It's Good To Be King

Cat and I have been leaving the idiot box off more often lately and just turning the CD player on while we do things around the house, chill, whatever. I've been on a total 311 binge with the release of the knew CD, but a good measure of other music that we've listened to for seems to have been forever. Interesting how some CD's seem to occupy certain phases of my life, meaning one thing at one time, something else at another.

I've been listening to Tom Petty's WIldflowers CD on and off for the past two weeks. After years of lying dormant in a CD case, I'm remembering why I love that CD so much. In my opinion, Tom Petty may possibly be the greatest songwriter of our generation. A lot of his music speaks to me on a personal level, different songs having different meanings to me. I love the while CD, but some of the standouts have always been: Wildflowers (this song is a amazing), Time to Get Goin (Life song, has always meant something to me), Only a Broken Heart (sigh.... such a great song), To Find a Friend ( I don't know, but I have always loved this song), Crawling Back to You ( another great song), Wake Up Time ( epiphany song for me).

These are probably some of my favorite songs to reflect about things to, chill to, and listen to on a road trip. There is just something about his music that pulls me deeper into myself. I left one song out, one of my absolute favorite songs in the world. When I'm feeling down or even whimsical, I love to listen to it. It has the abilty to lift me up on a crappy day and even improve one that wasn't too shabby to start with. It reminds me that we all have places that we go in our heads. I'm a dreamer, so the song has a stong appeal to me.

It's Good to be King

Its good to be king, if just for a while
To be there in velvet, yeah, to give em a smile
Its good to get high, and never come down
Its good to be king of your own little town

Yeah the world would swing if I were king
Can I help it if I still dream time to time

Its good to be king and have your own way
Get a feeling of peace at the end of the day
And when your bulldog barks and your canary sings
Youre out there with winners, its good to be king

Yeah, Ill be king when dogs have wings
Can I help it if I still dream time to time

Its good to be king and have your own world
It helps to make friends, its good to meet girls
A sweet little queen, who cant run away
Its good to be king, whatever it pays

Excuse me if I have some place in my mind
Where I go time to time

Hit the water today in hopes of getting out of the house for a bit and catching some decent fish on the full moon. Fishing is what I did, bit catching was not really in the cards today. If I had hooked 1/4 of the fish I made contact with today, it would have been a spectacular Sunday. My timing was off, the fish were being funky, and I couldn't seem to keep them on the hook when I did poke one. It was like I couldn't quit get into that zone. The one where my sixth sense develops and I know a fish is gonna take the fly before I even see them. I just couldn't get there, everything seemed to be a struggle. Moving through the water, keeping droppers untangled, and staying out of the trees.

I spent a lot of the afternoon just enjoying being where I was, which is a good thing, seeing as the fish weren't co-operating. Earlier in life when having a day like today, I would become more focused and driven, trying to figure out what was going on and beating the hell out of the water, usually with negligible results. Today I just kinda ambled around some, casting now and then to likely spots, catching (missing) the occasional fish, but really soaking in my surroundings. The warm wind blowing downstream, enveloping me in the sticky smell of honey suckle blooming on the hill above me. Feeling the coolness of the water on my legs, while the sun beats down on my neck and fore arms, marveling at the beauty of a square tailed hawk as it silently glides through the forest canopy, majestic in all it's movements. Staring amazed at the whip like blooms of the galax waving in the wind like a fields of wheat.

Times like these make me contemplate life and all it's meanings and complexities. Our purpose and being, where we belong and what we do. I find a soothing simplicity to it all when I'm standing in the middle of stream, feeling it's power coursing around me. Strong enough to wear down rock, but yielding enough to give to my presence, if only for a fleeting moment. Streams are the places I go to to turn off, go into auto pilot. Sometimes they have the exact opposite effect, forcing me to recognize the unbelievable intricacy and purpose of life around me. Drawing me to find my purpose and place, my meaning for existence. Sometimes I feel like I'm looking at the answer, but I can't focus on it, like it's a note written in a language I don't understand. Painfully close, but still so far away. Far enough that it ceases to matter sometimes, for the very nearness of it makes me want to tear my hair out.

Every once in awhile, I get a clear glimpse of that answer. Never enough to see it in its entirety, but enough to re orientate myself back to true North. I sat for a bit, just watching the creek flow past me while gazing at a laurel bush in full bloom, contemplating, searching. I'd like to say that I found an answer while surrounded my so much inspiration and beauty, but it didn't come. Just that warm breeze, full of the sticky sweet smell of honey suckle.

