The pineapple express storm that chased us from California to Idaho didn’t let up when we got home Monday. Heaps of wet snow closed many local roads. The forecast said it wouldn’t let up until Thursday. That was unnerving for me because on Wednesday I was scheduled to fly from Idaho Falls for Cameroon. A Nile perch and tigerfish trip I’ve been looking forward to for nearly a year.
I tried not to think about the forecast as I packed all day Tuesday. Occasionally I’d look outside and see the snow falling. But there was nothing I could do. Just before dark I went for a hike under gray skies through fresh snow. The evening hike before a flight around the world is mandatory exercise for me before sitting for 36 hours. Once in the hills it was surreal and I realized the storm had let up.
Yesterday afternoon I took the 1:10 PM flight out of Idaho Falls for Salt Lake City. The snow was falling in Victor causing concern but in Idaho Falls it was a wintery mix of mostly rain. My flight left on time.
Last night I caught the direct 10 hour flight Salt Lake City to Paris. I celebrated this trips kick off with a tasty Sweetwater 420 (the beer of Delta) and some red wine. I was a lucky guy and Delta upgraded me to First Class. I guess I’ve become a pretty good customer the last few years!
This morning I woke up in Paris and stretched with a long walk through the Charles de Gaul Airport. Concentrate at this airport or you’ll be lost in a jiffy. At 1 PM I caught the 6 hour Air France flight for Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Yaoundé wasn’t today’s final stop. Cameroons capital city was a 2 hour layover before flying on to Douala. I arrived in Douala at 10 PM then taxied to the Seamans Mission Hotel. Exhausted again.
A lot of travel this month. I’m physically and mentally destroyed. The good news however is I’m here at the Seamans Mission by myself all weekend. I’m going to rest starting with a long nights sleep right now. I made it!
Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing