I Lived Like I Was Dying this Weekend

(sighing)

Yesterday, my friend and I went out to Laguna Atacosca if I spelled that right. It is about 30 before you get to South Padre Island. It is by the coast and a favorite with bird watchers--I was just looking for the 15 mile loop that I want to conquer.

It was a really good day. My friend got to take some of his pictures of his favorite birds--one of them is the Kiskadee. I mean they even have a trail named after it.

I do not get to do much of anything other than school, gym, run and nothing. So I did not want to pass this up...it was a good day.

Afterwards we went home, but not before stopping over at Camp Perry out at Rio Hondo. My personal favorite stomping ground....

You see I used to be a Boy Scout and go out there every summer to get away from the city and people. Out there I was in my element learning knots, camping AND I MEAN really camping--if it rained got muddy, clothes smelled of damp, flies, heat, humidity, cold frigid air. I was game and still am these days.

I wanted to talk to Ranger Pete. This guy is a good man and I learned so much from him over the 5 years that I went out there....

And then time caught up to him and the camp.

We talked about the good old days--and then we saw an armadillo and took some good pics.

He talked about how the camp was going wi-fi--there was talk of them building a cabin/slash hotel....today's kids are fat, lazy, stupid, no common sense and are basically--umm...wussies. He said I didn't.

All they want to do is sit and play X-box, have air-con units (rich kids with small tiny generators for both heat and air cons--pathetic) and call it camping.

I saw a lot of that out in Big Bend too. I understand the ranger having to have those things because they live out there 247 and need to communicate with the world.

What I do not understand is how today's generation is so numb and fat.

I remember helping with the docks and digging into the banks of the Arroyo. I was only 13 when we did that--and it didn't hurt me. We worked in the sun...

Pete told me that they can not do that anymore because of lawsuits and too many kids fainting!

Fainting? I have a heart problem--but I like to get out to great out doors.

This is why I can not invite anybody these days to camp because everyone wants to be "prepared" with the modern technology and think they are mountain men. I remember going to Big Bend and doing survival classes.

It was cold other times hot--and sometimes we'd be hungry. And yet when we came out of it--character, integrity and discipline was attained.

People change.

Today my high light was running my 14 mile route out by Santa Ana and coming across a Bobcat. They are not dangerous so I've been told---but I was surprised that I surprised him. It was only 4 feet from me--but man did it rock.

A lot of the mountain men I learned from...are getting older or passing on. As I ran I thought about what Pete said....and prayed that I could pass on what he taught me and others of the old days.

As I neared my trail...another trial--I could not help but wonder at how much had changed in 10 years. The generation of the last 10 years--at least the ones who have never had to do anything more than lift a taco or remote control--because there still a few people that still implement character into their children.....the one's that do not--after all he said--worries me too.

Seize the fish.

Oh wait--that means you have to get off the couch--never mind.