Driving country roads has changed since the 60’s

As we venture into the next season, I like to take some time to go for a drive around the area. Driving on gravel is usually a little more difficult in the spring, but it’s not as bad as it was over 50 years ago. Before I went into the service, I worked at Conger Creamery as a driver and carrier of milk cans. Carrying those milk cans made me lean and strong and taught me a lot about having a good work ethic. In the spring, driving on gravel roads as the frost went out of the ground was a challenge. There were times that the bumper of the truck was almost pushing the gravel when the truck would fall into the ruts on the road. I had a couple of experiences that were pretty hairy, but I survived, and I actually learned a lot about myself in the process.

Despite my age slowing me down, I still enjoy exploring nature. I still have that one unfulfilled dream of camping out on the shores of Spider Lake. Both of my sons, at different times, have offered to do that with me, but between the weather and mosquito infestations, we have yet to make it work out.

I started my outdoors adventures by tenting in this area and in northern Minnesota. In northern Minnesota, the weather can be more unpredictable, maybe not as much as in past years, but there is still a certain gray area. One time many years ago, I borrowed my son Brian’s pickup with a topper, hooked up the boat and headed north to Spider Lake for a few days. I pitched a tent, put all the gear in it and, after a little fishing, it was time to turn in. That night we got 5 inches of rain in just a couple of hours. The water ran under my tent like a river and almost everything got soaked. I finally grabbed my sleeping bag and pillow and tried sleeping in the cab of Brian’s S10 pickup. The next morning, after trying to sleep in the cab of that small truck, I cleared out a place in the back for my sleeping bag and pillow. The truck had a topper on it, so I slept dry the rest of the trip. It started out as a bad experience, but I made the most of it and, even today, I remember it as a very fun experience.

In today’s world, small campers and travel trailers have replaced the tent, for the most part. I know that most folks would rather stay in a camper than a tent, but I feel that a tent gets you just a little closer to nature. After I had tented for a few years, I acquired a couple of cots. My Uncle Orville gave me one cot and my Uncle Ben gave me one. That was just right. I took both cots along whenever I went tenting. If I was alone, then I used one for sleeping and one to store my gear on.

I may just buy a tent and try it out by spending a night or two at the State Park. By starting out close to home, I can find out if it will be something that I want to do on a more regular basis. I may find out that tenting isn’t meant for old guys and that will be it. I’ll never know until I try it out.

Until next time: I believe that I will have to start taking inventory on my tackle boxes. I won’t be needing much in the line of tackle this year. I know that I need some replacement line on a couple of my reels. I definitely do not need any more lures. I believe I heard my wife telling me that 40 years ago. I didn’t listen. I know that there are a couple of new “sure fire” lures that are just waiting for me to show up at Cabela’s or Fleet Farm.

Please show your support for our troops who are now deployed. These service men and women are making that sacrifice, so that we may have the many freedoms that we enjoy today.