Boys, I gotta tell ya, this divorce is rough. I don't recommend it at all. For me, the toughest part has been the adjustment of norms. One day I had a house and pretty wife that I loved dearly. I had my dogs and all my stuff. It was where I belonged...where I was accepted and loved. In a breath everything I knew and loved was gone. A good friend took me in but still, it wasn't "mine". I was in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by nothing that I could call my own. Everything had changed except the feelings in my heart. And even those feelings were being forced to change. My world was turned completely upside down. Things that I thought were reality, were not. My place in the world, my role, my purpose was taken away in an instant and it left me in a tailspin.

My good friend and hunting partner (who took me in) went through a similar divorce years ago. He knew what I was feeling and he saw how badly I was hurting. So he loaded my sad butt up and got me out of here. We went to the deer lease in Hebbronville. I had given up my spot on this lease to support my wife while she transitioned to a new career. It was one of many personal sacrifices that I made for her.

Anyway, getting back down there offered me something familiar and distance from the problem. I didn't even take a gun. Just my camera as that too is one of only a handful of familiar things that I can call mine.

As we readied to head to various stands on the first morning, my buddy left me with some words that have proven to be quite profound. He said, "The biggest problem with me, is her", referring to my situation. I've been saying this every since and it's helping to ease the pain. Anyway, sorry to ramble. Here's the pics from the trip. Hope y'all enjoy.

Entrance to camp. The building in the back right is the hunter's bunkhouse. Used to be the vaquero's bunkhouse.


The family's bunkhouse. No gas oven/stove here. Cooking is over a wood fireplace in the kitchen.


Old barn that is now full of early ranching artifacts, tools, wagons, saddles, etc. The family turned it into a museum.


My old deer blind, as seen from camp. It's actually several miles away.

Sunrise, as seen from inside my old deer blind.



Mr. Javi Molina. This is the sendero to the west of my old blind.



Bachelor bucks on the sendero to the north of my blind.


Looking west...youngsters


Looking north again. That clump of brush, near the top of the pic, is where I shot by big 10 pt. 3 years ago. He was on the far side of that brush at 408 yards.

Glad you got away Mike

Great pics as always Mike.
Hang in there buddy, hope things get better for you soon.

Does the soul good to get out in rough times. Glad u got to escape for awhile.nice pics

It was good to get away and helped to get a grip plus get a perspective on this crisis. As you can see, range conditions are amazing down there. Not much coming to corn. Mostly just young bucks and a few does. I've already reserved my spot for next year. My hunting drought is coming to an end.

and the only way you'll ever get over it is Let Go and find
another

Nothing like taking a breather to help get things back into perspective. I went through it some years back and learned there isn't much you can't hanlde once you get your head and heart back on track. I faught a little with God about it at first and then realized I was fighting a loosing battle. Then I found out there was another plan for me and now I couldn't be happier. I hope these words help.

We have been missing you Mike. Glad to see you back with us and glad to see you looking at the world through the lens again. I really like the shot of the old barn. Keep it up.

Glad you got back out, best wishes for you.

X2

Very cool pics. Thanks for sharing.

Good to see you back Mike. Maybe we can make that fishing trip happen after things settle down. Keep your chin up and just remember it could always be worse.

prayers sent for you.


You'll pull thru just fine

Way to get back in the saddle LP. Hang in there, good times will come again. Great pics as usual, that place looks like a Hunter's paradise.

Great shots Mike. Glad to know you got some stress relief. Hang in there. Things will get better. Time is the best healer.

I can tell you from experience when you start GIVING up things you enjoy for another person YOU will be forever miserable , the pain will go away with every hunting trip ..keep your chin up and happy hunting

HANG TOUGH BIG DOG, been praying for you and trust me, GOD has a plan.

It will get better! Great pics

Nice pics

Glad you got away for a bit.
It will get better.

South texas views are awesome. God is good

Good for you LP. I always enjoy looking at your photos. Take care.