Every Father�s Day, I get up before dawn and head into the mountains. I use the day to review the year and see where things stand, and this year�s trip showed me many things. On the way, just as the sun was coming up, I saw a freshly road-killed deer. Across the highway from the carcass, a coyote had his nose in the wind, a reminder of the Greater Forces to which we are all subject. A few miles later, I passed a single-car accident. A white sedan had flipped, probably just before dawn, and the law enforcement folks surrounding it seemed somber. The car was drenched with blood and none of the cops were moving very quickly. I think several people died there.

In the hills, I spent an hour or so watching a mountain goat nanny and her kid with my binoculars, which reminded me of the Lord�s splendor � and me that my eyes are not what they once were. I shot some drills I learned on the AR board and checked the zero on the rifle I�m giving to my father later today, then ran through a training exercise that I�ll run for my brothers in law in a few weeks. I am not a religious man, but at one point I fell to my knees to thank the Creator for all my good fortune.

I just dropped my stepdaughter off at her father�s house, and in a few hours I�ll go swimming in the lake with my wife and son. As I sit and write this it occurs to me that some of you, whom I consider friends though we have never met, may not have what I have. If so, I hope things change for you. I don�t have much money, but I am a very rich man.

Waidmann�s Heil,


Okie John

John,

God bless you and your family. I hope you do have a happy fathers day.

The van accident you saw, shows we can be here today and gone tomorrow. We need to appreciate the details of our lives why we have them, both the details and our lives.

Like you also, I wish all of our brethern in here a Happy Fathers Day.

Cheers and God Bless to all and their families.
seafire & family

What better way to clear ones mind than with some reflection in the solitude of the great outdoors. We would all do well to make such an annual pilgrimage and remember to count our blessings along the way.

Great post John!

Well, on Father's day my son insisted we go fishing. My will power was weak, so we went. He didn't even allow me the dignity of catching one and spoiled my whole day. Here's his Father's Day king salmon:





38" long, close to 30#.

He even outfished me in the local Spring King Derby.

Guess I've taught him well. He needs to get his first buck this fall!

You are definitely a rich man in the ways that count. I'd sure like to meet you. I have been pretty fortunate in a lot of ways too, but I still miss being able to go out my back door and spend some time in the woods. I live near the city now, because of family and obligations, but someday I'll get back to that simple pleasure of leaving the hustle and bustle behind. All of our lives are made with a plan, mine has taken me away from the country more than I like, but I'll travel this road and hope it is a circle back to where I want to be.

Okie John,

You've probably heard by now. There were 5 in the car, they hit an Elk. 4 won't be going home...