So Much To Do

Spring is coming and I still have so much to do. I sit here blogging when I have a million other things on my list that are so much more important, but i guess not really, seein as how I'm doin this instead. The hecticness of life has left me totally unprepared for spring, I had a plan and the plan was not implemented on time. I'm really tryin not to stress over it all, but I have a few things that HAVE to get done by a certain date. I'm not even ready for April fishing yet, one of my favorite times of the year to be on the water!

The weather matches my moods this time of the year. Some days it's really nice out and the next it's 40 degrees and raining. Some days I get a lot done, others, I barely want to get out of bed to pee. I'm sure my mood will brighten some as soon as we're out of this cruddy weather. I think I need to go fishin! Streams are still a bit on the cool side around here, but it would still be nice to get out for a bit.

Whats Happenin Now

It's 74 degrees outside and has been for the past few days, this being the reason that I haven't posted in a few days. The doldrums of winter have seemed to have passed and I'm getting back into some sort of groove. Chores are getting done, projects are getting good sized chunks knocked out of them. Man I love spring! But alas, I fear it has showed up too early.

Early trees are starting to bloom, crocus and daffodils are coming up, but it's getting too warm too quick. This time last week the high was in the 20's and we had 8" of snow on the ground. Hard freezes have a tendency to come here as late as April, even in early May on rare occasion. On very rare occasion, as much as 40" of snow have fallen in late March. Accuweather is showing a couple of pretty cold nights next week, lows into the low 20's. Depending on other factors and how warm it is until then, it has the potential to decimate the wildflowers. Happened two years ago. I hate to be pessimistic, but it's just too warm too soon.

I was able to get out and fish on Friday in the nice weather. I headed above Canton to the DH around Burnette Siding. I fished for a bit, wrestled in maybe a 1/2 dozen fish before I came to a realization. I really don't like fishin delayed harvest waters. I don't fish the same way that I do for wild fish. I tend to fish trash flies and frankly, I don't like sharing water with other people. When I can see someone above me and below me, it's time to go somewhere else. I headed up the road and went for a hike to check out some streams I'm wanting to fish this year. Adicus and I ended up going for about a 6 mile hike and checked out two streams, both with great potential. Being all excited about the spring fishing season, I came home and made a realistic list of streams I want to fish this year. I probably won't be spending a huge amount of time in SMNP this year. Instead I plan on focusing on the Pigeon river watershed almost exclusively this year. It's close to home, has some awesome opportunities, and I can always take Adicus with me.

Needless to say, I'm excited about spring finally rearing it's head around hear. Even if winter still might make another appearance. I still have alot of things to do around the house before I go fishing crazy, so the weather is all good. I'm having to rustle up a tiller to use in the garden this year (the community tiller seized up), so things are progressing very slowly in the garden. If any of you local readers have a tiller, maybe we could make a deal of some sort for a weekends use? Just shoot me an email, if someone is so gracious! Well enough for know, Cat's snoozing on the couch after having her root canal this afternoon. I need to cook dinner and get a few other things done.

Is It Spring Yet?

We still have snow on the ground in the shady spots, but rumor has it that it's supposed to hit the 70's this weekend. The license is up to date, waders will be patched (again), DH gets stocked Thursday, I'm off on Friday..... I think I'll go fishin and enjoy this mild break in the weather.

Dreams of fresh veggies are again dancing in my head. The garden plan has been finalized. (over complicated as is my style!) Cat is working on her seed and transplant list. Now if the ground will just dry out, I can finish turning the garden and get the beds set. As usual, I'm already dreaming of fresh 'maters and corn! A lot was learned last year, with more to come this year. Hopefully we'll get some rain this summer, it will make things easier. Gotta go, supposed to be doing chores as per the chart....

Time Warp

In an effort to stem the chaos know as our lives, Cat and I have agreed to a set routine, or "schedule" if you will. Anyone who knows me, knows I reject almost any and all form of routine. I am a creature of spontaneity, a free spirit of sorts. I do most things as they come to me, stress is not a friend of mine. My most wonderful wife on the other hand, has gone schedule nuts! Last night she handed me my life on an Excel spreadsheet. Needless to say, my enthusiasm waned.....

I get up at or around 4:30 on most mornings, it's on the schedule. I tend to get home around 3 or so and work on projects around the house, this is also now on the schedule. My "play" time is even scheduled. (I've been assured this is the winter schedule and that the spring schedule will reflect the required fishing quota!)I think you get the picture. I must say, I feel some pressure to make sure I'm where I should be on "the schedule". Overall, both of us REALLY need this right now. I just have a tendency to reject structure and what not. I have a 6 week to-do list that is absolutely insane, so the scheduled time to do it is a must! Right now I'm in battle with the basement, updates in the future.

