRHIrpRdfsgsTCQqOkah35SFbmETh-fKiQt4c3-CsWEw/s4000/20230215_161643.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvQntM3kBQ6vc6lpj7R2sFUiwi1laupDJHXbVnP9dfxQDsIu6L1Q_bPaNq-cHJwctH35SBj75cwahofA9_MPFuDQQbHGN6xG6pxUihgPZpkejDhPzpuH_PT4g948IsPOupxW-8YcT8xrgNCYRHIrpRdfsgsTCQqOkah35SFbmETh-fKiQt4c3-CsWEw/s320/20230215_161643.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Labrador Lemonade</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABdbzCgr7srqrMpBcFe1D38VNEVoVFFBZJ-TBwxXd0wsv17h4uYV9mDPpoOpUt6uGbaO0rYWipzOBNA1qwB0cQFQOOZOCPMeCgZ0kXAoOODjJMTj-ykAmvqjTnVJ_kBEFT6gSMXOCblucyxfpSzZ9Y6IE174AK4prd3IM-N-eOhSxtUs3R3vqxvNwdA/s4000/20230215_170126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABdbzCgr7srqrMpBcFe1D38VNEVoVFFBZJ-TBwxXd0wsv17h4uYV9mDPpoOpUt6uGbaO0rYWipzOBNA1qwB0cQFQOOZOCPMeCgZ0kXAoOODjJMTj-ykAmvqjTnVJ_kBEFT6gSMXOCblucyxfpSzZ9Y6IE174AK4prd3IM-N-eOhSxtUs3R3vqxvNwdA/s320/20230215_170126.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy Pawz<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkeXRkQI_Lpw2xAyGNPLRdbBg97KNkHYlVv2VW5-JGcB84s0pNv5eeNl18fwXL0cU2w34eOc_8ovfDHWnDWfNwhsdLnRuRi7cSkhwMutH0943Y2jSNU4DQiFJ090EDA6Rqx1-4O-b8tzUFjENxlDrWGLQPL8Vpj61EYfWGkg0Cn8KsUgoAbBrBld9xA/s4000/20230215_170134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkeXRkQI_Lpw2xAyGNPLRdbBg97KNkHYlVv2VW5-JGcB84s0pNv5eeNl18fwXL0cU2w34eOc_8ovfDHWnDWfNwhsdLnRuRi7cSkhwMutH0943Y2jSNU4DQiFJ090EDA6Rqx1-4O-b8tzUFjENxlDrWGLQPL8Vpj61EYfWGkg0Cn8KsUgoAbBrBld9xA/s320/20230215_170134.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scooby Snacks</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGS79-3-YXE9_R1QsfN5t9CQXXrdPi2e9zOpeuoXaR_KLA7nHRT13tWoPANmCqFfhNS8sOcQMKEZTIzFcBvUKyEYvAU3MEslt9uIbHFaunrkfi7FEsXgSuT6fDcW6eskGId12eBuOFmFszWjZ2Qqdd5x_b2FJ7TfCT8QFBB67d_d7brPA5uLcYpSI_Q/s4000/20230215_170404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGS79-3-YXE9_R1QsfN5t9CQXXrdPi2e9zOpeuoXaR_KLA7nHRT13tWoPANmCqFfhNS8sOcQMKEZTIzFcBvUKyEYvAU3MEslt9uIbHFaunrkfi7FEsXgSuT6fDcW6eskGId12eBuOFmFszWjZ2Qqdd5x_b2FJ7TfCT8QFBB67d_d7brPA5uLcYpSI_Q/s320/20230215_170404.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pawwwwsta Salad<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMqJ6cx417411v38KBy8Y9DBATTo9Qjo1LejONBheWaHN9c-JozCmHzJ8TzljljFMpszyBFyyuaBhyD3645PO57PEcLbeUOwo65cXgdjQQsYfUcWPzGdG9IEhsMhD42j8IwTMy9Gs_5CZ61066xYp4mvd7k1gaXU-CnN6QqvvCFSUYb88aP_qsBqqhA/s4000/20230215_171152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMqJ6cx417411v38KBy8Y9DBATTo9Qjo1LejONBheWaHN9c-JozCmHzJ8TzljljFMpszyBFyyuaBhyD3645PO57PEcLbeUOwo65cXgdjQQsYfUcWPzGdG9IEhsMhD42j8IwTMy9Gs_5CZ61066xYp4mvd7k1gaXU-CnN6QqvvCFSUYb88aP_qsBqqhA/s320/20230215_171152.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bark-chutterie Board</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Even some festive decorations to celebrate him turning 1!</span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p></blockquote></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX49mXY6V-Oxrb1HGGgy6UHJQp0URZE6lCq8HFcg-R8o_VMSqPUtuiKXolW-hRQO89-yN8CSctXN988z_cdrMBTsgIMPcCMZT9wzFwAkAfN0qjRES_-XpPMhn4g6CtZMhFIJxnuw4N3MCQ3dEaNqRZf3CA0K4Eb-Oix-Dn8bWROZ1puBR6qgCf1zdKw/s4000/20230215_122708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX49mXY6V-Oxrb1HGGgy6UHJQp0URZE6lCq8HFcg-R8o_VMSqPUtuiKXolW-hRQO89-yN8CSctXN988z_cdrMBTsgIMPcCMZT9wzFwAkAfN0qjRES_-XpPMhn4g6CtZMhFIJxnuw4N3MCQ3dEaNqRZf3CA0K4Eb-Oix-Dn8bWROZ1puBR6qgCf1zdKw/s320/20230215_122708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn6PM1jTig_HoRs4szu2FUMI5cqcfZeR0lTw_j6YwrkzCYg9COoJUMRXM6lWDH2vCNrllcPHx83Ubn2CjkqiGSk677bVnnnb5uUyBZJcHkFqq7kU1sykIE2EXX-BjzPpDK9HPBQA1i2aVsbzIS3_EdhtqTYHFfw5T8b8SK1p5D8JYlit0GbgbGc0WTg/s4000/20230215_191611.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifn6PM1jTig_HoRs4szu2FUMI5cqcfZeR0lTw_j6YwrkzCYg9COoJUMRXM6lWDH2vCNrllcPHx83Ubn2CjkqiGSk677bVnnnb5uUyBZJcHkFqq7kU1sykIE2EXX-BjzPpDK9HPBQA1i2aVsbzIS3_EdhtqTYHFfw5T8b8SK1p5D8JYlit0GbgbGc0WTg/s320/20230215_191611.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Any day is good when you get to celebrate with your own personal cake.</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He was a little unsure at first, but then he jumped right in. </div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTo-H8ozq-NQW8TuCl7oHujJri2jX7ZlswEdVBxzQVf8YwuaKEA6adLmOCQvZmD1cauS0xO4D6jE91FVXVp0BiHgWXIXWniocCZoqkNe66u7tpXCQ8KFzKrWxpfzcBAJ2cUTVpcNhDvixrWReL945JTd_4LuzIFGHWv1yXCEmnnRr5fq2Ou1MpAhhFw/s4000/20230215_191059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTo-H8ozq-NQW8TuCl7oHujJri2jX7ZlswEdVBxzQVf8YwuaKEA6adLmOCQvZmD1cauS0xO4D6jE91FVXVp0BiHgWXIXWniocCZoqkNe66u7tpXCQ8KFzKrWxpfzcBAJ2cUTVpcNhDvixrWReL945JTd_4LuzIFGHWv1yXCEmnnRr5fq2Ou1MpAhhFw/s320/20230215_191059.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He even got to open lots of presents from all his people that love him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp07-GCxq-ZTMEMFU6PX3XfBJXu7KW8FThhKdRCZ7t_I-4Rc2jidwptsThKnSk_Pp04D0FqVxzUlQ3jIGOuLtqrVHcC_fmaSRBeU1x66MIYr14F0QSkzHNuu3dODaa8rjcd4LmlZqeWIE8UgB3qKj6TkcvIq9mqnYFTY839q8MmEiWIfp-vJ1qtI_K7g/s4000/20230215_194221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp07-GCxq-ZTMEMFU6PX3XfBJXu7KW8FThhKdRCZ7t_I-4Rc2jidwptsThKnSk_Pp04D0FqVxzUlQ3jIGOuLtqrVHcC_fmaSRBeU1x66MIYr14F0QSkzHNuu3dODaa8rjcd4LmlZqeWIE8UgB3qKj6TkcvIq9mqnYFTY839q8MmEiWIfp-vJ1qtI_K7g/s320/20230215_194221.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVpOVlFYtValP_YdUk5kf8GH7sFRz75zTtmidLIEvrSaoATh-yQkFN_ppJFKwC9BfuydIToklPA7LTzeqY95QJzxdy_POktxG_hQVQpTOQtqvezhtOmQV64-9_8-KmpY7xNKIJXFmGr3eVeLCBaAJ5hTkCXXJmGZtB6p1QEDYPTnBxLh8OIfT_sPRBw/s4000/20230215_194300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVpOVlFYtValP_YdUk5kf8GH7sFRz75zTtmidLIEvrSaoATh-yQkFN_ppJFKwC9BfuydIToklPA7LTzeqY95QJzxdy_POktxG_hQVQpTOQtqvezhtOmQV64-9_8-KmpY7xNKIJXFmGr3eVeLCBaAJ5hTkCXXJmGZtB6p1QEDYPTnBxLh8OIfT_sPRBw/s320/20230215_194300.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d5MP2rBVU5ntVhjrl20BxwVW7VVblVvbQ_CrOxcyXFbRFxz5opmVjCIcnbP2ZRvtxLOBfHWJzMI-2hBVCs_qCYIlifAa4AibkZOr3FZ1-fiJw9iGLA12EiF3E53lqZQqB8Fz7JLWEbQiHIKnkJGY1QCtJoOORt7sUMR0Zkn94DNPELA6FrdQxyFpNg/s4000/20230215_195040.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-d5MP2rBVU5ntVhjrl20BxwVW7VVblVvbQ_CrOxcyXFbRFxz5opmVjCIcnbP2ZRvtxLOBfHWJzMI-2hBVCs_qCYIlifAa4AibkZOr3FZ1-fiJw9iGLA12EiF3E53lqZQqB8Fz7JLWEbQiHIKnkJGY1QCtJoOORt7sUMR0Zkn94DNPELA6FrdQxyFpNg/s320/20230215_195040.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got lots of new toys!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">To complete the week of birthday celebrations, Maverick got to experience his first snowfall. </blockquote><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Dmq5r8t5d-ADVoan4z--1jFEhcsGopMQIv_AckLQWwsMuR7bABN1s01PVs1HWJ08EUVBQ5PrnXSPrwwvg9fAicRHu-7GQbqfWs6XTB9k0DYLc5p18mOMDHomnRZam1UYGv-TtFkxf36MEBY1gFBHv-vaIYiL3DF8L_T6jMJwYAW5iZ7lrYOEC_w5Cg/s3000/IMG_20230228_074643_557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Dmq5r8t5d-ADVoan4z--1jFEhcsGopMQIv_AckLQWwsMuR7bABN1s01PVs1HWJ08EUVBQ5PrnXSPrwwvg9fAicRHu-7GQbqfWs6XTB9k0DYLc5p18mOMDHomnRZam1UYGv-TtFkxf36MEBY1gFBHv-vaIYiL3DF8L_T6jMJwYAW5iZ7lrYOEC_w5Cg/s320/IMG_20230228_074643_557.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Y6j37fGrbhG9JAObuIJUFESfku85ILAEuMMAqUDfL5nGOKsH1mtco3bDjleVIdixXoz1N2t_wsII-NbT_uuGpXRT9exgtNEu69JxG03O7JEmiItCE5ufKyIKECSi-E6GZYhc4kLszWqLxtYDSW4Nb34SjCF6YQF02kvDAtFhbQxARzremXYi9M_hA/s4000/20230228_153738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Y6j37fGrbhG9JAObuIJUFESfku85ILAEuMMAqUDfL5nGOKsH1mtco3bDjleVIdixXoz1N2t_wsII-NbT_uuGpXRT9exgtNEu69JxG03O7JEmiItCE5ufKyIKECSi-E6GZYhc4kLszWqLxtYDSW4Nb34SjCF6YQF02kvDAtFhbQxARzremXYi9M_hA/s320/20230228_153738.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Y6j37fGrbhG9JAObuIJUFESfku85ILAEuMMAqUDfL5nGOKsH1mtco3bDjleVIdixXoz1N2t_wsII-NbT_uuGpXRT9exgtNEu69JxG03O7JEmiItCE5ufKyIKECSi-E6GZYhc4kLszWqLxtYDSW4Nb34SjCF6YQF02kvDAtFhbQxARzremXYi9M_hA/s4000/20230228_153738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocU2qSN24IxlD__3Rs-9C3FLipEIqOHT8KDUpG-A4-tabm0nQYJbLIBUPS45uHxJO-hMGU9CSF28YXMjyX5-02Lfg7QqHvelROzX0c-SBPobOaGO0NZzvvnK1Zxz4uk6CO2c8f-QsyUMLzdv0rso-WmVaxsUKsTeqPDVwtgXk2K594CeZkyJWLB09tg/s2048/IMG_20230228_165812.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocU2qSN24IxlD__3Rs-9C3FLipEIqOHT8KDUpG-A4-tabm0nQYJbLIBUPS45uHxJO-hMGU9CSF28YXMjyX5-02Lfg7QqHvelROzX0c-SBPobOaGO0NZzvvnK1Zxz4uk6CO2c8f-QsyUMLzdv0rso-WmVaxsUKsTeqPDVwtgXk2K594CeZkyJWLB09tg/s320/IMG_20230228_165812.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think it's safe to say he really enjoyed it!</td></tr></tbody></table></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Here's to many more years of getting to celebrate birthdays with our little Maverick, who's not so little anymore! </p></blockquote></blockquote><p><br /></p><p> </p><br />Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-52957865133601889382023-03-13T12:30:00.001-04:002023-03-13T12:33:17.536-04:00Luck of the Irish Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9rAIzuua3COKw4kJJ004AQ9RqtkBFR3ohoNwy2vxu6zpsVdzUlXo3HjW8rNn_fZ7brq06usUG_lGb5CuW2gQ52gtRH6FUx7nLsJBxZh1NlJuCwUJGcJaIf9ds_0LP-wjBESZaI0k12FVZcZtAMD98jWz0IR0zZDgw5X3PYzWBauwBXL_6lkulBTPXg/s1404/stpatricksinfographic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="576" height="765" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9rAIzuua3COKw4kJJ004AQ9RqtkBFR3ohoNwy2vxu6zpsVdzUlXo3HjW8rNn_fZ7brq06usUG_lGb5CuW2gQ52gtRH6FUx7nLsJBxZh1NlJuCwUJGcJaIf9ds_0LP-wjBESZaI0k12FVZcZtAMD98jWz0IR0zZDgw5X3PYzWBauwBXL_6lkulBTPXg/w430-h765/stpatricksinfographic.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whether your good luck charm is the shamrock, horseshoe, rabbit's foot, pot of gold, rainbow or the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">leprechaun we hope it helps to bring you the luck of the Irish this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In keeping with the good luck, and Pops giving nature, I would like to spread a little luck to some of you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will be doing a St. Patrick's Day giveaway this week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> All you need to do to be entered into the giveaway is to comment on this post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I will have mom draw the winning names on Friday at Noon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All winners will be posted here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May the Luck of the Irish be with you all!</div><br /><p><br /></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-30288881862464670362023-03-06T20:07:00.001-05:002023-03-06T20:15:04.809-05:00Staying Connected<p> Happy 2023. Hope we are finding all of you well. </p><p>As of February 19th, we have made it through a year without Pops, and the time has flown by. </p><p>Lots of firsts. Lots of changes. Lots of adjustments. Lots of growing pains. Some days have been harder than others. Thoughts of him never too far away. </p><p>Most of our days are spent making sure Mom is happy, healthy, and safe. With some adventures and Maverick play time thrown in. We've all managed to adjust to the "new normal" of life without Pops. </p><p>We have unfortunately lost touch with many of you, as life hasn't allowed for much time for corresponding and blogging, something we hope to get back in to more regularly. </p><p>With that being said, Pops original email for contact is no longer accessible to us. So, we wanted to share a new email for contact, and corresponding, as we hate to lose touch with all of you. </p><p>If you would like to reach out for any reason, we can be reached at uppahdam@gmail.com going forward. </p><p>Thank you for all your continued support and kind words. We hope to hear from you soon!