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PONDERING CORE ESSENCE
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This entry certainly could have been included in a post about boat names; any New Englandah should appreciate good luck at sea. But I have to admit, I really like fishing for tuna. The bigger ones are exciting (even if they are a lot of work to land), and the smaller ones are sporting on the appropriate tackle. They are found in beautiful environs, they are beautiful themselves, they pull like mad, they are top predators, and they'll hit topwaters! What else could one ask for? I was fortunate to encounter several yellowfin tuna (and a bonito) during our recent trip to Costa Rica. From maybe 10 pounds to about 60 pounds (for me) or 70 pounds (for K), each was a gift, of sorts. The first appeared out of the blue to smash my popper, and the last was part of a most wild and surreal scene I've had the pleasure to experience. One yielded to the equivalent of walleye tackle, and my favorite provided an airborne strike from above, right next to the boat. To anybody who might read this; I wish you Bona Fortuna; or in my native dialect and way of thinking, Bonah for Tunah! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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Our trip to Costa Rica certainly was worth the wait! Repeatedly delayed, I returned after almost 33 years. I wish I hadn't waited so long! Quickly and unanimously, this trip was declared to be our best-ever family vacation. I was the sole potential hold-out; and only because I feared it was, perhaps, a bit too fishing-oriented for the others to fully enjoy. But I was decisively over-ruled. And I firmly accept this decision! Now, the fishing is chronicled in the NumenonFunFishing section, above. Here, I am going to try to explain the value of this trip, without too much reliance on, or reference to, my fishing experiences. That said, the fishing part of the trip was virtually made in the first few hours, when M landed the fish of just about anybody's lifetime: After our first, exciting day on the water, on Monday, January 15, 2018 we spent the day with a naturalist (Brian) exploring the local environs. This included a protected "preserve" located near, if not adjacent to, Corcovado National Park. Sometimes referred to as the Jewel of the Osa, Corcovado was the wildest and most beautiful part of the country I'd seen in 1985. It was a main factor in our decision to return to this part of Costa Rica. I found this day to be oddly satisfying, as I was able to share with my family a part of my life that was once so important to me. This was why we were in Costa Rica! The day was not filled with jaguars and tapirs, but rather with birds and trees. I'd forgotten how much I'd lost. But the Brian's information was still familiar, and I could appreciate what was being shared. The stands of primary growth that we encountered (Black Garlic and Purple Heart trees of purported Columbian vintage) were simply humbling. Engrossed in monkey, toucan or macaw encounters, I was honored to share the day with my girls. We'd accessed this preserve through a local farm. Our entrance fee went directly to Miguel as compensation for this access and preservation of his land. Miguel demonstrated great character and care for his land. Our fee certainly meant more to him than to me. I was pleased to participate in this direct, two-way transfer of benefits. After a day of rest, K and I enjoyed a day of offshore fishing. This day included an epic chase involving sea-birds, bait dolphins, tuna and our boat, the HepCat. There is really nothing more wild than this setting; and we were in the midst of it, repeatedly. Moreover, this scene never ends; it happens every day. I am glad to realize it; and I'm glad to now accept this as part of my world. I can always relive these memories on cold winter nights, or from my cubicle. In no way does our photography capture the scope or urgency of the life and death spectacle that all were participating in. That we both caught beautifully large tuna is secondary to the experience of the setting itself. When our twin tuna hit the deck (acknowledging that K's was larger), an eerie calm settled over me. Up until that point, I'd been in a bit of a rush, racing the clock, trying to beat it by checking accomplishments/experiences off the list before my time ran out. I'd never specifically thought about this particular experience. It wasn't a preconceived expectation or specific desire. But it happened; and having shared this with K, in this environment, I knew that I was somehow completed. I didn't need another "fishing" thing to happen. I was full. I was content. I was pleased to recognize this. In all honesty, I was happy to fish for most of the next 48 hours, too! Perhaps most meaningfully, several of our hosts over the course of our trip independently noted just how "lucky" I am. I couldn't agree more; they were all recognizing the obvious love and affection within our family that is the wellspring of this luck. This trip was worth the wait! Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways |
Steve LachanceVia Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Michigan and now, back to New England! Archives
June 2024
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