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All of us fly fishing instructors had a blast on the river Sunday. I really didn’t want to come with all the rain, but once we were on the river, the class participants’ enthusiasm was infectious. Some of them were ill prepared for the rain, others discovered their rain gear wasn’t really all that waterproof, but we had to tear them off the water at noon. Very impressive bunch of women! Thanks for inviting us to be a part of such a wonderful group!
Donna Walkuski, instructor
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I attended last weekends BOW program. You have to understand that, while I had seen an article about the program a few years ago, I had put it aside. While I love the outdoors, I don't camp, pee in the woods, or get dirty, and roughing it is a hotel with maid service, AC, and showers more than 2 feet wide. I hike the mountains, canoe, fish, and I'm good with that...
So how'd I end up there? My insulin runs out at 10 PM each night, and I do some crazy/stupid things. For some odd reason, I pulled up the website, and before I knew it, I had not only signed up (and paid!), but had sent emails out to my girlfriends asking them to come, too. When 2 responded with a "YEAH! We're in!", I was stuck...
Off I went. And am I ever glad I did!
I have never met so many inspiring women! To see women from 19 to 76 cruising around, doing their thing, sharing their stories is truly amazing. To then meet the instructors--all of whom volunteered--was even more inspiring. They made the weekend, and went out of their way more than once.
For example: Jeff, Michelle, and Elaine in Rappelling kept me laughing and got me hooked. Linda Dightmon not only let me switch some classes around, she arranged to personally take a group of us out night fishing, though it wasn't a scheduled event (we later backed out, but she was willing to go!). Amanda Byrnes led us on an awesome Night Hike after our tour guide failed to show, teaching us not only how to find animals in the dark (flashlight by the eyes, not on the ground), but taught us about bullfrogs, owls, and so many other things. Holly made me about pee my pants, laughing so hard at her skit; and we can't forget Andree and Tice, who made birding fun and I'm so not a bird fan! (Tyce, by the way, also made me extremely envious: I have NEVER been able to see out of binoculars, and we have nice pairs. One look into her Swarovski's, and it's all I can talk about!). I can't forget Walt, either: After spending 10 years unable to fish with closed reel button rods (I can only do the harder ones, and the kids don't have those kind!), I got it in 10 seconds flat (maybe next time he can help me hook a fish, too).
I want to truly thank you all for putting on such a fabulous program. I look forward to coming back in April. And if you can add a BOM or a Becoming an Outdoor Family Program, please do. I'd love for my family to get this experience, and am happy to help at any time.
Christa Lawcock, attendee
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