As a kid who grew up reading books by Louis L’Amour, Zane Gray, and more recently, William Johnstone, I longed to see the west. While serving in the Air Force 20 years, I crossed the country by train, automobile and airplanes, while serving at various western bases, or going to San Francisco for overseas tours. Thus, I saw much of our great American West.
After retirement in August 1971, my family and I settled near Clarkesville, Georgia. Amy, our daughter, went through the lower schools here and then Truett-McConnell College, where I met my future wife and Amy’s mother, Florine Kelley, years earlier.
Although I love our home in Habersham I still loved the west and I have 14 two-inch notebooks containing the narratives, photos and related documents of my trips to mostly Wyoming on fishing trips. Once, with two brothers, a nephew, and friends, filling two vehicles I toured the west from California to Washington and Oregon, then back to Wyoming.
This year, three of us friends plan to go to a new location in Wyoming to try out. If it is a disappointment we will return to near Dubois
For me, getting ready is an ordeal. I tend to pack everything to fit every possible need out there. Going late this year, it will be cold at night so I have sleeping bag and liner, an extra blanket, and a suitcase full of clothing. My fishing gear includes two rods, tackle box and waders. We will sleep in tents that are drafty on windy nights.
I try to cover every need and keep a list of items but I usually still get out there and find I left something out.
After getting home the last time, I said I wasn’t going west again! I should not leave my long patient wife to worry as I’ve done so in the past. The three days, 1500 plus miles out there is an ordeal. My body gets out of kilter and it takes a day or two in camp to get back in shape. It is the same coming home. However, time dulls the memory and again I decided to go one more time.
I book this as my last trip!
