Back Aboard "Life's2Short"

After three weeks of traveling and visiting friends and family in Missouri and Colorado, we are happy to be back aboard “Life’s2Short.” Following are several photos covering some of our activities since the last blog update.

Dinner at the Hayes residence on Sunday, September 20th, with the Teale family (Susan, Jason & Kelli). Thanks for hosting us, Nila & Everett!


Todd’s first night in Colorado having dinner with his parents and long-time family friends, Bob & Paula Lucas and the Lewis family.


The next morning, as we were headed to Wyoming to fish, dad and I stopped at the top of Loveland Pass so I could see what snow feels like again………brrrrrrrrr!


Whitetail doe and antelope buck in Wyoming.


French Creek Hole, North Platte River, WY.


Billy Coburn fishing while his loyal companion Callie waits for his return.


Father Lanning & Father Coburn stretching the truth about how big the fish were today!


After leaving WY, headed back to CO, we took an eight-hour, 300-mile trip through three mountain passes so we could enjoy the aspen turning in the Rocky Mountains. The Colorado fall colors should be on everybody’s “bucket-list!”






The Captain and his father enjoying a beautiful Colorado day!


Bill & Billy Coburn. What a wonderful five days of father-son fishing.


Billy’s bride Annie invited us all over for a delicious lasagna dinner upon our arrival in Crested Butte, CO. Also pictured is future Heisman Trophy winner Joe, son of Billy & Annie.


Bill & Bill working on cabin projects at the Gunnison River Ranch.


The father and son duos after fishing on Cebolla Creek. Not sure how everybody else did but the Captain figures he caught and released over 100 trout the days he was on the water.


A few more aspen photos as we head back over the mountains to Boulder.


Lifetime friend Rodney and Todd enjoying lunch at Todd’s parents home outside of Boulder.


Back in Springfield, Todd pairs with Bob Eckels for his semi-annual Physical Plant golf tournament.


At Lake of the Ozarks, Brenda’s dad Wade is busy getting the new boat dock ready for a crappie attractor he built.


Brenda’s niece Jennifer shows off the new crappie attractor.


Shortly after we made it back to Ditto Landing, we saw Don & Rosie aboard “Just Rosie” and made plans to go to Rosie’s Cantina with them and local friends Ron & Diane for dinner Thursday evening, October 8th. Ron has a houseboat at Ditto Landing in a slip next to “Just Rosie” and they got to know each other when Don & Rosie stayed at Ditto Landing on their way upriver. Ron also befriended a Canadian cruising couple, Sam & Rina, who joined us for dinner.

The Captain & Admiral posing with the Mexican band.


Our dinner group (minus Don who is taking the photo). Left to right: Rina, Diane, Rosie, Todd, Brenda, Ron and Sam.


We spent Thursday and Friday unpacking, re-provisioning and doing boat chores and laundry. Today is Saturday, October 10th, and we are going to use Ron’s extra car to shuttle Pete’s car (the one we borrowed to take to Missouri) to Alred Marina in Guntersville where we will meet Pete & Geneva for breakfast before heading back to Ditto Landing.

Bud “Iceman” McNeal who lives on Pickwick Lake will be joining us at Ditto Landing this afternoon to cruise back to Pickwick Lake with us. We should arrive at Pickwick the middle part of next week and hope to enjoy a long weekend with our good friends at Waterfall Cove.

After that, it’s on to Bay Springs Lake. Todd’s parents will be traveling through the area in their motor home around the third week of October so we plan to spend several days visiting with them before heading down the Tenn-Tom, destination Demopolis, AL. Todd’s new favorite saying that he got from Bob on “September Song” is: “We know it’s time to head south because the butter’s starting to get hard!”