Looking back, as we left the Pacific Northwest in early July of last year, I knew it was probably one of the most difficult relocations to make.
I say that having moved…more than a few times…since getting married in ’02.
Like, more than a dozen.
When the opportunity to make a trip back presented itself, it brought quite a bit of excitement with it and a thin shadow of apprehension. Would I still feel the same about the area after being absent for a year? Would it still wrap itself around me like a comforting blanket in the winter (or, more typical for this time of year, like a gel blanket on a severe sunburn victim)?
Of course, I also had to factor in that I would be driving up to deliver a car to one of our lovely children, which is a long haul when you have a limited window of opportunity.
Saturday morning…out the door and on the road by around 0600. A long drive ahead, but at the end of it a chance to see my Brother and a great friend of ours. Second drive to Denver in only a couple of months, so the route was not new to me.
Some beautiful countryside, once you get out into areas that don’t have as high a density of telephone poles, power lines, and billboards. So…once you get of Texas.
1,000 miles on the first day. Dinner with my brother, then we went to our mutual friend’s house and relaxed with him, another friend from decades ago that happened to be in town, then my brother’s wife also joined us. Very nice to kick back and talk like that, with so much history that we all share.
It looks like a 1,00 mile drive is about the radius that works, in terms of driving to visit friends. Make note KK, as your place looks to be right about that far, too…
Second day was planned as the longer of the two, hoping to make it to Yakima. The conversation of the night before made me not want to wander off to sleep all that early, so I think I ended up with four hours rest before waking up and hitting the roads, again.
That day took me through WY, UT, ID, OR, then into WA.
In the front half of the day, I observed the ubiquitous roadkill remnants taking a turn for the worse. Sure, the usual skunk and other small creatures, but my initial “I hope who ever hit that deer wasn’t hurt” incident/thoughts had to give way to “I hope whoever hit that Elk at least survived.”
Twice.
In OR, I passed a long stretch with burnt landscape to the South of me, as the sun was wandering toward the horizon.
Eerie, to be sure.
I didn’t make it all the way to Yakima, but got to within 90 miles, or so, before the lack of sleep caught up with me. At least it made for a bit more rest before arriving, and I knew that I would be meeting our daughter at 8:30 the following morning, so it made sense to finish the last leg of the 1,200 mile segment the following morning.
Picking up our youngest, we took care of the mandatory tasks around transferring the vehicle, then, snacks and hydration in hand, we headed up into the mountains.
Some significant fires in the area had one highway closed, but we followed another route, one quite familiar to me from solo flyfishing adventures when we still lived there, and found ourselves on the Little Naches River, in a light drizzle, with the temps unusually cool for the time of year. Thankfully, not long after passing the roadblock for that other highway, we had also climbed above and upwind of the fires, so the air was crisp and clear.
Our daughter LOVES the outdoors. So, she was more than happy to grab a blanket, find a dry patch, and just soak up the fresh air, sounds, and sights for a while, while I fly fished a stretch that would bring me back up to her.
Oh, you didn’t think I would make this trip without my gear, did you?
No, I did not pack waders or boots, but in July, wading in nylon pants and water shoes is absolutely fine in that part of the Cascades.
YES! That great spot where I spent countless hours casting to small but feisty rainbows and cutthroats, on a misty day with almost no breeze at all.
And, better yet, the river welcomed me back with open arms!
Or…open mouths.
I fished the cool waters (no, I did not take the temp, but it was cold enough that I thought my toes would turn blue and warm enough that they actually didn’t) for maybe an hour and a half, connecting with that little beauty in the first 10 minutes, and hooked 4…landing 3. The two larger than this that came to my hand managed to flip out of my net before I could get pictures, though, so this will have to serve as their representative. In truth, the other two were likely only a couple of inches longer, but that’s fine, too.
At one point, a silvery stonefly drifted past in the current. It was at least 2″ long and its little legs were trying to find purchase on anything that could get it clear of the surface film. In the span of time where I could see it, at least 3 fish took a swipe at it! Fortunately for the stonefly, this was not its time to go, so he disappeared downstream, still looking for dry land.
Regardless of the cool day, or whether or not the drizzle had wandered away (which it had, halfway through my time in the water), just being there was so refreshing and enjoyable. I did not realize just how much I had missed this place, and others like it. Perhaps I have tuned it out to avoid the tug at my being that seeks to draw me back.
We drove up a bit higher, from there, when we climbed back in the car. The lookout point near Rainier was fully in the clouds, so we came back down a couple of miles to a pull-off where one could see just under the mist.
Returning to town, eventually, I dropped my dear daughter off at her place and proceeded over to a friend’s house, where a group of great gentlemen had planned to get together for a dinner in honor of my brief return. Five of us, over an excellent dinner and some wonderful wines, caught up and shared stories that evening.
A truly amazing group of friends.
Another night of short sleep, with an 0300 alarm set. Quick shower then out the door to pick up my daughter and drive to Sea-Tac for the flight home. Even that was a great little drive, the scenery reminding me of so many good adventures.
The flights…not so much fun, but necessary.
In the end, safer and more reliable transportation for our daughter, a chance to visit with her and to spend time with friends in two cities, and a few hours out in nature. Excellent trip!
Tight lines…