Catching a fish, ensnaring a bird

I actually don't always have tons of time to update the blog like I originally thought I would. But it's a GOOD thing - I work with adorable children all day and get paid to take them to amazing places! On the weekends, we go camping. It is so incredibly beautiful here. Forest lines the streets and I slow down to look at moose every now and then while driving - unless if they're crossing.

Then I stop.

But I love it so much. I have never been so happy before!

So, what have we been doing?

For starters, once upon a time (like 2 weeks ago) I caught a FISH.

It was terrifying.

It was our second time fishing at Jewel Lake; my second time fishing ever. My first time was a week before but we hadn't caught anything, much to my disappointment. 

This time didn't seem to be much different. We were out with Gavin, Aaron's 28 yr old uncle, and North his 3 yr old cousin. North was decked in fleece footie pajamas and Xtra Tufs, quivering with excitement in the boat and continually reminding us, "Let's catch five fish, ok guys?" 

However, despite North's persistent persuading the fish ("Fishies, let me catch you, I want to EAT you!")...

We caught nothing. 

We ate all of our doughnuts and cheese puffs. We watched the sky slowly creep with pink, indicating it was around 11:00 PM. Fish jumped around us tantalizingly, indiscreet with their tiny ripples...but nothing.

We decided to do one last cast and call it a day.

I watched my bobber float. I mused again about how fishing doesn't take hardly any skill on the fisherman's part...

...and watched the bobber slip under water.

I was completely cool and rational about having a fish on the line, meaning I started shrieking and jumping up and down on the row boat. Gavin and Aaron both started shouting instructions above my squeals. I was thrilled and reeled furiously.

The fish neared and I pulled it out of the water. I suddenly became terrified as a truth dawned on me:

I would have to put it in the boat.

Now might be a good time to mention that fish have always given me the heebie jeebies. I hate their alien, buggy eyes. I hate that they are always looking at you. I hate that they never blink. Their gaping mouth is gross. I've said before that if aliens came to Earth, I'm pretty sure they'd look like fish. Most of all, I've always hated the idea that fish might touch my feet while swimming in a lake. Yuck.

And now I was going to have to touch one. 

"Put it in, put it in quick!!" Aaron and Gav bellowed as the fish flailed in the air.

"I DON'T WANT IT IN THE BOAT!!!" I yelled and swung it away from me.

Aaron was the one who finally grabbed my line, yanked my fish off and plopped it in the bottom of the boat. I quickly drew my legs up to my seat and watched, wide eyed, as it jumped around.

The fish flopped in my direction.

I let out a piercing scream.

Like, really. A very, very loud scream.

Aaron grabbed it.

"Hold your fish!"

"I don't want to hold it!!!"

"You are going to kiss that fish! It's your first one ever!"

"Don't put that fish so close to me!!!"

After much coaxing, I hesitantly reached out and brushed the top of the fish with my finger.

Then wiped it on my jacket.

And very, very reluctantly kissed it while Aaron's held it.

"Wow, that's a super cool fish, Karen! Can I hold that fish?! Good job catching it!!" North's eager excitement and complete domination while holding the fish calmed me. Eventually I did hold it - with tense shoulders and clenched breath, that is.

We decided to fish a little more. Seagulls swirled overhead every now and then, but besides North tossing them the occasional cheese puff, we ignored them.

Aaron cast out. We watched the line soar just as a bird swooped down to meet it.

Suddenly Aaron froze. "I think I caught a bird."

Gavin thought he was joking.

Then Aaron's rod starting bucking and the bird plummeted.

Aaron reeled it in across the water. Gavin grappled the bird with his jacket and pulled it into the boat. North was very confused about why we'd caught the bird. After a little while and some bird pecks, Gavin finally plucked out the little hook. The bird, luckily, flew away.

We were all a little quiet after that. Later, a flock of geese flew overhead, and North called out sternly, "Aaron, don't catch those birds!!"

My fish. Aaron got me to hold it by the gills so he could get a picture.

I HATED it.

Here's the picture of my actual reaction to holding the fish that way:

I was about to cry.

Other things:

Biking Powerline Pass

Staying at a little cabin at Louis Cabin with the Dittmans and the Owens, Ashleen's cousins.

4 AM - I couldn't sleep; too many snorers.

The Zodiak (Gav's sea boat) started sinking on the ride home.

That was exciting.

Thomas's birthday party...

...and the newest passenger in Mr. Truck. Except he hangs from the review mirror.

We are definitely bringing him back to Utah.

~Karen