JT was excited (understatement of the century) to go on his first camping/fishing trip with his dad. And his friends. (Oh. My.)
The lake near our house stocks 10,000 trout in time for opening day of fishing season every year. Then they put on a big event and you can camp in the park overnight. Years ago Jim and I went together and had, um, an okay time. It was cold. And wet. And there was nothing to do except fish, and it was too dark to read.
Anyway.
Jim asked JT if he’d want to go this year and of course JT said yes. Then Jim organized his two friends Carl and Brian to come with their boys (see photo of the three boys here). Everyone came to our house for hamburgers before they left to camp in one big tent overnight. The ladies put the babies to bed and watched Iron Lady and ate snacks in the warm house on the cozy couch while the men looked like this…
They bought the yummy pancake breakfast in the morning. The timestamp on this photo is 6:34 AM. Jim said when he woke up JT was lying in his sleeping bag just staring at him – willing him to wake up, I am sure. For a boy who drags himself out of bed at 8:30 most mornings, this is a first.
They went to the fish pen that holds lots and lots of trout for children to catch and got in line early. This was good, because they waited 45 minutes as it was and some parents Jim talked to waited for hours. It’s because a child’s turn is until they catch a fish. Love this rule when it’s your child, hate it when you’re waiting in line.
And sure enough, he got one! 10 inches long and 5.75 ounces (it’s like announcing a baby). He was sooooo proud of it.
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| Hot chocolate for the hungry fisherman |
Here’s what the park looks like in the morning – a nice day for fishing!
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| Asher and JT |
The fishermen got home about 11:30 and slept together in our bed until 2:30, completely missing lunch. Then we ate the trout the next day at lunch and it was really good!
The Keene Family 