The Crowder Boys at Douthat

It seems like forever since I sat and wrote for this.  The internet connection at Douthat was too slow to download pictures and the bench outside the restaurant was too hard on my butt.  Now I'm at Barbara's in air conditioned comfort, and this is my first time out of the mountains since I left in May.  The AC helps make up for the low altitude and higher temps. 

Trey and the boys arrived last Thursday bringing my new fly rod with them.  Of course I had to put it together and try it out, but I handed it off to young Houston, gave him a few tips on casting and he caught a fish, a small bream, almost right away.  The next day he and I went to the stream again and after much work and laughter, he caught this little trout.  We both laughed so hard we almost fell in the creek! 

Houston and his baby trout

One morning the 4 of us rented canoes and explored the beautiful lake for a while.  Trey and Houston fished while Patrick and I just cruised and looked for fish.  We went over to the dam and actually docked there while peering over the edge.  Patrick was a little fidgety at first, but his grin shows that he overcame his fears and enjoyed the view from there. 

Patrick at the dam

When we first talked about this trip last year, I had mentioned teaching them to make a "one match fire."  So the first night I demonstrated making kindling, laying the fire, keeping it fed and so forth.  The next night was Houston's turn and he performed admirably!  It was truly a one matcher and kept us entertained for the evening.  Patrick had his turn the next night and as soon as he struck his match, he dropped it-right on a leaf near the carefully laid kindling.  I said "you know that's you're only match", and we watched it blaze like a torch and become a lovely one!  The kid has a lucky streak a yard wide! 

Playing in the creek as another favorite past time we enjoyed there.  My creaky knees, poor hearing and other minor ailments didn't take away from the fun I had with these guys in the creek bed.  We trapped minnows, chased crawdads, floated flip flops for boats, threw rocks, looked for snakes and some of us even got in chin deep to enjoy the cool stream and escape the heat.  Being so engrossed in play has to be good for the soul. 

When we weren't sleeping or playing, we were eating.  These young fellas sure have hearty appetites and we enjoyed our meals immensely.  I took us to the restaurant one evening and learned that having a reservation has no meaning there.  After a 20 minute wait, during which Trey and the boys viewed all the mounted fish on the walls, we enjoyed a nice meal with a view of the lake.  Trey attempted a diversion to snatch a bite of this luscious dessert!

There was lots of laughter and teasing and good cheer.  These guys are good natured and fun loving and being with them reminded of being with my kids when they were little and we would go camping.  The circle goes on.  I hope to find a time to do something similar with the granddaughters and their parents. 

Patrick and the helmet

On a scooter ride

The beauty of the places I see continues to inspire and uplift me.  Sadness visits rarely these days and happiness is more the norm.  Life still presents challenges: AC failure at the rental house in Raleigh and a tire failure on the trailer.  Yet I still enjoy this lifestyle and hope to continue it for a while.  Thanks for stopping by!