Girl Gone Fishing

*Side note: We all had fishing licenses and didn't keep any rainbow trout. Just so you know we are law abiding citizens*

There were a few people who tried to talk me out of going on the "guys fishing trip." I was told I couldn't "act like a girl" on the trip. Mega eye roll. 

If anything that just made me want to go even more!

                              -->to prove a girl can bait her own hook

-->catch her own fish

     -->and gut her own fish. 

Sometimes you just need to put that lipgloss on, wade out into the river, and cast! 

Holla at yo girl. 

Destination: Ennis, Montana

Population: 852

9 guys. 1 girl.

BRING IT.

My dad is just the sweetest and made sure I knew he definitely wanted me there. He's the greatest! Raised his little girl to enjoy the outdoors and also doesn't leave her behind when the boys want just the boys.

Doesn't he look like a real cowboy?!

We stayed at Rainbow Valley Lodge. It's honestly one of the cutest and most hospitable places I've ever stayed at. The owners are absolute gems and the rooms are so rustic!

Before fishing we stopped to get the right bait. This little fish is called a Bullhead. If you ask me, they are the ugliest little squirts I've ever laid eyes on. 

It was a highlight of the trip joining in and watching the "youngins" search for bait.

It almost got away from me. I wish everyone could have been there to hear my dad say, "Stay put ya slippery little bounder" as he tried to pick them up.

Everyone's language went to pot. We all have that Cache Valley accent, what do they call it? A hint of redneck hick? Well it was full blown hick once crossing the Utah state border. Or maybe it was just my dad? 

You can come ask me in person about all the little sayings and "Jeffisms." 

The first evening there the sky blossomed with oranges, pinks, blues, and purples. It was nice of Montana to welcome us with a blushing sky...

The first day of fishing we went to part of the river where our dads and their dads would always go years before. We suited up and went to fishing. It was glorious and didn't rain for the first half of the day. As I stood closer to the river bank, I watched as my dad almost fell in. 

I thought to myself, "Aw hell, here it comes. My dad is gonna go down and I'm gonna have to go in after him." 

The water was just about to fill his waders when he of course catches a fish. I don't know what looked more awkward - my dad trying to balance himself in a wide-leg stance and reeling in a fish while trying to hang onto his jacket, or a baby horse trying to walk in high-heels for the first time. 

He made it, but lost his bait box. Haha, you should have been there for that trail of cuss words. 

Weeks before the trip I watched YouTube videos on how to gut a fish. I was devoted, you guys. As soon as it came time however, I got freaked out and forgot allllll knowledge. I got back on track with a little bit of guidance. Who knew fish teeth were so SHARP?! Little weasels took some skin with them. 

The second part of the day we ended up on another part of the river in this canyon. It was stunning! And the weather was starting to get moody on us. We knew the rain was coming. 

And then it started to pour. Raining like a bat outta hell. Again we put our gear on and waded into the river. 

Even though it was pouring rain it was such a good time! The fish were biting like crazy... and so were the rocks. I can't tell you how many snags I got here. 

Like so, you'd think I had the biggest fish on the end of my line. Nope. Just a rock. Or a stick. It happened a few times. 

My dad and I sat here for a couple of hours laughing and enjoying the Montana beauty and fishing. 

This moment was so unreal. It was one of those moments when you look around and it goes into slow motion and you realize this will be one of the best memories. A memory that squeezed your heart so hard it will be impossible to forget. 

And one day it will probably make me cry to think back...

Meet my cousin Bryan (left) and Cole (right). They rode in our truck for most of the time and it was an absolute delight. These two, me, and my dad decided to venture to Cliff Lake. It's one of the prettiest places on this planet. If you haven't been, go this summer! Really, go put it on your summer bucket list right now. 

It was pouring when we got to the lake, but we had hope and started rigging up our poles. Once to the shoreline I said, "$5 to whoever catches a fish in the first 10 minutes." 

Rule #1: Don't ever make that bet. Because YOU WILL LOSE.

Rule #2: Don't make that bet.

Rule #3: Don't make that bet.

Bryan casted and started reeling in. I asked him in a you are dumb voice, "Why are you already reeling in??" 

"Cause I have a fish!"

Everyone was laughing. But me. 

In my dads words, "He must have hit the fish on the head when he casted."

But really. 

It started snowing and getting super cold. I was a weenie and put my jacket inside my waders so water dripped down my back and soaked my toosh. Everything was soaked. I got one bite and then decided I was done. I started walking back to the truck with a bit of an attitude and then the worst thing that could happen did. 

I got my hook stuck in the tree. And it was too high up for me to reach it. 

Dramatically I said, "I'm gonna kill someone." 

Set my pole down, walked back to the truck, and then changed clothes in the outhouse. 

All of this didn't matter though, because Montana. It was too pretty everywhere to be upset. I was with good company and had many laughs on this trip. 

I need to practice patience in my life. I'm not very good with being patient, so fishing is a perfect learning exercise for me. No matter how much more I like "catching" and not "fishing."

