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| We had a Scandinavian supper in Hamilton at the Lutheran Church, Jan 2015. |
A couple of years ago I remember guiding about 20 days in a row in some real windy, rainy, snowy, just plain unpleasant conditions. I remember daydreaming as I’m rowing as hard as I can to get my boat to float down river in a 30MPH up river wind. Did my Norske ancestors ever get tired of rowing those viking ships? They constantly explored multiple oceans and continents pillaging and conquering!
My Grandpa John, my mothers’ dad, was born in Norway and moved to North Dakota in 1899. My paternal grandfather was 100% Danish. In theory I should be a MN Vikings fan right, nope I’m a Packers fan! I really dig lutefisk, lefse, and every sweet Danish roll in the world.
Any way my clients were complaining about the wind a little bit, unfortunately that day I picked a 14 mile float to stay ahead of other guides. As I dodged my clients poor attempts to cast a stonefly into a 30 MPH wind, I imagined my self as a young Viking, thwarting a weak counter attack by the Irish. As we invaded their homeland the Irish were winging harmless arrows in the direction of my viking buddies and I. Once we dis embarked and were on solid land the race would be on to find and take the prettiest women back with us to Norway. I joke with my father in law Dave, who is real proud of his Irish ancestry, that with the exception of his daughter, my ancestors took all of the pretty women from Ireland back to Norway! then “Smack, ouch, W.T.F ” now I’m pulling a # 10 skwala pattern out of my ear. I wish I would have remembered to pinch the barb! I guess those Irish arrows are a little dangerous after all!
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| 2014 was a blast racing MX with my family, I took 1st in MT in 40 trophy class! |
I suppose regardless of our jobs we all daydream now and then. I am really fortunate to be rowing this year. 5 months ago I sustained a career threatening, possible life ending injury. I raced 12 previous races in 2014 without a scratch and ending up winning the MT State Championship in the 40 class. The 13th race got me. I crashed on a high speed jump and broke some thoracic vertebrae in my upper back. My neuro surgeon, who fuzed my back, said that the grace of God kept my spine in tact enough for him to repair it. The doc also said that 95% of patients with this injury breath through a tube and are quadraplegics for life. I can’t thank enough the docs, nurses, the life flight crew and everyone else who took care of me. My wife was my true Hero, I’m so lucky to have her.
I Bless God and thank him every day for giving me another chance to work, be mobile, throw a ball to my kids, and work out with my wife (In the gym).
Yesterday was my first float trip since my injury and I rowed happily down the Bitterroot River, my back felt good. My kids caught some fish, we eagle watched, and enjoyed an awesome day in the January sun. I feel like I owe some of my will to my Scandinavian ancestry. Both of my Grandfathers were great men who pushed through tough times and prospered. Perseverance, will, and grit still mean something to those who choose to make a living with their arms, legs, hands, and backs. But really everything is in God’s hands.
I can’t wait to see you guys and I am glad to be rowing Yo!
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| My daughter and son on our 1st float trip of 2015, January 25 |