Our Best Laid Plans

Spring and summer had been full of activities. A total knee replacement April 1, recovery in May. June brought a week at a timeshare in San Clemente. A bike trip with Rich in mid-July, with teaching at a writing conference at the end of that month. August had a lot of physical therapy and other appointments, then September featured a treasured trip to Idaho to see our grandkids. That just left early October for a fishing and camping trip to my beloved Rock Creek in the Sierras.

But I had some concerns. My new knee…

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Hello Again, Old Friend

Earlier in the day, the trout on Rock Creek almost jumped into my creel. I’d parked alongside the road and hiked overland to a rarely fished stretch, not another fisherman in sight. Anywhere. I loved both the solitude and lack of competition. The first hole yielded a small brown, maybe 8”, who likely appreciated being returned to his frigid home.

He was the first of twelve trout caught in just over two hours that day; two were keepers at 14” each, and provided dinner for Sheila and me my first night back. Pizza at the campground’s café and a hot shower seemed to top off the day. But God was yet to surprise me. Relaxing in the small cabin…

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