Anticipation

10 weeks from now, Dad, Dean and I hop a flight into Spokane, drive through Coeur D'Alene up into northwest Montana's Koontenai National Forest, to hunt birds with Tim Linehan. As all hunters know, proper anticipation is key to a memorable trip.

The plan is to hunt three days, going after ruffed, blue and spruce grouse in the hills around the Yaak River. Maybe throw in a little fly fishing in the afternoon if the hunting gods bless us with an early limit.

On the way out, I hope to meet up with a few of my old Marines in Coeur D'Alene and have a beer and tell some war stories.

These are the good old days, indeed. Sing it, Carly.