On the topic of time and such, I was watching the Science Channel last night, much to Cat's disgust. I was watching a show on time. Try to describe time. Seems pretty simple, but what is time really? Something that dominates all of our lives, yet is different for each of us. Some days at work fly by, yet other drag on for what seems to be an eternity. Wanna watch 30 minutes fly by, get on a stream unprepared with a hatch peaking. Can be the quickest 30 minutes of your life! Sometime these types of things will occupy my mind for weeks and I can't seem to get this one out of it. Seems proper that while I'm trying to wrap my mind around time as a force, I'm also trying to learn how to manage it in my life.

Omaha Stylee

311 IS COMING TO ASHEVILLE ...
AGAIN!!!!!

My absolutely wonderful wife procured us two tickets for 311 at the Orange Peel in Asheville, in May! I'm ecstatic, as is Cat. I might be a little bit more excited, but she'd be running close behind me. I think this will be my 13th or 14th and Cat's 8th or 9th time seeing them live. Anyone who knows me is keenly aware of my obsessive nature. (take fishing as an example) It's no different here. I have copies of all of their CD's, including 3 unreleased albums. 9 times out of 10, if you're in the truck, I've got 311 playin....loudly.
Why is it so great that they are at The Peel? It only holds like 500 people, WHAT? Only 500? Last time we saw them there, we were within 25 ft of the stage. That and the Orange Peel is a great place to see a band play.
The last time Cat and I saw them was in New Orleans for 311 day on March 11 (3-11). This will now become a pilgrimage we make every other year, and because they only do it every other year.

So what is 311 day? 5 plus hours of total bliss. I think they played something like 63 songs. I was absolutely worn out afterwards. I'm sure Cat will elaborate on my declining to go party on Bourbon St after the show. What can you even say about a band that puts on a show like that for their fans? It's 311's vibe in a nutshell. Peace, love, and harmony. All laid out on edgy guitar rifts, some jammin drums, unbelievable bass lines, with an unmistakable reggae undercurrent.
Grassroots, their first major release, is still by far my favorite album, with Omaha Stylee being my favorite song. Other favs are 8:16AM, My Stony Baby, Large in the Margin...... This list could go on for a while. It's rare that I skip a song when I'm jammin out to them.

Well, I think that's enough random rambling. If you ever get a chance to listen to their music, do. If you get into STP, Incubus, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Finger 11, you'll love 311.

311 ROCKS!!!!

Peace

A New Commitment

So I'm making a commitment to spend more time posting on my blog. After suffering through almost 6 months of inactivity, I'm going to make a better effort to post more regularly. Maybe something like 3 times a week if there's nothing really going on, maybe more if there is. Cat is a driving force behind this to some extent. Anyone who reads my blog regularly has probably looked at her blog at some point. (If you haven't, you should. When you see both sides of the crazy, things seem to somehow make sense.?) She is committed! The woman is like a blog machine. I've already gotten a dirty look for being on the computer. She wants it so she can post a post about me posting a post, when I'm posting. Crazy, huh?

I started turning the garden over on yesterday, with hopes of turning another bed today. We (I) are lacking a tiller at the moment, so I'm going OOOOLLLLDDD school and turning it with a mattock, hoe, and a garden rake. If you read Fire Pit or Pit of Hell, you can see my praise of the mattock. Right now I'm cussing it. We have a fairly decent sized garden, and the thought of digging it out by hand makes me sore just thinking about it. I think it's something like 12'x70', so.... maybe 800 or so square feet to turn by hand. Oh well, I guess it will help me get into shape for spring fishing! We're still coming up with the game plan for the garden this year, but likely we're going to go with square foot type set up with "raised" beds 3'x4'. I'm not sure, but I am sure it will be entertaining no matter what!