</p><p>Alan Jr. & Family</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLDuU8ilOp32Wi4sYf-MpYPYEHAUcFvSmUG-oDZ4erwV-4uiJDJYdAYJ_Id1LfJVc4vWYP9lO5jfHlPrwmuQZrwXHHWx9B6MeO-uIVBQ8XEEKxcLsD-hvcwMO66cpt0h68zHQ9nJeeu-S90JRcmlWo9UzdQbgG2JHsXPiehOI2dz0-hxg5Xrxd9lccw/s4608/DSCN0002%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLDuU8ilOp32Wi4sYf-MpYPYEHAUcFvSmUG-oDZ4erwV-4uiJDJYdAYJ_Id1LfJVc4vWYP9lO5jfHlPrwmuQZrwXHHWx9B6MeO-uIVBQ8XEEKxcLsD-hvcwMO66cpt0h68zHQ9nJeeu-S90JRcmlWo9UzdQbgG2JHsXPiehOI2dz0-hxg5Xrxd9lccw/s320/DSCN0002%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-80895396926019523152022-08-29T16:18:00.000-04:002022-08-29T16:18:14.429-04:00Queen of America Lakes<p> On our same adventure up into the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, we took some time to venture over to the Lake George region. Known as the "Queen of America Lakes" Lake George is 32.2 mile long and 1-3 miles wide, with a depth of 187 feet. This lake is also boasted as being a top 5 bass fishing lake in New York State. The lake is home to many varieties of fish including lake trout, northern pike, Atlantic salmon, chain pickerel, yellow perch, large & small mouth bass. You can also find brook trout at the mouth of the tributaries leading to the lake. </p><p>We started our day by strolling through the shops of downtown. Your typical touristy shops to pick up souvenirs and local favorites. Then decided to throw it back a little for our lunch stop at the local A&W carhop. We had Maverick in tow, so we opted to take a seat at one of the many picnic tables that they offered. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDs-tVfTvm_K6waPdlJB2Zn3z3hR5tcD-6rLZ7QvZ92MMLmLgvcASbvFqA9RczfzqG63XkJPwKTIMhso_nI3bwkH7AgqnNpBasYJi5YaC0IoUbDyaUiShwHlYjRsevynOr0dhtNAAM-TA1eqg2KtuyXtxoMTOP7UZl5EAQ8XT9sZfZ-XYUq_bRpKkyFA/s405/rootbeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDs-tVfTvm_K6waPdlJB2Zn3z3hR5tcD-6rLZ7QvZ92MMLmLgvcASbvFqA9RczfzqG63XkJPwKTIMhso_nI3bwkH7AgqnNpBasYJi5YaC0IoUbDyaUiShwHlYjRsevynOr0dhtNAAM-TA1eqg2KtuyXtxoMTOP7UZl5EAQ8XT9sZfZ-XYUq_bRpKkyFA/s320/rootbeer.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>Nothing is better than an A&W root beer in frosty mug on a hot day! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q6LPa5pJfXeW0yn-WPWQNhY5rFKvfaQP14cubPablZlmaSiujpDIunC9CwcawE3Vxr7nHS8MlTVelsr2uKEgVkln8zcKRHtXrKH64xZiCIxuikRgxgBHy9Ny7iuTnlaQETdf8xqorz0w6fz-Irx-VURSvuyyAKA8WSlqa5cqik4pkpSurCy0Q3JDxw/s750/a&w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="750" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q6LPa5pJfXeW0yn-WPWQNhY5rFKvfaQP14cubPablZlmaSiujpDIunC9CwcawE3Vxr7nHS8MlTVelsr2uKEgVkln8zcKRHtXrKH64xZiCIxuikRgxgBHy9Ny7iuTnlaQETdf8xqorz0w6fz-Irx-VURSvuyyAKA8WSlqa5cqik4pkpSurCy0Q3JDxw/s320/a&w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A&W in Lake George</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbzE-MYwuvd8HlKVOH1pbmZXZSccxrJ_OC5vxCDTM1ccRKpMtPPIkzfb3fwaB36AN--JBwhaIbYt5PJnz93tMgFU2VpmdbTfB73iScbJ6lcsfGwayKUFlHQM66Kew2LoUk5P1hutrKNi1Od9ahSlmkjTuAQJAmYl9W9D9_jAvNdUBvNmwueRGo7uMNg/s4000/alan%20&%20nana%20lake%20george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbzE-MYwuvd8HlKVOH1pbmZXZSccxrJ_OC5vxCDTM1ccRKpMtPPIkzfb3fwaB36AN--JBwhaIbYt5PJnz93tMgFU2VpmdbTfB73iScbJ6lcsfGwayKUFlHQM66Kew2LoUk5P1hutrKNi1Od9ahSlmkjTuAQJAmYl9W9D9_jAvNdUBvNmwueRGo7uMNg/s320/alan%20&%20nana%20lake%20george.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alan & Jeanette, Lake George</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After lunch at A&W, we decided to venture down to the beach area at Lake George, to find that the main beach, Millionaire's Beach, was closed for the day. Luckily for us the adjacent Dog Beach, which is just as nice, but significantly smaller, was open and welcomes dogs at all times. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maverick had a great time, along with us, in the water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_am9tQCmEcAqZbqGlAVA0vm6GnqQzA55nu44XTLlNPxxatoxR1K_uY8M9ScI2JktDgo9IAuK21Bwl81dhxIq8oIeWy5LevLqeqbWtpr-r7v2bAbEr71ADN4_oFtz1vmuLhIcrHtEJM9Uo_tnPpyFZkZ1vNpvZWJFofQDeBXgrducW-1dX2OShzIYPBw/s4000/maverick%20lake%20george%20dog%20beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_am9tQCmEcAqZbqGlAVA0vm6GnqQzA55nu44XTLlNPxxatoxR1K_uY8M9ScI2JktDgo9IAuK21Bwl81dhxIq8oIeWy5LevLqeqbWtpr-r7v2bAbEr71ADN4_oFtz1vmuLhIcrHtEJM9Uo_tnPpyFZkZ1vNpvZWJFofQDeBXgrducW-1dX2OShzIYPBw/s320/maverick%20lake%20george%20dog%20beach.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div> He even made a new friend, who was swimming in the lake for the first time too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OEbml7BPpCcVEVisRQgxrEb0cb5JXHWlEedRtp4c1H6cXcQJmzwZRdTrNyZhjMATTlre7xpDQ3B5PkeLxKnrFp0-rQbbzCTz5anS_-krk2w62tHw73xQnrePGhr42fy6yHq233s-rUSrK73ctgrjyMNnUHBxqGR7Ovo6GlReXvLOb93FGPx5NzTYog/s4000/maverick%20dog%20beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OEbml7BPpCcVEVisRQgxrEb0cb5JXHWlEedRtp4c1H6cXcQJmzwZRdTrNyZhjMATTlre7xpDQ3B5PkeLxKnrFp0-rQbbzCTz5anS_-krk2w62tHw73xQnrePGhr42fy6yHq233s-rUSrK73ctgrjyMNnUHBxqGR7Ovo6GlReXvLOb93FGPx5NzTYog/s320/maverick%20dog%20beach.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> <div><br /></div><div> A tired puppy after a good day in the water<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0m4HejE9zIjFSvG7789fdHMR9hbmNcSffFucZSFYaTtCeHQJ1myFqIJRhG3mKR9fvV3VXNrk5MsodYUGwbRfj4Kjk57Y5XgZf4bRtxktWsxm1thto6rXEseJfT2QbT00B3TanyNUTxgk6NsYOtKFtNQPTJbOw0Aq5iif7migFk_W19Etaf0gTjC8ig/s4000/maverick%20lake%20george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0m4HejE9zIjFSvG7789fdHMR9hbmNcSffFucZSFYaTtCeHQJ1myFqIJRhG3mKR9fvV3VXNrk5MsodYUGwbRfj4Kjk57Y5XgZf4bRtxktWsxm1thto6rXEseJfT2QbT00B3TanyNUTxgk6NsYOtKFtNQPTJbOw0Aq5iif7migFk_W19Etaf0gTjC8ig/s320/maverick%20lake%20george.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Swimming in the lake was fun and refreshing but had us thinking about what we could have for dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake George has many dog friendly restaurants, making it much easier to be traveling with Maverick. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We decided on a barbecue place on the main strip that had nice outdoor seating called the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Barnsider Smokehouse BBQ. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_TBFy2o_ieu3IAKSYRoWa5lUynZ6cVecp7-kF6cJ80om3kgWLRSaX3caVGQ7Ywq2hbJXn1KP-_fDn7Mc9ZNb8br2_9CW2I7NOH_b-ttoEw743yUTBIkDgIOQ2mhc7OI4dZADB7LQP1qidq0QxDaPKl1eRgSeTZtXw45EjB7tv-C0pX_6f44UEHMPfA/s1079/barnsider%20bbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1079" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_TBFy2o_ieu3IAKSYRoWa5lUynZ6cVecp7-kF6cJ80om3kgWLRSaX3caVGQ7Ywq2hbJXn1KP-_fDn7Mc9ZNb8br2_9CW2I7NOH_b-ttoEw743yUTBIkDgIOQ2mhc7OI4dZADB7LQP1qidq0QxDaPKl1eRgSeTZtXw45EjB7tv-C0pX_6f44UEHMPfA/s320/barnsider%20bbq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were pleasantly surprised by the number of selections they had on their menu. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything from soups, salads, sandwiches, or full meals of BBQ selections.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Something for everyone, for sure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were even more surprised at how delicious all of our selections were when they came to the table. Easily the best BBQ North of the Mason Dixon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We enjoyed it so much, that we returned two more times during our visit, and even brought their BBQ Sauce home, which you can purchase in the little shop they have located below the restaurant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you ever get the chance, and enjoy BBQ, make the stop here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have been thinking of making the trip just for lunch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatzAtfiaVyXTFYq0rm9yGr5A8LsQF_XjI6dhHYmdcBPelUtl1UzOz63oHYeWDyryfUvo5NUpgiLtO59s4vQ3DJE7RPV9bFPVOTR3AkenqL3D7zy1FmUip0eAXFqp0s48PdGSYWdCx9Tmay3hT8R8Pb1xOxoqObnEjzNBmQ-YWADeJ2PX2AXItQqcwNg/s1075/barnsider%20chili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1075" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatzAtfiaVyXTFYq0rm9yGr5A8LsQF_XjI6dhHYmdcBPelUtl1UzOz63oHYeWDyryfUvo5NUpgiLtO59s4vQ3DJE7RPV9bFPVOTR3AkenqL3D7zy1FmUip0eAXFqp0s48PdGSYWdCx9Tmay3hT8R8Pb1xOxoqObnEjzNBmQ-YWADeJ2PX2AXItQqcwNg/s320/barnsider%20chili.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chili with Brisket on top</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bCIgSe1x5Ut0JnXVaDOElAbBhS9m3ZAOi495DWEWG2rhaA6n0Pbe7eYwVAbhBO0-S7MZ_10G0eVe2OyoqU78CvhV3luhr5qT8kQFyFpdSrnQ-e53IZbvGuGq2qciu-UYflFWNHpuiHqMC4xIV1hpMQxhXms70TAbGHGvB6aZkJBemNxBWywKLyU1sg/s1004/barnsider%20cornbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="1004" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bCIgSe1x5Ut0JnXVaDOElAbBhS9m3ZAOi495DWEWG2rhaA6n0Pbe7eYwVAbhBO0-S7MZ_10G0eVe2OyoqU78CvhV3luhr5qT8kQFyFpdSrnQ-e53IZbvGuGq2qciu-UYflFWNHpuiHqMC4xIV1hpMQxhXms70TAbGHGvB6aZkJBemNxBWywKLyU1sg/s320/barnsider%20cornbread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The best warm corn bread</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPGN89DzsJ3Cql8OBr6A_hVlPNSbGYL1ncTwYnecNvgvQh6fKQPWPVa-ByJJtelQIBDm74F5oCTloD5qXzX0GVuAGj2eUxJUUw0JhKoqucNS90TeD-lWMnykdLOVd7Ytuyc1Dhn3eN86OnCBDNhOaPxKhrj9MIuKimeM1Qh1TgzOvTRcpeBhTWWkMeQ/s1010/barnsider%20meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPGN89DzsJ3Cql8OBr6A_hVlPNSbGYL1ncTwYnecNvgvQh6fKQPWPVa-ByJJtelQIBDm74F5oCTloD5qXzX0GVuAGj2eUxJUUw0JhKoqucNS90TeD-lWMnykdLOVd7Ytuyc1Dhn3eN86OnCBDNhOaPxKhrj9MIuKimeM1Qh1TgzOvTRcpeBhTWWkMeQ/s320/barnsider%20meal.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>Mac & Cheese & Pulled Chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lake George was a fun day for sure! We will definitely be back, if not for the views, then for the root beer & BBQ. <br /> </div><br />Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-3500791796628165572022-08-11T18:00:00.000-04:002022-08-11T18:00:16.892-04:00Land of the Waving Grass<p> In mid-June we decided to venture out a little bit further than our backyard with the new pup and Nana and explore a new area we haven't visited before. This took us to Upstate New York, into the Adirondack Mountains. We found a cute little cabin situated on Great Sacandaga Lake. The lake is situated about 30 minutes away from Saratoga Springs & Lake George, making it the perfect location for day trips.</p><p>The word Sacandaga means "Land of the Waving Grass" in the local native language. </p><p>The lake was established to serve as a reservoir. Produced by damming the Sacandaga River, to control flooding on the Hudson River. The lake has 41.7 square miles of surface area and 46 miles of shoreline. It is 29 miles long and 5 miles wide, at its widest point. Its average depth is 32 feet deep, with a max depth of 70 feet deep. </p><p> With most of the lake's shoreline being dotted with vacation homes, campsites, or private resorts, we were lucky enough to have private access to the lake with our cabin rental. With a spot to swim & fish. But with such luck, the lake was at its highest point, covering the sandy beachy area, to which we had access. This didn't stop us from jumping off the docks in to the dark, freezing waters of the lake. Some of us more willingly than others. It was a beautiful and peaceful surrounding to swim in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiqefcdQp4bbwfkzSZ9oPljzqKxRmaEWZo7OZTAusiQoa7-aNM-7T73h3HeYpteV4S1iD27a6-YeWs0z4gGmizvbR32STH0FEkRR2i73K5X5u20lKXqHkzKqKobNQJNRrw4uA3R3zRDhx-sGKMHdY2eLFQOh3M9MxTlTH55KKYSS1Yoe-gvxfebUsQg/s4000/lake%20sacandaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiqefcdQp4bbwfkzSZ9oPljzqKxRmaEWZo7OZTAusiQoa7-aNM-7T73h3HeYpteV4S1iD27a6-YeWs0z4gGmizvbR32STH0FEkRR2i73K5X5u20lKXqHkzKqKobNQJNRrw4uA3R3zRDhx-sGKMHdY2eLFQOh3M9MxTlTH55KKYSS1Yoe-gvxfebUsQg/s320/lake%20sacandaga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The docks at our cabin rental at Watersedge Campground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYgnXfJ9sR_UYpEK8JbbHvmUrX-8cvCDj7FM6aeWsoUM8nDJAXx_fZgzhhEcW0touqaRWQUiifYCpuzr75NIDn5IwwzsZmD-jYxkrHxi3Pd7DL7kYuHidYENss1C7eNfz_6PbHY92cOI_0fR0Qk7yMwmOb2zPpPodXjVjAVJUzmbyeEK1PjkZ9A4z8A/s4000/lake%20sacandaga%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYgnXfJ9sR_UYpEK8JbbHvmUrX-8cvCDj7FM6aeWsoUM8nDJAXx_fZgzhhEcW0touqaRWQUiifYCpuzr75NIDn5IwwzsZmD-jYxkrHxi3Pd7DL7kYuHidYENss1C7eNfz_6PbHY92cOI_0fR0Qk7yMwmOb2zPpPodXjVjAVJUzmbyeEK1PjkZ9A4z8A/s320/lake%20sacandaga%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great Sacandaga Lake is home to many varieties of fish. Including walleye, northern pike, small mouth bass, rock bass, smelt, rainbow trout, brown trout, yellow perch, land locked salmon, pumpkin seed sunfish, & brown bull head. There are four public access points around the lake, including two state boat launches. Although we didn't get to cast a line during this trip, I would love to be able to come back for a weekend and give it a try. Maybe once the seasons change, we can take the trip and do some ice fishing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a long history of fishing in this area. Many wealthy businessmen built their fish camps here in the 1700's. One of the most notable was Sir William Johnson's Fishing camp "Fish House."