Working largely day and night, I managed to get my projects written and shipped, threw a bunch of gear — which may or may not have been the right stuff — into a couple duffles, and headed out of town.

It’s pretty apparent I’ve forgotten some vital piece of gear, but waiting for that “special” moment when you discover exactly what has become a hallmark of my trips.

To my credit, I didn’t stagger out of the house without pants — a definite possibility given my recent brain death.

Now I’m in Chico, tomorrow I’ll be in Sacramento, then Dallas, then Knoxville. Basically, close enough to the Smokies to smell ‘em. By Tuesday, I’ll be fishing.

Given my love of commercial air travel, I’m sure I’ll have something painful to report by this time tomorrow. As they say in the airline world, please stand by.

Finally, my brother and I just finished a Google Earth flyover of my backpacking trip up Hazel Creek. The trail looks good, the climbing looks gentle, and the creek. A beaut.

And though Google Earth isn’t actually refined enough to let you spot fish in the water, reality’s never been much of a barrier for a fisherman.

You just know those bend pools hold fish, and you’re reasonably sure they’ll move a long ways for the chance to nail a Beetle Bug.

Google Earth doesn’t actually show that either, but you just know it.

See you at the Terminal Security Station, Tom Chandler.

[tags]fly fishing, fishing, flying, tennessee[/tags]

Posted in Tennessee, Travel.