I hope to go fishing this week. It breaks my heart that I have not caught a fish all year. Pathetic! This is the first time in something like 10 years that I've let my license expire. I'm hoping to hit the Tuck on Mon or Thurs with Adicus for some big bows and browns, if I can
remember how to set a hook. My next pattern will hopefully post this week. A steamer called the Hale-Bop that is absolutely deadly on stupid fish, particularly big brookies. I like to throw a size 6 or 8 in chartreuse, one of the uglier flies you'll ever see me throw. I've seen groups of brookies and browns coming after that ugly thing like a pack of wolves! Refer to photo below.
Well, that's enough randomness for now. Cat is watching network news as she like to do on Sunday mornings, and I think my head is about to explode over the new stimulus package. I had decided not to talk politics on my blog, but that has decidedly flown out the window. The level of idiocy and what seems to me as pure theft has left me no choice but to rant somewhere about it. But I regress, time to get in the yard and get something done today before the trappings of a good nap take over.

Wow! Has it Really Been Since Sept.

Well, a very busy Christmas season is finally over for me and I finally have some time to relax. Returning to the world of big box retail just before the Christmas season started was quite a reality check, but thankfully it's over! Haven't been fishin in months, too cold to ride the bike.... I'm about dine with winter! Sometime around early march, I'll start getting real giddy about the prospect of the coming of spring. Warm weather and more importantly, warm streams and rivers!
Enough dreaming of spring! I'm hoping to start posting recipes of some of the most successful fly patterns I've come up with over the years, and other somewhat standard patterns I've found to be extremely useful around these parts. We'll be seeing some of my standards: Harey Moose, Hale Bop Streamer, Furry Pheasant, and some more known.... Thunderheads, Stimulators, etc. Don't get too excited. I've found over the years that I tend to fish the same patterns over and over, with the occasional new fly becoming essential every couple of years. What does this mean? That I have limited my fly collection to the ones I know work and have confidence in. I'm sure there will be much expantion of this subjet as I actually start to do the posts.
Commin soon..... My BF and I are heading down to Cumberland Island Georgia for some R&R and hopefully some warmer weather. I plan on maybe doin a little fishin, but mostly hangin out and doin alot of nothin. If youve never heard of Cumberland sland National Seashore, check this link out. http://www.nps.gov/cuis In the warmer months, fishing can be absolutely outstanding! The island is very unique in it's multitude of different habitats, and also for it's population of wild horses running on the island. I'm super jazzed about going there at the end of January!
Well, I figure that's enough for now. I hope that I actually have some readers left after my sabatical. Happy New Year!

All Is Well..... Kinda

It seems the universe has finally righted itself. After a month of despair and misery, gainful employment has finally been secured. In case your not aware, Western North Carolina does not have the best job market in the world, so I'm pleased to find something reasonable that didn't require me to shave my beard or wear a uniform. Hopefully now things will begin to right themselves around here. I think financial disaster has been averted, but only through the fraying of Cat's nerves.
Obviously I haven't been doing a lot of the normal things I would fill my blog with, now that things are getting back to normal, some fishing and hiking will definitely be in order. It looks like we'll be having a good color this year. I hope, it makes for great photos and beautiful hikes.
Brookies should be spawning soon and since we had a little rain, the fishin should be pretty good. Temps have started to trend towards to more fall like, which is great, except when I'm riding into work when it's 45 in the morning. I am still on the motorcycle, but barely, I dropped it 3 weeks ago at 45mph and was luckily able to ride it home with both of us in one piece. Well, the bike actually had a few things just hanging on it. Total damage was taken care of for $15 an a little rigging. I limped away with two separated ribs and some road rash and miscellaneous bruises, but overall quite pleased at my condition. A guy who saw it was amazed that I got up and rode home 30 minutes later. Shows the wonders of wearing a full face helmet and leather!
Thanks to all who voiced support during these trying times, I appreciate it.

Back From the Dead

So I have finally recovered from the vile bug bestowed upon me by my best friends crotch fruit. 4-5 days of highly unpleasant expulsions, thank god it's over with now. It took a few days, but even my appetite has returned in full force. So what's been going on since then? Not a whole lot! The garden has taken a pretty big hit this week, I think it's been over 2 weeks since we've received any rain. Last week, my only concern was trying not to die, so the garden did not receive it's normal and required waterings, soooo... the garden is pretty well Shermanized. Oh well, I was thinking about tearing it all out to get it ready for a fall/winter cover crop to improve the soil. We'll see, the bike has been taking up a lot of time as of late.

This week on the way to work, she (the bike) started to die on me, on and off. I knew it had something to do with the fuel system, since the carbs sounded starved for fuel. My gas tank has some rust, which there is a fair amount of in the carbs, but this was a new problem and unexpected. I was off on Tuesday, so I tore the fuel system apart. I emptied and drained the tank so I could look at the petcock. Not suprisingly, it's in pretty bad shape, but I could tell it has been that way for awhile, so it should not be the cause of my headache. I checked the fuel lines, changed the fuel filter, and threw the tank back on all the while giving the carbs a dirty look. I've been hoping to avoid dealing with them yet, but it was looking more likely that they were coming off the bike soon.

