Hibernation

[ofuros]

A break in work opened up just in time for the opening trout season, six hours south of my sub tropical home.
I farewelled the acres of cloudless blue skies, the warming radiance of the sun & headed south across the border....
....finally the months of hibernation were over. :smile:

By the time I arrived, the tail end of the buffeting cold front with its freezing winds & horizontal rain/hail was still lashing the region.
Took me three times as long to set up camp than normal.....watering eyes, numb lifeless fingers & a mind slowed from
the wind chill didn't help at all.

The next day dawned damp.....bush-bashed to 2 remote stream valleys which I intend to fish later on in the season.
The bush...thankfully pretty easy going.
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030004Medium.jpg
The streams valley's...
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030007Medium.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030006Medium.jpg
Sluggish inhabitant.
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030012Medium.jpg.
Warming meal break
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030022Medium.jpg

Back at the car again. It was only a 10min drive from here to the banks of my favourite stream...
..to set up camp, get a soul warming campfire crackling...& just relax & enjoy the surrounds.
Sleeping quarters
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030049Medium.jpg
Hungry mouths..
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030063Medium.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030066Medium.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA030074Medium.jpg
Impromptu table & chair, freeze dried miso & tofu soup for breakie...suprisingly tasty...water straight from the lapping steam.
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA040108Medium.jpg
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA040103Medium.jpg
Finally..sadly.... the start of the long road home....
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac276/ofuros/2011 Oct opening weekend/PA040114Medium.jpg


Ooroo,
ofuros.

[ksbioteacher]

Wow....that's what I like about this place--the variety of waters, woods, seasons and scenery. Thanks for taking us along Ofuros. BTW, did you make that tarp with the end pieces? and what about your hammock. I can empathize with the 6 hour drive to trout water. I don't live in subtropical climes but still have to drive from 4 to 8 hours to fish for any wild trout. Looks like you were a bit lonely out there---of course that is a good thing.

BW

[ofuros]

My pleasure ksbioteacher,
Its a Hennessy hammock from the good ol'usa.
The tarp is a new purchase, I wanted more tie downs points than the std tarp gave me....for those
really nasty foul weather days....came in real handy this trip.

[Brooktrout]

beautiful area and stream. nice pics, thx.

[flickfly]

Nice post ! Gotta luv that hammock !

[ofuros]

Thanks Brooktrout & flickfly, Wet, sloping, rocky ground, no problem, anywhere there's a couple of tree's, a hammock is the way to go. Getting caught out on a treeless ridge with a storm fast approaching....could prove to a little tricky. :smile: Stick to the tree's, valley's & sinuous streams & you'll be fine.:laugh: Rising in the mornings without back pain is why I use them. No lighter than a one man tent, just a pain free back....works for me.

[jeepster]

Nice. I love the rugged look of the terrain. The last pic of the brown is awesome.

I'm pretty sure the hammock and tofu would kill me. http://users.dakotacom.net/~jeepster/tipshades.gif

[ofuros]

Thanks jeepster,

Thats what I thought when i first tried them......but its all good.

[nic]

beautiful wild area, nice streams and fish,
I like to fish alone in old forest. It is like a travel to the beginning of the world.

Nic

[AZWanderings]

Beautiful pics and what a gorgeous looking area. Thanks for sharing.

Ben

[ofuros]

Thanks nic & AZWanderings,
I enjoy the solitude sometimes.....there's no distractions, so I see & feel a lot more.
Little things. Morning birdsongs, cool wafts of a weather change approaching, a glimpse of
a serpents tail as it slithers into the foliage, shady dampness of the forest...

[Jax]

Very Nice ofuros; I can smell and feel the solitude of your photos. Lucky B! Jax

[ofuros]

Thanks Jax, glad you enjoyed it.

[Satoshi]

The trout and the lizard are both very impressive!
Thank you for posting.

Satoshi

[ofuros]

Thanks Satoshi,
Don't know when I'll get out again....but I enjoyed this opening w/end session.

[Sagebrush]

Very Nice.
Hammock keeps you up and away from the creepy crawlies too I reckon.