JAA9972

My last entry was nine months ago. Two key things have happened since then that have contributed to a much improved back condition. One, we purchased a Naturapedoic natual latex matress with a layer of memory foam (see http://www.naturaworld.com/Products/Natura%20Pedic/Sensation.html) for more information. This bed has provided an absolutely remarkable sleep, reduced tossing and turning and supported my back very well. In fact, the improvement in my back was so great after purchasing this matress, I am pretty certain much of the previous back trouble I had was due to sleeping on a low quality matress…a Sealy matress in this case.

Second, I started taking my wife’s Body Pump classes. It still makes me laugh to think I am not only taking these classes, but actually enjoying them. With that said, the results have been clear. My back strength and my core strength have improved, and I generally feel better. See the following for more information on Body Pump: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_pump

As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat forever.” Well, the saying should be amended. Even if you know how to fish, but only catch one fish, you’ll still only eat for a day.

So, Luan and I finally headed out to Lake Buchanan, north or Austin, and got some fishing in, but it wasn’t the most successful trip. Austin is in a 1 1/2 year drought, so the lake is down almost 20 feet. This means the water is warmer at the lower depths and the fish are less active.

All in all, we caught two striped bass, otherwise known as stippers, but had to throw one back because it was too small. The one were did keep can be seen in the picture with this entry. It was about a 5 lb. fish, which we filleted, fried and got a couple of meals out of it.

While the actual fishing trip wasn’t very successful in terms of what we hauled in, Luan and I did have a good day. We’ll wait a couple of months for the fall when the lake cools down, and then head out again.

After having this very important item on my 43things.com list for months and doing nothing about it, I finally have something to report.

I scheduled a fishing trip for me and Luan on Lake Buchanan, one of the Highland Lakes just North of Austin for September 2nd. This trip will be with a fishing guide who has been working the Highland Lakes for years. You can find out more about him here: http://www.striperquest.com/.

My plan is to do at least one fishing trip with a solid guide, so both of us can get a good review and crash couse on fishing fundamentals, and then start making some trips with just the two of us. I will have more to report back after the 2nd, along with pictures.