I did something this weekend I haven’t done in probably 15 years. I went on a vacation without a fishing pole. I know, that just isn’t right is it.

It was a very odd experience for me. Most of the time I’m the guy in the middle of the river with a spinning rod in my hand looking at the hikers, kids playing in the water, and families in the canoes wondering what in the world possessed them to come anywhere near the water without fishing gear. Water was put on this earth so that I could fish.

Today, I took a different approach and became “that guy.” You know the one I’m talking about. The half shaven hiker that looks like he probably doesn’t have a steady job, has a well worn sunglass tan line, lives in his truck when not tromping through the woods wearing a back pack and eating granola. That’s right, I said it. I snacked on granola.

You know what? I actually had fun. The wife and I hiked for a few miles through the hills next to a small river. We kayaked down the same river later in the day. We saw deer, lizards, squirrels and families out enjoying nature (which is always a positive sign). We even had the chance to see two water moccasins twisting and wrapping their heads around each other in a mating dance.

I’ll admit that it was a good day even if my fishing gear is a couple hundred miles away. But don’t be too surprised if it’s another 15 years before I go on vacation without my rod and reel. Old habits die hard.