Things I am Thankful For 2017

Right about now, this turkey is thankful it lives in a Providence
Cemetery where hunting is not allowed

Every year I write a blogpost about outdoor things I am thankful for (I also write an opening paragraph eerily similar to this one...every year). These posts allow me to look back on what are usually some great memories. I know how lucky I am to see and do so many fun things throughout the year.  It only seems I give thanks for the people and the memories I was privileged to have experienced this year

1. I say it every year, but I am thankful for stripers. They may not be the reason I get out of bed each morning, but they are certainly the reason I don't go straight home after work during the warmer months.

2. I am thankful that Laurie and I are so compatible as vacation buddies.  I know very few woman that enjoy history and museums. I know even fewer that would spend the night backpacking in the White Mountains. I doubt there are many woman at all that enjoy history AND are willing to spend a night in the woods. Even after a week of being together 24/7 in Philly, I never get sick of being with her. She is a great friend.

3. I am thankful that I (mostly with Laurie) experienced many different things this year I had never done. Among them were Newport Polo, going to a Drive In Movie, Rhode Island Philharmonic Summer Concert, Dropkick Murphys,  Waterfire, and many more.

4. I am thankful for my friendship with Dave. I enjoy the nights we don't catch many fish almost as much as the good nights because I still ask him a lot of questions. We cover the spectrum of conversation from sports, politics, our kids and of course fishing.

5. Although foot pain derailed my plan to finish the New Hampshire 4000 footers, I am grateful that it subsided enough in the fall that I could get two hikes out of the way. This leaves me with only two more to go. Both Carrigan and the Widcats have exceptional views and the days I went the weather was great.

6.  I love New Hampshire. I am glad that it is within distance to do overnight weekends. I probably daydream about hiking in New Hampshire more than everything else I daydream about combined. I love the mountains, lakes, waterfalls, brookies, and smallmouth and the blueberries.  If I ever lost my job in late spring or early summer, I know I'd be in New Hampshire for the summer before my last check was mailed to me!.

7. I am thankful I got to see the Beach Boys at Bold Point, East Providence and Brian Wilson at Foxwoods a month later. There are not a lot of true living legends, but these guys are.

8. I am thankful for a new friend. He made me feel comfortable right away at my fishing club. He went out of his way to tell me about a new fishing spot this spring. This fall we have gone hiking a couple times. His generosity is much appreciated.

9.  I am thankful we were successful when I took Eric fishing for golden trout. It was nice to repay him for taking me on his boat for sea bass every year.

10. I'm thankful I got to go to Philadelphia. Seeing Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Rodin statues, Valley Forge, and Monet's were all awe inspiring.  To think that I walked right where Washington, Adams, Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson stood is truly humbling

11. Some of my favorite memories this spring were seeing Right Whales at Race Point, a King Eider at the Cape Cod Canal, catching lake trout and salmon at the Chu. I'm just glad I got to see these animals.

12. I am thankful I saw Peter Noone and the Hermin's Hermits at the Topsfield Fair. That guy is a true showman and as funny as any stand up comic on the planet.

13. My last thankful thought every year is appreciation for living in the greatest country on earth. Looking back at all the bad things that happened to this country this year  it is hard to feel grateful. It is tough to write about the places I've visited when Washington wants to raise the entrance fee at National Parks from $30 to seventy dollars.  So let me tell you what I am grateful for-

Flag in front of Betsy Ross house,
Philadelphia, PA
August 2017

I am thankful for the Forth of July, fireworks, and the Declaration of Independence. Waiting for fireworks, everyone is happy, brings me back to an innocent time. When you go to an event celebrating July 4th whether it be fireworks, parades, or a reading of the Declaration of Independence everyone is celebrating America. No one is talking politics. Dems aren't sitting on one side and Repubs on the other. Everyone is there celebrating patriotism. There is no thought of mass shootings, crooked politicians, or biased news stations. It is people wearing flag clothes, spinning pin wheels and eating cotton candy. For that short weekend you can feel THAT AMERICA. If for only a brief moment, you feel the gushing of pride from America herself. Not a white man, not my political party, not disliking a celebrity because of their political views. Just a flag waving son of a World War veteran that used to proudly watch his father march in the parade. The 4th of July weekend and that nostalgic feeling is why I'm thankful to be an American. I get the same feeling when I visited Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Mt Rushmore.  Which of course, is why I wanted to go those places in the first place.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!