Off We Go!

In just a few days, my son Clark and I are set to cast aside our usual home comforts and dive headfirst into an exhilarating expedition to the Beaver Creek State Wildlife area. The adventure springs into action when Candy, my dear wife and Clark's doting mom, drops us at the trailhead. We're crossing our fingers that she can manage this without shedding too many tears or issuing her "be safe and have fun" reminder on repeat. Don't fret, Mama, we're up for the challenge!

Our route is no walk in the park - it involves navigating a canyon, which is about as simple as trying to solve a Rubik's cube with oven mitts on. The weather here has more mood swings than a toddler who skipped their nap. One moment, it's all sunshine and rainbows, and the next, you're caught in a downpour that would give Noah's Ark a run for its money. And let's not even broach the subject of the terrain - it's a wild mix of steep inclines and slippery rocks that would make even a mountain goat think twice.

To meet these challenges head-on, we're armed with our trusty hiking boots and a pair of old tennis shoes for creek crossings. Why tennis shoes, you ask? Well, there's nothing that kills the joy of a hike faster than the squish-squash sound of waterlogged boots.

Our gear list includes hammocks (because who wouldn't want to sleep swaying gently under the stars?) and a lightweight tarp, the MacGyver of camping equipment, ready to provide shade or morph into an emergency rain shelter.

The crown jewel of our trip is undoubtedly the fishing. Beaver Creek is a paradise for brown and rainbow trout. We're equipped with the top baits for the season - live worms, salmon eggs, plastic worms, and flies. Neither Clark nor I are seasoned trout fishermen, so this part will be as much of an adventure as the hike itself. I've prepped a couple of telescopic rods and strung them with new line today - here's hoping the fish are feeling cooperative!

But, the real treasure isn't in the potential catch of the day. No, the true reward lies in the shared experience of casting lines with Clark, trading stories, and probably laughing loud enough to send every fish in the creek darting for cover. As I survey our gear, trying to lighten our load while realizing we'll likely only use half of it, I can't help but chuckle. Each piece of equipment is a tangible symbol of the adventure that awaits. Every item adds to the anticipation, the thrill, and the memories we're about to forge in the Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area. Here's to hoping we remember everything...and if we don't? Well, that's what makes it a true adventure!