You choose happiness. Getting outside with loved ones helps, but ultimately you are in charge of your own happiness and patience is a big part of that. 

I'm learning everyday about patience, happiness, and living in the now. 

You'll have more than one snag in life and hell you will probably swear, but you'll get there. You'll float along and get a bite. Find the adventure and go with it. Stop to look around and have yourself a Diet Coke if you need it. 

Cheers!

Good Things Take Time

My last post I wrote about time…And this post I’m doing it again.

I noticed for the past year and a half I have really given time a great deal of thought.

Mainly me trying to figure out how to be a more patient person.

<<< True story >>>

About a year ago I went with my family and family friends to the Mandarin, in Bountiful, for the yummiest Chinese food. So. Good. If you’re not already there you’re late and missing out!

Anyways, we were opening fortune cookies. During dinner our family friends had been talking about their upcoming trip to Cancun. I turned to my mom right before I opened my fortune cookie and said, “Whatever this says determines if you will send me to Cancun with them.” She foolishly agreed.

*Opens cookie*

“Exciting travels are in your near future.”

I’ve never whipped my head around to smile at my mom so fast. She was not amused and the only trip I got from her was my ride back home to Logan.

When we got home my Grandma Lila had called (like she does every night) she asked to speak with me.

She gave me her usual, “So Autumn what boys are you dating this week? When are you going to get married?”

I told her, “Grandma, there is one more fortune cookie here from dinner and I had good luck with the last one, maybe this one will work for you. Whatever this fortune cookie says will determine if I find a boy in the next 6 months.”

*Opens cookie*

“Good things take time.”

HA. Good one fortune cookie. I am envisioning the lady from Freaky Friday messing with me…

And that thought has stuck with me since then. And while I wait for good things to take time I’ve been figuring out how to more fully enjoy the time now. It helps when you have amazing weekends like this last one.

I got to spend ample time with family laughing till we couldn’t breathe and enjoying the outdoors. Saturday couldn’t have been a more beautiful day.

We got Grandma Elaine, ahem 89 years old, up to ski her usual couple of runs once a ski season. She killed it. She even got a picture with some scantily clothed boys. She might not admit it straight to your face, but she loved every second around those “great bodies” as she would put it.

Lunch was classily served and grilled on the back of a truck tailgate…as everyone should experience at least once in their life.

It’s moments like this one when you suddenly pause and see the world spin around you. You watch your loved ones laugh and smile and the sun shine. You know you’ll look back on this memory and hold onto it forever.

Learning how to be happy in the now can sometimes be hard, especially if you’re like me and always worrying and trying to plan for the future.

I’ve learned you gotta have faith that if it’s gonna happen, it will happen. Not a second sooner, not a second later.

I still have miles for improvement on patience… but that doesn’t mean you stop trying. Surround yourself with good people, make some changes in your life to grow, and keep working hard with a smile on your face.

Good things truly take time. The more you enjoy the journey along the way, the better the good things will be and the sweeter they will seem.

First week: Salty City

Moving to Salt Lake City

Monday 7^th: Pack up my car (CHUCK FULL OF CRAP I REALLY DON’T NEED). Right before I leave Cache Valley my car decides to have a full on childish tantrum and the check engine light turns on. 5 hours and a good chunk of cash towards the car to be fixed later, I finally get to SLC. Get all my stuff moved into my room up three flights of stairs. Panting and sweating and I was already crying cause I’m realizing I’m adulting and missing home. WIMP.

Envisions Edna Mode from Incredibles slapping me.

“Pull yourself together, you are Elastagirl!”

Continues unloading stuff. Had just stopped crying. Open my nightstand drawer to find a bag of chocolate kisses from mom. Start crying all over.

Tuesday 8^th: Put work location into GPS (mentally laughs cause y’all know I’m going to need this GPS to get anywhere, even 5 miles away).

Start new job and I’m the newbie in the office. Feeling socially awkward and finding my place at work. So much to learn… Thinking “What in the hell did I even learn in college?? The people at work are chill and they took me to lunch my first day, winning.  

Wednesday 9^th: A blur.

Thursday 10^th: Work was harder, my first real experience driving/stuck in traffic. Almost get in a crash with some crazy that won’t stay on their side of the road. Start crying before I even get home. Call dad. Sob some more. He laughs and tells me everything will be fine.

Friday 11^th: Go to Spitz for an amzing dinner with cousins. Someone tries to commit suicide from the building next to us. Wide-eyed and feel sad for them the rest of the night.

Saturday 12th: Best day ever in SLC with cousins, aka the forever friends that can’t get away even if they wanted to cause we blood. Walked in Irish Parade with some huge dogs, ate the most delicious croissant thing from some bakery, shop (find amazing jeans), picnic at cute park—dogs everywhere and OMG they’re all so cute, go to Living Planet Aquarium, visit IKEA, get ice cream. My heart is happy to see my cousins, especially little Breck and his smile. They bring him when I'm the fifth wheel and I adore it. 

