Life Changer

Have you ever had a conversation that has changed your life?  (Going deep early here, I know).  It didn't have to be some 4 hour long convo. It could be 1 sentence or even a word.  I have been lucky enough to have been able to have more than a few and I actually anticipate a few more coming my way.  I happened to have one very recent one.  It came out of no where and I didn't even realize it was a good one until now.  A few months ago I was eating supper over at the T Senf's.  Of course I had a few beers and stayed late.  (Side note: Martha probably has no idea that this was a very inspiring convo..) So Martha, Todd and I were talking and we started talking about vacations. (Another side note: these people are cool.  Todd is my fisher/beer mentor by the way) I mentioned that it was my dream to go out west and see the national parks, fly fish, explore, and take zillions of pictures.  Now, I had talked about this trip for a good two years, but never pulled the trigger.  On this night- something clicked.  Martha looked at me and "go."  I probably shrugged it off at first, but then she just looked at me again and said go.  Todd prolly did too.  She said "Why not go?"  Well, I don't know.  I have no $$.  I have never been there.  I want to drive and my Tahoe is going to leave a crater sized carbon foot print.  I can just wait.  Martha has a look that you just don't argue with.  (In a good way)  She said, sell the Tahoe, save your money, get a friend and go.  I think right then and there I decided to do it.  I told no one.  Besides them.  Literally, the next day I got a text from Emily Jones saying that she was in for the wild west adventure.  My jaw dropped. I mentioned it to her like a year before and then kind of forgot.  Holy moly Holy Spirit.  I knew that I just had to go.  I sold the Tahoe in 3 days.  I bought a mom car for this trip.  So I am going.  Such a small little exchange of words made me put my money where my mouth is and I couldn't be more thankful. 

The Volvo and I pull out on July 24th!! Next Tuesday.  I'm a little nervous because I am doing the first leg solo.  I still have a lot of junk to figure out before I depart, but I know that it will be awesome.   2 weeks to explore the USA.  I meet Emily in Colorado, we head to Jackson Hole next Sunday.  We are going to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, we are fly fishing one day, heading to Montana and are going to Glacier National Park and Whitefish.  Gah.  More details to come.  If anyone has any good books on tape- I welcome them...

Later Gator.  Here's to more life changers.