Oysters

I've never done this before, but decided to head down 95 to Beaufort in search of oysters with my little buddy Ava and navigator, Gracie.

Look at the car in front of me. This looks like something I would do. Finally on the water in search of oysters! Go faster Daddy!

A nice harvest! yeah!

The Oyster Crew

Ready to head back home to enjoy some fresh Low Country Oysters

Now that's what I'm talking about! All my girls tried the oysters, and Emma and Ava loved them and learned how to shuck all by themselves. I love it! Oyster Harvesting is now crossed off my Bucket List. Now, I want to learn how to shrimp.

Camping in the Swamp

My good friend has a cabin back in the swamp and I spent a couple days hunting and a night of solo camping (bucket list). My cozy cotI didn't use this wood burning stove, but it was there if I needed it.Perkilated coffee in the woods is SOOOOOOOO good! I had so much fun going camping by myself, I decided to take the girls. Emma was in school, but I took the other girls. We had a great time. Can't have too much firewood

"Daddy, when is the deer sausage gonna be ready?"

Riley helping Daddy cook the sausage

Both Gracie and I are in our element

Bow Hunting

I took these does with a bow on the same evening in late September. Both shots were about 10 yards. This was the first year I have bow hunted, after getting my first bow late last year. I love it much more than gun hunting. It's so much more challenging to get up close to deer, and then when it actually happens, it makes it all worth it.In late October, this "would be" six point walked about 22 yards from me. I took the shot and he didn't run far.

A few days after I cleaned the deer, I processed the meat into cube steak, burger, sausage, and barbecue. I really loved the experience.

It's great to have so many helpers!

Ava's first hunt with Daddy (we saw a deer too)

Colorado

Brooke and I spent a week in Colorado, September 4-11, and it was one the best experiences of my life. We had so much fun together, filled with some great adventure.
We flew into Denver Friday night in time to catch a Rockies game with my cousins, Heather and Jena.

A view from our condo balcony, from inside the hot tub (ok, from next to the hot tub)

A spot I found two years ago that still produced some nice rainbows. Can you see Brooke reading her book on the bank?

An early Saturday morning. Little did we know we'd be hiking almost 10 miles that day.

Starting our hike at Fern Lake Trailhead

Stopping for a rest and snack at "The Pool"The Pool

Just 2.1 miles til we reach Fern Lake Fern Falls

Native Greenback Cutthroat Trout caught at inlet to Fern Lake (my favorite fishing spot)

Spending time at the inlet to Fern Lake

Almost to Odessa Lake

Odessa Lake

Almost to Bear Lake (and finished with our hike).

We spent a morning taking photographs at Maroon Bells. Maroon Lake reflects the Maroon Bells (the two 14ers behind all the aspen trees). Definitely a highlight of the trip!

I didn't plan to fish, but how could I resist. After all, this was the most beautiful lake I've ever seen and the trout were rising everywhere!

I took this nice brown trout on a fly near the back of Maroon Lake. What a thrill!

After an afternoon in Aspen, including a wonderful meal at Little Annie's, we spent an hour (or so) on the Roaring Fork River. I could see the trout, and I'm sure they could see me, because they didn't bite.

This is where I should have been the whole time...The Frying Pan River. This is the kind of river you read about in Field and Stream. I'm not kidding, there were huge trout within spitting distance from me. I didn't have long to fish here because we needed to head back over Independence Pass before dark. However, I did enoy a conversation from a fly fishing veteran from Oregon who has fished this little stretch of river every Summer for 20 years. Needless to say, I listened to what he said and I'm ready for next time.

The rock behind me is called Quandary Peak and it was my first Fourteener and something on my Bucket List. Quandary Peak is 14,265 feet high.

A view from the summit of Quandary Peak

Looking behind Quandary Peak. In the direction I'm looking, I can see Breckenridge, Keystone, Dillon, Longs Peak, Torres Peak, and several other peaks including Pike's Peak.

Like Old Times

Andrew and I spent some time on the river, and of course pushed the limit on the rope swing. We also challenged ourselves to paddle upstream through the rapids and up over the ledge. It was a workout, but we managed to succeed. Spending time with my good friend was a real blessing that day.

Family Time on Saluda River

We spent an afternoon in September on the river, swinging and jumping from the rope swing, paddling up near the dam, and checking out the rock quary.

The One That Got Away (or did it?)

Dad pulled up to my house at 5am this morning and we headed to the Waffle House for some breakfast before some fishing at my favorite pond. We started fishing around 6am and caught several small bass and some really nice bream... AND THEN!
Dad made a cast to the middle of the pond with a reddish glittery worm. Shortly after the worm hit the water, a large fish grabbed it and took off! After 1 1/2 minutes of fighting a fish that wanted to stay under water, the fish jumped completely out of the water and shook the hook. I got the whole thing on video and it was amazing! Not even 5 minutes later, still fishing in the same area, I hooked a fish using a black and red glitter worm. I probably fought him for a couple of minutes, but he didn't seem to fight nearly as hard as the one my dad had on the line. When I landed the pig, Dad and I both looked at each other and thought it was probably the same fish and that the reason he didn't fight as hard with me is that Dad tired him out a good bit. We didn't have a scale or measuring tape, but we're estimating it to be a good 8-10 pounds, and definitely the biggest largemouth we've ever caught! After a few quick pictures, we let him go, "to fight again" we say! What a morning!