Larry A. Smail's Blog

God’s Country

    Evening comes on fast in the north central mountain range of Pennsylvania. The sun drops below some of the high peaks around six int late afternoon casting a darkened shadow allowing for the illusion of sunset.

I had the tent ready and a nice glowing fire as I prepared for my first evening near the Sinnemahoning Creek of Potter County. The sounds of nothing but nature was so relaxing.  All I could hear were sounds of woodland insects and the waters of the distant creek. This was pure joy for me. Later, after dark I heard the soothing hoots of a barred owl. Strangely, I heard Canada geese erupting with sounds of honking. I suspect some ‘coon approached their nest or babies.

Area I fished

I arrived at the George B. Stevenson Dam earlier in the day and taken back by the beauty of the area. I had been away far too long. I stood in awe watching the vultures soar all around. The long-ago memories of my brother-in-law, Bob Hudson and I came flooding back to my thoughts. (Bob died in a tragic accident in 1987.)  I found myself getting somewhat emotional with all the sights and thoughts.

I spent time just driving around taking photos for my new memories. I actually spent some time fishing in the dam’s back waters. I saw many bluegills; perch; suckers; bass and a water snake.  Geese, mallards and mergansers were always near to see too. I would catch a bluegill with almost every cast.                                                    

I watched continually for eagles and ospreys, but failed to see any. There are, at least, two nests along these waters. Deer were prevalent all along my travels.

   Sleep should have come easy for me as I  set near the fire and wrote down entry notes, but I had a sense of not wanting to miss anything nature might offer. I would be up early to explore farther east waters and mountain country.

This is truly God’s Country!