Settling down...well..a little more anyway!

What an incredible adventure Hannah and I have had over the past 9 months!

We knew, from the start, that our plans were going to change, but we didn't realise how much. For those of you that don't know, we are decided to settl in the US, in Greenbelt. So Hannah is doing a fantastic job, job hunting in a difficult market! I am going to work in Alaska for a few months (read salmon) and will be back mid August.

Thank for reading this far and sharing our adventure with us!

A sincerely. heartfelt thank you to everyone who opened their homes, kitchen and lives to us!
You have something that can't be bought! We can give only our thanks; We appreciate it immensely.
This trip has showed us that the world is a big and exciting place with so many treasures waiting to be discovered. Go and explore - it is easier than you think!

xBrent and Hannah

Ps I went back to Cape Town for a month to see my family and friends. I've probably bored a lot of you with stories of Cape Town. Here are some pictures so you can see for yourself.

Lefty Kreh

There comes a special day when you get to meet a legend!

This day was March 1st, 2009 and the legend is a fly fisherman by the name of Lefty Kreh!

I have been a fan of Lefty's since I began fly fishing! He revolutionised fly casting and has popularised fly fishing like no other! More about Lefty!

I got to spend a morning with Lefty along with about 20 other fly fishermen at the local Bass Pro shop!
What an incredible morning it was!

Thanks Lefty!

Rockin in North Carolina!

So avid readers of this blog (I love both of you!) may remember the halloween party in Asheville NC. Extremely avid readers may remember me mentioning meeting Dave, the chick magnet. Dave and I really clicked and I spent most of the night alternating between cracking up at Dave's wit and swopping fishing stories. 

NC is halfway between Florida and DC so it was an awesome excuse to go and see Dave. I arrived fairly late in the evening and Dave and Shelley (his wife) had prepared an incredible supper complete with hollandaise sauce to go with asparagus. Hollandaise sauce is up there with world peace. Shelley is great fun and we all had a great night drinking wine and chatting! After a long drive (14hrs) and a week of cold showers, jumping in the hot tub was a real treat! 

We suddenly realised it was 4am!!

Shelley with a 7lbs 7ounce sea trout!

The next day we went to visit Shelley's parents on their farm. Shelley's mom had made a delicous lunch and I got to meet Shelley's extended family and Dave's dad! We took the rods with us and fished for bass in the farm dam. I managed to catch two bass which restored the faith in my fishing ability. 

That night we met up with Dave's best mate Jodie, who is an excellent carpenter, builder and chicken wing cooker! We chilled at Jodie's and if lunch was filling enough, had a great supper too. 

Monday was president's day, but Shelley had to work. Dave pulled in some serious favours and got us access onto a private trout river. We had the whole river to ourselves and it was simply stunning! We each got a fat little trout. I had a funny moment when I looked away from my rod and became aware that my reel was jammed. But it wasn't; My guides had frozen trapping my line! It was fresh. After an incredible afternoon, we headed back and met up with Shelley at a local bar. I tried a buffalo burger which was pretty good. 

Although we tried not to, we stayed up late, drinking some beers and telling stories! Dave and Shelley were so incredibly hospitable and I was so touched by their thoughtfulness! 

I had a fantastic time and was sorry I only had two days with them. The only upside was being able to see my amazing wife again! I really missed her! 

Well, I'm looking forward to seeing Dave and Shelley again and taking Hannah with me this time!

 

Dave with a 7lbs smallmouth above and stripped bass below!

The Everglades

After such a fantastic fishing trip in Florida over New Years, I couldn't stop thinking about it!

So a plan was hatched to go camping in the Everglades for a week. I was kindly lent a kayak, onto the roof it when, in went the flyrods and 1,000 miles later I was in the Everglades. 

So the plan was to be in the Everglades for a week fishing. I stayed in Flamingo, which is one of the main campsites in the Everglades. Flamingo provides access to backcountry mangrove lakes as well as into Flamingo bay which is a relatively shallow bay filled with mangrove keys, flats and channels. 

Sunset at Flamingo campsite!

Channel through the mangroves!

My main target was tarpon. This incredible fish grows upwards on 200lbs and is tailor-made for fly fishing! Tarpon 'roll' on the surface to gulp air and thus they can be easier to find than other fish. There was a cold front just before I got there so the water had cooled down signifcantly.

Tarpon rolling!

On my first morning, the wind was blowing so I decided to paddle the background lakes and look for tarpon. The lakes are incredibly beautiful and often require paddling through mangrove covered channels to move between lakes which is always fun. I paddled probably around 12 miles scouting out some of the lakes. I didn't find any tarpon and managed to catch a ladyfish. The launch area was up wind so there was some stiff paddling back to the car. 

Paddling in the backcountry.

Aerial view of one of the backcountry lake!

Another shot of a backcountry lake that I fished in.

There is no electricity or hot water in the campsite. Supper was a braai (barbeque) every night. The park encourages campers to collect firewood in the campsite. So after collecting firewood and cooking supper, I was fast asleep by half eight. 

The next day was also windy so I went back to the backcountry lakes. I explored much more and managed to decode a snook. The going was pretty tough as the water was still fairly cold from the cold front. The days and nights were beautifully warm so it was just a matter of time before the water warmed up. In bed and asleep by 9pm!

The third day was also windy so back to the backcountry lakes before dawn. The going was tough as the water was still cold. I managed to get another snook but lots of paddling against the wind. By this stage, I was getting very comfortable fishing from the kayak. It really is a great way to fish and get around! I spoke to some boat based fly fishermen who told me that they'd seen tarpon rolling (finally!) in a wide canal that joined the campsite and the main backcountry site. 

The fourth morning I launched my kayak into the canal before dawn in search of the elusive tarpon. It was full moon so everything was bathed in moonlight and quiet and still. I paddled slowly up the canal and found small tarpon rolling in the canal. I cast my entire fly box but no luck. By 8am, enough boats had been past me for me to pack up. When I arrived back at the launch site, there were 2 10 foot crocs (not alligators) warming up on the far bank. Some things are best hidden in the dark! 

American crocs!

The day was beautiful and there was not a breath of wind. So I went back to my faithful tent for some breakfast to find that ants were helping themselves to my butter. I had to use grapefruit juice to discourage them from coming back. 

What is camping without a few ants...

I headed out into Flamingo bay. Wow! Just like the lakes, there is just so much life. Mullet (baitfish) swimming around, pelicans, ospreys, dolphins, sea turtles, big rays - it is simply amazing! I fished for redfish on the flats but I struggled to see fish being low in the kayak. 

I then fished between a two key that formed a strong, deep current between them. I paddled upstream and fished down with the tide and then I would paddle up again. Towards evening, I saw what I'd come to see, a 150+ lbs tarpon rolling in front of me. I cast to it and got a strong hit but it didn't connect...This has to be the fastest way to pump adrenalin through one's body! It was a beautiful paddle back to the campsite. That night the mosquitoes were in serious attendance. Winter is the main time for visitors to come to Florida. I met plenty of snowbirds (I suppose I was one too ;-) from Canada and the northern States. Apparently some unsuspecting tourists arrive in Summer and get carried away by mosquitoes when they get out of the car. They don't stay very long. 

I was very hopeful for the last day. The wind was blowing but not as strong as the first three days. I started paddling east along the coast, but a thick bank of fog began to roll in. Although I had a GPS with me, I didn't want to take a chance. My mom taught me well. So I paddle back and fished over some deeper channels. I managed to get some smaller jack crevalles (kingfish). I saw some big tarpon rolling but I didn't have any more hook ups. I paddled back during sunset and just basked in the beauty that is the Everglades. 

I had such a good time that I completely forgot to take any pictures. So I got some off the website to help paint the picture. I can't wait to go back! 

Barack Obama's Inauguration

Hannah and I volunteered to work at Barack Obama's inauguration!

We had to attend training, but our exact responsibilities couldn't be divulged until 24 hours beforehand due to security concerns.

We arrived at the Greenbelt Metro station on the day of the Inauguration at 04h15 to discover that the traffic was so heavy, the police had diverted traffic into side streets. Rather than be an annoyance, this somehow added to the grandeur of the day. Despite the cold, everyone was in high spirits. People, figuratively from all walks of life, were literally walking down the road together to celebrate one very special event!

The day involved the swearing in of Obama, all the dignitaries having lunch at the Capital Building and then the Obama's and Biden's on a two hour parade from the Capital Building to the White House.

Upon arriving in the city, we made our way to our designated volunteer meeting areas. It took 3 hours to get from our meeting area to our final volunteer station. Due to the security restrictions, trying to cross Pennsylvania Ave was an adventure in itself. Our duty was to assist with preparing the lines of people to go through the security checks into the parade grounds. Although the waits were long and information was difficult to obtain at times, people were generally very understanding. Eventually everyone who waited passed through our gates and we, ourselves, joined the parade watchers. Everyone listened intently to the swearing in ceremony via the PA system. People were in a jubilant mood and there was a real sense of accomplishment framed by hope. Hope for a presidency based on openness and values, rather than secrecy and special interests. The inauguration party then had lunch in the Capitol building and was delayed by the unfortunate seizure of Ted Kennedy.

The parade started several hours after the oath was taken and the wind had become bone chilling. The crowds braved it as everyone was keen to see the Obama’s. When they finally arrived, the crowds went wild! This is why they’d gotten up at 3am! Obama was now finally president and the crowds could see him as president with their own eyes. Once the Obama’s and Biden’s had passed there was unfortunate, but understandable mass exit from the parade grounds. There was still 2 hrs left of the parade but the wind was blowing out the crowd’s enthusiasm. Thankfully I did see the most of the remaining parade while making my way back to the metro!

My lasting memory of the inauguration is of an elderly afro American ex-serviceman who stood close to me watching the parade. He was probably in his early seventies and was smartly dressed in his service uniform. He had braved the cold and the crowds by himself to acknowledge the start of President Obama’s presidency. What stories he had to tell, I will never know. What led him to leave the warmth of his home and brave the elements to see the inauguration, I will never know. What I do know was that seeing him there, made watching the inauguration much the richer for me. We were only two out of the estimated 2 million people. Each of those 2 million came with their own stories, but each came to celebrate a fantastic day in American, actually world history.

Missed Post

Hey Beloved Readers

It seems I wrote but forgot to publish the Santa Fe post (the part of our drive across country between st Louis and Santa Cruz).

I have published it and here is the link.

http://strengtheningthetiestour.blogspot.com/2008/12/santa-fe-and-great-couch-surf.html

Downstate New York

The Scandinavians have a tradition whereby after a good sauna session, they rub snow all over their bodies, before climbing back into the sauna. Hannah and I did something similar except instead of jumping out the sauna we drove 1200 miles (4000km) from Florida to Downstate New York. The reason - to visit Morgan (see Santa Cruz) and Darren who were visiting Morgan's parents.

Morgan's parents live just outside of Forestburg. The last 20 miles of the drive was so beautiful. We drive past lakes that had frozen over, dam overflows which had frozen as if they were in mid flow. Winter was in full swing. Everything was white, clean and pristine. It was truly a winter wonderland.

There was a big log fire always going inside the house which kept us cozy and warm. We went for a beautiful walk along a trail in the woods behind their house. Every step crunched beneath our feet, the snow was falling gently, everything was white and quiet.

We only spent one night with the Kulchinsky's but it was great to meet Morgan's family and spend time with Morgan and Darren. See these beautiful pictures...































Darren and Morgan

















Our trusty golf in the morning!















Morgan and Hannah!















Drinking tea at the start of our trail.















On the trail















Frozen twigs - now this is winter!














Deer on the side of the road

Florida

Florida is filled with retirees, humidity and alligators... Right?

Wrong!

Florida is paradise on earth!

Hannah and I left Maryland and drove down to Florida - a cool 18 hours. Jenifer and Peter cleverly flew. They have a time share on Sanibel Island which is on the west coast of Florida.

We arrived to 78 F (26 C) weather. I shook the mothballs out of my swim shorts and headed down to the beach. The resort is right at the sea so it was a mere 30 yards away. Wow, after cold, white winter, warm sunshine feels SOOOO good! We spent our days riding bikes through the island, going to the beach, swimming and just generally chilling! We went to a few of the local restuarants! There was a mix up with Peter and Jenifer's car rental so they were upgraded as way of an apology to a Nissan 350Z. Hannah and I got to take it for a spin! You know the joke about the difference between a BMW driver and a hedgehog....With a hedgehog, the prick is on the outside...well, I can see why driving around in the silver 350z! After a incredible, warm, relaxing week in Florida, it was time to make the two day trip make to DC. We stayed over for a night in South Carolina visiting Anna Handley commonly known as Anna Banana (pronouced the South African way, Arna Barnarna) who we met while she was studying abroad in Cape Town. It was great to meet her and her boyfriend Nick! They were just about to spend 6 months in Mexico! We wish them all the best!

















Jenifer peddling up a storm!

















The three of us on top of the causeway between the mainland and Sanibel Island!

















Someone with a sense of humour at the visitor's centre!

















Jenifer and Hannah at the above mentioned visitor's centre, looking summery!

Fishing Report Florida modestly calls itself the fishing capital of the world. But maybe it has a point! I fished almost everyday and was lucky enough to meet up with some local fly fishermen who I got hold of through their fishing club! I went with Mike in his gheenoe to a backcountry area (mangrove lined channels and bays) near Naples. The gheenoe is quite a fantastic craft. It is very stable (i.e. two people can stand up and fish) and can run in really skinny water. I sight cast to two snook who were cruising in 6 inch water and the bigger one of the two shot forward and grabbed the fly! It was great to see! So first snook landed!
Snook are a bass fisherman's dream! The similarities are numerous! They hang around structure i.e. mangroves, rock pinacles. They love surface deerhair bugs and poppers. They fight hard and jump alot!
I blew a shot at a decent sized redfish with a bad cast! We continued cruising the shallows, but didn't get anymore strikes. Mike was a great guy to fish with and I learnt so much from him! He maneuvered the boat perfectly and had me in position all the time!

I fished the next morning in the causeway between Sanibel Island and the mainland. I got some ladyfish and some small spanish mackerel. The ladyfish are perfect replicas of skipjack just smaller but they fight hard for their small size! The following day I hired a kayak and fished tarpon bay. Tarpon Bay is a mangrove lined bay which is probably about 6 feet deep at the most! I did see a manatee which was pretty cool, but only decoded one small jack!

The final day I met up with another local fisherman, Charlie, who is originally from New York. He took me to the Ten Thousand Island area which is just north of the Everglades. We got to the slipway at about 6am. We were going for tarpon which were holding up in a backcountry river, but it was key to get there early. We run for a fair while, awaking up a dolphin who got quite a fright and took off at high speed! We found the tarpon rolling right at the top of the river. They were only teenagers around the 50lb mark! Try as we might, they wouldn't take our flies! It was still quite incredible to see them roll so close to us! We caught some small snook on our way back. The Ten Thousand islands area is a virtual fishing playground! There is just so much incredible water to fish...We did get a stark reminder that there must be balance even in this fishing paradise - we saw a large fishing boat 3 feet up and at the end of 30 feet deep path smashed through the mangroves...Hurricane Frances!

















The gheenoe! Just before going fishing with Mike!

















My first snook!

















The bay I caught it in! See the shallow clear water!

















In Charlie's gheenoe in the ten thousand islands area!

Christmas!

The immediate Lane and Curtis family congregated in Greenbelt this Christmas. Cory, Christina and Willow came up from NC, Rachel came down from Indiana and Cara came back from Greece. The house was full as it should be on Christmas, but we had a bug. A rather nasty gastro bug that took down most of the family! So Christmas was a blur of coughing, crying, laughing, happiness, food (going up and down) and wrapping paper.

Jennifer did an amazing job with the stockings. I now have my own one! Thanks too to my mom who sent over goodies for everyone!

We did venture out on Christmas Eve to have supper at the Weiss's long time family friends, the Morans. Christmas Eve is raviolli night hand made by the Morans. They have this tradition down to a fine art include the pre dessert walk around the block to look at the Christmas lights.
Scroll down to see a message from them!















The Lane gang - as the kids on the street called them when they were growing up just before the Lane gang took their lunch money. Hannah, Rachel and Cory - left to right















Christina, Willow and Cory















Willow reading Hannah a story!