Ol’ Dutch was never so glad to see a week end than I was this past week. As most  of you know Miss Trixie, her gorgeous self, and I drive the vans for Mountain Man Rafting in South Fork, Colorado.  

And speaking of that, I was contemplating the other day, just how I ended up driving vans for them. I had about enough with transportation on the Railroad prior to retirement so I was not looking to work ever again. But looking back I think it all began after  Miss Trixie began driving and kept coming home telling of all the fun she was having.  

And now that I think about it, I think Ol’ Dutch was kind of Tom Sawyered into “painting the fence” so to speak and now I am driving almost every day and Miss Trixie is not. That comment about painting the fence is in reference to Tom Sawyer convincing his friends that painting the fence was not a chore but a high calling thereby making them want to do the work for him.  

Last Saturday I was once again on duty to take some fun loving rafters upriver. Now normally this is an easy and simple kind of a job but this trip was soon to show its true colors. And I am glad just to have survived the trip.  

It all went down like this. First of all I had someone pull out in front me driving the loaded van, I dodged a bear on the highway and he ended up hitting the car behind me and finally a driver coming head on in my lane in a work zone. Ol Dutch was thankful to just come home in one piece.  

So it was a welcome relief then to follow all that up with the celebration of Father’s Day last Sunday. It is a day set aside in appreciation for all the dads out there who slave away all year long supporting their families. I think most families celebrate that day with a meal out and of course Dad always got stuck with the check so I am not sure how much joy there was in that but I guess families are together and that is priceless.  

 So I got to thinking about Fathers Day- a dangerous proposition according to Miss Trixie-and how it came about.  

It appears that it was quasi-celebrated for many years but it was not until 1972 that President Nixon actually signed it into law to celebrate dads officially. That seems awfully late in coming to pass considering Mothers Day has been celebrated since 1914.  

Retailers start early before both holidays with advertising slicks hitting the mailbox hoping that they can sell some of their merchandise for those special days. And I have noticed that prior to Mothers Day, all the jewelers will have some special diamond keepsake advertised for somewhere around $2,500. Now you all know that is too rich for my blood but they still try and guilt men into something extravagant for the wife on that day.  

I don't know what happened with men and their special day but normally a man will get two new pairs of drawers and pay for new braces for one kid and summer camp for the other kid for Fathers Day.  Not exactly a day to look forward to honestly.  

Ol’ Dutch had a great Fathers Day actually and got to talk to my son Bubs which is always good for my soul. And even though my kids are far away, I did get to go out and partake of some fun activities even though it was by myself. .  

Sunday afternoon found me collecting ore samples from a local creek to be later panned for gold. I also took a great hike looking for rocks and ended the day fly fishing and watching the Sun go down on a classic Western panorama. That beats a pair of socks and a $80 brunch any day of the week.  

So to all the dads out there, thank you for all you do. And even though it may not seem like you are appreciated, you are an important cog in the wheel of life. And a soft touch for dinner on Your Day too. 

Kevin Kirkpatrick spends his days fishing, hunting, ATVing, hiking or making people laugh. His email is Kevin@TroutRepublic.com. Additional news can be found at www.troutrepublic.com or on Twitter at TroutRepublic.com .