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sir William Johnson was one of the largest landowners in America at the time he built his Fish House in 1762 in this area of the Adirondack's. It's said that the Fish House was burnt during the Revolution, many say by Johnson's own son, Sir John Johnson, who remained loyal to the Crown and led a Tory raid in the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surrounding the ruins of Sir William Johnson's camp, a community was established by some of the wealthiest American's. The streets were filled with large estates, hotels, and were elm lined, unlike many of the other communities in the area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But this area was very prone to flooding. So, in 1922 the state regulation board purchased 29,000 acres of land in this area. They razed building, emptied cemeteries and built a dam in Conklingville. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In 1930 they closed the gates and flooded the area, making Great Sacandaga Lake. Leaving the community and Sir William Johnson's house at the bottom of the lake. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today if you drive down Country route 110, near its intersection of country route 109 there is a plaque that indicates that "Fish House" lies 1500 feet Northeast of this marker. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDS7FgYB5-4vKnbYVSTXPgA3S8yBQbDPv__VqRoVAPHHUNX2a0kbPg59VprjoVS41mNhVqTI6XjEI8OfkYISzANoKKNQEfDJF9mhZPgMYHXgD7TmzS7MeaJGqLN3NjwiOERtLiEeFOIyFx7hGsACnJrl9HAFIP-u8O76AVYIM1UZVgjJyZZ4LTeEFOw/s1066/fish%20house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1066" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDS7FgYB5-4vKnbYVSTXPgA3S8yBQbDPv__VqRoVAPHHUNX2a0kbPg59VprjoVS41mNhVqTI6XjEI8OfkYISzANoKKNQEfDJF9mhZPgMYHXgD7TmzS7MeaJGqLN3NjwiOERtLiEeFOIyFx7hGsACnJrl9HAFIP-u8O76AVYIM1UZVgjJyZZ4LTeEFOw/s320/fish%20house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div> Marker country route 110, near intersection with route 109<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwM-zqFwvQ55kQXavvFp9lpwQmnKV3q-HJ4A1Y7D24aZ4NLZsPnM5nfjyInSjPJwaziLzArY1sh0LzhDo3Prj7_AidL8hmq0cM2oOZn6tyMy0taRb97OFaHIyfk1a4jFL2MfmnjLQNSzJB6BBHUgSjyidyVV55HZFnGKvYSFNiBnFdfyiAhhqzRWOBA/s1280/Conklingville_Dam%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwM-zqFwvQ55kQXavvFp9lpwQmnKV3q-HJ4A1Y7D24aZ4NLZsPnM5nfjyInSjPJwaziLzArY1sh0LzhDo3Prj7_AidL8hmq0cM2oOZn6tyMy0taRb97OFaHIyfk1a4jFL2MfmnjLQNSzJB6BBHUgSjyidyVV55HZFnGKvYSFNiBnFdfyiAhhqzRWOBA/s320/Conklingville_Dam%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div> Conklingville Dam<br /><p>If you're interested in learning more history about this area Author Glen Pearsall is an author that focuses on the history of the Adirondack's very well. He has several novels out about it, but also contribute to the Adirondack Almanack online. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf19dIp1uHvKMmadSxyWl8-QQMoy8GF6yTOxYFnulmvkUjZEKvSrd3wC5bEPzIrZ10izyYXH5QO9ExEkb1-Q2NHpdnO2n5WViBzM745JghbXl4gfql7rlcsEiFQvvtLWlIDSo91CLP1DNDGEzmKnV0VqFZU5V414--gkaeNvRZtL1v_S3436yJzfUKpA/s4000/deer%20lake%20sagandaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf19dIp1uHvKMmadSxyWl8-QQMoy8GF6yTOxYFnulmvkUjZEKvSrd3wC5bEPzIrZ10izyYXH5QO9ExEkb1-Q2NHpdnO2n5WViBzM745JghbXl4gfql7rlcsEiFQvvtLWlIDSo91CLP1DNDGEzmKnV0VqFZU5V414--gkaeNvRZtL1v_S3436yJzfUKpA/s320/deer%20lake%20sagandaga.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The deer were plentiful on the property we were on. This little beauty stopped by every morning, with a few friends to say hello. As Pops always said, if only they were that friendly during hunting season. </div><div><br /></div><br />The View from our cabin was so beautiful. It was so peaceful and relaxing to sit on the back porch and look out across the lake. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89PRTmv9AAtXTS9CPS6guF24wKhIDhqbzrGEjTTB-7j8nkG6M3_Dlu5GTEDbhVsLLX2QgqvutGX777QhSX6Y2SSXKZTKghEvKNSuqkdXzuCuXPTYx8peyYHCmEIyfDE1NV91SCMAQAa8vwTmDfitVef4SqwRtG32-2543ikl_gtNPNc172SeqnDIrJw/s4000/full%20moon%20Great%20Sagandaga%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgKs2VoksNvZC78Szq7yJP2plXEj8lUTAWKPT8taiYF_LZN8IN5-ONHLEn5RwwgjV5xXSs-DA18msiJUP94_YcK2rZutEvQg_afq9Vk0UtimhdI2KB3jAc-yzP-kVv27DK_hx8912OBQ2Vaf8f4NRx5IjFWH6v5U2upZHYXMq2mK8zMn220ONJgZUpg/s4000/great%20sagandaga%20lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgKs2VoksNvZC78Szq7yJP2plXEj8lUTAWKPT8taiYF_LZN8IN5-ONHLEn5RwwgjV5xXSs-DA18msiJUP94_YcK2rZutEvQg_afq9Vk0UtimhdI2KB3jAc-yzP-kVv27DK_hx8912OBQ2Vaf8f4NRx5IjFWH6v5U2upZHYXMq2mK8zMn220ONJgZUpg/s320/great%20sagandaga%20lake.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were lucky enough to be there for the full moon, and it didn't disappoint. <br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89PRTmv9AAtXTS9CPS6guF24wKhIDhqbzrGEjTTB-7j8nkG6M3_Dlu5GTEDbhVsLLX2QgqvutGX777QhSX6Y2SSXKZTKghEvKNSuqkdXzuCuXPTYx8peyYHCmEIyfDE1NV91SCMAQAa8vwTmDfitVef4SqwRtG32-2543ikl_gtNPNc172SeqnDIrJw/s320/full%20moon%20Great%20Sagandaga%20Lake.jpg" width="240" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In fact, the views all around the lake didn't disappoint. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL3kwJy0CqE_dtVjBdtq864jb25TGMNi9j6SG7gTbBwnwpm268mV-2_mvpmmplzowjMmEqWxLfTKBMYfus5YG5d4u4p2_FCSOfGKgnT5uy-_bXMnycbdTwRlmvt8w5GLaIxUnB5YTv4idsIRCX1CVvdyEs9Zpn0fUqB9x91VTe6MglWrV4PW6kqoxaA/s1280/GreatSacandagaLakeOverlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL3kwJy0CqE_dtVjBdtq864jb25TGMNi9j6SG7gTbBwnwpm268mV-2_mvpmmplzowjMmEqWxLfTKBMYfus5YG5d4u4p2_FCSOfGKgnT5uy-_bXMnycbdTwRlmvt8w5GLaIxUnB5YTv4idsIRCX1CVvdyEs9Zpn0fUqB9x91VTe6MglWrV4PW6kqoxaA/s320/GreatSacandagaLakeOverlook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0EX3QXlEEsndM5DZTidSJS5Z6NWHPbvu3-j1D5lw0WoENHRaVrkNVBQsWbT6cnpml_Yr49jobJPeumVGaWJp_2PTEgTcFE9gelMNKIzyEL6MtUZMgil9h-XQ6uEP-QNlwTxzewEA5xQxzVaOLv9SAhZ4FK6weWU0rIaM6qHCcm8dkfL1kcyJqV8dGA/s4000/great%20sagandaga%20lake%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0EX3QXlEEsndM5DZTidSJS5Z6NWHPbvu3-j1D5lw0WoENHRaVrkNVBQsWbT6cnpml_Yr49jobJPeumVGaWJp_2PTEgTcFE9gelMNKIzyEL6MtUZMgil9h-XQ6uEP-QNlwTxzewEA5xQxzVaOLv9SAhZ4FK6weWU0rIaM6qHCcm8dkfL1kcyJqV8dGA/s320/great%20sagandaga%20lake%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We would love to see these views in the fall, when all the foliage is changing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhmV9lajRiVRkXVqgaRBnmgeWyXEFaqv26nRvu1jC-2xQ7-jouf_9I0oeHmjo85pOlQuPt9EdwlsYBSjGm52VE22v4I_nu2TPqPaxUmF0eCntDXR5WBBmDO8e47nADNlThSHxJK_xCuvcV26E_vClnoXHMzftCWywY2U8b02yF7iHDS-18XfaN0gx_A/s4000/maverick%20lake%20ny%20house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhmV9lajRiVRkXVqgaRBnmgeWyXEFaqv26nRvu1jC-2xQ7-jouf_9I0oeHmjo85pOlQuPt9EdwlsYBSjGm52VE22v4I_nu2TPqPaxUmF0eCntDXR5WBBmDO8e47nADNlThSHxJK_xCuvcV26E_vClnoXHMzftCWywY2U8b02yF7iHDS-18XfaN0gx_A/s320/maverick%20lake%20ny%20house.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Maverick loved all the nature watching off the back porch too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3cmXhsaM-h_lZrSKBc4cWJNEf7CewISxzm7XPSrYH8YY0ao_9paDqrPAV2k9AQN1z161moNl23Mddk55bjG4NmrC3JRGfChpMRDBM9FmRKuHDLpMfxDTywU1LtYcCUF3zTkYkwY83lODMpUqIUdjW-YwzCtiLhnMfY6FSQ6BAHPuiKHZoOP2LbZGRw/s4000/golf%20cart%20new%20york.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3cmXhsaM-h_lZrSKBc4cWJNEf7CewISxzm7XPSrYH8YY0ao_9paDqrPAV2k9AQN1z161moNl23Mddk55bjG4NmrC3JRGfChpMRDBM9FmRKuHDLpMfxDTywU1LtYcCUF3zTkYkwY83lODMpUqIUdjW-YwzCtiLhnMfY6FSQ6BAHPuiKHZoOP2LbZGRw/s320/golf%20cart%20new%20york.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeanette, Alan & Carol riding around on the golf cart. One of the favorite activities of the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have to get one of these for home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a great time in Upstate New York. Really enjoyed the solitude and the beauty of our surroundings. We can't wait to head back up there again and enjoy all this area has to offer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAE3y56RHz9lRmWdYVJBWJ42RlFapYjWWuT-s-XfqXe_eRPpDSBn3hgo5lTk6G1I8N7WT4Xp8UlQftJ3tdOiRyRqCdiLSg_aU8TmMxQePYp3Om6wCI5GJo0fHpZ1HUF3EsykRn1S_-zU9ggMnNF99IAPZ8ki6Wl1tK5_7DD1fiSC9drrtIf_vr0_rhg/s3648/family%20pic%20lake%20sagandaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAE3y56RHz9lRmWdYVJBWJ42RlFapYjWWuT-s-XfqXe_eRPpDSBn3hgo5lTk6G1I8N7WT4Xp8UlQftJ3tdOiRyRqCdiLSg_aU8TmMxQePYp3Om6wCI5GJo0fHpZ1HUF3EsykRn1S_-zU9ggMnNF99IAPZ8ki6Wl1tK5_7DD1fiSC9drrtIf_vr0_rhg/s320/family%20pic%20lake%20sagandaga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Family photo before we hit the road. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeanette, Alan, Maverick, Gary, Carol, & Krystina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KzdObAt2FASwrJcPqCHs9QZGny1YnhoiKN5E5JCAJ3KYYK-vGVnt802K1qqcw3F1YjInGR9oJ94EGR2vYkUBBFqu6SNeFWHJ9pF42yxh0LWTjCrGRW6tsxi4VwRgKDB7GpjcY1yE-SldSXuYnaMQU5-t-uDV2NkbtI_GWTYZNjORnCY6vq0s70EjyA/s4000/maverick%20roadtrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KzdObAt2FASwrJcPqCHs9QZGny1YnhoiKN5E5JCAJ3KYYK-vGVnt802K1qqcw3F1YjInGR9oJ94EGR2vYkUBBFqu6SNeFWHJ9pF42yxh0LWTjCrGRW6tsxi4VwRgKDB7GpjcY1yE-SldSXuYnaMQU5-t-uDV2NkbtI_GWTYZNjORnCY6vq0s70EjyA/s320/maverick%20roadtrip.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> I think its ok with Maverick, too. He's mastered this road tripping thing. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-83031838392937226872022-07-19T12:00:00.000-04:002022-07-19T12:00:15.963-04:00Memories Matter, Love Never Forgets<p> June 21st to most is the Summer Solstice. This day the sun is at its highest point, and we get the most hours of daylight and least hours of darkness of any day of the year. </p><p>In our family, this day is more than the Summer Solstice. It is The Longest Day, the day with the most light, to fight the darkness of Alzheimer's, a very personal disease for our family. </p><p>My Grandma Chesery, my mother's mother, fought and lost a long battle with Alzheimer's. </p><p>In late 2019, my mother was also diagnosed with Alzheimer's. As she slowly began to forget a little more each day, Pops stepped in, without hesitation, as her full-time caretaker. Doing all the things she couldn't remember how to do or could no longer do for herself. Always concerned that his JJ was taken care of, up until the day he died.</p><p>The Alzheimer's Association uses this day for fundraising through whatever activities you choose, as well as to recognize all the caretakers out there who have the Longest Day every single day. </p><p>This year we celebrated the Longest Day, with Pops in mind, we donned our purple shirts and headed out to the shoreline for some good old-fashioned pizza. We found ourselves at a nice outdoor table in Old Saybrook at a place called the Pizza Palace. If you buy 3 pizzas you get 1 free, so why not get 4 pizzas!</p><p> Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of the pizza, we ate it too quickly. But we had a nice selection. One with just sausage, one with eggplant, one with fresh tomatoes & basil, and one with buffalo chicken. All delicious and cheesy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1nJ-I0167uaCMT0QTWs1Re9j7glaY65Un8NhwmP4C_xp78Hrf5ceka0Q0MaEYxZ7ndnaiCh7nzDYZmnC_fcmzb7CU3QVvaWYypXuT2rSn3ko_XU_HUuPbh3QJADBjT1f6xbQIYM2OBFEbi1uRdCDVnr5UiQeqz_LBhT5JZGhj2SmCK6DZt7Fl4rGPA/s4000/the%20longest%20day%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1nJ-I0167uaCMT0QTWs1Re9j7glaY65Un8NhwmP4C_xp78Hrf5ceka0Q0MaEYxZ7ndnaiCh7nzDYZmnC_fcmzb7CU3QVvaWYypXuT2rSn3ko_XU_HUuPbh3QJADBjT1f6xbQIYM2OBFEbi1uRdCDVnr5UiQeqz_LBhT5JZGhj2SmCK6DZt7Fl4rGPA/s320/the%20longest%20day%20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Krystina, Carol (Krystina's mom) Nana, Alan & Maverick (who also had purple on that day)<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wGWfnUhuWZEwR6-F3sGg9eDdA1BRcL9LIgevlS7LtNUGq0cL5IGllFRMv7-TYjUVmK_-TvdvN0_UWnVFumwXRTQ93kkdfp_bezdmKN9PKAGX5uLAZuPWZSKWUk9wBCMevA0oiYsLnnJF6TsdV6QxvxLjASUr_7bptvmJoivwbYDA7f_MhYf-54UiJQ/s4000/memories%20matter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wGWfnUhuWZEwR6-F3sGg9eDdA1BRcL9LIgevlS7LtNUGq0cL5IGllFRMv7-TYjUVmK_-TvdvN0_UWnVFumwXRTQ93kkdfp_bezdmKN9PKAGX5uLAZuPWZSKWUk9wBCMevA0oiYsLnnJF6TsdV6QxvxLjASUr_7bptvmJoivwbYDA7f_MhYf-54UiJQ/s320/memories%20matter.