Friday, October 3, 2008

Autumn in McCall


Fall is my favorite season in McCall. The surrounding mountains have a dusting of snow and give a sign of a great upcoming ski season. The days are great for bike rides or hikes and the fly fishing is a killer in the pools that are left as the river drops after the dry summer. Elk Caddis patterns seem to be working best right now. The brush along the river is bright red and the aspens are turning gold.

My house is filled with boxes as I am trying to get things organized and put away for my upcoming Peace Corps tour in Albania. I've lined up a house sitter and I hope she won't find true love with a biker meth dealer or the like while I am away. I may let another friend use the pasture as another way to keep an eye on the cabin.

I have discovered something about the Peace Corps that I had not heard from the recruiter. It is a fabulous excuse. Everytime I tell someone my age that I am going in next winter they get a goofy look in their eyes and say something like ,"Gee, I've always wanted to do that". When someone asks me to do something or volunteer for some committee, it not only gets me out of it, but with a smile rather than a scowl. My son is in his last year of college. When I tell him he can't plan to come home after he graduates (no dependents allowed- bless the Peace Corps), what can he say. When I tell him I won't have any income and can't send more money, same thing. Can he say, "You're so selfish to join the Peace Corps"? He actually has to make plans where to live and how to support himself. This past summer he packed salmon in Bristol Bay and trekked around Denali. I'm certain he'll do fine, even with a degree in history.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Mike:
Thanks for getting me directed to your blog. I look forward to following your adventures over the next couple years. Buene suerte!
John Davidson

Joe Caroselli said...

Mike,

It will not be long from now that you will began your new adventure. I look forward to staying in touch with you during your travels.