ROOTS

As I hiked some public land looking for some early moral mushrooms on Earth Day.  I had a lot of time to reflect on my roots and my environmental ethic. In 1970 when the first earth day was celebrated I was only 8 years old but my love and appreciation nature had already started.

I spent a lot of time on the river, in the timber and at our family cabin that my father and grandfather had built. Hunting, fishing and exploring.

So when it came time to go to school and decide what I wanted to do I eventually choose Biology, Natural history interpretation and education.  By the late 80's as a new middle school teacher I introduced my students to an earth day clean up along the Maquoketa river just south of town.

It wasn't long after that, that Susie and I met up with our new found friends and got involved with The Mississippi River Revival.

Give a hoot don't pollute!

Reading a Sand County Almanac and The Good life opened my eyes to the back to the land ethic and the relationships that exist in nature.  Like the value of an old snag in an old growth timber. 

The roots grow deep and broad 

and if you look closely you never know what you'll find

 

A long weekend back to explore the Driftless.

After a good nights sleep back home, we were up early hitting the timber before the poachers were out. 

We found some fungus

some golden oysters

But Beau found the first morels of the year

They were right where they were suppose to be,

Next up a little stream time.

We caught a few

And look what Beau found along the stream

 

The size doesn't always matter. Sometimes it's just good to be on the stream. 

All kinds of critters

Horses

calves 

Snakes

Another hike and a pair of sheds

Beau helped out with a couple projects around the house

Raccoon proofing the strawberry patch.

We hiked some more 

And  we finished up our long weekend by checked out The River Ridge Brewery with the Parkers.

A COUPLE OF WORKING CLASS BUZZES

 

Slammed Em.

I had to change out spinning reels within the first 20 casts after a major rats nest.

But, I did manage to catch this little guy.  So, off to a good start

next was a big bow

Then a nice brown 16+ that went back in the stream.

We had a brief rain shower early in the am and the bite was strong

Several were in the 13" to 14" range

Which filled out a nice stringer

It's not often that I keep any fish but every now and then....

 I think back to Jim and Joyce entertaining their friends 

with a fish feed

So it was my turn to feed the masses 

and a few old dogs