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Our front door went purple for the Month of June for Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness month.</div><div>This adorable little gnome, that declares Memories Matter, was made by a cute little shop on Etsy, called Victoria's Vanity Shop. He will probably live on our door most of the year, not just in June. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are 55 million People globally that are living with some form of dementia. </div><div>More than 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars are spent globally on dementia.</div><div>More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's</div><div>More than 11 million family and friends are care givers to someone with Alzheimer's in the U.S, giving 16 billion hours of unpaid care to their loved ones. </div><div>Please join our family in the fight against Alzheimer's so we can find a cure for this awful disease. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've taken over Mom's care now. I know I will never be as patient with her as Pops, he was a saint, but I'm trying to make him proud and care for her the way he did. With the help of my loving girlfriend, family and friends I know we will make it through the Longest Days. </div><div>For us, it's all about making the memories with Mom. Because even when she forgets, love never forgets & memories always matter!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-67672300199023817962022-07-18T22:37:00.000-04:002022-07-18T22:37:10.327-04:00Welcome to the Family <p style="text-align: left;"> In a blink of an eye, and here we are in mid-July, and I haven't been so good about keeping you all informed of the happenings as well as Pops always was. </p><div style="text-align: left;">Alot changes in 3 months, especially when you are learning the "new normal" without having the heart of your family. <br />I would be lying if I didn't say it hasn't been tough, or a learning curve without Pops around. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I would also be lying if I didn't say I think about and miss him daily. </div><div style="text-align: left;">There will always be a piece missing without him here. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But enough of that, Pops wouldn't want us crying over him, he would want us to continue on and to enjoy life to the fullest, and that's exactly what we are trying to do. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Part of doing that, has brought a new member to the family. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On April 29th, we welcomed our newest family member, a 10-week-old Rescue Black Labrador Retriever, who coincidently was born the week Pops passed away, a little divine intervention to bring him to us perhaps. Pops would have loved this little guy!<br /> Please let us introduce you to our little boy, we named Maverick. (Yes, because we are huge Top Gun Fans!) But it suits him very well!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF7HwviFVar3NTABrZNhu-wlbFybO0wHRKQLi2-ani31aAf-J7EUujKnWV4-EwmlZmA4gBHMC0xZyBcKSop7qjFixyd79e800Iu5MBA4MlTExsYpo5nfZQ5NZGM6IS4Tg4VSsexR0efCSV3tNHav7y1YrUAkMkoJsvC_5HuCFeIKmEojkvM35kSyr0w/s3504/baby%20maverick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3504" data-original-width="2027" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHF7HwviFVar3NTABrZNhu-wlbFybO0wHRKQLi2-ani31aAf-J7EUujKnWV4-EwmlZmA4gBHMC0xZyBcKSop7qjFixyd79e800Iu5MBA4MlTExsYpo5nfZQ5NZGM6IS4Tg4VSsexR0efCSV3tNHav7y1YrUAkMkoJsvC_5HuCFeIKmEojkvM35kSyr0w/s320/baby%20maverick.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He quickly stole our hearts and became an immediate part of the family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmVn0RR3HvG6qgZmmmxdGjgaAA1F7Jq98LDGTwBUB3AiKWS0N6r3jk0nRPSUa24OCj2Rti6ENXvMZM4tH4QzYT_ZLFc1Lh7oRLt5f-CDB1ZpJArtmJU8IUVBvEaPjDp1C-Ab33qnfCzF-0U5pF56IBwHDCFezUNPzVI5CrYJB6iO-3QDdRRExYEMVOQ/s4000/maverick%20day%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmVn0RR3HvG6qgZmmmxdGjgaAA1F7Jq98LDGTwBUB3AiKWS0N6r3jk0nRPSUa24OCj2Rti6ENXvMZM4tH4QzYT_ZLFc1Lh7oRLt5f-CDB1ZpJArtmJU8IUVBvEaPjDp1C-Ab33qnfCzF-0U5pF56IBwHDCFezUNPzVI5CrYJB6iO-3QDdRRExYEMVOQ/s320/maverick%20day%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How could you not love that face!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can imagine, he has been keeping us pretty busy. But he has adjusted very quickly and has made himself right at home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He has been very therapeutic for all of us. Always knowing when one of us just needs that little bit of extra love and attention that day. But he chose his main person very quickly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZbDsKhXk77eO8HpjgdAWYzULAPP1sWYKwRMhDbW4n6gyzqhlmF5WzAY44SYX-je4ga5rMAvtmJUkj2hXKOMdoMwQFc4SRkH4tXMMUt2L_EbSaSZfRvY1shuUysb3prPbYliye42tmgx5sSYmCewFFcOVPaKG_nB4Y_Hr5LKsSJZm67sH8meZG7d5-w/s4000/nana%20and%20her%20pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZbDsKhXk77eO8HpjgdAWYzULAPP1sWYKwRMhDbW4n6gyzqhlmF5WzAY44SYX-je4ga5rMAvtmJUkj2hXKOMdoMwQFc4SRkH4tXMMUt2L_EbSaSZfRvY1shuUysb3prPbYliye42tmgx5sSYmCewFFcOVPaKG_nB4Y_Hr5LKsSJZm67sH8meZG7d5-w/s320/nana%20and%20her%20pup.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nana & her puppy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With the new Pup, we have been trying to spend a lot of time outside and enjoying the fresh air. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A lot of our outings lately have taken us to People's State Forest in Barkhamsted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peoples State Forest runs along the West Branch of the Farmington River.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a great place to have a picnic for the day, take a swim in the river & cast out a line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's very dog friendly, and Maverick seems to love it just as much as we do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue9CFtq3iHeq9xLePRF_cye11UpeyyzNHvLkHNpXla7SqEw_S-DSKyXbeyLikXthO_zPtSSZqrvMFfWSiT8aS9DW-9PiSj1WxdIq6UPn6sqT5XcsHlis3OOnh4hEi0T4UEiUr-zmjnJBAN0AZCOKePFv136rVWGGpdshSzKcNgev3kZCWSgI2Qh4MEA/s4000/maverick%20peoples%20forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue9CFtq3iHeq9xLePRF_cye11UpeyyzNHvLkHNpXla7SqEw_S-DSKyXbeyLikXthO_zPtSSZqrvMFfWSiT8aS9DW-9PiSj1WxdIq6UPn6sqT5XcsHlis3OOnh4hEi0T4UEiUr-zmjnJBAN0AZCOKePFv136rVWGGpdshSzKcNgev3kZCWSgI2Qh4MEA/s320/maverick%20peoples%20forest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing in the pine needles</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYNjyo6aWoS1KA7sc-zjfTfFqqvIqna76HyPvLizdFLHAJiGQcfPAL_EEcsa2pOCua2oX3xDvU36atFlBFcanGc5JGStKoY128Jj5MtNGJaciCJqAd0pHdBrch8hOLe9LUMWB_M0D0-nd24EM-R3RKDDicCu1z9DNlz4l4fsdFGNxDuze3MJ5cx_tBQ/s4000/Alan%20&%20maverick%20Peoples%20forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYNjyo6aWoS1KA7sc-zjfTfFqqvIqna76HyPvLizdFLHAJiGQcfPAL_EEcsa2pOCua2oX3xDvU36atFlBFcanGc5JGStKoY128Jj5MtNGJaciCJqAd0pHdBrch8hOLe9LUMWB_M0D0-nd24EM-R3RKDDicCu1z9DNlz4l4fsdFGNxDuze3MJ5cx_tBQ/s320/Alan%20&%20maverick%20Peoples%20forest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alan & Maverick after his first swim in the Farmington River</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHffuNCJfOOUVPlpEXPCuAQZA2YdbvwDYQyPQ9XFwwL6MUnHTZq8e2tlAlNxShPmd371gOAUHxG8ABWS47w93R3rV51UbEFLR4ClIFFLDs9foS3JD6DvpAx-kddv1ZQSw7G6j0VvrgwkyA_9bJJ8m4C4yexG4c4Xh5IV0rpwWsi8jd4mBImPSJqGSwPQ/s4000/nana%20and%20maverick%20peoples%20forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHffuNCJfOOUVPlpEXPCuAQZA2YdbvwDYQyPQ9XFwwL6MUnHTZq8e2tlAlNxShPmd371gOAUHxG8ABWS47w93R3rV51UbEFLR4ClIFFLDs9foS3JD6DvpAx-kddv1ZQSw7G6j0VvrgwkyA_9bJJ8m4C4yexG4c4Xh5IV0rpwWsi8jd4mBImPSJqGSwPQ/s320/nana%20and%20maverick%20peoples%20forest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nana & her Pup on a walk</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68EGCGfNq85kxV_G2rUFAJ2j2SPliNp1YR1WW1Ukv07mYco0i2ldXHgmRyyf51BPcM5L5OLhZarytyHLc_AIBxGqcVne-7b_FC_eMB0fiJD0qAXb1aSjy7z2C27xbZInDEmoX8dj6XQVG8qbv-NelVolLm0XXSW0jDcR4S6A4HlZHOT-GgcacYgOhUg/s3648/family%20pic%20peoples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68EGCGfNq85kxV_G2rUFAJ2j2SPliNp1YR1WW1Ukv07mYco0i2ldXHgmRyyf51BPcM5L5OLhZarytyHLc_AIBxGqcVne-7b_FC_eMB0fiJD0qAXb1aSjy7z2C27xbZInDEmoX8dj6XQVG8qbv-NelVolLm0XXSW0jDcR4S6A4HlZHOT-GgcacYgOhUg/s320/family%20pic%20peoples.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Family photo in the woods</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9pBYNlzOo12wbWTPh-0e5K6gZLogzxpU4X_Mzaq5QXGfq7s0rEijjgiC1-eOC8U_sbTHx2TtIZ2GEWT5neVQgvUnOE2CqeZlGbVZ4sJG9469B9y6SYXJfCcNTCNPkf7niuC3A_OmXvMiu8p9N5fbMxb31OaAVrW7Cp6rME9vnjcAYQ4MuzKooBqVYQ/s3648/us%20peoples%20forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9pBYNlzOo12wbWTPh-0e5K6gZLogzxpU4X_Mzaq5QXGfq7s0rEijjgiC1-eOC8U_sbTHx2TtIZ2GEWT5neVQgvUnOE2CqeZlGbVZ4sJG9469B9y6SYXJfCcNTCNPkf7niuC3A_OmXvMiu8p9N5fbMxb31OaAVrW7Cp6rME9vnjcAYQ4MuzKooBqVYQ/s320/us%20peoples%20forest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Krystina, Nana & Alan on a walk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My family, as well as my girlfriend, Krystina's family have spent a lot of time in People's Forest growing up, so it's really nice to be able to make new memories here now, and to reminisce about all the good memories that we have had here over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's really nice to be able to get away in the woods, not so far from our backyard, and relax for the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you ever get the chance to come out and enjoy this area, take the opportunity, it is worth it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-35785624535516330322022-04-03T20:19:00.000-04:002022-04-03T20:19:01.943-04:00A little day trip for the soul<p> With warmer weather on the horizon, and a new trout season set to open later this week, I promise there will be more fishing posts coming. </p><p>For now, a little reminder to get out by the water to cleanse the soul and connect with nature. </p><p>Yesterday, we took advantage of the nice weather and took a little impromptu road trip with my mom, to get her out in the fresh air. So often, myself and my girlfriend, Krystina, find we are drawn to the shoreline when we need a moment to breath, and just enjoy smelling the fresh salt air. Yesterday was one of those days, and we found ourselves in Newport, Rhode Island. </p><p>Newport is a city found on the Aquidneck Island of Rhode Island. Known for hosting the America's cup, a renowned annual sailing regatta for many years, as well as the Gilded Age mansions lining Bellevue Avenue. You can spend the day exploring many of these mansions, as now most of them are museums or walk along the 3.5-mile walking trail along the shoreline that runs behind these mansions, referred to as the Cliff Walk, to take in the beautiful architecture. </p><p>We started our day off in Newport by making a stop at the Fort Adams State Park. It sits right at the mouth of the Newport Harbor and allows for remarkable views of both Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. You can take a tour of the Fort itself, a former United States Army post, or just walk along the many docks and trails, and watch the sailboats coming in and out of the Harbor. This park also plays home to many Rugby teams, which we caught a glimpse of as we were driving into the park. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyYzNj-CZxhGwZJVj0oAL8xFbxHDBkx2EISoMnxHyNFBszdT9CjilA3K90eqI9jH8tdKh27Kv4bRfTLIHp4hWfmDrci4K0rm31kiVoWDDpWTE9trw4tDxMl0Dh2nkKJz7V67RWoQ97N_SReKYfj5jcdcxRgqOpOr5ATx2hzExp4STHv4sBQ6_cizCcQ/s4000/alan%20and%20nana%20newport%20bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyYzNj-CZxhGwZJVj0oAL8xFbxHDBkx2EISoMnxHyNFBszdT9CjilA3K90eqI9jH8tdKh27Kv4bRfTLIHp4hWfmDrci4K0rm31kiVoWDDpWTE9trw4tDxMl0Dh2nkKJz7V67RWoQ97N_SReKYfj5jcdcxRgqOpOr5ATx2hzExp4STHv4sBQ6_cizCcQ/s320/alan%20and%20nana%20newport%20bridge.