I had to run into Asheville to get a new rear tire mounted. Sweet! Now I don't see visions of my rear tire exploding at high speeds, now it's only the front wheel! I returned home to remount the rear wheel and take her on an anticipated test ride with the new tire. I hopped on and took off down the road, only to have her start bogging down again and stall. I limped back home frustrated and hoping to find an easy fix online. All the while, I'm still giving my carbs dirty looks. No chance finding an easy fix, so in a moment of desperation, I tore the carbs off my bike and started taking them apart. Cat got to come home to me smeared in grime with a dual carb layed in front of me like a scattered deck of cards.

My only experience with carbs is screwing around with them on boats, lawnmowers, weedeaters and such. As stated before the are dual carbs, so they have to be calibrated. Needless to say, I was not very confident in my ability to do what I was about to attempt. I took most of it apart to clean the jets out and all the rust out of the bowls. After putting the jigsaw puzzle back together, it was time to get it on the bike and see if it worked or I totally screwed my carbs up. After a few attempts to get the carbs mounted in the boots with all appropriate wires attatched, I put the tank back on and it was time.

I turned the key on and hit the starter, as expected, it took a bit for the carbs to refuel and then she started. But she didn't sound right, I took her out for a quick spin and she ran like crap. I limped back home and restarted her in the driveway and revved to 8000 rpm and I think it cleared some crap out of a jet, because she purred at idle after that. I took her for another spin and she ran dreamy, but wanted to stall when I came to a stop and the rmp's dropped.

So, the bike runs great, sounds better than when I bought her, but my idle settings are all screwed up somehow. Sometimes it will die when I'm idling because of low rpm's, the next time I stop they'll shoot up to 2500rpm's at idle.I'm sure one of my cables got stretched out of whack or something. Hopefully I'll get a chance to look into it more tomorrow before work. Other than that, I'm having a great time on the bike. The new rear tire has improved my confidence and feels a whole lot more stable. I found a set of front forks on ebay for $15 I'm going to buy and try to rebuild this month. After putting those on and a new front tire, most of my issues with the bike will be resolved.

Believe or not, I have actually fished in the last week. I ran out to the Pigeon after frustrating myself on the bike in Tuesday. Fishing SUCKED!!! I was calf deep in areas that are normally thigh deep. I caught one fish on a wooley bugger. That was the only hit I had, the only fish I saw. I hate to say it, but I think I'm going to hang up the rods until we get some rain. It just isn't worth the stress in the fish and fishing has been mediocre at best for the last month. Since it has cooled down some, I'll probably start doing more day hikes to get ready for hiking season this winter. So there you have it, the past ten days of my life in a nutshell. Not real exciting by any means.

Green apple splatters

Sorry for the lack of posts this week, I was infected with a stomach virus by my best friends urchin. This has kicked the crap out of me, literally and figuratively. I woke up around 3am on Tuesday expelling liquids from multiple orifices and it has only let up a bit over the past 4 days. I felt better on Wednesday night and over did it trying to get something other than rice and toast into my body (the only things I can seem to keep down). I took half of Tuesday off and squelched out of today in hopes of defeating this.

Something has got to give. My house is trashed, my wife has gone to see her mom and pops in Michigan, so I'm playing bachelor this weekend. Hopefully Cat won't come home to a skeleton of me covered in poop and vomit! Actually, I do feel a bit better today, the constant feeling of nausea is passing, I just don't want to risk doing too much and starting the whole cycle over again. So, when you think things are not going the way you want this weekend and you think it couldn't get much worse, be glad you're not on the crapper trying to figure out which end it's going to violently come out of! Sorry if this all got too graphic, but I think we've all been there at some point.

Oops!

Seems I screwed up pretty big recently. Cat has been making cookies for work (for like three days), struggling a bit. Last night she had school, so I made myself breakfast for dinner. Yumm, a favorite thing in our house. In my pursuit of French Toast and eggs, I used the last of the eggs in the house. Mistake #1. Then in total stupidity, I forgot to write it on the "grocery" board, something relatively new to our house. Mistake #2.

