The Joys of Summer

Cascadia is settling in for the "90 Day Gray".  We had a nice December, but Mother Nature is making up for it now... cold... wet... windy.  So naturally, our thoughts turn to sunnier days.

Shark Reef Park - Lopez Island

It was early September - the best time to sail in The San Juan Islands. Mrs. Cascadian Prep and I were anchored in a little cove off of Lopez.  Just a warm and cloudless summer day spent on the foredeck reading and rocking gently with the waves. She - a bikini top and shorts from that lemon (lululemon?) place. He - Orvis quick dry shorts, sans shirt, and Top-siders. The other "she" - at Grandma's place. Could life get any better?

Suddenly, I felt the need to change the tunes and freshen my Dark 'N' Stormy, so down the companionway to the chart table I sprang. Upon my return, I noticed something else had changed.  Her Top was beSide her.

Life did get better.

Jay Ferguson's Thunder Island (I was a wee lad when it came out. Loved it then, love it now.)

Fly fishing

Yakima River - Cle Elum, WA, USA

Air temp: 30° F. Water temp: 33° F 



"The fish got lucky."

Cascadian preps love fly fishing because we love sporting brands such as Orvis (waders & boots), Patagonia (down jacket), and Eisbar caps. We also love fly fishing because it takes the type of patience, skill, and artistry not found in the crude camps of the bait fisherman.

Leather (keep the chains)

The devil and the preppy are in the details. Socks, belts, and otherwise subtle affectations are always good areas to manifest one’s inner prep. In keeping with this spirit, I recently went on the hunt for an eyeglass case. My car’s glove compartment and office desk drawer are littered with cases, which range from the spiritless vinyl (or naugahyde) type to the clunky box with overly aggressive spring hinges that can render one fingerless.

Like with most of my searches, I started with Google “Bing” (since I live in Cascadia).  I typed in “preppy eyeglass cases,” which brought up the usual cutesy-poo offerings clearly aimed at the distaff side (or "testosteronely-challenged").  There were one or two cases I saw at Rugby, of the usual nautical or tennis motif, that I promptly passed on in hopes of finding something more classic & durable... that means LEATHER. 

 

Ben Silver "Liberty" frames (or are they?) and Col. Littleton case

Then on a whim, I clicked over to Orvis.com, where I found this beauty. It’s timeless; it’s manly; it’s unique; and it can be monogrammed!  Colonel Littleton – a neat Tennessee-based company who caters to the leather aficionado - makes this leather case (as well as several other fine leather “accoutrements”).

Sorry if I just alienated my vegan readership, but then you probably shouldn't be here anyway.  May I suggest this link?

If you want to know about the glasses, please comment or send me an email.