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeanette & Alan Jr. by Newport Bay</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz78UW9YToHAVej6FnTHkR1zlaScZL_TdqP8PibLNYbB7oSehPNMcE8jCWdTHqCmCdiLiZknqL1Ev7ukLNRV9TttvfAOqGYHul3XMLl2S7X6zG2oYJf7KuCZ4mKyA0XhujkyOlq9uSAy_p3Tt3Ym3OC_JCkCg1n_PEiTpHYxj7wWrD7YPkx_KaCc4aKA/s4000/fort%20adams%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz78UW9YToHAVej6FnTHkR1zlaScZL_TdqP8PibLNYbB7oSehPNMcE8jCWdTHqCmCdiLiZknqL1Ev7ukLNRV9TttvfAOqGYHul3XMLl2S7X6zG2oYJf7KuCZ4mKyA0XhujkyOlq9uSAy_p3Tt3Ym3OC_JCkCg1n_PEiTpHYxj7wWrD7YPkx_KaCc4aKA/s320/fort%20adams%20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of Fort Adams from the docks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv_Fuwx1DHZbbBxwEcs9zaz_G_5q1LshP7YLMemKnO-FZkPYLOpNL71WHmJr-iNhCUi2J6C-nSh3jQW_4E0IfwVjpthcngQcnMuMhyXmWt2Gq13s56Jy0yyHwKfOnsMcK296TIo7mC0YuCVKZcsYNBTCSdGqHVwn_OBU1muojNQkaCDXjs98zQxtwVQ/s4000/claiborne%20pell%20bridge%20newport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEv_Fuwx1DHZbbBxwEcs9zaz_G_5q1LshP7YLMemKnO-FZkPYLOpNL71WHmJr-iNhCUi2J6C-nSh3jQW_4E0IfwVjpthcngQcnMuMhyXmWt2Gq13s56Jy0yyHwKfOnsMcK296TIo7mC0YuCVKZcsYNBTCSdGqHVwn_OBU1muojNQkaCDXjs98zQxtwVQ/s320/claiborne%20pell%20bridge%20newport.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Claiborne Pell/Newport Bridge across the Bay from Fort Adams State Park</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSZSX22A9M7-25u24P2zLgb5I6JTKc2EqU-9BFH1yBjv0UZLBctRjTWwRUok5UYSoxemlC6ILI5kUgIo2TgfhGa4sTeGE1MkOyru4YUR3o4RxXkKFJdlv3X9hq9cAgP1wOQ7StmwrZngJZ2i5_PFGT0c6mXnrQpr5h3SbLoB3ioD6Di_uiQQEUccCTw/s4000/newport%20bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSZSX22A9M7-25u24P2zLgb5I6JTKc2EqU-9BFH1yBjv0UZLBctRjTWwRUok5UYSoxemlC6ILI5kUgIo2TgfhGa4sTeGE1MkOyru4YUR3o4RxXkKFJdlv3X9hq9cAgP1wOQ7StmwrZngJZ2i5_PFGT0c6mXnrQpr5h3SbLoB3ioD6Di_uiQQEUccCTw/s320/newport%20bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf3Ocz2DCfyH5oLlKzA9qEr7f4TQcwuRe7lAHBc4ez9ijkFMz9x6WdOsFDGGQHOOxvQeC9MT5IdaL_vX_xTqOWnnOJ1K0L8oo_46C6EVwh3MZ4hG_KimK_wj4xflC2tHYEpclfiSTJJ27xt4T6kQSNXUOqb7xuRA5J9NNwy4FakLyJowhEcoRj5aYtg/s3648/trio%20at%20fort%20adams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVf3Ocz2DCfyH5oLlKzA9qEr7f4TQcwuRe7lAHBc4ez9ijkFMz9x6WdOsFDGGQHOOxvQeC9MT5IdaL_vX_xTqOWnnOJ1K0L8oo_46C6EVwh3MZ4hG_KimK_wj4xflC2tHYEpclfiSTJJ27xt4T6kQSNXUOqb7xuRA5J9NNwy4FakLyJowhEcoRj5aYtg/s320/trio%20at%20fort%20adams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Krystina, Alan Jr & Jeanette at Fort Adam's State Park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our second stop of the day took us along the beautiful Ocean Avenue. A twelve-mile stretch that</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">combines spectacular oceanfront homes and amazing water views. On this stretch, you will come across a 15,861-square-foot Louis XIV inspired chateau, named Seafair. Whose resident, as of 2017 is former Tonight Show host Jay Leno and his wife Mavis. As you would assume, the chateau and the surrounding acreage is spectacular. Leno has spoken of driving by it one day, doing the same travel as we were doing, and happening upon it. His wife loved the look of it so much, he offered to buy it for her. He walked up to the door and asked if it was for sale. It happened to be, but not yet on the market, so he made an offer to buy everything in the house, including the ketchup in the fridge and the owner accepted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANVx5Rv3a-OpqcQwO6RFyIbfW2HPozeC5nDHaqK0JI1abHYruq_lmrsQKlNuR52_khhs4rELliTBYZE0-PDRnLzBD4FDXbjvBwaRFE8wyqBxKcQv3T5mVKuUsIeScxc4RKThKhYfBdfMrHmvucaUGd-Z1K7k7MzL-PhwYmG9-c_CeVamWQxpGIRyXVg/s4000/jay%20leno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANVx5Rv3a-OpqcQwO6RFyIbfW2HPozeC5nDHaqK0JI1abHYruq_lmrsQKlNuR52_khhs4rELliTBYZE0-PDRnLzBD4FDXbjvBwaRFE8wyqBxKcQv3T5mVKuUsIeScxc4RKThKhYfBdfMrHmvucaUGd-Z1K7k7MzL-PhwYmG9-c_CeVamWQxpGIRyXVg/s320/jay%20leno.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi6gADiZiuCHT3Oi6TjtKDQoFQhQXeUuq08lmPI0qXu558ZmbHHsXn2CaLLYq5cmtsRdbK7Ge6fLsOW3D46oMlSPnx7D8aKgnmxLPjLDBAlDQTa4p5sTrterA2Ayi85a197-izG9dWZ7d_5eT08NNK3i-GXNUtXav1oh-pCgckRDge-nAOtnqik3IlQ/s4000/jay%20leno%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi6gADiZiuCHT3Oi6TjtKDQoFQhQXeUuq08lmPI0qXu558ZmbHHsXn2CaLLYq5cmtsRdbK7Ge6fLsOW3D46oMlSPnx7D8aKgnmxLPjLDBAlDQTa4p5sTrterA2Ayi85a197-izG9dWZ7d_5eT08NNK3i-GXNUtXav1oh-pCgckRDge-nAOtnqik3IlQ/s320/jay%20leno%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our final stop in Newport was at Brenton Point State Park, which is situated on Ocean Drive. Here you can get sweeping views of Narragansett Bay at its juncture with the Atlantic Ocean. It's a beautiful place for picnicking, and a very popular spot for flying kites on the sprawling lawn overlooking the ocean. Also, a great spot to explore the little tidal pools, and collect some beautiful seashells to complete our day. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEb00Wfb_TZk4qWO8h715GswPZbpEe9u9ggAoeJ2Sw48Tn-P4W7IxFHYi8oRJfMdOceTsFL3nBgcSvRn4NUXuG6cLrbKVIL_mfqzgGGbteZNKB8SKG_YQ5Z2ro3E-yvkhQGPQ5rvQdm3tdUOSsAJ1cufjvBhzbwmmu5XTMkDxEYPtS6cA87F_7nq2vg/s3648/brenton%20point%20nana%20krystina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEb00Wfb_TZk4qWO8h715GswPZbpEe9u9ggAoeJ2Sw48Tn-P4W7IxFHYi8oRJfMdOceTsFL3nBgcSvRn4NUXuG6cLrbKVIL_mfqzgGGbteZNKB8SKG_YQ5Z2ro3E-yvkhQGPQ5rvQdm3tdUOSsAJ1cufjvBhzbwmmu5XTMkDxEYPtS6cA87F_7nq2vg/s320/brenton%20point%20nana%20krystina.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Krystina & Jeanette at Brenton Point</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2hWnKXUt3h4fgtOHxrnW5hfVh_m4PmyBo4uxGHzupLCYqG8QUYnBDMGZcOeYqsQKTwHEYYT57RXUjs8Mi1qBBRf5oqYPGvUlGvsMM37kKVdtqE0GpjDww-M186o4MqvFAUrdTS84kyCjKHkFe7kxwMkB-zPtpY2TgZkfBwpKSJoQ12x0DIrdq0WlHg/s4000/nana%20brenton%20point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2hWnKXUt3h4fgtOHxrnW5hfVh_m4PmyBo4uxGHzupLCYqG8QUYnBDMGZcOeYqsQKTwHEYYT57RXUjs8Mi1qBBRf5oqYPGvUlGvsMM37kKVdtqE0GpjDww-M186o4MqvFAUrdTS84kyCjKHkFe7kxwMkB-zPtpY2TgZkfBwpKSJoQ12x0DIrdq0WlHg/s320/nana%20brenton%20point.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeanette at Brenton Point</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSM4sHVpDOm4M9jts615y3Ajeu-FM0z4XJ95Ru9ybkFAMl7kChhFXMNfuT7AnB6tXRfBCHJ8-f3mYjb2gKSLvQN0ANTTrvo9r7eLsmS-8Sv8xDmiVxwKL9Qcesp5jBFAfR07M4rQOBLPo8PSeErQKoS09kOcrDSPsTPbnl54qOy_vm80euRvPjVFh6g/s3648/trio%20at%20brenton%20point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSM4sHVpDOm4M9jts615y3Ajeu-FM0z4XJ95Ru9ybkFAMl7kChhFXMNfuT7AnB6tXRfBCHJ8-f3mYjb2gKSLvQN0ANTTrvo9r7eLsmS-8Sv8xDmiVxwKL9Qcesp5jBFAfR07M4rQOBLPo8PSeErQKoS09kOcrDSPsTPbnl54qOy_vm80euRvPjVFh6g/s320/trio%20at%20brenton%20point.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jeanette, Alan Jr. & Krystina at Brenton Point</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A great day exploring Newport & taking in the fresh air. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pops would have loved the views and enjoyed all the local history we discovered. </div><br /><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-90081992641509986052022-03-13T13:01:00.000-04:002022-03-13T13:01:49.395-04:00A little Irish luck<p> Most of you knew Pops as an accomplished Fisherman, fly tyer, hunter, author and blogger. However, Pops had a legacy that most followers of SSR may never have known. For over 40 years he was a legend to many behind the meat counter as an accomplished meat cutter. He started his career at a young age behind the counter of a local meat center and put in many years at several grocery stores along the way. </p><p>"Big Al" is still a legend in the grocery world, and he had been retired for 14 years, but people still speak of him fondly and speak to his talent. Even watching him at home, whether cutting up a deer heart or a peanut butter sandwich, he would do it with such precision and grace. </p><p>Even up to recent days he would call me in to the kitchen to show me exactly where to place the knife, and how to hold it, whenever he would be butchering a cut of meat. Taking the time to show me step by step how to do it, with patience and finesse that only he could. </p><p>As many of you do know, I spent most of my life deer hunting with my Pops, mostly in Pennsylvania. Even going to sit out in the woods with him, before I was too young to hunt myself. These were some of our greatest memories, sitting in the woods alone together, waiting for that deer to come along. </p><p>Combing his two passions for hunting & meat cutting, he was always thinking up different ways to utilize our harvest each year. Whether it be cooking up the backstrap, making venison sausage, stews or soups. This brought on a yearly tradition of Corned Venison to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. A coveted recipe all his own. While looking through things in recent days, we found the Holy Grail of shorts, a beautifully written copy of such recipe. </p><p>So, in the spirit of the season and with blessing from above. I share with you the coveted Corned Venison Recipe. Enjoy it in all its glory, and please think of Pops if you decide to make it. </p><p>Best wishes, </p><p>Alan, Jr. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSxNLUUsM3pMSSpSK8GDfpFAadlrqKP-vwaa6RBF1KYmCFQ2pzbMR53i6hGHAk3iShp6nvi2lPV5vWMHZQprmyhJEE071o79FBpUj7jbssYPLn5OlDNSOcaBQE0WVc3VincVM5rKaQ6FgyXvqQoHU0gi5zbMFn9omHKtYYLxpa8Jf0n6aZXNWVAIcv5Q=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSxNLUUsM3pMSSpSK8GDfpFAadlrqKP-vwaa6RBF1KYmCFQ2pzbMR53i6hGHAk3iShp6nvi2lPV5vWMHZQprmyhJEE071o79FBpUj7jbssYPLn5OlDNSOcaBQE0WVc3VincVM5rKaQ6FgyXvqQoHU0gi5zbMFn9omHKtYYLxpa8Jf0n6aZXNWVAIcv5Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtr_7jli2q5mtdplnJhPVIguz8n7SaJFGkGRF32DL1gDcS0gbQ0V1rmE3WkEN_zVc5gLqvlHnzhR1l4ZYt7POQ8GwEk8PTNtnGbxvSyM_-3TPNxcnnv3Ak0JRQupBM7io6S6xv4RPnFtGYHR8ZdCRbouUgPEEiYGDIbD8k7WX_F0CBAIEISfCPIjowGQ=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtr_7jli2q5mtdplnJhPVIguz8n7SaJFGkGRF32DL1gDcS0gbQ0V1rmE3WkEN_zVc5gLqvlHnzhR1l4ZYt7POQ8GwEk8PTNtnGbxvSyM_-3TPNxcnnv3Ak0JRQupBM7io6S6xv4RPnFtGYHR8ZdCRbouUgPEEiYGDIbD8k7WX_F0CBAIEISfCPIjowGQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-4353196130380762322022-02-27T08:28:00.001-05:002022-02-27T08:28:50.553-05:00Remembering Our Father<p> Yesterday we celebrated the life of our Father Alan Sr, exactly how he would have wanted it, simply, surrounded by friends and family. We even had the pleasure of meeting a few of you. We know we can never come close to his beautiful words, but we will try and keep up on some posts to keep his memory alive. Continue to share his love of nature and fishing through his photography, and stay connected with all of you, the community that loved and supported him for many years. Thank you all for the tremendous outreach and kind words, they have been so comforting to our family. Pops wouldn't have wanted all this fuss, but if anyone in the world deserves it, its him. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfEQ2KQPCs6LjybaueJP7drosD_Dd1dH2KZx_P0L5VJqH5gp7YxC9AmNUBwLkfZLdgsDg4WRyZ_DOFkiLyutRBZLDpNP6YaeW3dVGJ6C4FV7qys5mfh_gIK7rjrpwafPsyyjf1aG864HWpd4Pz5qOpwQGq9m7AZCTfpDp-4PwPfZoihFBvoxJuk3iDgg=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfEQ2KQPCs6LjybaueJP7drosD_Dd1dH2KZx_P0L5VJqH5gp7YxC9AmNUBwLkfZLdgsDg4WRyZ_DOFkiLyutRBZLDpNP6YaeW3dVGJ6C4FV7qys5mfh_gIK7rjrpwafPsyyjf1aG864HWpd4Pz5qOpwQGq9m7AZCTfpDp-4PwPfZoihFBvoxJuk3iDgg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've finished life's chores assigned to me, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So put me on a boat headed out to sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please send along my fishing pole,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where every day is a day to fish,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To fill your heart with every wish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't worry, or feel sad for me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm fishin' with the master of the sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will miss each other for a while, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But you will come and bring your smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That won't be long you will see, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Till we're together you and me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To all those that think of me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be happy as I go to sea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If others wonder why I'm missin'</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Dalmar Pepper</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-65937382512725847902022-02-22T20:54:00.000-05:002022-02-22T20:54:23.012-05:00Celebrating Our Father<p>Thank you to everyone who has reached out with kind words and memories of our Father. We always knew how amazing of a man he was, but you have all solidified to us how many people he has truly touched. </p><p>For all who have been inquiring here are details about the celebration of our father's life. </p><p><a href="https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newbritainherald/name/alan-petrucci-obituary?id=33194894&fbclid=IwAR1e8DkXZc7cCK0fnOY91XZuPQ-vwtil6eKAUO6QOeMZp3tzpUoRK1_StGw">https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newbritainherald/name/alan-petrucci-obituary?id=33194894&fbclid=IwAR1e8DkXZc7cCK0fnOY91XZuPQ-vwtil6eKAUO6QOeMZp3tzpUoRK1_StGw</a><br /></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-75085463218114186022022-02-20T10:34:00.000-05:002022-02-20T10:34:18.214-05:00To Dad's Dear Friends<p> It is with heavy hearts that we must share that our beloved Father, Alan Sr. passed away early Saturday morning. Our Father has touched so many with his love of fishing, nature and his beautiful words and pictures. The only thing surpassing his love of fishing for native brookies was the love of his family & our mother Jeanette. We would like to thank all of you who have followed him for so many years. Whether only communicating with him through the blog, or in person, Dad considered each of you very dear friends. We know that you will all join us in our grief at the loss of such an amazing man. Please keep his memory with you. </p><p>~Alan, Jr. & Candace</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrdpFizn_fgsB83iBBfP5QGp556QhBACZ092o4qRhMKrgmI9OJe6tqcJof1NuZcRhqDVDk7d-ika1Zrm4cDPu1z2Ey6rOEK2HAJMb8De3HgTyXj0n0Ym9sMFlMmqfeVRWf5-ExuGTE8lqJvS5uYYakPAsQnl_V4K74vtcLYXafSKd-Az9n9NOiZ3WOw=s3713" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2765" data-original-width="3713" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkrdpFizn_fgsB83iBBfP5QGp556QhBACZ092o4qRhMKrgmI9OJe6tqcJof1NuZcRhqDVDk7d-ika1Zrm4cDPu1z2Ey6rOEK2HAJMb8De3HgTyXj0n0Ym9sMFlMmqfeVRWf5-ExuGTE8lqJvS5uYYakPAsQnl_V4K74vtcLYXafSKd-Az9n9NOiZ3WOw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-32753573687545627962022-02-13T14:21:00.005-05:002022-02-13T14:23:46.045-05:00"Home Waters"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXqddmKsBc-uj6sZ60kjtPUrMF3XF8vsaCbbCy3Gg3acLn8iYXXNmtHJ92PwWwdwlTorjWglFgZ8bNUNzF9Kj7Js8FhbfuJgB3eWRjEFfngZ5GRQth6Msa67_GqIfAcAoWLoXf6E277Ph5b1xc-q56DkN4EnfG43y4fu4sw2r5rmIYCuI8GiSvNMNang=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXqddmKsBc-uj6sZ60kjtPUrMF3XF8vsaCbbCy3Gg3acLn8iYXXNmtHJ92PwWwdwlTorjWglFgZ8bNUNzF9Kj7Js8FhbfuJgB3eWRjEFfngZ5GRQth6Msa67_GqIfAcAoWLoXf6E277Ph5b1xc-q56DkN4EnfG43y4fu4sw2r5rmIYCuI8GiSvNMNang=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Home Waters....that a place anglers call the stream the place to be. This is my home water...I call it such not because of it's closeness to my home and not because of the large brook tout it holds, the latter is somewhat of an exaggeration. It's a stream that has gone through some major changes over the decades I have fished it. Large storms and nasty winters have sent the stream in different directions. Some pretty big trees have fell and have dammed the flows. Droughts have reduced it to a mere trickle at times and it was at these times I was most concerned about it's survival. But year after year she came back.<br /> <p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8esYb0T2RaH375bwKO86UCn5z2UusrhpX62mdRAVU9ZyYkXII6elIn0GZth5TgRYHlfWP-xKTOUXaP8QqqM_cX3bnh7KcZxseHSvyFHUlysVjkB1jiEzWL8DLvS0WcTRlv6Qe2l5pKXpcySpFygtwmsTTMEr9r2L5T5JprfGVIBeTupGrx7wH6ghU9w=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8esYb0T2RaH375bwKO86UCn5z2UusrhpX62mdRAVU9ZyYkXII6elIn0GZth5TgRYHlfWP-xKTOUXaP8QqqM_cX3bnh7KcZxseHSvyFHUlysVjkB1jiEzWL8DLvS0WcTRlv6Qe2l5pKXpcySpFygtwmsTTMEr9r2L5T5JprfGVIBeTupGrx7wH6ghU9w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Mt home water is small yet it has named pools...."mossy pool" for one. Within it there are always wild brookies..."moe's pool" is another, I don't know who moe is but when I fish his pool I take a hit.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFiC3sZwS_T_G2oKLbuW5JkqUMP_exyqR2PwoVb3IkcASABi3-4DhKmgqemS3Q7xVtR9MO-7oGRvwo8CQP6x9v5_0QP9SBxBxOXGd4Rw24wFRnEp5i4Lu0XdgpIkwuwBvLWhhNGYOXfjR-aptzVsZ69nJpeRF8NL2ZGmOiXCcLnsecoA-SZ8UG2ZCfZA=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFiC3sZwS_T_G2oKLbuW5JkqUMP_exyqR2PwoVb3IkcASABi3-4DhKmgqemS3Q7xVtR9MO-7oGRvwo8CQP6x9v5_0QP9SBxBxOXGd4Rw24wFRnEp5i4Lu0XdgpIkwuwBvLWhhNGYOXfjR-aptzVsZ69nJpeRF8NL2ZGmOiXCcLnsecoA-SZ8UG2ZCfZA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Autumn on my home water...."fill your waders run"...many fond memories.<br /></div><div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglIkPcGoa10h9awqOED757sGiqZVEE6veapyNiTGg8JpprcfEcmslKZ6s90ePQ0vLbeNluZvf1atVDTC5Uk5eUNfBlKq26eP-Ns-d3UL9o0ZLpDsHrfa_oyfDYR7mSPf6nRbkK-VlxIdRdxmnPXvbqTJ2OPgg64Lp41442hSyV25t-58FrmmGopsqQIw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglIkPcGoa10h9awqOED757sGiqZVEE6veapyNiTGg8JpprcfEcmslKZ6s90ePQ0vLbeNluZvf1atVDTC5Uk5eUNfBlKq26eP-Ns-d3UL9o0ZLpDsHrfa_oyfDYR7mSPf6nRbkK-VlxIdRdxmnPXvbqTJ2OPgg64Lp41442hSyV25t-58FrmmGopsqQIw=w640-h384" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A couple of wild jewels that have come from my home waters over the years.<br /></div></div><div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIBkGV63HhLdzS46VCZvMbvae1D6BONIqJDyAOllmgXfZGXkZB_wfVXaStsaUtZ6YlAxhvQBXZielXcE2eI5HfakPXaohMIw9225dIk6vHW_THS0TS1WIjaDx0wREIMTkm-6jdcyKZEGr_dvP5RLO91jO0eNpoX09XuAgGY52rX6YogKU45F63-hW8wQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1199" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIBkGV63HhLdzS46VCZvMbvae1D6BONIqJDyAOllmgXfZGXkZB_wfVXaStsaUtZ6YlAxhvQBXZielXcE2eI5HfakPXaohMIw9225dIk6vHW_THS0TS1WIjaDx0wREIMTkm-6jdcyKZEGr_dvP5RLO91jO0eNpoX09XuAgGY52rX6YogKU45F63-hW8wQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>I have not been able to fish my home waters in the past year. I will hope fully accomplish that in 2022.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyT8myJfRWgey3hTrwLglmvQyeWfQNlgnvKfyre3TNQqAAOWZZOvDxw3KOxINf1msPx5jojhK6iHUbmmADvl72eE4Zso1FJNHuN6hAbV1cHVzlnUTI8IigYadYNjzOKM62JsKzPDbDhRRRlU1MkunJBN-L4EBP_7SdYliWgpawVBPld_YpCN86_Nz-Pw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyT8myJfRWgey3hTrwLglmvQyeWfQNlgnvKfyre3TNQqAAOWZZOvDxw3KOxINf1msPx5jojhK6iHUbmmADvl72eE4Zso1FJNHuN6hAbV1cHVzlnUTI8IigYadYNjzOKM62JsKzPDbDhRRRlU1MkunJBN-L4EBP_7SdYliWgpawVBPld_YpCN86_Nz-Pw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is "Home Sweet Home"<br /></div></div><div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p></div>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-3475275269171272812022-02-10T20:57:00.002-05:002022-02-10T20:57:42.597-05:00Lets step up and knock one down....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFKp1TE_GnWuxKPqgVscfZFmJ5BObxLeDVKO-aowdDofKniTDAl64Vq36xGFtXyMGrlNu9Qw2nOCAKnB2iYz3KhUaLt1sLHEyTL859d-4Sq3KkoKMSpj5An7-Y2e2Jb12RRA4gVmgCom98U939bnsEAJnmAlolAy75CRiAQaRf7d0mz46KhOFjRnCp_w=s1026" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1026" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFKp1TE_GnWuxKPqgVscfZFmJ5BObxLeDVKO-aowdDofKniTDAl64Vq36xGFtXyMGrlNu9Qw2nOCAKnB2iYz3KhUaLt1sLHEyTL859d-4Sq3KkoKMSpj5An7-Y2e2Jb12RRA4gVmgCom98U939bnsEAJnmAlolAy75CRiAQaRf7d0mz46KhOFjRnCp_w=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /> In 1771 Boston merchant John Rowe wrote of traveling to the town of Pembroke, where he caught 62 brook trout while fishing the Indian Head River. Rowe did this during the month of April for three years running, with similar success. Although he does not pin point his exact location, it seems likely that Rowe was fishing below the dam of the Curtiss Iron Works for salter brook trout trying to migrate into the Idian Head from the tidewaters of the North River. The brook trout may have at that time still been able to reach the river above the dam through a flume in the dam left open in the spring to allow passage of herring and shad.<p></p><p>From the book Wild River..by Warren Winders...</p><p>These old colonial dams still present a major problem for the migration of wild brook trout. Connecticut has countless little dams that no longer serve any purpose. They cause more harm in the form of holding back heated silted waters. They block brook trout from upper reaches of streams where the waters are cooler and more conducive to wild brook trout. These upper reaches are also prime spawning locales and without access to them the brook trout cannot reproduce.</p><p>I will be quoting some more of Warren Winders thoughts and writings in future posts. </p><p>His book can be purchased here</p><p><a href="https://www.searunbrookie.org/product/wild-river-by-warren-winders/">Wild River by Warren Winders – Sea-Run Brook Trout Coalition (searunbrookie.org)</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-9027578412829063652022-02-08T07:54:00.002-05:002022-02-08T07:54:24.590-05:00Truly International...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXzcSnyDdj7FEA_3wWYm50lD6LDO7zrSOalijau63ekfKJiYmzb6sEWTeN6LXoTrZGyPKIDujoggCJuf67fKKzJpUwfF65RvDlu65QXxAYjDNLskPzQ0FcPR6iKCDHw1lxq3k61DRf5krE3cove37bcHm9ZCn07p8HPqJnarqqV-XmMGEuSk5NrxGig/s3264/DSCN6038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXzcSnyDdj7FEA_3wWYm50lD6LDO7zrSOalijau63ekfKJiYmzb6sEWTeN6LXoTrZGyPKIDujoggCJuf67fKKzJpUwfF65RvDlu65QXxAYjDNLskPzQ0FcPR6iKCDHw1lxq3k61DRf5krE3cove37bcHm9ZCn07p8HPqJnarqqV-XmMGEuSk5NrxGig/w640-h480/DSCN6038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>A typical freestone stream in Connecticut. It has no man made obstacles as it tumbles trough the forest of hemlock and hardwood. It can almost be said it has a brother and sister stream but not in Connecticut or for that matter in the U.S....no but in Japan and Italy. Soft hackle flies have a following world wide. Both Japan with their sakasa kebari and Italy with the Valsesiana types of soft hackle flies. These flies were created to work in the swift mountain streams of each country ans I must say very effectively. When allowed to drift naturally in the currents they are very life like in their movement. And when one is retrieved using a variety of speeds and rod tip manipulations it can be deadly.<br /> <p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dgeQ87Uy0pnyWROlH7VMMsOQoJXKTuoyKTR5O2GNeMCZ_QUTMTHZ-zTjyfPyeIQgZSf8BkdEoOiGBC96JCcDYkV62sS89g7PUj2twSAS_Euid9nvO_ROWDXWe2rnn79UwWXdBG6xXemEIUDVxj6yPC88PRpekP7J3nSM505sSJ8xyaUhzvKWGXWHIA/s3739/DSCN0335 (2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="3739" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dgeQ87Uy0pnyWROlH7VMMsOQoJXKTuoyKTR5O2GNeMCZ_QUTMTHZ-zTjyfPyeIQgZSf8BkdEoOiGBC96JCcDYkV62sS89g7PUj2twSAS_Euid9nvO_ROWDXWe2rnn79UwWXdBG6xXemEIUDVxj6yPC88PRpekP7J3nSM505sSJ8xyaUhzvKWGXWHIA/w640-h480/DSCN0335 (2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Valsesiana...Tied on a Firehole Stick, 320..orange silk thread body, hares mask for the thorax and hen pheasant hackle. Traditional Italian silk thread is used but getting it is almost impossible. Substitute any other silk and it will work just fine.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfCSdBQl60ajAyz80PKwGIt4HYTovg2VWZ2RoRKovQ1vqHNqs_wmXx3eLXGosCrAjoW3oNLuKF4nshq1wzZmmWOKtYQ4d29hcx9EAPHSWaR7WaKIGdlznBZIniD7ElXwVB3dA3bsXdsPZMK4R8Ph7fMwP3mlw5ksU4vprFzKLcCUzmj70s6tcS2zHEQ/s3739/DSCN0335 (3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="3739" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfCSdBQl60ajAyz80PKwGIt4HYTovg2VWZ2RoRKovQ1vqHNqs_wmXx3eLXGosCrAjoW3oNLuKF4nshq1wzZmmWOKtYQ4d29hcx9EAPHSWaR7WaKIGdlznBZIniD7ElXwVB3dA3bsXdsPZMK4R8Ph7fMwP3mlw5ksU4vprFzKLcCUzmj70s6tcS2zHEQ/w640-h480/DSCN0335 (3).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Valsesiana style flies use game bird feathers as opposed to others such as chicken. I love tying and fishing these flies and will tie them in sizes 10 to 16, but I prefer them in 10 and 12<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaJUJj3RpFahz6aCcmAnD0VrkqQFjV_XFY2NS_IvRUGoD4RiAvjznULqWoL5s4tPY4QtEVicKy7pXjthazcN2K7XoV_N_WDLmsfjus3s7i66sPcEWGthT6OReoaEVA9615HOr6HFxbwbYJP8Gua6DSUwDBvQqMrQ0LLqtlfegaXMV0IRqaMTUvCISGg/s3460/DSCN1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2594" data-original-width="3460" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaJUJj3RpFahz6aCcmAnD0VrkqQFjV_XFY2NS_IvRUGoD4RiAvjznULqWoL5s4tPY4QtEVicKy7pXjthazcN2K7XoV_N_WDLmsfjus3s7i66sPcEWGthT6OReoaEVA9615HOr6HFxbwbYJP8Gua6DSUwDBvQqMrQ0LLqtlfegaXMV0IRqaMTUvCISGg/w640-h480/DSCN1283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-37651854173678550732022-02-05T07:01:00.003-05:002022-02-05T07:43:48.464-05:00No matter how you...