Maybe I'll Go Outside This Year

I dunno if it has something to do with the weather getting nicer in the evenings, there being more daylight when I'm available to enjoy it or just getting tired of the same old routine day in and day out, but every year around this time I get to wishing I could take a break, pack up my fishing and camping gear and get out of town for a few days.

Some time down by the water always did my soul good, and God knows I could use the vacation. In fact, I used to go fishing almost every weekend and camping semi-regularly at Gavins Point, and as far north as Lake Itasca, before I moved and started a life here in Texas. I didn't really think about it much the first year or so because I was simply amazed at how people did anything when it was Sands of Africa hot outside. We lived in a tiny bottom-floor apartment and D and I both worked our asses off: the tent and poles found a cozy home in the outside storage closet.

As time has worn on, though, I've found myself wanting to go on that first trip in years. You know, before it gets too ungodly hot. I almost did last year, too. I bought a fishing license that I never used. But the important thing is I bought it and I could have used it. Prepping the supplies is as easy as spending a nice spring evening setting up the tent and resealing the seams, finding the tackle box in the garage and making sure I have a working fishing rod after all these years.

But maybe, just maybe, I'll go out this year...