With a HUGE sigh, I want to start this edition of The Perfect Drift by saying thank you to The Outdoor Blogger Network, Trout Unlimited, Simms, and The Yellowstone Park Foundation for selecting me as one of the Grand Prize winners in this years Blogger Tour. The hope to win was weakened when I read the other submissions and when it came down to the last two, I had honestly conceded defeat. To see my name in bold letters was one of the most shocking events in recent history.
And of course to make it even better, I see that Steve Zakur won as well. To that sight I offered up a hearty belly laugh. Steve is one of my favorite bloggers and we have developed a friendship over time that just puts a little more icing on the cake. For those of you that read this blog and hopefully read Sipping Emergers, you might remember that Steve and I have had two long distance fishing trips together-he on his water, me on mine with the only thing putting the two together being fly selection. We have tried in vain for months to find a place to meet up and fish. I don't think either of us dreamed it would be Yellowstone.
This major victory in the life of yours truly also reaped some lasting benefits at home. You might remember that my kids prayed that I would win. For them to see this come to pass will further solidify their belief in something much greater and wondrous than they can fully comprehend, and will hopefully strengthen their faith.
I am so looking forward to this trip. It is honestly a dream come true.
I am sure the adventures/misadventures that Steve and I will share will tie us together for a very long time and I am looking forward to reporting to you my preparations as well as the trip reports...of which I am sure there will be many.
Life has a funny way of working out just as it is supposed to even when we don't think it will. That is the lesson I have learned through this process. To see the craft of writing which I hold so close to my heart be fruitful is humbling, and just furthers my desire to see it grow and flourish.
Once again, thanks to all involved. I truly am grateful, blessed, humbled, and excited.