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmuSPmgK2frJtnX91SUY4zZHgqvvHWhLmLzYGy-RIv4ds-3_dA4rsQBswqhOOYKo2sGAX9eEJkGETygznv8DozfP06oq7H_wm3o31XA1BUjkSTQmGmOvlKJLub5eW6mRmeEYwSxsf9ri_rsZznvOi3EOsdtjL7ugz3SUmBYj4GrwoQ4vXEX_sLGRiIpQ=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmuSPmgK2frJtnX91SUY4zZHgqvvHWhLmLzYGy-RIv4ds-3_dA4rsQBswqhOOYKo2sGAX9eEJkGETygznv8DozfP06oq7H_wm3o31XA1BUjkSTQmGmOvlKJLub5eW6mRmeEYwSxsf9ri_rsZznvOi3EOsdtjL7ugz3SUmBYj4GrwoQ4vXEX_sLGRiIpQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Protect...keep safe, keep from harm, preserve, safe guard....no matter the meaning it;s useless if we don't do what's necessary to maintain and protect this wonderful environment. I have seen what bad practices have done to some pretty brook trout streams. Streams that have gone from a robust population of wild brook trout to complete extirpation. These happen from both man and nature.<p></p><p>In years of drought the brookie will do it's part to survive. Most time he finds a way but other times he has no choice. Poor logging practices, bad planning in the construction of new homes and other retail developments just compile strain on an already limited water supply.<br /> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJdhI1YnKX6-ceXgOTU2P3Z47r_Thv2gc_MllwlvGRMEQQkvLjpMMenKpMq4ZtU_yJheqbwaDeqEIL8vwyOMzmAk7-cuJKZX_bwwtFF3kRAuED4M3atlZZ0I6arByoeazy2bMg_GAiLJqx_GxjdhJ0masQ56fNJjj22MCsoFqpIKoqvpOFXTktkmGabw=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJdhI1YnKX6-ceXgOTU2P3Z47r_Thv2gc_MllwlvGRMEQQkvLjpMMenKpMq4ZtU_yJheqbwaDeqEIL8vwyOMzmAk7-cuJKZX_bwwtFF3kRAuED4M3atlZZ0I6arByoeazy2bMg_GAiLJqx_GxjdhJ0masQ56fNJjj22MCsoFqpIKoqvpOFXTktkmGabw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Woody debris...so valuable to the brook trouts survival.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYGjsGNcyazYePmYG0ATjzZ2FI0JTCsNJMySyVhE-rJqvYRAz2c7HA_4RWNW267Ddifs-aeOX6_AOT3w2R5p1d8rlwz6UqxQvZ5bHozPBWAxAaU6dSftNke4qVIR7ZjWDftfwVUDK3gu7PhPeVa0ytbo1HvRjws-zsb8sCKvJNL8kZFVHTUNgBf7Jvig=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYGjsGNcyazYePmYG0ATjzZ2FI0JTCsNJMySyVhE-rJqvYRAz2c7HA_4RWNW267Ddifs-aeOX6_AOT3w2R5p1d8rlwz6UqxQvZ5bHozPBWAxAaU6dSftNke4qVIR7ZjWDftfwVUDK3gu7PhPeVa0ytbo1HvRjws-zsb8sCKvJNL8kZFVHTUNgBf7Jvig=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>What looks to be a rain puddle is actually a ground water spring. It is full now but will dwindle in volume as the year progresses. A bad decision in logging can all but cause the destruction of this valuable brook trout water source.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr-GIN1ObwMJb0TC8UiaA8T-wGh1eY88_qorQMaDkZeuo6M2aYGiNwT8W2wd2mtX-6yUU0TNfmKvzBOoajKjN7prrvUdkKttCNE2OzeMCYEJC6BYcJgQbR4IhThuX7IVSnBWf70Sxn6OQklWfdhi7fwXPw0iYu7GkxM823lfkurWfuQrSs3EjawV3pyw=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhr-GIN1ObwMJb0TC8UiaA8T-wGh1eY88_qorQMaDkZeuo6M2aYGiNwT8W2wd2mtX-6yUU0TNfmKvzBOoajKjN7prrvUdkKttCNE2OzeMCYEJC6BYcJgQbR4IhThuX7IVSnBWf70Sxn6OQklWfdhi7fwXPw0iYu7GkxM823lfkurWfuQrSs3EjawV3pyw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsL0_dNqjOY6dwYAtj1p9rB1tfnq-_ZhbLWIae-S2ekLp-H-14zz1wS1Kvc4adoQkXUaRoAGThkf5gaPS-XGE8wq_l5c9QeUYSzQKKCpyfTEM1sbPOtKWdEyCM9ji57d-zOv3tGM7EMQh5fxA90fcjT2j_fiymyw42yiIsh1hC20Md5rC2gLkEfVP1JA=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsL0_dNqjOY6dwYAtj1p9rB1tfnq-_ZhbLWIae-S2ekLp-H-14zz1wS1Kvc4adoQkXUaRoAGThkf5gaPS-XGE8wq_l5c9QeUYSzQKKCpyfTEM1sbPOtKWdEyCM9ji57d-zOv3tGM7EMQh5fxA90fcjT2j_fiymyw42yiIsh1hC20Md5rC2gLkEfVP1JA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4V910EKQ25vrEd3M39jRovqsB__WYmpAuIsG_bG0XVTk3f8GrRNyNaexOxYjqzcnlxlGKi64jXD177nDAgRpmwKb7eskfq674iIgT2aDwkE-3Qng45Q1DkpM9S-tMHOEkuQfplPTmVpP9Ed2oG-TUl-ly54WvHADbL4nuQsNS6cgd8QmHV9mREp63fw=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4V910EKQ25vrEd3M39jRovqsB__WYmpAuIsG_bG0XVTk3f8GrRNyNaexOxYjqzcnlxlGKi64jXD177nDAgRpmwKb7eskfq674iIgT2aDwkE-3Qng45Q1DkpM9S-tMHOEkuQfplPTmVpP9Ed2oG-TUl-ly54WvHADbL4nuQsNS6cgd8QmHV9mREp63fw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> So as much as we love our native brook trout we must love his finely tuned environment. With out this there are no brook trout.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTADbQmTJO8hAsX1f7Mh35jBx2BNWqR05Kyf9HsIaVxFlV9JLBULylAUnZtbYgUqbBugesKT4cyHJwsUyER779NXJBwEk06aZR4c-ssuN53mMXBrVAqN4amvlRSD5htgsZTokMgNz6Hq-FiSFUgCD__EAhZIso0KfiD_o8w_nNfXZr-znyEu13SYk-zg=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTADbQmTJO8hAsX1f7Mh35jBx2BNWqR05Kyf9HsIaVxFlV9JLBULylAUnZtbYgUqbBugesKT4cyHJwsUyER779NXJBwEk06aZR4c-ssuN53mMXBrVAqN4amvlRSD5htgsZTokMgNz6Hq-FiSFUgCD__EAhZIso0KfiD_o8w_nNfXZr-znyEu13SYk-zg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> I for one do not want to see him go...<br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="post-author vcard" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #303030; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 10.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Posted by<span> </span><span class="fn" itemprop="author" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="g-profile" data-gapiattached="true" data-gapiscan="true" data-onload="true" href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831" rel="author" style="color: #cc6600; text-decoration: underline;" title="author profile"><span itemprop="name">Brk Trt</span><span> </span></a></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #303030; color: #888888; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 10.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><span class="post-timestamp" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #303030; color: #888888; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 10.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: -1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">at<span> </span><a 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center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /> </p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-35240726854011438182022-02-02T08:07:00.007-05:002022-02-02T08:08:55.565-05:00More than a feeling...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSjnbaOGuqJQKFly6P7bUcWMmJVJSBz93gk2Rhba0ITrHjtZ2pCHWVYrVquHLN9DUHTQiYCfQjJADlX7fkyTuuAp1-jSN5yVGfbtkyg32iLBd6mBbDinxzkXnyJZ1jGykEiYHSnnC9OKJHWQPja1qcCZrL4U6lV7BwVjVx_WqC-a7d07g8riCXkRVHqA=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSjnbaOGuqJQKFly6P7bUcWMmJVJSBz93gk2Rhba0ITrHjtZ2pCHWVYrVquHLN9DUHTQiYCfQjJADlX7fkyTuuAp1-jSN5yVGfbtkyg32iLBd6mBbDinxzkXnyJZ1jGykEiYHSnnC9OKJHWQPja1qcCZrL4U6lV7BwVjVx_WqC-a7d07g8riCXkRVHqA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>More then a book, A Fly Rod of Your Own by John Gierach is an inspiration. I pulled it of my book shelf at the same time I took out my bamboo fly rod for a dusting it did not need. I guess the need to assemble it and to feel it flex was the real motive. I have few possessions that I cherish more then my bamboo fly rod. When it is doing it's thing on a stream I feel complete. I, the rod, the stream, and all that surrounds me. It's a feeling that those who fish bamboo know very well.<br /> <p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2zj1BM1T_qkRcjATGNu9zzjA-y-TzpHLtmnsfh-SwwdfknI4saJ9xlivVQvX0c4MGURq6EarydPP-uEx5lNGruLtLsa52J1D3pXSro-iixydDSkydmi5AkEi38cf9d-xup7lV7MRQdqEdEMmMrfBHIpW9gTMNGAOePHpAJwzuZnQfSrZR3ELGuQZKag=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2zj1BM1T_qkRcjATGNu9zzjA-y-TzpHLtmnsfh-SwwdfknI4saJ9xlivVQvX0c4MGURq6EarydPP-uEx5lNGruLtLsa52J1D3pXSro-iixydDSkydmi5AkEi38cf9d-xup7lV7MRQdqEdEMmMrfBHIpW9gTMNGAOePHpAJwzuZnQfSrZR3ELGuQZKag=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>There are many cane crafters out there. Their work is beautiful and the overall price of cane rods are within most of our budgets.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBNAlkrGue-LP-1Ttv9o7Uns4P6dM4qwrIh7HpD9T8WCotJKTXOzhXmeUu8Sxm4FQGqPUzJ2HvHzEjw-TNpNMsN_X7KltpGPF06VjhHVsnDrREWVSbeDg212Lwr1si284XXcx4PYjAxyqpiTXq4oiEDw8nv929U0_A1lcAqKCCYd3-EwzQzSaK6euw0Q=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBNAlkrGue-LP-1Ttv9o7Uns4P6dM4qwrIh7HpD9T8WCotJKTXOzhXmeUu8Sxm4FQGqPUzJ2HvHzEjw-TNpNMsN_X7KltpGPF06VjhHVsnDrREWVSbeDg212Lwr1si284XXcx4PYjAxyqpiTXq4oiEDw8nv929U0_A1lcAqKCCYd3-EwzQzSaK6euw0Q=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Several readers of SSR's have been successful in restoring old bamboo rods, and this to can offer a great deal of pleasure ans satisfaction.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwLFLnLkbnFu5CUMcC8Gtk7m2rWbplQofD7j3sV9k0buqZFEg28bMCLY5cLizeyvtjwC3Rmt6FnPxd-SFJVjRodEInk-w7Cy_7juMdZYoHgWD84jLH9KTJ41fkYpMk6DA88VdJpOXkgCeCWMY36iREs4b1MPze3rYcE17NrVZPMt-4k3QqRw8mTKbQLQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwLFLnLkbnFu5CUMcC8Gtk7m2rWbplQofD7j3sV9k0buqZFEg28bMCLY5cLizeyvtjwC3Rmt6FnPxd-SFJVjRodEInk-w7Cy_7juMdZYoHgWD84jLH9KTJ41fkYpMk6DA88VdJpOXkgCeCWMY36iREs4b1MPze3rYcE17NrVZPMt-4k3QqRw8mTKbQLQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>To catch a spirited wild brookie on a bamboo rod is near the top of fly fishing's pleasures.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuUKszNlUj9gfejsFG3rC7NtxCq9D7QNkvS8IPJdLGLeIFFDYF6Q3Lw05NB-Qi_Z__ssZhsn9sNr-u1qG_rhcgehBLmkZgq10SqsP1VQcE5w0Z8VMCwqnDcNR3OBsJocBk7n54KPzq0j4Uk-6QQ6Qlf54Wl5QlCGf-Ezgi49sfJQtGYPPjwk5S6q6Nvw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuUKszNlUj9gfejsFG3rC7NtxCq9D7QNkvS8IPJdLGLeIFFDYF6Q3Lw05NB-Qi_Z__ssZhsn9sNr-u1qG_rhcgehBLmkZgq10SqsP1VQcE5w0Z8VMCwqnDcNR3OBsJocBk7n54KPzq0j4Uk-6QQ6Qlf54Wl5QlCGf-Ezgi49sfJQtGYPPjwk5S6q6Nvw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stewart's Black Spider<br /></div><div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxC7PKLKC4DF24VTrYIyPbRv1b9WCK_uMjO0_YEQ90GSxeb-s46Q94G_Lb2HHZfpcin_aA29msmvX6m9IUNX7d8m5ZsDc2iIzOmJ894njv0TtNjX2RzPY_eurR7kR4KVqT7fJ26FQu1LtRGyR7fcySd48tLI2FwXzdyqlKWl2R76otLdKj4N5vygbjlg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxC7PKLKC4DF24VTrYIyPbRv1b9WCK_uMjO0_YEQ90GSxeb-s46Q94G_Lb2HHZfpcin_aA29msmvX6m9IUNX7d8m5ZsDc2iIzOmJ894njv0TtNjX2RzPY_eurR7kR4KVqT7fJ26FQu1LtRGyR7fcySd48tLI2FwXzdyqlKWl2R76otLdKj4N5vygbjlg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Black Magic</div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Two very good small stone fly patterns.<br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p></div>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-18477059712153100412022-01-31T08:06:00.003-05:002022-01-31T08:06:33.473-05:00Moving on.....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxCbRfL5RJZmNhcHxgUTvaKmgcwaVCHZUVlNuZpqm_grcchDLnzerzoWWezLuxBiDLXeNO3ARgvcSPYRoZk9u7wcMVsWSCh4rcRxbZz4Sgr1NtsUO64xuMjNwgdWIYxdRxCuRg3sCeBez8M7wJGiuceUwYFdpkaMNRDgkkbNotiIBWbVKfa9ncoWyZcw=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxCbRfL5RJZmNhcHxgUTvaKmgcwaVCHZUVlNuZpqm_grcchDLnzerzoWWezLuxBiDLXeNO3ARgvcSPYRoZk9u7wcMVsWSCh4rcRxbZz4Sgr1NtsUO64xuMjNwgdWIYxdRxCuRg3sCeBez8M7wJGiuceUwYFdpkaMNRDgkkbNotiIBWbVKfa9ncoWyZcw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>This is the scene as the nor'easter blew up New England on Saturday. Sixty five mile an hour winds, heavy snow falling at rates of 4 inches an hour. And to top it off the cold was intense. On the deck here I measured 13 inches and a few really big drifts. January 31...it is the end of a cold month, some moderating temps are forecast for the first week of February which is good news.<p></p><p>There was a time not long ago when I would be out enjoying snowy conditions like these but....<br /> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjswNpvQmOjmPcrjBUPhfaSAsHCeNSNdIjx9p5ar2PNIOD4JvHP34HmhIhGePNfKnk4RxZdCHZfVexTxhSX9xsJpvZJmEWeAY7e1_Cgkf10Xuma63-8Wf44MiuyKB86arq3NqY1i6XhY2QJgvw-BjYn4sYGk6u23ZnpjY1Hnr9MjYM5TQwoKS7P1SuMpA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjswNpvQmOjmPcrjBUPhfaSAsHCeNSNdIjx9p5ar2PNIOD4JvHP34HmhIhGePNfKnk4RxZdCHZfVexTxhSX9xsJpvZJmEWeAY7e1_Cgkf10Xuma63-8Wf44MiuyKB86arq3NqY1i6XhY2QJgvw-BjYn4sYGk6u23ZnpjY1Hnr9MjYM5TQwoKS7P1SuMpA=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div>...not today. A stream like this on days like this can give you a few pages of writing in your journal. Over the years I can recall memorable surface activity on such streams.