During the busy summer boating season, this beautiful cove often has the smoothest water on the lake. We often take the boat there to anchor out and swim away from the crowds in Pilgrim Cove. Each year there are osprey nests along the shore line and we enjoy watching the birds fish in the lake to feed the young offspring. In the winter, the lake is frozen and we walk the shoreline from our cabin to Huckleberry cove, we are careful to make sure the ice is solid as the point next to the Girl Scout camp is a sheer cliff into the water. It is very deep and would be very cold if you were to end up in the lake. The picture is taken from the recently built Huckleberry Loop trail that loops the Ponderosa State Park peninsula, touching the beach at the cove before you head back into the woods and toward the look out. Make sure you wear your best hiking shoes and take some water – at my pace this is a several hour circuit. The lake is a 5300 acre expanse of clean, glacial water at an elevation of 5000 feet. Over 10,000 years ago the lake was carved out by a glacier 1000 feet high, 2.5 miles wide and 8 miles long. At its deepest point the lake is 392 feet down. I have seen some large lake trout caught at very low depths. I have not seen the legendary Sharlie – first reportedly seen in the l920’s this “Loch Ness” type creature could easily hide in the very deep narrows of the lake. Once in a blue moon you will encounter the lake without a ripple – Megan made a few nice turns on Saturday in spite of very cold water and temperatures in the 50’s. She did not fall but had Hank flagging for her just in case. So much to enjoy in McCall and on the lake – a great place to invest a bit of retirement or relaxation time with your family.
I recently reconnected with Russ Butler. He and I worked collaboratively during his time at the Small Business Administration and during my banking career. Russ retired and has many interests that keep him busy including a great family. Pneumonia exacerbated his COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) to the point where he could not make it up a flight of stairs without stopping to rest. “I was 71 years-old, overweight, and couldn’t make it through the grocery store without using an oxygen tank.” Russ credits the St. Luke’s Pulmonary Rehab program with giving him “a second chance to live”. He said “even though the damage to my lungs can’t be fixed, my quality of life is considerably improved”. Check out the results of healthier eating and a commitment to exercise and a bit of competition – Russ uses fitbit to track his progress and challenge others to do the same. In two years, he logged 7,201,050 steps (3250 miles) and climbed 10,600 flights of stairs. His current goal is 15,000 steps a day (7 miles) and 15 flights of stairs. The results are amazing, Russ has lost 40 pounds and six inches off his waist, eliminated the need for cholesterol and triglyceride medications, and reduced blood pressure medication by 50%. Russ’s doctor says these improvements will add 5 plus years to his life – “which I get to spend with my beautiful wife, kids, and grandchildren.” Thanks for letting me share your story Russ.
When I watched the back nine of the Masters I was deeply disturbed by the collapse of Jordan Spieth as he made a 7 on the par 3 12th. He could not overcome his two balls in the water after that hole and he finished second after leading the entire tournament. Jordan behaved with great class and put the green jacket on Danny Willett in the Butler Cabin. Spieth was so close to a record second consecutive green jacket I’m sure it was hard to overcome the emotional trauma. After the loss, his friend and caddy tweeted that no one should feel sorry for them and that they would indeed learn from the experience and be back. Jordan took a month off and missed his first cut after coming back, but he was in contention the next week. Playing poorly that Sundaycaused him to miss another victory. The next week was the Colonial in Texas where Ben Hogan is legend. Spieth was leading going into the last day but did not get off to a good first nine and trailed several players. On the back, Jordan went on a run that included six birdies and a final nine score of 30 – he used only 9 putts on the final nine holes. Great story and more impressive is his humility through the good and the bad days. Sports could use more role models like the young Mr. Spieth.
Walking is a great way to relax and extend your life. Mike Simpson our senior Congressman from Idaho has challenged us to walk a route from DC to Boise – a 2963 mile simulation. I have known Mike for many years and am pleased to tip the cap to his 72 pound weight loss since he started his journey. Walking and a sense of humor is a good prescription. “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step” Confucius. “I walk slowly but I never walk backward” said Abraham Lincoln. In this year of contentious political theatre I think we should consider Billy Connolly’s advice: “Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that who cares? He is a mile away and you have his shoes.”
Schools out for summer! Enjoy your time – Mike