A Grief Observed

Larry Eckart

Well-known member
Guys (and Dani),

Several of you have experienced the pain of losing your hunting partner, either four-legged or two-legged. It has been a while since I lost a hunting buddy. My time came last week. I thought I?d write a note and express my grief and appreciation for time well spent together.

For over 15 years you went with me on every trip to the woods. Fondly I remember sharing the grouse woods of northern Ontario with you. Traipsing through sodden woodcock cover and wrestling through the brambles of the Canadian Shield, you were there.

Riding shotgun on trips of the Mighty Layout Boys to Pool 9 and the Bay of Quinte, you never complained even though the results did not quite justify all the miles. You were eager to go, always eager to go.

The trips across the border to Mitchell?s Bay, just outside Windsor, Ontario were always a pleasure together. We would hunt Tuesdays. I?d get home from work on Monday night. The Blazer would be packed. I would kiss Kathy good-by and off we went to the high adventure of spending a quick night and day together. Frequently there were bluebills. Sometimes we shared the glee of seeing those kings who ride the sky with long noses and silver backs: canvasback!

In the spring, you switched gears with me in Michigan to prowl the woods and peer through the ground cover in search of the lovely morel. It was always time well spent.

Even though you didn?t protest our move from Michigan to Hilton Head for work, you never seemed as comfortable there as you were in Michigan. Nor did I.

The recent move to North Carolina had come with the glorious prospect of spending days, many days hiking and scouting the hills of the Piedmont, an area that feels more like home to both of us than we ever experienced in Hilton Head. ?Paradise? they called the sea island. Hah! We knew better that paradise looked more like the marsh and the upland hills than a beach will every offer.

In our initial trips in the hills of central North Carolina, you were unflagging in your enthusiasm although age has crept up on both of us.

So I was not prepared when, at the end of our most recent trip you gave out. I took you to the doctor and the doctor just shook his head. No hope? No therapy? No medication? How can this be? There was no warning. I was not prepared for the loss and the grief.

But there it is. And I must lay you down to rest.

Thank you for all the miles together.

Rest in peace.

I thought you all would appreciate a pic. By the way, I borrow the title, "A Grief Observed" from that sage theologian and historian, C.S. Lewis.

Larry


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Shoe Goo. Good for another 10 years. Or brother I go to the shoe doctor. They will be just like new.

Mark
 
Two shoe doctors gave the same verdict: not possible to repair. I think it has something to do with the way the Danner soles are constructed.

Larry
 
Well then sounds like your in order for an early Christmas present[;)] All fall to break them in. Seriously though, if I remember right stiched on soles replaceable but glued on not. I believe stiched on was called goodyear welt .
 
Those look to be just broken in! :)

Contact Danner and send them back to be re soled.....or are you needing an "excuse" to buy a new pair? ;)
 
Larry, went through the same grief with my LL Bean mocs. Wife threw them out and I had to retrieve them. They became my house shoes, not to be used to get the newspaper on rainy days... Xmas brought me a new pair and I'm fixed for many years...
 
Save the leather. Use it for anchor line thongs or as my dad did years ago, hinges on a rabbit hutch he built.

Ken Yacavone
 
Paul: I checked with Danner. Probably run $130 plus shipping as I read their instructions. A new pair of Danner Pronghorns is $160.

Ken: Saving the leather... Now that's a good idea.

Rich: House shoes... love it. I could also put them on display on a bookshelf with other items like old decoys and memorabilia from the past. They just look good in their aged state!

Larry
 
Larry, I share your grief. I too favor Danner Pronghorns. LOVE em. I have my old old pair that I use for yard work now and then my new pair for hunting. I didn't have broken soles but they got to be painful to walk in since I pretty much walked the soles out of them. But they aren't "dead" yet so I can't bring myself to get rid of them.
 
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