After dinner, Cat announced she was going to go at the cookies again. OK, go for it! I had a mistake Adicus left us while at work (once again lives up to the name "Mudbutt"!). While cleaning up poop that was not mine to clean (another story for another day), Cat opens the fridge, looks at me and asks "where are the eggs?". Stupid me says " I ate em all last night". A brief glance at the grocery board that doesn't have eggs on it, and she announces she's going to the store and leaves without another word to me. From experience, I can tell you that it's not a good thing when Cat doesn't even tell me I'm in it deep. Plus, since it's late, she'll have to drive all the way to Canton, so she'll have plenty of time to stew over it. Frankly, I'm scared of whats in store for me when she returns.

In other news, I decided to drive the truck to work today. Weird. Seemed like I was going 10mph when I was going 50. I plan on riding the bike tomorrow since it's supposed to be nice out. I was also the victim of a random act of kindness today. While fiddling with the Honda trying to figure out how I'm going to mount some driving lights to supplement the headlight, my neighbour Mike and his wife walked up with an arm full of leather. Seeing that I was riding a bike everyday, he gave me an old jacket and chaps that he didn't use anymore. I didn't know what to say, graciously I accepted them. Dumbfounded at his generosity. I'm excited about not freezing in the morning anymore, maybe even avoiding being stung by bees and such, although I do like to ride without a jacket on warm days. Thanks Mike!

Tomorrow I will embark upon mounting a set of driving lights to my headlight mount. My current headlight has about as much power as a candle, something has to change or I'm going to die in a tunnel on the Parkway. No aftermarket halogen bulbs for my ancient ride, so modification is in order. This will be a quick fix until I can come up with something more permanent. The hook up shouldn't take too long, hopefully I can just tie them into my highbeam wiring. Might end up blowing my fuse. I might just hook it up directly to the power source, but I was trying to avoid mounting a toggle switch to the bike. I plan on photo documenting the whole thing, so everyone will get to see their first piece of the bike.

I was able to finish up the accent wraps on the rod tonight. Holy Cripes! Those things almost made me crazy! They kept coming unraveled, sometimes immediately, sometimes 20 minutes later. Grrrrrrr! Alas, it is done. All that is left is putting some script on it, rod finish, and mounting the handle. I have a three day weekend this week, so I'm hopin to break her in by Sunday, need to get the finish on tomorrow so it has time to cure. I've already been thinking of where I want to take her, gotta be somewhere good.

Back to the leather. I tried it all on and it's a bit large on me, but not too bad, definitely wearable. Although, I feel kinda weird wearing leather chaps. Who knows, maybe it will look badass on the bike. In general, I feel like I'm going to a Village People concert or something. I'm sure the benefits will outway the way I think I look, but even Cat mentioned how odd it was to see me in that much leather. I think she likes the bad boy thing! Although she's told me to shut up about the bike, but she does that about all my new toys!

Life Goes On

And so it does. It's been a bit of a stressful, hectic, and tiring week. The motorcycle has been dominating most of my time and energy. I was able to start on the rod Cat bought me, but it will probably be this weekend before I'm able to put the finish on. I was able to get all the guides on and so far, only one wrap has come unraveled. Wasn't really that hard, definitely would have been easier than using something other than a box as a rod wrapper, hopefully that will come in the future sometime. All I have left to do is add the accent wraps, put finish on the wraps, glue in the seat, and she's set for a day on the water.

Some milestones have been bestowed upon me as far as the bike is concerned. My headlight burned out, so I've been in a maddening search for a part made for a motorcycle the same age as my wife. This was not the easiest thing to find, but alas, I was able to order one today. It's a shame that the light sucks so bad, now I'll be able to try and rig up a halogen light somehow. I had my first carb issue yesterday. Coming out of Wal-Mart, I saw a large pool of gas under the engine. A result of fuel pouring out of my overflow on my right carb. A condition caused by a float in the bowl of the carb getting stuck open somehow. Oh crap! I'm going to have to rebuild the carbs. I'm totally not prepared to do that yet. No manual, never worked on bike carbs, I was freakin!

I spent about 5 hours looking at alot of different things, trying to avoid the rebuild at all costs. I came across a few fixes that might unstick the float, so it would close again. The first was to start the engine and restrict the air flow to the carbs enough to almost stall it, and then let air return. This is supposed to increase the vacuum in the engine and pop free gunky valves and floats. Didn't work. Next solution was to start the engine with the petcock closed and run it until it almost stalls, and then turn on the fuel. The purpose of this was similar to the first fix and the results were similar ...... at first. Defeated, I went in to change for work and to run by Advanced Auto to get a can of Sea Foam. While riding, I decided to try fix #2 while the engine was under load. While riding, I shut off the petcock and ran her until she started to fade, then I switched the fuel back on. I did this two or three times, and wouldn't you know it, when I stopped at AA, the leaking had stopped, YEAH!!!! I still got a can of Sea Foam to run through the tank and the intake soon. This stuff is amazing, if you're having carb problems, try running this directly into the carbs while the engine is running. I used to do this all the time on my boats to keep the carbs from gumming up. I plan to do this as soon as I can. I planned on doing it tonight, but didn't get home til late tonight due to rain. These carbs will need to be rebuilt, but not today!

