Fish Tales

My sweetheart and I returned home last evening after a few wonderful days away. We weren't ready to come back yet but we knew we couldn't stay. We left home and drove a bit more than an hour through woods that were filled with the most gorgeous wild, pink Rhododendrons. More than I had ever seen.It wasn't long before Mt. Hood came into view. Around another bend we could see more. The highway continued to climb up the side of the mountain. Higher and higher. Just over the crest of the mountain, a bit more than 4000 feet in altitude, a sign directed us to turn off the main highway toward the lake. A few weeks ago the roads to the lake were closed by snow. The deepest snow for many years. Most of the snow around the lake was gone but there were some places by the road and under the trees where it had not melted yet. The road twisted and turned through beautiful forest land until suddenly the lake was in view through the trees. A ways farther and we had arrived at our destination. The campsite with the best view was empty! While my sweetheart got our travel trailer situated I wandered to the water's edge with camera in hand. A boat rested at water's edge nearby, part of the view from our site.Looking the other direction I saw some of our neighbors. Working hard. Catching fish. It wasn't long before my sweetheart put his new-to-him little boat in the water and began to get ready to catch fish. I could see him from the front window of the trailer. Looking out the side window of the trailer I could see more of the lake through the trees.We felt we were on top of the world. I loved watching the constantly-changing cloud formations in the sky. It wasn't long before evening began to settle over the lake on the mountain. Boats were docked at the edge of the water, campfires were lit and the world around us was quiet. Very quiet. Except for millions of bullfrogs singing their night-time songs.Very early yesterday morning my sweetheart went out on the lake again. I stayed at camp. Not long after he left I opened the shades in the trailer to let the sunshine in. What I saw took my breath away. I quickly slipped into my shoes, grabbed the camera and headed for the water's edge. Early morning on the lake was like magic. And my sweetheart was right in the middle of it! Later, after a nice breakfast together, he took the boat out for one last time. A farewell wave and he was soon out of sight.I did get my fishing license and I went out in the boat just one time. Before we were away from shore, while my sweetheart put bait on his line, I was intrigued by the way the sunshine danced on the water. (You can see a bit of my line on the left.)A few minutes later we were away from the water's edge and headed out to find the perfect fishing spot. Where the fishing was good and the fish were big. The view from the boat was breathtaking. The weather was perfect, the fishing was good and we were alone together. On top of the world.