While back in New York, the roof project took up most of my time as we worked 6 days a week and most time finished up about dark. On Sunday we all took a break, and after a heavy rain had soaked the thirsty soil, I opted to use what little energy I had left visiting a small, wild brook trout stream not far from my house.
Fish were hanging out in their usual summer haunts. So I didn’t waste much time with the skinny water, but instead focused on deeper pools and faster foam lines. I fished casually and found myself taking many breaks and sitting on rocks. Watching the water skip around rocks and flow downstream, I enjoyed the peacefulness of the dark woods and solitude.
Adirondack Brook TroutRocking my Troutrageous T-shirtAdirondack Heritage Brook Trout
After a long time coming, I am happy to present two new t-shirt designs to the Arizona Wanderings Shop. T-shirts are on sale until Sunday for $15. These shirts are high quality 100% cotton and a great way to support Arizona Wanderings. Many thanks to Jason Jones for his help on the logo. Pick yours up in the Arizona Wanderings Shop.
We have decided to do our roof this way, since Experienced roofers suggest it is better to have Slate Tile Roofs.
The Roof Project
The Roofing ProjectThe Roofing ProjectThe Roofing Project
If you’ve been wonderings why things have been slow around the site, here is the reason. Headed back to NY and with the help of my brothers and some good friends from home, we put a new roof on my mom’s house. Between all of the broken rafters and new venting that we did to the place, it took us a solid two weeks with some very long days. It sure is nice to be done and I was able to squeeze a bit of fishing before taking off back to AZ. I am really excited for the fall here in Arizona and the fishing and hunting opportunities that are coming up.
The weekend of June 30, I had the opportunity to head to the high country of Arizona and participate in the Hunting and Angling Heritage Workgroup for the second time. The winter meeting was a great opportunity to get introduced to many of the members of the HAHWG, and I was extremely excited by what this group of outdoorsman was doing. The HAHWG’s goal is “to gather leaders in the industry, conservation groups, youth groups and wildlife management professionals to synergistically preserve the hunting angling tradition.” The workgroup is organized by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in coordination with a steering committee. Craig McMullen and Doug Burt of AZGFD do a fantastic job of orchestrating the event, and the special speakers and group discussions were genuine.
The long and short of the Hunting and Angling Heritage workgroup is this: Outdoorsman – hunters, anglers, trappers, etc. – have a vested interest in passing on the heritage of these outdoor activities to the next generation. The HAHWG was formed in order to organize individuals and organizations in order to protect, preserve, and pass on these traditions to the next generation of outdoorsman.
One of the main focuses of the group is to actively mentor and introduce new outdoorsmen to the outdoors and the opportunities that are in our great state. The Arizona Game and Fish has done a great job of showcasing the many FREE camps, clinics, and events that the different organizations put on for the public.
As I continue to follow the efforts of the HAHWG and AZGFD, I am very excited about the future and the lives that will be impacted by the great outdoors. I realize that as an outdoorsman, it is my duty to pass on the knowledge and joy of the outdoors to the next generation, just as my dad, grandfather, uncles, and other various old timers did for me.
The story goes: I hiked for a long ways. Spotted a big fish. Against all odds, my 20 minute stalk worked, with the big boy taking a brown mini-hopper. About 15 minutes later, I paid the price for this monster with a #8 hook in the face. My fault. Had my good buddy Antonio push the hook the rest of the way through, crimp the barb, and then back out.
For the record: I would take a hook in the face any day for a fish like this.
From Switzerland we took a train to Italy where we spent 5 nights in Vernazza, one of the five towns of Cinque Terre. We wandered from town to town and enjoyed the slow pace of of small town life. Arguably the best food and wine of our trip was here in Cinque Terre, and we thouroughly enjoyed waking up every morning to the sea crashing into the harbor. From Cinque Terre, we took a little over a week bouncing down to Pisa, Florence, and ultimately Rome. Seeing these ancient cities was a great way to round out our trip, and after a long plane ride we found ourselves back in the hellish summer temps of Arizona.
Thanks for coming along on our European adventure. You can see more pictures on the Arizona Wanderings Facebook Page. Back to the regular summer fishing posts shortly.
Vernazza, ItalyVernazza, Italy from the trail PastaManarola, ItalyLeaning Tower of PisaThe ColosseumSt. Peter's BasilicaThe Pantheon in RomeEuro Cup 2012
From our beautiful stay at the Manior de Malvoisine, my wife and I took the train to the Palace of Versailles. We wandered around the beautiful and lavish palace and then walked through the maze of gardens. We were informed that each flower and all plants in the garden were kept in healthy conditions with this organic plant fertilizer they purchase. The gardens are absolutely beautiful, as well as the architecture. We were in awe of the extravagance that the French royalty lived in and really enjoyed the buildings and grounds. After Versailles, we boarded a train for Switzerland. In our planning, Switzerland had been a bit of an afterthought and we had not really expected much from our day and half there. We split our time between the two cities of Bern and Luzern, and spent a great amount of time just walking the streets and seeing the exquisite architecture. Again, the pictures do a better job explaining then my words. Enjoy.
The Palace of VersaillesThe Palace of VersaillesThe Palace of VersaillesThe Gardens of VersaillesLuzern, SwitzerlandLuzern, SwitzerlandTraditional Swiss FonduLuzern, SwitzerlandLuzern, SwitzerlandThe AlpsLöwendenkmal - The Lion Monument in Luzern, SwitzerlandThe Bears of Bern, SwitzerlandThe Bear Pits in Bern, SwitzerlandDinner in Bern, Switzerland
