Renew

For about 10 years I went up to Bishop Creek up in the Sierra Nevada for one weekend every summer to go fishing.  The group varied a bit but there was a core group of 4 of us.  We would stay in a very basic cabin at the Bishop Creek Lodge and spend a few days at various lakes in the area.  We would hike, catch fish, tell sea stories, solve world problems, drink too much beer, gaze at stars, and generally enjoy each other's company.  This ritual weekend lasted until about 2005 when life seemed to catch up with us.  We all had different jobs, had drifted apart a bit, and other priorities overcame the fishing trip.

Then a few months ago while two of us were having dinner we decided to try and renew the fishing trip.  We picked the date, made the reservation and invited our two other friends.  Unfortunately one of the guys didn't respond to our queries but the third of our group was able to make it.  And so I found myself once again at Bishop Creek this weekend enjoying a wonderful weekend in the mountains with some friends.

It was a great and fun weekend.   We caught some fish, solved world problems, drank too much beer, and had a great time.  Observations.  Hanging out with friends has value.  And if they are true friends, you pick up where you left off.  Having no connectivity in the mountains was nice.  No checking email, no surfing the net, no connectivity.  The bear who visits the cabins every night is pretty scary!  The water levels in the reservoirs was shockingly low.  Catching fish on a fishing trip is good, but not necessary.  All the other things are more important.