Evan's a civilian.

My step-son got discharged from the Air Force today, after 4 yrs of duty. God Bless him. Were moving him back home to Missouri.

Today is packing day. Tomorrow is the grueling 8 hr drive back home.

Reminiscing On the Way to Oklahoma

We headed towards Oklahoma today and I suggested we take a side trip. We will visit where Laurie's Grandfather lived in Fordland, MO. To my amazement she remembered exactly where it was, but as joyous a time she had there you can see why memories are so easy to rekindle. The home is like someone just up and left 20 yrs ago.

Here's what it looks like today and yes that is his shirts still hanging on the wall.


Plus I've always heard about the toilet paper holder next to the door and sure enough here it is.


We also went down to see if the old store was still around and to her surprise it was. It reminded me alot of Chrisman's store back in Revere.



After our side trip we had just a short journey to Ozark where we spent the night with my Aunt Cindy. Tomorrow it's Oklahoma City bound.

Uncle Chris Memorial

Left the house just before 8 this morning headed to the farm. We have to be there by 11 for church service. Enjoyed the service than to town as my Grandparents took us all out to dinner.

As we were leaving the diner Pastor leaned over and informed me he does weddings for free. Of course I got a big chuckle as did everyone else. He stated if she can put up with you for 6 yrs you might want to consider. It will happen some day as I love here very much.

At the cemetery Pastor provided words of comfort, as we placed Uncle Chris' Urn in the ground. This was a struggle, but also a very gay moment as he can finally rest with peace.

Love and Miss you so much. I will never forget your laugh.

Busch CA, Lake 24

It was a hot day. But couldn't stand not going fishing for a little bit today. And yes I used the fly rod.

Went down to lake 34 first wanted to fish the backwater but to my surprise there was a gentleman their training his field trial dogs. Spoke to him for a bit and witnessed the triumphs and struggles. It makes me want another lab. No luck fishing move on.

Off to 24 it's more like a pond than lake, but nobody around. Aw, success. No I didn't take pictures for proof as the fish weren't very impressive. But there still fish that's what counts, Bluegills and Green Sunfish. To bad they weren't big enough for the frying pan.

Backpacker Reply

Who knows maybe this could turn into something more than just highlighted in the Magazine. Dream job on the horizon, probably not, but that's why they call it dreaming.

Rachel,

WOW, all the attention is beginning to make me feel like I've reached Rockstar status.

No sweat, I'm a pretty humble person. I've probably gave you way to much, but I could go on and on. I really do thrive to be outdoors. Just a country boy stuck in the city. Pluse I do admire anyone that works for an outdoor publication. You've got a dream job.

What's your age?

I'm a 43 yr old spring chicken that was born and bred on a farm in northeastern Missouri.

Do you read Backpacker Magazine? If so, since when?

I started reading the mag in 2007 and believe had a sub since 09.

How many miles or days would you say you hike in a typical year or summer?

I try to hike throughout the whole year and would say over a hundred miles conservatively each of the past three yrs.

What's your most impressive backcountry or hiking achievement or statistic? 

Probably my trip to Colorado July 09. Had a hell of a time the first two days with altitude. More water please. I'm a flatlander. Was in Silverton for 9 days. Spent an overnighter at 12,500 at Ice Lake and was too tired to fish. Bummer. Or the time I tood the whole clan on an overnighter around Council Bluff Lake in 100 degree plus heat in June 10. I'm still reminded of the trip today. The family calls it the Death March. Needless to say they weren't very happy with me.

What's your day job?

Biomedical Engineer

Anything else you think we should know about you?

I am an amputee who lost his leg almost 40 yrs ago and can say it has never stopped me. Have been involved in sports or the outdoors for over 30 years throughtout Missouri and Iowa. Yes, Iowa has trees and some good trout fishing. My passion is fishing and the Bucket list is visiting one of the big NP's out west hiking for a week and Canada/Alaska hike/fishing trip. Also would like to thru hike the Ozark Trail, been around it various times but never on it. Guess you could classify me as a newbie to the whole hiking/backpacking fraternity and very rarely do I take the same trail twice. Only wish I had started along time ago.

You or anyone else need anything let me know.

One last thing. I read alot about some of the more well known trails throughout the US, but have never come across any info regarding Missouri's longest the OT. I know they have wealth of information on there website, but maybe Backpacker could highlight the OT in a feature article. I could be your man for trip data.

Thanks so much, Tony

Backpacker Update

I can say I'm a little shell shocked, but also think it's pretty damn cool.

