I'm Too Sexy For My...Waders

Cause Nothing Says Sexy Like Waders

One of the things I like best about moving back to Oregon are the rugged, Eastern Oregon men. They build fires, change tires, and walk around fixing things with nothing more than a can of WD40 and some duct tape.

I grew up with Eastern Oregon boys, so until I dated my first real-life city boy after college, I had no idea that not every man is born knowing how to fish and do home repairs. Our men fix things here. You won't catch them calling AAA or a plumber. Nosiree!  That's for fancy pants city boys.
      
I can hear the collective swoon now. But let me warn you, ladies, if you're going to date an Eastern Oregon man, be prepared to channel your inner pioneer woman. Which explains why I spent a large chunk of the day up to my knees in the take-your-breath-away-frigid Wallowa River in the middle of a snowstorm.

With a fishing pole.

Seriously. See:

It was just me, some smelly bait, a pair of not-at-all-sexy waders, one very patient man, and the great outdoors. We spent 5 hours in the river. Caught bupkiss. My toes are nearly defrosted now.

Now I'm sitting by the fire (built by an Eastern Oregon man), waiting for mouth-watering enchiladas (cooked by an Eastern Oregon man). I'm still hoping for a good home repair to round out the evening, but a girl can't have everything.

This week's Happy Thought is for all of those cute, rugged Eastern Oregon men (and the women who swoon after them):
 

"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."

-- Doug Larson 

{Images by Elizabeth Farrar for Bella Vita}