| When I think about that crusty ancient Jon boat | | | | that moment on began the dad and lad project of |
| my father built 30 years ago just brings me back | | | | a lifetime. |
| to being a kid. My father didn't have any Jon boat | | | | I look back and remember what a rough time my |
| plans, he just spent hours drawing up and editing | | | | father had designing the boat. It took him so |
| his own idea of how was going to build it. A solid | | | | many different tries of reworking his |
| year of making mistakes and learning from them | | | | measurements and getting advice from a family |
| is what it took for him to finish his work of art. | | | | friend who was a local boat builder before he |
| As an end result, it provided me with an amazing | | | | finally got things right. I couldn't even tell you how |
| collection of childhood memories of being out on | | | | many building supplies were wasted in the first 6 |
| the lake fishing from dusk til dawn with dear old | | | | months of the boat's construction. Remembering |
| pops. | | | | all the trouble my dad had gone through I knew |
| Now I'm grown up with a son of my own. My | | | | that I needed to do this correct the first time |
| boy and love to fish more than anything and it | | | | with as little problems as possible. I needed to |
| really has brought us closer than ever over the 8 | | | | ensure for the boat production to be a smooth |
| years of his time on this planet. It feels just like | | | | ride for my son and I. With today's technology I |
| the great times I used to spend hanging with pop. | | | | knew that there had to be somehow the |
| Unfortunately my dad's Jon boat has been put | | | | computer could make life easier. |
| rest some time ago, so we would just chill out on | | | | After looking for the right program the water |
| the dock and cast out our lines. One late evening | | | | just about every week ever since. we even |
| as we left the dock with only a few bites and no | | | | enough room on the boat for mommy to come |
| catch to show for our effort. I said to my | | | | with too. It makes me so happy when we can |
| boy:"How would you feel if we had a boat of our | | | | get the entire family out on the boat. It means so |
| own?" With those words spoken a huge smile | | | | much to me to be able to do for my son what |
| spreading across his face he said:" Really dad! We | | | | my dad was able to do for me as a child. It really |
| can get a boat!" I said:"Yes my boy but there is | | | | sends chills down my spine. |
| only one catch, you must help me build it." From | | | | |