I recently spent a week away from steelheading when our family took a trip to Disneyland during the week of Christmas. This year we took our daughter Yolanda, husband Kanoe, and our 8yo grandson KJ. Last year we did the same thing, again during the week of Christmas with our son TJ, daughter in law Stephanie, daughter Felicia, boyfriend Shaun, and grand kids (at the time, Harmony-9mos, Zaden-2yo) to be able to see Mickey and all the fun rides and shows in the Magic Kingdom. However, for a guy who shies away from crowds by escaping to steelhead rivers, the mob scene in Disneyland, California Adventure, and Knott's berry farm were a bit much. Last year we all received a special gift from the crowds as well - a bad stomach bug which had us all dropping like flies in turn with vomiting, body aches, and the runs. Several of us were throwing up on the plane ride home, including poor little Harmony so we were pretty glad when the plane touched back down in Eugene.
I had a pleasant surprise this year when I ran into Marty and Mia Sheppard in the line for the Pirates of the Carribean ride. Knowing of the Sheppards through their reputations as talented steelhead guides, Mia's championship casting, thier articles in Swing the Fly, and through mutual friends, I decided to introduce myself. Of course we got to chatting about fishing and I enjoyed visiting with them very much.
Since returning home, I've been coming down from the trauma of being in the midst of the mind numbing crowds:
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| I don't belong here |
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| Not my Happy Place |
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Get me outta here!!
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But it's all about the grandkids:
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| KJ (8) |
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| Harmony (21 months) |
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| Zaden (3) |
Gotta admit, I've been glad to come back to this:
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| Home sweet home |
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| Gotta be a steelhead out there somewhere |
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| Holding water |
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May His Grace and Peace be with you and wishing you all a Happy New Year!
Todd
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