New 1 min vid: "Allow nature to teach you stillness" -Eckhart Tolle

As my parents have gotten older and had health issues, it's made me a little more introspective about my own life. I realized, that my kids who are now 11 and 13 haven't really done much alpine hiking, which I feel remiss about. So this summer we planned a trip with some friends to take the kids up into the Alpine Lakes wilderness for a week. While I have the longer video partially started (well more unstarted than started) I really loved this shot of just sitting down and not fishing. The lake and surrounding mountains were amazing, and it felt magical being up there. Anyway, hope you enjoy this 1 minute video.

 
As my parents have gotten older and had health issues, it's made me a little more introspective about my own life. I realized, that my kids who are now 11 and 13 haven't really done much alpine hiking, which I feel remiss about. So this summer we planned a trip with some friends to take the kids up into the Alpine Lakes wilderness for a week. While I have the longer video partially started (well more unstarted than started) I really loved this shot of just sitting down and not fishing. The lake and surrounding mountains were amazing, and it felt magical being up there. Anyway, hope you enjoy this 1 minute video.


As always you have shared your, but common experience, of life and living with us. I believe most fishermen have and do live the experience of quite and calm, it refreshes our souls/being.

Peace to you and your family!
 
I walked into a high lake this fall for a blast and cast.
It was a pretty easy trail but my knees were telling me I was glad it was no steeper or longer hike.
No grouse were killed or fish caught, just the enjoyment of a high mountain adventure.
 
In my twenties and thirties I was alpine lake fishing from ice-off til the roads had too much snow to make it. Hiking in the dark, and setting up my gear/raft with a headlamp was exciting . I would float out on the water enjoying the stars and the sound of silence. I was never in a rush to get my fly in the water.
The naps waiting for sunrise were nice too.
Waking up bouncing off a log, shoreline or just the gentle float on the water was always a joy.
 
Not enough has been said about “the stillness” of fly fishing. It might be the main reason I fly fish. It teaches me how best to govern my BS. More like a goal than my reality, but a worthy goal.
I confess, I'm often charging in with a fishing first attitude, but every now and then nature is just so spectacular it's like a slap upside the head "pay attention".
I walked into a high lake this fall for a blast and cast.
It was a pretty easy trail but my knees were telling me I was glad it was no steeper or longer hike.
No grouse were killed or fish caught, just the enjoyment of a high mountain adventure.
Sometimes that's all we need. My body was also like "why are you doing this to me?!"

In my twenties and thirties I was alpine lake fishing from ice-off til the roads had too much snow to make it. Hiking in the dark, and setting up my gear/raft with a headlamp was exciting . I would float out on the water enjoying the stars and the sound of silence. I was never in a rush to get my fly in the water.
The naps waiting for sunrise were nice too.
Waking up bouncing off a log, shoreline or just the gentle float on the water was always a joy.
I bet you have some amazing stories to tell. I have not done enough of this, and should before my body gives out on me.
 
As my parents have gotten older and had health issues, it's made me a little more introspective about my own life. I realized, that my kids who are now 11 and 13 haven't really done much alpine hiking, which I feel remiss about.
As another parent, I have also felt that "remiss". For me, this feeling is an unfortunate side effect of my perfectionism, and it also isn't helpful in managing my issues with depression and aging. However, when I really think about it, my thoughts of "haven't really done much" with my 40 year old daughter are neither accurate nor fair to myself. What is "much", and who's counting the times? I tend to, but my daughter doesn't. She has never once told me that we've not "done much" fishing. In fact, quite the opposite; she never fails to express her appreciation with sharing nature/fishing time with me. Hearing her thanks has taught me that any parent who makes even a little effort in this regard has done very well.

Thank you for this valuable video. It reminds me of a quote that I have on my frig:

"Balance is the perfect state of still water. Let that be our model. It remains quiet within and is not disturbed on the surface." Confucius
 
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