I have moved my site to: http://web.mac.com/aalder

I hope you enjoy the new site.

You will recall that in my last post I referred to an adventure in the Greater Phoenix area. What I didn't include was that during the course of that day, my waders, a great pair of bootfoot felt sole waders from Cabelas, lost their Sole.

What I mean is that I noticed my footing was a little off and that I kept tripping on stones and the river bed. When I looked down I saw that the felt sole of my boot was half off! I then walked all the way back to my car with a visible hitch in my giddy-up.

Well, I decided that if I could find the funds, I would purchase a more respectable pair of waders with fully attached felt soles.

As I researched the different manufacturers of fly fishing waders, I found that Simms, a US manufacturer based in the state of Montana, is the only company that actually produces their wares in the US. All their waders are made in Montana. I looked long and hard at their line and found a pair of their Travel Waders on sale at Cabelas Bargain Cave. These stockingfoot waders are highly rated for their durability and ease in packing into a travel bundle. It is a perfect fit for me, given my previous posts list of destinations. So, I ordered them.

To accomplish the second goal (You'll recall that I hoped to get waders that were respectable and that had fully attached soles), I looked to Orvis, another great fly fishing manufacturer. I have purchased items from them in the past, and have always been quite pleased. They have introduced a wading boot designed for a traveler. This boot is not very expensive, but I am certain that it will last. It has durable felt soles for wading in moss covered stone bottom creeks and rivers. I look forward to using them at some of the local and not so local fishing spots.

Well, that is all for this post. Hopefully next time I'll have an actual fishing report!

I'm Back!!!

I am sure it wouldn't suprise the regular readers of this blog, but I'll say this anyway. I can be inconsistent about my blogging. So, for all of you who suffer from haven't-read-a-spyderdoc-blog-recent-publicationitis, it is time to take your medicine. Sit back. Relax and enjoy.

I enjoy fly fishing. It is technically challenging, hands on and thought provoking. It also happens to take you to some of the most beautiful places on earth. I recently took my interest to Sedona, Arizona. This small city is on the skirts of the Coconino National Forest and is the location of the Oak Creek, a small clearwater fishery nestled in the red rock canyons of the National Forest. I went during February and the 50 degree temperature was pleasant. An entire day of fishing with nymph's (Hare's ear, sz 18), streamers (wooly bugger in olive and black) and surface flies (midge cluster, sz 18; para adams, size 18) extended my abilities given the gin clear water and paucity of fish (saw two the entire day). It was an ejoyable day and I can't wait to get back out on the water.

Here is a short list of locations I would love to go. They are in no particular order.

1. Bitterroot River, Montana
2. Texas Coast for Redfish
3. Belize
4. Lower Mountain Fork, Beaver's Bend, OK
5. Guadalupe River, TX
6. Missouri River, Great Falls, Montana (Chad, I'll get there soon. I hope.)
7. San Juan River, New Mexico
8. Provo River, UT (This is a favorite)
9. Madison River, Montana
10. Little Red River, Arkansas

Now, these represent just a few of the locations I would like to fish. At this point in my life I am an opportunistic fisher who simply finds a place to fish when I travel for another reason. What would be really great would be to include my family, friends and others in these trips.

Good to be back. Enjoy the days you get to do what you love. Tight lines, y'all!

The Ford GT



I have to admit a certain conceit that I harbor regarding domestic automobiles. I associate the domestic brands, e.g., Ford, Chrysler, Chevrolet, with a considerable amount of BO, a predilection for grunting and trailer homes. This generalization is obviously not valid in each case and is a preconceived and erroneous notion on my part.

Admittedly, the traditional distinction between domestic and foreign automobile manufacturers is grayed now to the point of indistinguishability, however, I digress. The point is that I generally prefer those supercars manufactured by makers centered outside of this country, e.g., Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini. Let me say now that the Ford GT is a big exception to this idea.


In the Steve McQueen era of car racing, these monsters of cast iron were powered by beasts of carburetor clad engines. There was little concern for efficiency or emissions and a focus on propelling these steel-skinned guided missiles as fast as possible around an oval track. The Ford GT-40 excelled at just that. Beating out many of the more regal makes to establish itself as the dominant male of the pack.

Why all this reminiscing? Ford just happened to resurrect the model in the recent past. With my occasional Road & Track or Automobile magazine, I have kept up with how it compares to the 360 Modena or 560 Maranello. Even how it compares to other domestics, like the Dodge Viper or Chevy Corvette. The articles were always complimentary, but conceded the overall victory to another vehicle.




So why the post? I live in Dallas where there is no lack of excess wealth for the upper 1% of the population. I see Vipers, Corvettes, Porsches, even Ferraris on a regular basis. I saw a Ford GT for the first time in real life this week. Wow! I actually wasn't sure what I was looking at, at first. Was this the new Ferrari; or an independent that makes the rare supercar? As it turned and I saw the front 3/4 view, my jaw dropped. So that is the Ford GT.



Well, I probably won't ever be able to afford anything more than my VW, but if I had some extra money laying around . . . I might just buy a Ford GT

Medical TV Shows

Occasionally I am asked which of the many television out there portrays most closely the real life experience. The answer is SCRUBS, without a doubt.



Lara and I bought the dvds for the show and I watched it again recently. I am amazed at the accuracy of the episodes. I was able to reminisce about my experiences as an intern and resident. Now, some of the things represented are outside of my personal experience. But, the show seems to encompass the breadth and depth of the medical training experience.



Now before you think I perform broadway showtunes and dance at work, there is some hyperbole in the show. However, if you want a consistantly accurate representation of common medical training experiences, this is your show!

My Obligation to My Offspring

You can spend, and likely have spent, hours discussing the obligations and responsibilities of a parent. After much thought, I have distilled the multitude of possible line items to three simple tasks. Please allow me to list them for you here.

First, I am obliged to teach my children to accurately, reliably and without hesitation discharge a firearm to defend self, home and country. Now, my bounder is a little small to wield a SiG556 and, therefore, this responsibility remains on the list of To Do's. (Note: It is rated as Very Important!)

I thought the second and third items were unrelated, however, given recent events, I have taken the preliminary steps in the training of my progeny. The second obligation is to teach her how to throw a ball, while the third is to learn how to punch.

A brief aside. I have a goal to attend a post-season major-league baseball game. However, there is an advantage to living in an area where a team is struggling. I was fortunate to be offered free tickets to a Texas Rangers baseball game, which I took without hesitation. The seats were great and the family and I had a great time. We saw it all– a grand slam, stolen bases, triples, doubles, etc. We also saw a few hit batsmen.

Now returning to the topic at hand. The game culminated in a bench clearing brawl after a retaliation throw by pitcher Scott Feldman, all of which my daughter witnessed with glee and jubilation. I was struck with fatherly pride and choked back tears of joy while the players were forcibly separated.

My little darling has started on her path toward preparation for "real life". I was elated to be on hand for the first few baby steps.

10 Reasons Diet Coke Should Be Your Favorite Drink

10. Discounted admission to local amusement parks.
9. Sleek silver and red packaging
8. Snap. Pour. Bubble. Fizz. Ahhh.
7. The diet absorbs calories. So, eat that extra piece of cheese cake.
6. All the cool people are doing it.
5. Coke reward points. Get something else that says "I drink coke."
4. Legal stimulant allows for improved grades, performance at work and early morning child rearing.
3. Available at any drink machine world wide.
2. Variety. With Lime, Lemon, Vanilla, Black Cherry Vanilla, Cherry and Splenda variations, you can tailor you beverage to anything.
1. Just imagine the profits you'll make in the Black Market at BYU.