Hi Anthony,

You’re probably totally sick of us bugging you by now, but I want to thank you for your tips about Cuivre River for our August issue. As our photo team has probably explained, we’ll be featuring you at the top of our page of local hikes. I’m looking for some info to go alongside that — would you mind answering the quick questions below as soon as you can? Feel free to keep your answers short, we won’t have a lot of space (and not all will appear in print). Please let me know if that’s not going to work.

Thanks so much!

-Rachel Zurer

• What’s your age?
• Do you read Backpacker Magazine? If so, since when?
• How many miles or days would you say you hike in a typical year or summer?
• What’s your most impressive backcountry or hiking achievement or statistic?
• What’s your day job?
• Anything else you think we should know about you?

--
Rachel Zurer
Assistant Editor
Backpacker Magazine
Boulder, CO

Backpacker

Even more awesome news. They want a pic of me in the same issue. Rockstar status!

Fly fishing!

This year I've decided that when I go fishing, the only thing I can use is my fly rod. I feel that's the only way I'll get better. So that being said I loaded up at BPS this weekend. I would be afraid, very afraid.

Catches a Fake Leg

Story was from Outdoorzy

I didn't see this when it made the headlines. So I'm a little late, but I will admit this is pretty hilarous. Evidently she has more than one, cause if this would've happened to me it's time to play fetch or I'm on crutches.

Woman Goes Fishing, Catches a Fake Leg

By Bill Keystone on August 29th, 2011 comments

In Wausau Wisconsin, a woman recently went fishing and reeled in a fake leg. But that, by far, is the most normal part of this story .

We’ve all been hooked to weird stuff before. Dead fish, big limbs or garbage of all sorts. But there’s got to  only be a handful of fake limbs at the bottoms of our lakes and ponds. To reel one in has to be exceptionally rare. And that’s understandable. Prosthetics are extremely expensive. The leg that this woman reeled in was a $7000 model. Ever caught a fish worth that much?

So the story gets weirder. The woman called into town to talk to the hospital. She was looking for the doctor who specialized in fitting patients with fake legs. Four phone calls later, the owner of the missing leg was found.

But it keeps getting weirder.

The leg belonged to another woman and she had been missing it for three years. Of course, she never expected to see it again, so she was pretty surprised to see it, even if it was a tad water-logged and scummy. And the leg itself, when the woman reeled it in to her boat, was wearing a water shoe. Yes, we’re not done with weirdness.

The woman that lost it says it was her swimming leg. She was wearing it while swimming across the lake when it fell off. Now, I’m not one to tell anyone what to do with their life. And I don’t know why this woman’s leg was missing in the first place. So don’t judge me here. But why did she need a fake leg to help her swim? And if she did, why did she go to the trouble of putting a water shoe one it? (I would assume the answer to that is that shoes are sold in pairs, and she had nothing else to do with the spare shoe.)

And I guess my biggest question is this: if you were swimming across a lake and your leg fell off, wouldn’t you go to some trouble to try and find it? Add in the fact that it cost $7000 and you can bet your life that I would have hired a team of scuba divers to find it before dinner that night. But her method of just waiting for someone to hook it while fishing for walleye seems to have worked. After all, she and the leg are reunited. Hope she straps it on a little tighter before her next swim.

Backpacker Magazine

How awesome is this. There going to use one of my trip reports from Cuivre River State Park in the July/August issue.

Farm Project

The weekend is here and off we headed to the farm. Kids in tow as we have a project to work on and turkey hunting is on my mind.

Friday night there was no chance at getting any sleep as the thunder and lightning shook the house as it felt like it was in bed with me.

Saturday morning the wind was so terrible I decided to pass on hunting. So I enjoyed the nice breakfast and coffee with my Grandparents. That is one thing I will never get tired of is spending time with them.

Once all finished it was time to get started with one of the reasons we came. To make a marker where part of Uncle Chris ashes were laided to rest. We got all the tools needed and boards for the forms. It was rather a challenge since we couldn't disturb the ground. So we mixed around 400 lbs of concrete by hand to make this slab and we got done just in time for dinner. Once it was set up the kids and Aunt Deb inscribed what you see.

I really hope this helps my daughter get through the tough times she has had with his passing. This was the first time she had lost someone in the family this close. It's not done, but we'll get there. We will put stones from the old barn set in mortar on top and add a bench under the tree so all can sit and ponder as that's what my dear Uncle did. I kinda do the same thing at times.

Sunday no turkey hunting again as it decided to rain all through the night an into the morning. I had some chores to do and brush to cut so Remington went fishing. He came back up and really wanted me to go so off we went in the rain. And what ya know I caught my first fish of the year on my fly rod. Three to be exact, but I don't think there was a happier person then Rem when he reeled in his fish. As you can see he did have a bigger one this day. Until next time.

Had a wonderful dinner and back to the city yippee. I long to be in the country.