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Choke Canyon Bass

I had the opportunity to fish Choke Canyon Monday, June 29th. This 8 lb. 9 oz. Largemouth is my personal record. Since I took the picture with my cell phone and couldn’t see the viewfinder, the expression was not corrected!

The Gage and Driggers Brothers

March 30 – April 1 was spent hiking Guadalupe Mountains National Park with my brother and some very special friends, the Driggers brothers. I was the “baby” of the group at 61 and John Driggers was the old man at 69. We hiked Devil’s Hall on Monday, Guadalupe Mountain on Tuesday and McKittrick Canyon on Wednesday. It was a great time with lots of hard breathing and laughing. Watch for pics and stories to follow.

Although somewhat clunky, posting via a Blackberry could allow real time updates during various outdoor activities. Text, photos, etc., can be uploaded with active service.

Although we were a little late for the full Maple display, our November hike in Lost Maples State Park  was wonderful. The natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country is breathtaking. I’ll post some pics of our hike in the near future. We met my brother and sister in law from Odessa, TX there and had a great time. Here is a pic of the love of my life.

 My long anticipated trip with Russ and Rich was cut short by Gustav and the DNC. When it appeared that Gustav was headed for New Orleans, Rich checked on early flights out of Denver and discovered that a 7:40Am Thursday flight was the only thing available until Sunday (our scheduled departure day). Fortunately, we were able to hike Mt. Elbert on Wednesday morning and, although I felt all my 60 years, we summited in 4.5 hours ascending about 4500 feet to the 14,440 foot summit. The day could not have been more beautiful with clear skies and a cool, stiff breeze (in fact, quite cool at the summit!). We were planning an overnight hike with two 14ers but, alas, maybe later. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Thanks Rich!

Some of the fondest memories from my childhood are of days spent plodding up and down the Llano River near Kingsland, TX with my mom and dad. We never had a boat but fishing was probably my dad’s favorite vacation passtime. Mom and dad are gone now and my time off is spent for the most part with children and my children’s children. They are, indeed, the “crown of the aged.” We just returned from four days of swimming, boating, fishing and playing on the Llano with my son, daughter and their families. I hope that my children and grandchildren will remember these days with special fondness in the years to come. What times of refreshing come from our time together! I pray that they feel the same way.

I attended a wedding last night in the Texas hill country 10 miles north of Boerne, TX. The backdrop was an open meadow leading to a tree lined creek and it couldn’t have been prettier. The grandfather of the groom performed the ceremony and, as usual, he did a great job. Jim Ward is a long time friend and a faithful gospel preacher and I know it must have been gratifying to officiate at his grandson’s wedding. It was a joyous time all around. Andrew and Adeline, may the Lord bless you richly.

For several years a gentleman by the name of Robert F. Turner edited a paper by the name of “Plain Talk.” One of the departments was “Stuff About Things.” “Brother Turner” (as he was called by virtually all who knew him) was an exeptional thinker and writer. “Plain Talk” can be found at http://www.cedarparkchurchofchrist.org/ptalk/index.html. You would profit by reading it. At any rate, this website belongs to Byron Gage and is simply “Stuff About Things” in which I am interested. Thanks for stopping by.

I can’t wait! In August my son, son-in-law and I will travel to Colorado and hike Mt. Elbert. It will be my first 14er. It is the second highest peak in the contiguous U.S. It is about 15 miles from Leadville, CO which has some history with my family. My paternal great grandmother traveled by stage coach, with my grandfather and his brother when they were quite young, from Leadville to Bertram, TX and the Gages lived in that area until we moved to West Texas when I was just four.

If we are able (maybe I should say, “If I am able!”) we’ll attempt Mt. Massive as well. Can’t wait!