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5nna4qC4ahSO2AMuXMi8fY1-Yb08dPITSxrWNaEwQd5mw94ucsX7kh2Ik62n8AvkUmmnAbKBWbfXibChe2zQ-phLc3WrlbnPmThW8wLgURxJB6AODXRIu6jXjTiNeEYsAiZ6tU5zjtpLA8DGhVVUvZFR9gHd9cRUw9DVvooEkIW-HfbYy9Ep___-tCA=s962" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="962" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5nna4qC4ahSO2AMuXMi8fY1-Yb08dPITSxrWNaEwQd5mw94ucsX7kh2Ik62n8AvkUmmnAbKBWbfXibChe2zQ-phLc3WrlbnPmThW8wLgURxJB6AODXRIu6jXjTiNeEYsAiZ6tU5zjtpLA8DGhVVUvZFR9gHd9cRUw9DVvooEkIW-HfbYy9Ep___-tCA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div>It is a time for these "little winter stones"...they can cause a few splashes and subtle rises.<p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Cast your fly just off the bank, or perhaps near a large boulder. Twitch your rod tip and just wait a second...<br /> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0mjVcea9E6SKcbsWFXtCcL2CdW9EnchU9nOFpNLu7mXgD_wRGKiA68zaZ9WLs-Mrw6W7sHMqlQNK7_FxPrdrDYmJa09pG_5x4te6jhbqjCEbZZ0ni84QJFYbHOuXpYsucP2Cf93RVln2rzDww2SRn3FNdVU2Z9WwqnTfHpNnIRuyglITcnS4sgXmlyQ=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0mjVcea9E6SKcbsWFXtCcL2CdW9EnchU9nOFpNLu7mXgD_wRGKiA68zaZ9WLs-Mrw6W7sHMqlQNK7_FxPrdrDYmJa09pG_5x4te6jhbqjCEbZZ0ni84QJFYbHOuXpYsucP2Cf93RVln2rzDww2SRn3FNdVU2Z9WwqnTfHpNnIRuyglITcnS4sgXmlyQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Here are a couple of my favorite "winter stone" spiders. These are tied on 14 and 16 hooks. Some spikey black dubbing, silk thread and a couple of turns of Starling hackle.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDbef4EhptsOaiaXOYIGJZfqA6FnAsmWv4tUJUZNZV4tvZ_hLooMX0Tts1vDhUkOHRaJZJKfKin1NJF5AzKOVYXaCZtrpOn4repW4nbbezilaMd8h0-zal-eJ_e_9DGKRN_Zq8QkL4KwiTRyPTzqbv2ua4v-xUJGchBGzh6u5cOS34zSrvFmwdS7nXiA=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDbef4EhptsOaiaXOYIGJZfqA6FnAsmWv4tUJUZNZV4tvZ_hLooMX0Tts1vDhUkOHRaJZJKfKin1NJF5AzKOVYXaCZtrpOn4repW4nbbezilaMd8h0-zal-eJ_e_9DGKRN_Zq8QkL4KwiTRyPTzqbv2ua4v-xUJGchBGzh6u5cOS34zSrvFmwdS7nXiA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Stay warm and safe my friends...<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-63174046671578774072022-01-28T07:12:00.000-05:002022-01-28T07:12:07.504-05:00The browns of "Rick Creek"....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf6oRiMOj3H9G4tzkOifKOtB_p58dFFEn7ryahU8GzJ6Tc8IrVagpCtiwb-87TFrX-iCfpRK3WizgrRLndzYLmkdH8i8Z5PrkntFT2eh3IOWrbv14IT_VwD1p3HzPZ7HaX-_gKK7zJjHhVtCVjHD5ZxfexgGk8ZyzVosI5ampL52M3RDQRHXztql3GYw=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf6oRiMOj3H9G4tzkOifKOtB_p58dFFEn7ryahU8GzJ6Tc8IrVagpCtiwb-87TFrX-iCfpRK3WizgrRLndzYLmkdH8i8Z5PrkntFT2eh3IOWrbv14IT_VwD1p3HzPZ7HaX-_gKK7zJjHhVtCVjHD5ZxfexgGk8ZyzVosI5ampL52M3RDQRHXztql3GYw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Rick Creek is a small tributary to a small stream that I have long fished. The area in which the streams are located run through a large tract of state land. Rick Creek can be quite tiny at times and at other time a decent stream in which to fish. It's main attribute is wild brown trout that are quite tough to catch. These browns are born and live in this little stream and I believe never venture out of it. It seems they find what they need here at home and are satisfied.<p></p><p>Most times these browns prefer a fly under the surface, be it a wet, nymph or soft hackle. Many of the short runs in the stream feature undercut banks and there is also a great deal of woody debris which is vital to these browns survival.<br /> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEnT92GUoArzBj0JwV4-WGKYkka9ciO6kFm8l8WRAoQRiyZKw4qeQgJ7pMVcl8nI3x-hbDhm27S3o3SgRyGDgLFq5Yqitftk55zSr5U1o217wtp4hFNKjUDK3WSleTG4H_dOycE_G-WYVje1G49F3WMLp17V0ce6sZlN5rr_9rPa4Ai0iV0ckDOMmTIQ=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEnT92GUoArzBj0JwV4-WGKYkka9ciO6kFm8l8WRAoQRiyZKw4qeQgJ7pMVcl8nI3x-hbDhm27S3o3SgRyGDgLFq5Yqitftk55zSr5U1o217wtp4hFNKjUDK3WSleTG4H_dOycE_G-WYVje1G49F3WMLp17V0ce6sZlN5rr_9rPa4Ai0iV0ckDOMmTIQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Quiet and slick, a perfect place to float a dry fly. But you would do better with a soft hackle under the surface.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjco9KJqnklShI0nssC56qgggXWxJhZjBsMcGak6b-eTfS-5TGnjPsA6FeQjWd1LC5lYmeJJ58KtMYPFAOTk-c1qk0M6DfvMgfo04VkgXOv8ww1zNjG485-K7y4EdsUG3emFwpymq48C9EDSbWZGkO_dmuJDacL86SjQkn4WdoUY-jfW88bqE78ZiJ8DQ=s986" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="986" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjco9KJqnklShI0nssC56qgggXWxJhZjBsMcGak6b-eTfS-5TGnjPsA6FeQjWd1LC5lYmeJJ58KtMYPFAOTk-c1qk0M6DfvMgfo04VkgXOv8ww1zNjG485-K7y4EdsUG3emFwpymq48C9EDSbWZGkO_dmuJDacL86SjQkn4WdoUY-jfW88bqE78ZiJ8DQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>A typical wild brown from Rick Creek. Many of them are smaller and this one would fall into the "trophy" class. This brown is well marked.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKQQUEg8zsx9wvl7ZVAQ2HdqMupPWhhrwGKPtsgZSfk2nT9PSPC5F8xBqsQPvlTVvMc0G0fxcgBfwUcYCCmwrGuXZW2A4pvEPLIrSRLVVnuGIobCbhMuzAbmNfVfnt3YSR68kmkHbsrxtaHdlZp_Jjt8MVFw7ZngikEoqTJIoRkGw3NUpo5dT3DzANGA=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKQQUEg8zsx9wvl7ZVAQ2HdqMupPWhhrwGKPtsgZSfk2nT9PSPC5F8xBqsQPvlTVvMc0G0fxcgBfwUcYCCmwrGuXZW2A4pvEPLIrSRLVVnuGIobCbhMuzAbmNfVfnt3YSR68kmkHbsrxtaHdlZp_Jjt8MVFw7ZngikEoqTJIoRkGw3NUpo5dT3DzANGA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>You have to love those corners in the stream. Most times where you find places like this it is worth your time to fish it, slowly and completely.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCQTFaVWvHpYELJoCmafQ_w3mhrURtH0Dlq5FygkIHaQitmCUgurljX98gbJLpv0Ep1i5F9ot5eFxtK5c9HzZ3w_V7Y8_jpnVlPj5-iSpmljefUsBegx0ju-vfgGMw1KS8WWfhUy-FORfaIJzk_FvPs7mQSHHLiHzPOAXGzDGBOLkyhMfdgK0HwZ6GtA=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCQTFaVWvHpYELJoCmafQ_w3mhrURtH0Dlq5FygkIHaQitmCUgurljX98gbJLpv0Ep1i5F9ot5eFxtK5c9HzZ3w_V7Y8_jpnVlPj5-iSpmljefUsBegx0ju-vfgGMw1KS8WWfhUy-FORfaIJzk_FvPs7mQSHHLiHzPOAXGzDGBOLkyhMfdgK0HwZ6GtA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Stream corner browns.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKMOMCtWbVtnzi0vQY_XkDm7r14tIWd4-GRGI4_DReH9AJFfqDeOTeRieeMFJDkVMitFWiBx0MvBswq7BLXwogw-aViH0-rZLmQfnoTvRzHD266QIZBs1t9oycj4Et1hW-IObkDy9yzhjUfGP8WRILeUd0Ld-96Kf0vuBOY2VD3afoMuUiDd9_LLxkOw=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKMOMCtWbVtnzi0vQY_XkDm7r14tIWd4-GRGI4_DReH9AJFfqDeOTeRieeMFJDkVMitFWiBx0MvBswq7BLXwogw-aViH0-rZLmQfnoTvRzHD266QIZBs1t9oycj4Et1hW-IObkDy9yzhjUfGP8WRILeUd0Ld-96Kf0vuBOY2VD3afoMuUiDd9_LLxkOw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>No flashy flies for those Rick Creek browns. Your basic brown soft hackle.<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-2709249043508072432022-01-26T08:47:00.004-05:002022-01-26T08:49:10.486-05:00Just some early morning thoughts.....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh87ZTVPU_7bsaRSXXtZAnvzCFqWdLULzdsY1l01uSuOKju42L2D0dofchA5DAJW7cfNvVlhILv-m3JpZWqRvzV_Qg5LA7QVVPeyux51XZ8nqcn4zLLlkHKFfuARzi93-01-HXBzOtd8fFQ2XWIvK0y4xiTINFRGPNA6LsKlPQ_UczC9PsZP0rkOB5XqA=s4262" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="4262" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh87ZTVPU_7bsaRSXXtZAnvzCFqWdLULzdsY1l01uSuOKju42L2D0dofchA5DAJW7cfNvVlhILv-m3JpZWqRvzV_Qg5LA7QVVPeyux51XZ8nqcn4zLLlkHKFfuARzi93-01-HXBzOtd8fFQ2XWIvK0y4xiTINFRGPNA6LsKlPQ_UczC9PsZP0rkOB5XqA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Very early Tuesday morning, 2am to be exact. I am sitting at my kitchen counter having just finished the book River Flowers. Looking out the window the snow is falling pretty heavy, a clipper they call it. My second cup of coffee is brewing, a McCafe K-cup and my thoughts are all over the place. River Flowers takes place mostly in western Maine. It's well written and covers it all as far as I'm concerned. Although Bob Romano does not list the actual places the descriptions he gives put me there again.<p></p><p>Reading reflections of others always brings me back to where many of mine originated. Those little things that may have happened and were not really block buster stuff seem to come back so vividly. I'm certain most of you can relate to what I'm saying.<br /> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnkAUUhgOF2zOMkrUZ6PwTUB-1dDbwzxouddm5YWmPouqctrFe6VsMnwVhkZZtowjFyzUBhfhMzqbd8Nk8qLSFwHkGWTnbOP-XsL6DFHGBVZieNP5f24rppCXasmIhsadbRElJa2csKwJWNKZcjlW9zXDa3XlC4dNHPAVeucTV2dK6pm-ZpWMVya_XBg=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnkAUUhgOF2zOMkrUZ6PwTUB-1dDbwzxouddm5YWmPouqctrFe6VsMnwVhkZZtowjFyzUBhfhMzqbd8Nk8qLSFwHkGWTnbOP-XsL6DFHGBVZieNP5f24rppCXasmIhsadbRElJa2csKwJWNKZcjlW9zXDa3XlC4dNHPAVeucTV2dK6pm-ZpWMVya_XBg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>A late spring day. A free flowing stream. Lush surroundings. A 5' bamboo rod with a soft hackle fly attached starts a drift through the stream. As it bounces willy nilly over rock and boulder like some something totally out of control it's progress stops. Suddenly there is resistance ans a quick movement upstream. I pull back and the fish does not like the sting. A valiant effort is made by the brookie in an effort to rid itself from the fly now in it's lip. What is only seconds the brookie is at hand and does one last maneuver to free itself....and mission accomplished. It swims off like a lightning bolt and a memory is created and not to be forgotten. <br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc7UoQ9WpU4KgFc6bb2A4CTBMIilC7tPgEgsLLr1tROrH1oOqD4unBD5xd4sDMVe3IBw66xmqNmS4xVBew5uX4cTWGMjV6hH78QfsAiJhDdNGZIpvEl6vJ7iaC3VCzNp__0d3xhJUQjYf3o_FyoSwYVvu3whcUECBNMJlUcTpZc3btuF2pM-SEuvn_hg=s4337" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3253" data-original-width="4337" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc7UoQ9WpU4KgFc6bb2A4CTBMIilC7tPgEgsLLr1tROrH1oOqD4unBD5xd4sDMVe3IBw66xmqNmS4xVBew5uX4cTWGMjV6hH78QfsAiJhDdNGZIpvEl6vJ7iaC3VCzNp__0d3xhJUQjYf3o_FyoSwYVvu3whcUECBNMJlUcTpZc3btuF2pM-SEuvn_hg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soft hackles, will they work?<br /></div><div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p></div>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7050365015235775568.post-86623576660139994292022-01-23T12:29:00.003-05:002022-01-23T12:32:22.673-05:00Wonderful, you are....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhB3MSYFGJrXZ2F7ncT9oSMafLzw54R2tTKUtPtT7hdEemDI3OwdX6kTF-JmV1f1L3r7mslqaFxCi5diaFDmLvbVVETkrTNXEpy7ollH8t_8QL8wGMOVGzkODCvP3ylQJWcoitzGN3bboM3cm2_ZXifFCHP8BfQOkcnT_ATFeBA5p_dXUpcHE3IJvjEg=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhB3MSYFGJrXZ2F7ncT9oSMafLzw54R2tTKUtPtT7hdEemDI3OwdX6kTF-JmV1f1L3r7mslqaFxCi5diaFDmLvbVVETkrTNXEpy7ollH8t_8QL8wGMOVGzkODCvP3ylQJWcoitzGN3bboM3cm2_ZXifFCHP8BfQOkcnT_ATFeBA5p_dXUpcHE3IJvjEg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>Many who visit Small Stream Reflection's will comment on how wonderful a site it is. My reply to those comments are it is because of you that make the site a pleasure to visit. Many of you take the time to e-mail me your thoughts and some even take the time to hand write me their thoughts. I appreciate every one of them.<p></p><p>Now here is a thought or two from me....I cannot tell you how much your participation has made a stable presence in my life, especially over the last year. You give so much support to me that I can't tell you in words. I can't imagine my life without Small Stream Reflections....you guys are the absolute best.</p><p>Thank you....<br /> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivZh3j-2MENuFR3ppMX9kQ0G1e4AWFdoN_H2em_PvaEx_91fK_Wp62LenAr404xehEDZIpXzV7iJsm1_pB0WEHk9ars0OFL9bSH92HDOqqF_Hi4L0Eck4l59McnlA08Yw4FCn02xPOoRuanG5g8Ue21zfFFw9NlERO5pgPtxF_Bd2AJKPCN6Eu4lycgg=s3399" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="3399" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivZh3j-2MENuFR3ppMX9kQ0G1e4AWFdoN_H2em_PvaEx_91fK_Wp62LenAr404xehEDZIpXzV7iJsm1_pB0WEHk9ars0OFL9bSH92HDOqqF_Hi4L0Eck4l59McnlA08Yw4FCn02xPOoRuanG5g8Ue21zfFFw9NlERO5pgPtxF_Bd2AJKPCN6Eu4lycgg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div>This Sakasa Kebari was chosen for a reason....the bright colors, the uplifting hackle and the promise....<br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Brk Trthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12677442640158367831noreply@blogger.com39