Dealing with the empty nest syndrome has been difficult since Jourdan moved to a college dorm. She prepped me for this change by spending a month in Costa Rica last summer. Nature hates a void. The time lost with Jourdan is being replaced by grandkids, friends and softball players.
Last Saturday, I took my grandsons, Grant and Nick, squirrel hunting. The three of us made a lot of noise, but managed to harvest one bushytail. We also saw a large groundhog up a tree. He must have been eight feet off the ground. I’m guessing this varmint learned this escape tactic to avoid coyotes.
Sunday afternoon, I called three softball players together for some hitting practice. Alexa, Taylor, and granddaughter Hayley joined me for some fun. While I was pitching from the mound, each player tagged me with line drives. One hit square on the end of my big toe. Perhaps, I should quit preaching about hitting the ball up the middle.
Getting work done around my place has been a time filler. Seal coating my driveway was a nice project for the labor intensive weekend.
Monday evening found me hugging my daughter at IU. I had dinner with Jourdan, her roomate Suzanah and boyfriend Evan.
My night was spent in a rustic cabin nestled in Owen County. Strong winds lambasted the cabin roof with hickory nuts and made it difficult to sleep.
Tuesday morning, Larry Holliday joined me for some bluegill fishing. We moved around the 12-acre lake trying different depths and bottom contours. We finally found a big school of fish suspended in 12 feet of water.
We would count one-thousand six, eight or 10 before our retrieve began. Larry also tried a bobber set at eight feet.
A cold front had put a damper on the bite, but we endeavored to persevere and left the lake with a basket of fish.
“This will really get good in about three weeks,” Larry said.
And we will return. It seems the quality of bluegill gets better in late October and on into November. Our best catch on this lake was Nov. 8, 2009. The ice fishing was good, too.
I met with Jourdan on my way back through Bloomington. I gave her some money and a kiss.
There was no time to rest when I arrived home. Hayley had an AHS volleyball game at 7 p.m.
Last week, I told you about the off-road fun to be found at the Hoosier Outdoor experience. The DNR also has added water activities at the free event Sept. 18-19 at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis.
Those interested in kayak and canoe paddling, operating remote-controlled boats, learning about stream biology and enjoying the aquatic wildlife trailer display will get a chance to enjoy each “and much more” free each day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Participants will be able to choose from two canoe/kayak experiences. Floats down Fall Creek and Delaware Lake will be offered.
Parking, admission, activities, demonstrations and seminars are free to the public, but online registration is requested to assist with planning/staffing of activities. To register, go to hoosieroutdoorexperience.IN.gov and click on the orange registration icon. Watch there for event updates or on Facebook at Facebook.com/HoosierOutdoorExperience.
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Contact Rick Bramwell: rickbramwell@aol.com.
Discussion
Rick Bramwell: Empty nest leaves plenty of time for hunting, fishing
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