Cold Hike

J2 and I went for a hike in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Found a parking area close by at the Bloomington Ferry area.

It was cold. We crossed over the river on a pedestrian bridge and felt the full cold of the wind.

Once we were in the woods and out of the wind it wasn't nearly so cold. Jon really likes to explore and we had a blast hiking around the big oak trees by the river.

Oh yeah, did I mention it was cold!

It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Fly fishing fun afternoon at the pond

Had a fun afternoon at Sunset pond.

Savage Chub

Son #1 and I went for a bike ride Labor Day. This is a new thing. We have not done much biking together. Any concerns I had about my 7 year old keeping up were very quickly erased as I hustled to keep up with him.

We rode to Hidden Valley Park and while James played at the playground, I took a look at the creek running through the park. It is a small, clear and cold stream. It looks like just the place for a brook trout to call home. Alas, no trout in these waters. James and I then explored some trails along the creek.

We came to an open area with a bend in the creek and some deeper water along the bank.

When I was looking around I saw some fish at the bottom of the pool. Two were suckers, but there was another  that was holding to the bottom. It didn't scare away with me standing over it. I had my tenkara rod along and decided to see if I could catch whatever it was down there. I floated a dry fly gnat right over the top of it. I tried a grasshopper and an ant. I put a pink squirrel right in front of it's nose. I could see it feeding on something down there, but not what I was giving it. It was time to get going, but I decided to try one more thing, a pale green scud. I cast it a bit up stream from the fish and the scud drifted right by. He turned his head and sucked the scud up! I got it! James helped me land it. It was a nice sized creek chub.

It was a very fun little outing. Biking, fishing, exploring, all with my son. I couldn't have asked for a better Labor Day.

Still trying

I am still chasing trout whenever I can. I usually feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I have managed to catch a few, just enough to get me back out the next time.

Trout sure are pretty, aren't they? The creeks are beautiful too.

I don't catch many right now, but I love being out in beautiful places.

Fun at the Fair

Spent some time yesterday at the Wright County Fair with wife, kids and in-laws. We had a great time! James got to take a shot riding a bronco sheep. He is officially a mutton bustin' cowboy! We rode some rides, looked at farm animals, at fair food and checked out some old tractors. It was a good day.

Getting back

Wow! It always surprises me that time can get by so quickly. Like the time that has passed since my last post. It's been a busy summer, but I think that I just kept thinking "I'll get to a post when I have more time to devote to it". Hmmmm. Procrastination. I think that I have experienced that before in my life (just about every day!). So! Here is me posting on my blog. It's a new day.

Ascension Day

Today is Ascension Day. This little fact would normally not be part of my thoughts, I can't recall every celebrating this day, but a devotional I read from Scripture Union talked about the very first Ascension Day in Acts chapter 1. I was particularly struck by what the devotional said about what this day means and what it means for Christians now. Here is the last two paragraphs of the it:

The ascension of Jesus signaled the beginning of his heavenly ministry. He is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, where he reigns as head over the cosmos and serves as the great High Priest, interceding on behalf of God's people (Heb. 7:24, 8:2, Eph. 1:21-23). 

By faith we share in Christ's ascension (Eph.2:4-6). We are citizens of heaven (Phil.3:20) while living out our lives here on earth. Such a realization assures us of our destiny, encourages us in our endeavors for Christ, and can keep us steady through all the ups and downs of life. (Encounter With God, May 13, 2010)

Ascension Day is a day of encouragement! I know that I am encouraged by meditating on the risen, ascended Christ.