0ur fishing trip to the boundary waters of Rainy Lake Minnesota/Canada was great! I’ve made this trip every year since 1990 — sometimes with “old” fishing buddies and sometimes as father/son trips. This year’s trip was very special. I was with long-time friends, Carl Gebuhr and Charlie Chapple, and seven of our sons (George III, Bobby and son-in-law Nathan Cluxton were with me).
We were living on a very comfortable houseboat in God’s country with the eagles, beavers, moose, otters, minks and even a few fish. It only seemed to rain at night or when we were back on the houseboat having our freshly caught walleye for lunch. We had great food and great fishing (for most). For the hearty young men there were heated games of poker and Euchre into the wee hours (but the guys were ready to fish every morning). We had plenty of time for bonding and plenty of time for being by ourselves.
As I promised (and my body dictated) I worked in plenty of “rest time.” I couldn’t stand and cast for more than 10 minutes at a time but I actually found that my poor fly-casting improved when I was sitting down. I avoided those card games and was in bed by 9:30 every night. I actually put on two pounds that I can definitely use right now.
On the final afternoon of fishing I was with Charlie who loves “oldies” music so I had my iPod and speakers playing all afternoon. We didn’t catch a lot of fish but both enjoyed just being alive in this wonderful setting (Charlie had some serious lung surgery a couple of years ago). The afternoon was generally cloudy but shortly before we had to call it quits the sun came out. It seemed that at that very moment John Denver began singing “Sunshine On My Shoulders.” In spite of the fish not cooperating, I had the biggest grin on my face and tears of joy in my eyes. I AM SO BLESSED.
Carpe diem — George
P.S. — I booked the trip for next June. 
P.P.S. — The final picture above are the Schaefer members of the Evanston Marching Kazoo Band prior to July 4th Evanston parade. Silly hats are required. I had to take a pass this year but I’ll be back!
July 6, 2006 at 4:13 am
George:
Great pictures…and priceless memories. Congrats, again, to George III for his 41″ Northern. (The apple, obviously, has not fallen far from the tree.)
It was great seeing and talking with you, Cookie and the kids over the weekend and to see and hear about your (slow but) steady progress.
Love,
Bob & Annette
July 8, 2006 at 9:08 am
Ave, piscatore!
Congratulations.
Keep on motoring.
See you on the water.
July 11, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Sounds like a great time. Surviving a week with Chappel is a sure sign you’re headed in the right direction!! Great shots of the gang
Frank& Debby
July 12, 2006 at 4:09 pm
YOU LOOK GREAT…YOU HAVE” THE FIGHTING IRISH SPIRIT” HELPING YOU ALONG…AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT CD’S…I THINK YOUR REAL CALLING SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DJ…WORKING ALL THE WEDDINGS AND PARTIES…WITH YOUR SONGS …EVERYONE WOULD BE UP DANCING…
BEST TO YOU BOTH…YOU’VE BEEN THRU ALOT…BUT CAME THRU WITH FLYING COLORS..
I STILL WOULD LIKE TO SET A DATE FOR YOU TO COME TO OUR HOUSE FOR AN EARLY DINNER…EVEN DURING THE WEEK…AND IT WOULDN’T BE LATE…
August 17, 2006 at 10:20 am
George,
I just figured out how to work your blog! I’ve been reading your first post and didn’t realize until today that you had updates on it. This computer shit is great.
Got all caught up on your situation in one sitting. Sounds like things are going well. I realize that all of this takes longer than we would prefer, but in the big picture, it’s all a true blessing. The fishing trip had to be wonderful for many reasons. Without having gone through your ordeal, I just spent 10 days fishing with my three sons and friends on Lac Seaul in Ontario, and couldn’t imagine a better time. It had to be an even more special time for you (and you sons) under your circumstances.
Becky and I just got back from an 8 day motorcycle tour of New England with four other couples. Another great experience.
Rest up and continue on your road to recovery and hopefully we’ll be up your way in the near future.
Love,
Willie Joe and Becky