Road Trip...

Well kinda.  You know the ol' saying that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line?  While that may be true, we also subscribe to the theory that sometimes taking the road less traveled can lead you to many a treasure.  For the last week we have been hearing about this new fishery located on the south side of town.  Rob had also run accross a sign promoting this urban trout stream on McLoud run.  Combined with the fact that Rob has had the last 2 days off, the weather has been gorgeous, and we are aching to get some fishing in; we set out to discover our city and the fishing options within.  Yesterday we headed for the McLoud trail and took Oliver with us.  It was an awsome 41/2 mile trail that we walked and trekked along the stream...definate possiblity for some fly fishing...it is a catch and release stream and only artificial lure's can be used.  Well today we decided to check out this fishery everyone has been raving about.  So we headed out with minimal directions, a general idea of landmarks (based on conversation with our neighbor who just moved here from Kentucky), a cell phone (which later we discovered was dead), and determination to find this destination.  The upside was that we had a full tank of gas...when we started.  After exploring roads by R.R. crossings, by Jones park, by the animal shelter, and by what we knew was close to the river, we did come across the roller dam, a great deal of road construction, a tunnel, a golf course, and alot of people out and about enjoying the day.  Now our pride kept us from breaking down and simply asking for directions because according to everyone this fishery was a well known location.  We were about to give up when we turned onto a street that lead us to the Czech Village (another place we have heard people rave about) so we drove slowly down the street admiring the cute little village when we came across the Sykora Bakery (famous landmark and known for their fresh baked Kolaches).  We decided it was time we tried a Kolache, so we pulled over and went in.  The owner shared with us the history of the Kolache and then pointed out the location of the New Czech Museum (Another landmark that gained it's fame during the great flood).  So after a nice conversation and DELICIOUS Kolache's, and red velvet cookies & coffee, we drove over to see the old museum hoisted up and ready for relocating...it will be a historical event when the move takes place.  It has taken 2 years of prep to ensure the museum can be moved without compromising it's structure.  By this point we had given up on the Fishery and decided to head home...keep in mind we had no idea how we had gotten to this location or how to get out of it, so we just started taking roads until all of a sudden we landed on Ottis Rd....aka...the road that leads to the Fishery.  Laughingly we drove down the road and came to the huge sign that read Prairie Park Fishery.  A treasure it was....lots of trails, boat landings, benches, and paths to sand bars.  A definate treasure for fishing and enjoying nature.  So there it was 2 hours later and we had found our original destination.  I should add that it only took us 10 min. to get home from there...LOL!  At any rate we still believe that while we may have set out for a destination....the joy came in the adventure along the way.