If only every day were like this day...

I wish that I could get out of the concrete jungle more often, but I guess every few months will have to suffice. Patrick, Stephen, April (his wife), and I went to Lake Casitas for camping, fishing, canoeing, and an all-round jolly good time. We all played hookie from work on Friday, in the hopes that we wouldn't hit traffic. Patrick and I made it to the lake by noon, but we were greeted with high winds that docked all boats, big and small. We even had to change our lake-side camping spot because there was no shelter from the winds. I didn't even want to get out of the truck. Luckily, we found a spot nestled between some big rocks and huge trees. We only caught one fish each (nothing more than a fish stick), so I was thankful that we brought "back-up" dinners for both nights. I ate way too many roasted marshmallows and honey-roasted peanuts. But food cooked outdoors is a whole other type of cuisine. We had filet mignon wrapped in bacon our first night. Yum! I slept so well...except when I heard coyotes howling from somewhere behind my head. I thought it was kinda cool until it got eeriely quiet. That's when Patrick informed me that they must have already killed their prey. Nice. I waited until the sun way WAY up before I left the tent to go to the bathroom. The lake is pretty big...we didn't canoe as far as I'm sure Patrick wanted to go, but in whichever direction we attempted to paddle...the winds shifted so that we were paddling into the wind. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper...or rower...but once I caught my fish stick...and the sun started to set...things were once again good. Though we had a great time, I'm glad that my next trip with Patrick involves a room at Planet Hollywood in Vegas. I probably won't see or hear any coyotes, but I'm sure there'll be cougars abound. :)