This past weekend I attended Casting for Recovery in Redstone, Colorado. And we stayed in the Redstone Inn. While I was going through treatment, I kept seeing these flyers around the cancer center as well as my physical therapist office. I looked into the flyer and figured why not apply. The entire weekend would be free except for travel there and I would learn something new. The only thing my Type A personality was fearing was the kumbaya that would most likely take place as well. So, I applied, but never heard anything, which they said you would no matter what. I ended up emailing them and was notified I was accepted. I've been pretty stoked about it for months now.
After some emails, some phone calls, and texts, Friday morning I drove to Durango to meet up with Elvi and Brenda to carpool up to Redstone, Colorado. Can you guess what we talked about? Yes, our cancer journeys. We stopped in Montrose for some lunch and then again because of an accident. We finally made it to the Redstone Inn.
We were greeted by Casting staff, checked into our rooms (Elvi was my roommate), looked through our swag bags on our beds, and then back upstairs to make sure our waders and boots fit. Snacks and beverages were provided, which became a joke all weekend because it was listed on the itinerary. We then met in our first kumbaya circle, introduced ourselves to the group, met staff, and got the run-down of the weekend. We were introduced to the laminated fish that were hidden throughout the hotel and the individuals with the most would win prizes. The weekend was going to be jam packed!
Saturday morning started with rain and then with optional chair yoga, which I opted in for. I really should do yoga more. After breakfast, classroom instruction of the rod/reel, equipment, and knot tying instruction. Due to the rain, the schedule was pivoted quite a bit, but no worries as we all just flowed long. We had a session on particular bugs of the rivers and then went to the river and collected bugs. Once we got them back to the classroom, we got to look at them under microscopes. The rain finally let up, and we were able to go out to the grass and practice casting. We had some free time to walk around the small town of Redstone and a group of us did just that. I of course also took a nap. After dinner, we had another kumbaya session where we got to pick a fly that reflected our cancer journey.
I honestly don't know why I picked it. I was one of the last to pick mine and this one just looked unique to me. I'm not really sure it reflected my journey and honestly, there wasn't a shitshow fly so I went with this one.
Sunday morning, I was awakened by loud rain, a bright lightning strike, and thunderous thunder. This did not look good for fishing. We went upstairs so Elvi could get some coffee and were informed by our fearless leader Kara that the road coming from I-70 was closed. The majority of our goodlooking guides were coming from that location. No worries, as we would just pivot again. Our streamside celebration scheduled for 7:30 was conducted on the second story balcony with the readings of some poems and collecting of dark and light rocks. My rocks will go on my attempt at being crafty plaque I have hanging in the garage.
Some guides had arrived from the southern route and so we split into two groups. One group went with some guides to a pond down the road. The rest of us just hung out, ate snacks and beverages, and talked, and I was peer pressured into putting glitter on my face. Around 1030 a stream of vehicles with rod/reel racks on their vehicles started driving into the parking lot. The road had opened and waiting on the other side had been our guides. The second group quickly got into our waders, met our guides (mine was Ray), and headed out. Ray asked if I wanted to go to the pond or the river and I quickly chose the river. I've fished plenty of ponds before. And although I didn't catch any fish, I did catch three timber trout (otherwise known as sticks).
The program, Casting for Recovery, is made possible from grants, fundraising, and donations. The entire weekend except my lunch on Friday, a chai, and $13 worth of gas was completely free. So, you know damn well, for my birthday I'll be asking for donations for this program. The guides, the wellness team, the coordinator, etc. all volunteer their time for this program. And they all do an amazing job.
If you truly read my blog, you know that my July 15th post, I was pretty depressed and still in a lot of pain. Over the weekend, I realized I am not alone in this battle. Hell, my shitshow really wasn't that bad compared to others, especially the individual who will do chemo the rest of her life. Now that lady is brave beyond words in my eyes. (Side note: she won the major prize of a new rod/real. Another lady and I gave her our fish we found. She truly deserved it). Sometime during this weekend something changed for me. I am not sure when the exact moment was or what it was that flipped the switch, but I have a new outlook on my new normal.
I am lighter, happier, and my smile has returned to my face.
Now I just need to find me a rod/reel, waders, and whatever else goes into fly fishing.
Until next time.