I had to ride home in the rain today. Not fun. On the plus side, I stopped at a hotel at Socco Gap, the first cover I could find, and ran into a nice guy from Kentucky that offered me a beer. We chatted for a while as it continued to rain, enjoying a refreshment and conversation. After a bit it quit raining, so I was on my way. I was moving at nice clip trying to avoid more rain I could see moving my way and had a friendly encounter with on of Maggie Valley's finest. Only a warning, thankfully. Along with all this, I almost got clipped by a turkey and I've been stung TWICE by something in the last 4 days that hurt like hell! Still, the bike rocks! So much fun, now that visions of death in every curve are easing.

Now if I can just get my ass back on the water! The garden hasn't been receiving the attention it deserves as of late either. Hopefully life will return to a normal rhythm sometime soon.

Blah,Blah,Blah

So life has been rolling along in our house like normal as of late. I've been too busy for a whole lot because the motorcycle has been sucking up alot of time. New toy, goes froom, froom, is fun! Fishing has definitely taken a back seat, that's OK, after the breaking of my 2wt, some luster was lost for a short period. Although, I do plan to get out and hit some smallies tomorrow if it doesn't rain. Gonna take the flyrod and commit to fishin it. I have a tendency to puss out and take a spin rod because it's easier in my opinion.

I've been having alot of fun on my new used motorcycle this week, and I've found that the stress of learning to ride it has taken alot out of me. It's alot of fun, but still requires ALOT of attention and concentration to make sure I don't die in some tourons home video of the Parkway. Some things I've learned this week: it's quite chilly here in the morning, I need chaps or something else windproof. Air temps have been around 50 in the morning and I hit 60 mph during one part of my drive, Brrrrrr! Full face helmets are the way to go. I probably wiped the carcasses of 40-50 bugs off of my helmet today, some of them large beetles. Uneven pavement SUCKS! I took hwy 19 home out of Cherokee yesterday and the road is covered with half ass patches that made the bike super unstable, scared the hell out of me. Get saddle bags, I have to figure out a way to strap crap to the bike. It sucks wearing a backpack all the time and I haven't even started fishin from it yet. Yet!

Most other things have been lost in the mix over the week. I got my rod on Monday, but haven't really even looked at it because of buying the bike on Tuesday. I have gotten most of the things I need and my hopes are to start on it tomorrow, if not finish it. Of course this will be mixed in with an afternoon nap, a little fishin, an maybe an afternoon ride, who knows? Whatever I do, it won't be alot of "productive" activity, but more of the leisure type. Sweet!!

So Cat and I are arguing about the use of the shower and bath in our household. Basically, I've been taking showers every morning for since she's known me. It's how I wake up and I look like someones been dragging me around by my hair in the morning. All of a sudden, she wants to start taking a bath every morning. The tub she uses drains the entire hot water heater, so I end up taking a warm to cool to cold shower on the days she takes baths in the morn. I'm a bit frustrated in the fact thast she won't COMPROMISE and take showers most mornings so it doesn't leave me in the cold. Her solution is for me to get up at 6 and take my shower so she can take a bath. I'm considering this, but.... I don't know. My problem is that I don't need to get up at 6, I usually get up at 6:45 or so. I go to bed around midnight, so that 45 minutes is pretty important to me. Who knows, I'm sure we'll argue about it and I'll end up getting up at six if I want a hot shower. That is of coarse if she gets up on time, which is another whole deminsion of the discussion.

Enough of that crap. More fishing and hiking posts to come soon. I'm gonna try to post some photos of the bike next week, if I can ever get off of it while it's light out. I'm gonna try to hike up to Chasteen Cascades off of Bradley Fork sometime this week and hopefully do some fishin after work this week too. Who knows what I'll actually end up doin.

