A life examined is a life well lived and also is the best revenge! ~~ If you're curious as to what I mean, get your moxie on and come along with me! Read my first blog entry HERE to learn more about what makes me tick. And use this handy dropdown menu to check out my other sites!
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Long ago, somebody, some where, decided that today and every April 22nd, would be Earth Day. Well, if you wanted to say "happy birthday" to the Earth, how could you do that when you don't know how old it is? Or what day it was born? Well, I guess you could just say it anyway in absence of any FACTS. Which by the way, some scientists like to practice their science by CONCENSUS regardless of the facts too. So, with these "populist scientists" I share some sobering words spoken by Charlton Heston which will impeach their obsession with science-by-concensus. And while you too, kind reader, are listening, set your emotions aside and let logic lead the way. Our emotions are what get us into all kinds of trouble anyway!
Abundant Blessings! Moxie Me!
[Charlton Heston is reading the Forward from the book Jurassic Park written by Michael Crichton]
I finally gathered all the elements (photos, story, etc.) to post this entry about Dan's uber fishing trip in Costa Rica! Going to fish these waters has been a dream of his for a long time and I was happy to sacrifice our Valentine's Day together for it! Rather than tell you about it myself, I asked him to write up a brief story so I could put it here on my blog along with a sampling of photos chronicling his trip. (I provide captions for the photos). There also was a short video clip taken with our digicam and I have placed it at the very bottom of this blog entry -- I wanted to save the best for last so be sure to scroll all the way down! (Note: Please let me know if the controls on the video player are visible.) Now, without further adieu, let's start with Dan's story. Enjoy in Joy!
Abundant Blessings! Moxie Me!
The four hour van ride along a bumpy mountain road gave no hint to the calm blue waters to come. Our transit to the jungle lodge was punctuated by a short boat ride down the palm tree-lined Sierrpe River.
CABANA LODGING (PHOTO CREDITS DAN CARTER)
The lodge accommodations were basic but comfortable with small two-person cabanas scattered about the jungle hillside. Steep stone paths lead to the dining hall which served as the social center of the trip. Early to bed as there were fish to catch tomorrow.
SUNSET VIEW FROM CABANA (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
I could not have imagined the days awaiting me. As I headed down the steep path to breakfast and the docks, the wild monkeys (who had arrived early to steal fruit for their own breakfasts) all stopped their thievery and watched me pass as if they knew the amazing sights ahead I soon would see.
DAY 1: HOOKING A BIG ONE (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 1: REELING HIM IN (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 1: IT'S A MARLIN! (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 1: STRUGGLING TO GET HIM IN (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 1: AHHH, FINALLY GOT HIM IN! (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 2: HOOKING YET ANOTHER ONE! (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 2: THIS ONE'S A SAIL FISH! (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
DAY 2: A PERFECT SPECIMEN! (PHOTO CREDITS DAN HUTCHINSON)
THIS IS MR. DAN HUTCHINSON -- HE MAKES IT ALL LOOK SO EFFORTLESS!
A PERFECT SPECIMEN FOR DAN HUTCHINSON!
SAIL DETAIL: DAN HUTCHINSON TAKES PHENOMENAL ARTISTIC PHOTOS!
EYE DETAIL: ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL PHOTO TAKEN BY DAN HUTCHINSON!
It was a trip of personal firsts. My first Marlin; my first over-40-pound bull Dorado; my first time on a boat to raise over 20 sailfish in a day; my first double sailfish hookup; my first triple sailfish hookup; my first time in the midst of a massive pod of spinner dolphin in numbers that stretched to the horizon; my first time watching schools of sailfish circling bill-to-tail in a "daisy chain" spawning pattern; my first time to see free-jumping sailfish leap from the water "just for fun"; my first time watching sailfish cruising slowly with their sails splayed above the waterline catching some sun after their morning meal; my first school of Manta Rays with 6 foot wing spans gliding like ghosts directly under the boat; and my first time watching wild parrots flying to roost at the end of each day.
To top off the trip, a great group of business-professionals-turned-fishermen from California to New York, assembled to make for wonderful fellowship.
WOW! I sign online today and discover that Bravenet has bestowed this award on me for best journal of the week. I have to confess that I did apply for this award but I had NO IDEA that it would be given to me amongst all the other so-talented bloggers here in Bravenet Land! They say to "ask and it will be given" and now I won't take that philosophy lightly any more! Here is the award they sent me:
And HERE is their own community blog page where they announced the winners. WOW! Thanks Bravenet! If I win any other awards I will post them right here in this entry!
A life examined is a life well lived and also is the best revenge! ~~ If you're curious as to what I mean, get your moxie on and come along with me! Read my first blog entry HERE to learn more about what makes me tick. And use this handy dropdown menu to check out my other sites!
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