Sunday 13^th: A Sunday well spent brings a week of content. AMEN. Connect instantly with girl in ward on the first day and we’re friends now. She invites me to game night and I meet more awesome people.

Calls mom and cries that I made a new friend. Like elementary school all over.

<<<< Second week in SLC >>>>

I feel more confident in myself. Still trying to figure out my place at work, in the city, and in general what dang lane I need to be in on the freeway. Sigh.

What a difference a week makes in life.

A day.

An hour.

A minute.

A second.

Time is moving all around you whether you like it or not. It’s gonna keep on keeping on and so are you. You take time at your own pace and figure out what you need to do.

You’re going to figure out the best way you know how to handle time and change. You’re going to have sucky days and happy days and that’s life.

Along the path through time and change you find what makes you happy, feel confident, what matters most, and who’s in your corner rooting for you.

Those are the things you hold on to when time and change aren’t so fun. Those are the things that get you through.

Ski Trip to Canada, Eh?

It kind of came out of nowhere. One of those trips, the best kind of trips ya feel? I would graduate from college on a Tuesday (going uppppp) and leave for the trip on Thursday. 
Perfect timing? Aw heck yeah.

Scott Laneri sent me this text: "Hi Autumn! How are you?? Ok so I have a proposal of a lifetime. Haha. So we are taking a quick little ski trip to Banff, Canada next Thursday on the 17th. There are 8-10 of us going. Gonna ski Lake Louise Resort on Friday and Saturday and then head home Sunday. You wanna come?! We have a couple spots left!"

Umm hi I was just telling some close peeps I was in dire need of an adventure. (!!!)

After figuring out some minor details, I told him I was officially in for the count.

We left Thursday in a mammoth van with a box and a ski rack attached to the top. Plenty of room for all of us, even room to stretch out! Normally you wouldn't want the back seats due to too little of space... not the issue here!

Nine of us piled in-- Scott, Spencer, Mike, Jake, Shayln, Chantelle, Kylie, Bailey, and me.

The drive was...long... we did make a few pit stops along the way. One spot included a swanky bar where the ever so nice bartender offered us free water and some good conversation.

Before we got to the border (I've never crossed the border to Canada), Spencer told us what we needed to do to not be stopped forever by patrol. I'm not sure why, but I got nervous haha. When he said be quiet and act normal. I naturally was awkward and waved hello to the border patrol from the car.

No use in being awkward unless you show it. And I showed it. My hand was doing things on its own and my other hand had to quickly pull it back down. Noob status. The patrolman was very nice and even gave us a few suggestions as to where to eat in Banff.

We got to the condo, Lake Louise Inn, at about 2:30 a.m. Woof. We would be skiing in just a few short hours. I couldn't sleep for the life of me. 

The condo fit all of us and was still comfortable. It was so cute and cozy! So. Much. Ski. Gear. Everywhere.

The next morning we were up early, packed and ready to go skiing at Lake Louise. It was only 5-10 minutes away from where we were staying. 

I was one happy camper and stoked to be skiing!

Everywhere you look in Canada it is absolutely breathtaking (Even out a window, like so). Seriously, everywhere you turn. Not to mention every way you looked there were hot, rugged, manly, Canadian skiers, so I mean, you just can't go wrong. We were with cute American guys too!

Lake Louise Ski Resort is gorgeous and there is so much terrain to explore.

Me, Bailey, and Shayln

I haven't ever skied so much in 48 hours than on this trip. Two days from 9-4 p.m., with breaks in between for lunch and lift rides. 

Shayln, Kylie, Mike, and Scott

Spencer, Jake, Kylie, Mike, Scott, Chantelle, Shayln, and me

I met some amazing people on this trip. Skiing and laughter is always, and always will be a good combo to meet the best people. 

Shayln and Jake making their way to the back bowls

Scott, Chantelle, and Shayln

Laughing was constant on the drive there, back home, and on great lift rides up the mountain. We talked about anything and everything. I'm fairly certain we covered every topic one could imagine talking about. 

After skiing on Saturday, we went to see Lake Louise. Clearly a bunch of basic white girls haha!

Stunning views.... I'm talking about us.

So many great memories made on this trip!

We almost hit an elk on the way home. That was sketchhhh. I told Scott he should have just kissed the elk with the van to remind it who's boss. And leave it with a message, "Merry Christmas ya filthy animal!" 

I mean if that isn't the most perfect winter scene you've ever seen then I don't know what is.

Honestly, if I had a job offer and had to move for Canada for said job, I would do it in a heartbeat!

I'm not saying you should always jump in a massive white van full of people you don't know and cross the border. Actually, in most cases don't do that... unless the van is full of people named Scott, Spencer, Mike, Jake, Shayln, Chantelle, Kylie, and Bailey.

THEN DO IT.

"Life is like a road trip. We may appreciate the smooth stretches, but the bumps in the road are what truly make the journey memorable." 

(This includes almost hitting a very large elk)

<< Susan Gale >>