A Tribute on Independence Day

At an early age, William enlisted in the Army as a way to escape the poverty of his childhood in the Ozark Mountains and to create a future for himself and his new wife Kay; and frankly, it was a way to pay for college. Not an option available to him in 1964. Can you imagine, enlisting in the infantry, during Vietnam, because of deep held personal beliefs and the desire to achieve more. Not protesting, not deferring (which was an option as an only son), but doing what was felt as right by joining.

After acquiring a bachelor's degree in 3 years in Business with the support of his wife, he was shipped out as a young officer, a second lieutenant. His first tour was on a patrol boat in the delta's of Vietnam, basically, a large target to draw fire so that it could be returned. A man that cared for his men as well as himself, making sure as many if them would return home to their families because of his decisions. Because of insight and a fair amount of luck, he was able to return home at the end of his thirteen month tour as a decorated Captain.

After trying to return to some sense of normality in their world, Bill and Kay were devastated when Kay was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer. Through months of personal hell and torture, Bill continued to stand by the side of his near death wife, thinking nothing of himself, only her. Miraculously, Kay actually survived her cancer, to the shock of her doctors, and the joy of her family. During this time, Bill had been on temporary leave, but was due to return to active duty as soon as was possible.

Taking advantage of the boot strap fund, he was able to earn a MBA while on active duty and Kay was in the process of remission. Life continued on as normal for the next few years, except Kay couldn't have children due to the massive amounts experimental treatments given to her. By some sort of strange luck, Bill and Kay were able to adopt twin infant sons. Their life was complete, except that Bill was going back to Vietnam in the next 6 weeks for his second tour as an infantryman and this time as a Major. Unbelievably, he volunteered for this tour also, in the belief that his experience could save lives. The selflessness is overwhelming.

This time, he was sent to the interior, into full bush combat. Sometimes running patrols, sometimes crawling through midnight dark tunnels, nothing more than a flashlight and a 45 between him and his possible death. Earning one of the lowest combat statistics for his unit during his time in country shows his dedication to his men. Leaving again after 13 months on the one of the last military transport planes before Saigon fell. Again returning home a decorated officer. During his 2 tours, many awards were won, the highlights being a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars ( both with oak clusters), three combat badges (signifying 100 enemy encounters each) and a declined Purple Heart he declined because too many men lost limbs and other horrendous casualties. His was little more than a flesh wound. I include this because it is further testament to his iron character and selfless morals.

Bill and Kay spent the next 15 years of their lives moving according to the wishes of the U.S. Government. Sometimes living in Germany and other times in lovely places like Ft. Knox. During this time, despite many disappointing losses, Bill and Kay had a daughter while in Ft Benning, GA and a son 3 1/2 years later while in Germany. A running military joke is that you either come back with a cuckoo clock or a kid from Germany. There's no cuckoo clock in their house!

Bill continued in the military for a total of 23 years, retiring as a Major. Not desiring to play the military political games, he never promoted beyond the recognition earned during combat. But continuing to sacrifice for his country by taking a hardship tour in Korea for 16 months with out his family late in his career. But that was Bill, a man that believed in his duty, loved his job, his family, and God. All of these things tied together to make him the man he is.

I'm sure you may have figured out that Bill is my father, Ret. Major William Joe Wells, the most incredible person I know and have ever had the honor to be friends with, much less the privilege to be raised by. Although we disagreed a great deal while I was growing up, I feel lucky to be aware of his greatness while he is alive and to try and share that with him. He is awfully restrained about himself! Despite being retired, he continues to sacrifice for his country. As he says, "I've got one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel!", literally sometimes. Over the past ten years, he has become almost completely deaf, he's had 2 strokes (one of which cost him sight in one eye), he survived prostrate cancer, and replacement hip surgery. Almost all of this can be directly linked to his time spent in Vietnam.

My mom is also applauded today. She held our family together when my father was away. She is an incredibly strong woman that deserves to be decorated as much as any soldier. New twins while her husband is in Vietnam, 4 kids while he is in Korea, and this scenario was repeated numerous times over the years on smaller scales during maneuvers and short term assignments. Not enough can really be said about the soldiers wives that suffered an perseveared while their husbands were away.

This is the basis of my upbringing and my deeply help beliefs about our country. I strive to be half the man my father is and raised me to be. I have a deep respect for the sacrifices he and others have made so that we can complain about the status quo. For some, the fact that our freedom was earned by the blood of men like my father becomes abstract in the relative safety we live in today. Thankfully, that is not something I take for granted or try to gloss over. This post is in dedication of my dad, mom, and all the others who have sacrificed so that we can live in the safety and comfort of the United States of America.