The day started with a plan, I was going to run up to a high mountain lake and catch a few fish for the smoker. About 30 minutes into the trip I was stopped by the local SAR captain, he was running traffic control for a brand new fire which had just broken out. The air was filled with smoke and 3 helicopters dropping buckets of water from the nearby river while the heavy equipment and fire crews were arriving on scene. Welcome to summer in Northern California.
Once through the fire zone we were greeted with clear skies and a nice view of Mt. Shasta
A few miles more and I entered into the Lava Fields which run from Northern California into Southern Oregon. It is a stark and barren landscape, tough on boots and animals alike. In it's own way it is very pretty.
After a few more miles I rose above the lava and made it to the high mountain lake where I hoped to catch a few trout. The weather was perfect, the view was great and the place was empty, what more could you ask for?
How about some trout! The first one was small and after couple of snapshots he was released back into the lake to grow until next year.
It wouldn't be an outdoor post without at least a token shot of the gear, this pack has been with me for a decade and been all over the world. Not bad for an inexpensive daypack, I would get a new one but at this point it is like an old friend.
It took a couple of hours but I filled the stringer and decided to add one more gear shot. This is my beloved Benchmade 710 hs . I have had it for more than ten years. Six months ago I sent it back to Benchmade for a tune-up, they called me and asked if they could replace the blade and re-build it. One week later I had a brand new looking knife. I hope to carry it until the day I die.
Thanks for looking.
JP
Once through the fire zone we were greeted with clear skies and a nice view of Mt. Shasta
A few miles more and I entered into the Lava Fields which run from Northern California into Southern Oregon. It is a stark and barren landscape, tough on boots and animals alike. In it's own way it is very pretty.
After a few more miles I rose above the lava and made it to the high mountain lake where I hoped to catch a few trout. The weather was perfect, the view was great and the place was empty, what more could you ask for?
How about some trout! The first one was small and after couple of snapshots he was released back into the lake to grow until next year.
It wouldn't be an outdoor post without at least a token shot of the gear, this pack has been with me for a decade and been all over the world. Not bad for an inexpensive daypack, I would get a new one but at this point it is like an old friend.
It took a couple of hours but I filled the stringer and decided to add one more gear shot. This is my beloved Benchmade 710 hs . I have had it for more than ten years. Six months ago I sent it back to Benchmade for a tune-up, they called me and asked if they could replace the blade and re-build it. One week later I had a brand new looking knife. I hope to carry it until the day I die.
Thanks for looking.
JP
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