Progress on the canoe build has been slow, but the end is beginning to come into view. I am therefore thinking ahead to the final touches, which include the lightning bolt graphics.
I scoured the internet [read: Drake forum] and located the foremost authority on lightning bolt graphics, hunting chickens, and shrimp flies. I decided to fly to Montana to pick his brain a bit. I botched with the stainless staples - I'm not screwing up the lightning bolt.
I decided to take last year's neglectarino to camp and fish in Yellowstone for a few days as well.
This is what you call "camping weather".
After a couple flights we were hungry, so we pulled over for tacos. When I turned the corner, my eyes lit up. I didn't have my broken Drake hat fuss about, so I politely ran in like a kid and asked to look around. They couldn't have been nicer. One of the workers in the lobby was from New Orleans, so we chatted about hurricanes and trout.
A couple hours later, camp was set up; and we eagerly put on our waders.
I love this place.
An hour on the river yielded a couple fish before a snow storm ran us back to camp.
It was cold that night. And it rained. And it snowed.
The next day, we fished with a guide that would help Lizzy and give dear old dad some fishing time.
We fished on Mars, or so it felt.
The fishings was a little slow, but we were both in heaven.
We had dinner and caught Old Faithful just before the sun set.
I love this place.
It was cold that night. It did not rain.
The next day was about Lizzy, so we warmed up with breakfast in town, hiked Mt Washburn, and hit the Norris Geyser Basin.
It was cold that night. It snowed.
I love this place.
As I packed up camp, I felt the usual sadness associated with leaving Yellowstone. But there was no time for tears - it was lightning bolt day.
I brought a pencil and paper to trace the famous lightning bolt only to discover the old Drifter was bare. I suspect the expert has not settled on a final design himself.
We had a pleasant day discussing lightning bolts, chickens, shrimp files, and fish. I pictured his chicken to have a bad ass name like "Lars" or "Thor".
Her name is "Katie".
Our hotels rooms always look the same on the night before flying home.
I cannot wait to do it all again.