Reflection on 2012

Well another year has passed.  The only remnants are the memories we get to carry forward, the lessons learned, and the opportunities either seized upon or missed entirely.

I like to reminisce about the past and reflect upon my accomplishments and failures.  The end of the year should give us a chance to look back and grow as an individual in doing so.

Over the past year I was lucky enough to experience a few things that I had never been able to before.  I went out-of-state fishing the Potomac River on a very historical stretch and nabbed my first snakehead.  In the process I learned about the alien monster and came to a better understanding of what an invasive species can do to an ecosystem.

Speaking of invasive species, I was also to partake in my first feral hog hunt.  I was successful in not only coming in contact with the pigs, but pulled off a wonderful bow shot taking two hogs with one shot.  Throughout the weekend, I encountered many more hogs than I did deer.

I bowfished for and got my first carp, a North Carolina state record flounder, and several other coastal species.

I was also successful in taking my first grey fox just a month ago while my daughter was watching from a nearby deer stand.

I had my share of failures as far as hunting and fishing as well.  While I had two very thrilling turkey hunts, I never did bag my first gobbler.  They were there. I had an opportunity. Mother Nature had other ideas.  Bears, deer, and even bobcats provided the obstacles toward my turkey success.

I did not get to trout fish like I had anticipated.  I longed to become part of the cold mountain stream, sharing the presentation of the current hatch with a rainbow, brookie, or brown.  It just didn’t ever work out.

I played mind games with an old wise buck throughout the hunting season.  Often I had plenty of deer within just a few yards of me, but I waited, hoping to catch a glimpse of the trophy during shooting hours, and in return the old buck survived the season as did many doe and smaller bucks.  Luckily for me, I have meat in the freezer from the two hogs to counter my lack of venison.

I was also able to camp a few times, witnessing the canopy of stars God has blessed us to see.  Strange, mysterious noises would echo through the night that are only strange and mysterious if you have never lived in the country.

My wife and I were able to getaway several times throughout the year, sometimes with the kids, sometimes without.  We bonded on the adventures we shared, helping each of us understand each other better.  We spotted the Brown Mountain Lights while staying in a small cabin no bigger than some vehicles.  We learned of our great nation’s history while in D.C. on the trip to the Potomac.

All in all, 2012 was an exciting and eventful year.  From these experiences, we now get to plan for 2013.  Time to work on our future memories.