He's always been an outdoors fellow and even at nearly 85 he spends most of his days working (and occasionally playing) in God's beautiful creation.

 

It has become a tradition to go fishing in the creek over the 4th of July weekend. I tagged along, with my camera instead of a fishing pole, with a handsome group of Gray men for the creek adventure.

 

A few years ago, Kim and I bought 60 acres of ground from Kenny. While most of it is tillable, the back section has the Martindale Creek running through it. That's where the boys like to fish.

 

It's truly an adventure just getting down to the water...beware of nettles!

 

This was 7-year-old Abram's first creek fishing trip and he had a blast!

 

Following Daddy Kyler through the creek to find a good fishing hole...

 

I love all my Gray men, but Kenny holds a special place in my heart. I couldn't have asked for a better father-in-law and he's always treated me like his own daughter.

 

It's hard to imagine how many fish this guy has reeled in over his 85 years, but he still gets thrilled each time. I love that!

 

Kim takes after his dad in his love for the outdoors and fishing in the creek.

He's quite the fashion statement when he goes...a tin can tied to his baling twine belt.

I call him Jethro in that get-up...

 

My oldest son Kristoffer is the one who started this tradition...

 

And his sons Karter (now 13)...

...and 11-year-old Kaden are always game for the adventure.

 

Our youngest son Kyler brought Abram up for his very first creek-fishing experience.

 

Abram loved it! He didn't catch the most fish or the biggest fish of the day, but he did catch the FIRST one winning him $1 from his Great-Grandpa Kenny. He was thrilled!

 

This little section of our property is a hidden gem...wild and beautiful, so peaceful and quiet in the misty mornings.

 

Always fun watching Jethro my man enjoying himself!

 

He loves watching the grandkids too!

Abram was learning to cast a line and he caught more than his share of weeds and twigs...that's the challenge of fishing in the creek.

 

There may or may not be a fishing line with a bobber attached stuck in the tree. And that one wasn't Abram's....

 

All the boys/men spent as much time untangling lines as they did fishing. Kyler is trying to dislodge a line from a tall limb....

Nice one, Karterman!

 

My favorite tree...the bicep curl tree!

 

Cousin time is a bonus! Abram wanted to fish beside Kaden...

...although Kaden wasn't having the best fishing day...

 

Sometimes the water was a little deep for Abram to wade through, so he hitched a ride on Dad's hip!

 

What kind of track is this??? I'm guessing beaver...it was 6" long or so...

 

I almost sat down on this log! Ugh!!!

 

One that Kim snagged....

 

Other critters down at the creek besides fish...a crawdad...

 

...irridescent damselfly...

 

...and clams, both empty and alive.

 

Karter using his youthful agility to rescue a stuck line...

 

Kaden never could convince Abram to kiss a fish!

 

The young boys had fun...

 

...but no more fun than the eldest boy. 

I loved seeing that big smile on his face every time he caught a fish.

 

He may be almost 85...

...but the old man's still got it.