Come Apart And Rest. . .

31     And he said unto them,
         Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place,
        and rest a while; for there were many coming and going,
        and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
                                                       Mark 6:31




A quiet place to rest.

"Mr. Ed" and I, with the onset of winter weather and a rapidly approaching holiday season, often feel the stress of our occupations On Crooked Creek. Ed (known as The Highway Man) supervises the night shift for Kansas Department of Transportation ; I work part-time in retail sales at a local gift and home decor shop.

So. . .
each Fall we heed the scriptures and literally
come apart and rest a while.
Over the past two decades our desert place has been an Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park.

The bridge over the Spring @ Bennett Spring State Park 2010.

The rapidly flowing dam @ Bennett Spring State Park 2010.

"Mr. Ed" . . .
my Fly Fisherman of the Year 2010!

Ed is an avid fly fisherman, me . . . not so much.
In the early years of our marriage, I did go fishing with my dear husband.  Although a young newlywed, I was wise beyond my years. I realized that if my marriage was to have the happily ever after I'd always dreamed of my catch~of~the~day couldn't outnumber his. He fishes in the natural flowing Spring . . .  I shop the outlets and novelty shops in Lebanon. It's a winning combination!



An evening fishing excursion with "Mr. Ed". . .
(no waders) 2010.



Casting and awaiting a strike using a crawdad lure.



Netting the "Catch~Of~The ~Day"
off the dam
@ Bennett Spring State Park 2010.



Removing Rainbow Trout
from the net . . to the stringer.



"It's A Keeper! ! !"

Over the past five years, we've stayed at Larry's Cedar Resort located 1/4 mile from the trout fishing, dining lodge, fish hatchery and public pool all in a quiet family atmosphere. The two bedroom cabins with kitchen are cozy and inviting. The welcome from Larry and Kay Peace combined with their staff are truly exceptional!



Cabin #1 @ Larry's Cedar Resort 2009.

Last year, we decided to extend our stay for the upcoming 2010 season. Kay gave Ed and I a tour of the condos available at the resort. We were quite smitten with the expansion of space and made our reservation a year in advance to secure our choice of the available units. A wise decision.

Being on the upper level did have many advantages. . .
the ambience of the open outdoor balcony gave a tree house effect.

The fish hatchery is undergoing an intense renovation project. The finalized construction gives hopes of an even greater satisifying 2011 season.

View from the parking lot.



Preview of the coming Fish Hatchery.

Scene looking across the coming Fish Hatchery
to the Park Store @ Bennett Spring State Park.

The trout were small; however "Mr. Ed" stated,
 "Any day spent fishing is a good day.". . .
And, yes, he returned home with his full limit of trout!

This picture is priceless!

As for me, I found a few treasures, addressed my Christmas Cards, caught up on my magazine reading, and was creatively inspired with some new designing plans. The evening walks with "Mr. Ed" I will always hold near and dear to my heart and mind.



Evening is falling. . .
"Mr. Ed"  relaxed and content.

This annual homeage we take On Crooked Creek is the retreat that helps to bond us closer together as man and wife . . . and draws us into a deeper relationship with our Lord. Away from the coming and going of our everyday lives, we are afforded with the leisure time to listen and hear His direction for us. The beauty of Bennett Spring State Park is certainly no desert place ~ quite the contrary ~ but what better place to inwardly and outwardly experience God's handiwork?

Dear Ones, my wish for you is that you, too, will come apart and rest.

The hands I love!

Until next time. . .