Catching Supper

WIll called today .............. three times!

Cell coverage is spotty in western Virginia. Each call was interrupted by poor cell coverage. Each call we talked about food. Will loves food and always has loved creating masterpieces. His first call was this morning around 10 am. He said he could hardly wait till lunch. He was so excited about eating lunch today. He had just resupplied a day ago and it seems he purchased some things that he felt would satisfy his cravings. The meals he prepares covers both ends of the spectrum......gourmet and gross. One interesting meal that qualifies as the later is instant oatmeal. He is now opening the end of the pouch, adding cold water, waiting a few minutes and eating cold, instant oatmeal. Why? To conserve cooking fuel. I am beginning to wonder if he will one day be able to survive without any modern camping luxuries. He has already shipped his tent, boots, compass, jacket, pants, etc., home to reduce weight in the pack. His pack now weighs around 25 lbs, most of which is food he purchased at the re-supply he hit a day ago.

THe last call of the day was this afternoon. More talk about food. This time gourmet! As Will hiked along the trail this afternoon, he was lured to the sight and sound of a nearby stream. As he walked along the stream's edge, he discovered some old fishing line hung in a tree. He found more around the area laying on the ground. He was lucky enough to find an old rusty barb for a hook. Next was the search for bait. Not much of a challenge.................catch a few crawdads and a mosquito hawk and he would be ready! Other hikers looked on. All were laughing as Will's line had five splices. The line he had collected, he joined together. Five knots, one barb, one long stick and a mosquito hawk later Will was able to score the main ingredient for his gourmet dinner tonight............one brown trout! Sounds delicious!

He hooked a much larger Rainbow trout but lost it when one of the five knots gave way as the fish snapped in defense.

When he arrives in Glasgow he has a package waiting on him that includes the following;

1. letter from Grandma

2. pre=packed dry food meals complete with recipes from Mom. (Mom's concocted meals not just add water and stir meals) these will be "gourmet"

3. One Kuba Kuba Cigar from dad

4. 10 meters of fly line, 2 leaders, 6lb tibets, assorted split shots, assorted dry flys and nyphs (he will be fully outfitted for fly fishing minus the rod - he can improvise.)

Will is still undecided on Trail Days that will take him back to Damascus for 2-3 days. He is torn with continuing to hike on or drop back for trail days. Explore more about Trail Days in Damascus by googling White Blaze. Trail Days sounds like a great experience but it will require a 200 mile trip back. He can catch a hitch to and from to get back on the trail exactly where he leaves it. We will wait to see what he decides.

We agreed we need to begin researching more about the bicycle trip home. Beth was able to find maps online tonight that would take him down the east coast from Maine. The maps are a set of 7 maps that actually cover the entire east coast from Maine to Key West. We thought we would only tell Will about 6 of the maps. That will get him about 2000 miles down to Savannah......minus the Key West portion. Next, we will survey the equipment to see what he will need.

We miss Will.........but rather than wanting him here with us.........we wish we could be there with him. We love fresh trout!