I am back to work now three days now and I miss the woods. I miss the quiet, the stillness. I was lucky, I had 10 weeks to hunt as I wished and I got out a fair bit. Every day that I hunted this past fall, with the exception of a few afternoons in which I took my daughter, I hunted alone. As I think I wrote in a previous post here, a few years ago I used to go on trips by myself lasting weeks, never felt the need for much company in the woods. I guess I will get used to being back to work in a few days but I feel a bit razzed by being around so many people. Two more days until the weekend and then its back to the real world, the world of the woods and the barrens. In my last post I posted a picture of my daughter that we took Sunday. All she is talking about is getting out again this weekend. She has been bit by the bug it seems.
We were both walking quietly in the woods last Sunday and a half hour elapsed without either of us saying a word, she was walking just ahead of me and as we crested a hill she stopped and looked back at me and said " I am really starting to understand why you love this, its magic" she then looked ahead and carried on.
Can't wait for the weekend. Grouse for a month, then seaducks and icefishing for trout. Then out with the fly rod for sea trout,brook trout and salmon as the seasons march on. I have enough meat in the freezer and enough great memories to play through in my mind to get me through the winter.
Life outside is good, won't be lost for long.
Your daughter is wise beyond her years. But I think she gets that from you.
ReplyDeleteYou have the memories of it, the scent in your clothing, the excited whine of the dogs as they sniff the breeze. It will hold you over til next time.
Thanks Brigid, that she is wise beyond her years is no doubt. She didn't get THAT from me though. She has a a way with words as well. She is an avid reader and sees things that aren't apparent to most people
ReplyDeleteWhat your daughter said is priceless. Let's hope it lasts.
ReplyDeleteNice post. Nothing like having a plan with the seasons laid out in front of you. I do the same thing. After duck season will be a little bit of pheasant hunting and then hopefully a whitetail/muzzleloader hunt over Xmas break, and then on and on...Just feels good to looke ahead, eh?
Yes Wandering I hope it lasts. I guess most Dads would love their children to like the same things that they do. I told my daughter she can come with me anytime she likes now and I don't pressure her into going> She has got me out of the house now a couple of times when I was lazing around. I am concerned about many things as I go through life but my only real worry in this world is for my daughters future. Youth today have many challenges ahead of them. I look back on my own teen years and shudder when I think of my daughter at that age.
ReplyDeleteDan
Hi Dan, Nice post I understand completely about how you feel when denied, for whatever reason, the outdoors, you just put it into words far better than I could. As for your daughter it sounds like the future for her holds many of the joys, adventures, excitement, wonders and even some of the sadness that comes with living life to the full. Judging on with what little I know of you through this blog I think that she’ll do just fine.
ReplyDeleteMurph
Thanks John,
ReplyDeleteAs I said my only real worry is for my daughters future, that comes with being a parent I guess. As for my scratchings you are too kind. You have the way of getting the words down well.
Regards
Dan
Great post!
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