Another glorious day off arrived and I could not wait to hit a “secret” pond I go to from time to time. I say “secret” because even though it is fairly close to neighborhoods and a park, it is on private property and it is totally secluded. I, of course, have permission to fish there and I do not recommend trespassing or breaking any local laws. I started the day by filling up my vehicle at my local gas station and while I was there grabbed some breakfast. That’s right, I said, “Breakfast”. Let me tell you a little know secret to those not abiding within the southeast U.S., in the south the best food to be found is in gas stations. I don’t care if you are looking for bar-b-que, breakfast, sandwiches, or seafood, if you can find a small kitchenette is a gas station in the south you are GOLDEN. While we are on the subject, additionally in the south the more run-down, decrepit, haunting-looking the restaurant, the better the food!(but that is a subject for another post).
Gas is a little down right now for this area.
Here is the glorious breakfast-of-champions I was able to secure from said gas station! It is a layered bowl of grits, cheese, eggs, and sausage and it is absolute, mouth-wateringly spectacular.
At the Destination
The best way to access this particular pond is to park at a local park and hump through the back of the soccer fields until you hit the treeline. We recently had a bit of snow and to my surprise, there was a small patch of snow left and it had the tracks of a small deer running through it.
Once you hit the wood line, it is just a small little jaunt to the edge of the pond. The small wooded area starts out fairly open but then gets a bit thicker and more precarious with brier vines. Of course, I am as about as agile as an elephant walking on Legos so I hit just about every thorn in the entire forest!
This is the edge of the wood line just before I begin my battle with the dreaded brier army!
Let the Fishing(not catching) Begin
Finally, I stumble into the clearing and behold the beautiful magnificence that is my “secret” pond. I can’t wait to get my rod put together and start casting for the inevitable hogs I am going to catch!
I get everything together and begin a contest of wits with my scaled friends. I fought the trees more than I did the fish and after about two hours I respectfully submitted to the wiser of the species and conceded victory to the fish.
Even my lucky bigfoot riding a unicorn shirt was not enough of a talisman to ensure anything more than a relaxing day enjoying the outside and being grateful that even on my worst day, I am blessed beyond measure and more fortunate that the vast majority of society.
Originally posted on Steemit.
Photos courtesy of the author.