9 July 2007
Trade Hunting Time With My Son For A Rolex Watch? NEVER!
Posted by Darrell under: Alaska; Rantings Of An Outdoorsman .
Within the past few days I did a couple different posts about the cost of my Alaska Spring Bear Hunt (the thrill hasn’t wore off yet). On the first post I detailed how much it costs to have my bear meat processed and shipped to me. It ended up being just a little over $5 per pound – which seems like a bargain since I had much of it made into summer sausage and pepperoni.
Then, I did a post where I detailed the exact cost of my entire Alaska trip. As you can imagine, it didn’t take long for someone to point out that my price per pound computation on the original post was wrong. According to this person, my bear meat actually cost me about $191 per pound (the $16,197 price of my trip divided by 85 lbs of meat).
In fact several people picked up on this line of logic. I had all kinds of comparisons made for me. Even my dad mentioned that I probably could have bought a decent boat for what I spent for my Alaska trip. Someone even mentioned I could have bought a Rolex watch. Wow, a real Rolex? Is it one that I can keep until my death bed and then pass down to my son as an heirloom? Hmm…. Let me think about that.
The most expensive watch I’ve ever personally purchased was about $250. I didn’t like paying that much for a watch – especially considering my history with watches. This watch, though, was a nice Kinetic Seiko that I found for about 70% off the regular price at a Seiko outlet store. That watch lasted me about 6 months. Probably, the longest I’ve ever had a watch before losing it. Yes, I lose watches! Gone. Vanished. Never to be seen again.
My last watch cost $17. It was water resistant and I purchased it in Juneau Alaska just prior to the beginning of my Spring Bear Hunt. That watch lasted me about 3 weeks before I ‘misplaced’ it. It was a great watch. It kept good time and I didn’t have to waste any time worrying about it.
It’s been more than 15 years since anyone bought me a watch. My wife bought me a beautiful watch as a wedding present. Imagine my disgust when I had to tell her when we returned from our honeymoon that I had ‘misplaced’ that beautiful watch. I think I lost it in about 100 feet of water. Regardless, it was gone for all eternity. I can’t even remember what type of watch it was. My wife’s thoughtfulness is still a memory, but that watch isn’t.
My wife tried once more. For one of our early anniversaries she bought me another beautiful watch as a present. It was a waterproof divers watch and I figured I could put it to good use. I lost that watch about 2 weeks after she gave it to me. It seems that it couldn’t stand the impact from my jump into the lake from a 40 foot bluff. I climbed the bluff, did a beautiful ‘jump’ into the really deep water, and surfaced without a watch. My wife is a quick learner. That was the last watch she ever bought for me. BTW, that watch, too, is a distant memory. I couldn’t tell you anything about it. Maybe I should have taken a picture of it?
Hopefully, you are beginning to see my point. A watch means nothing to me. Even a $10,000 watch doesn’t really mean anything! Once I lost a $10,000 watch (and even if I didn’t), I wouldn’t be able to tell you what it looked like.
On the other hand, the time I spent in Alaska with my 12 year old son is priceless. It can never be replaced. I will never forget it and even if I experience dementia and begin to forget myself, he will remember. Then, his kids (my grandkids) will remember because they’ll hear the stories. Some of you might even remember, because I shared our experience with you and maybe it motivated you to take your son on a hunt (or maybe just a trip) of a lifetime.
My point is that I love my son. I treasure spending time with him. I love hunting and spending time outdoors. I have no regrets from spending my money to do these things. The pictures, experience, & memories that Caleb and I take away from this is worth every penny I spent.
Now, as far as my $191 lb bear meat goes; Do you think anyone that I give a 3lb stick (about $573) of bear summer sausage to will treasure it accordingly? If not, maybe they can trade it for a nice watch?
6 Comments so far...
Kristine Shreve Says:
9 July 2007 at 7:46 am.
You are so right when you say things don’t matter, memories do. We lost my Mom to cancer about five years ago. I have some of her things, and I treasure them, because she loved them. I also have lots of memories of things we did and happy times that we shared. Those are the best treasures. As you so rightly pointed out, things can be lost. Memories last forever.
I would guess, however, that most people you give bear summer sausage to will probably not treasure it forever. They’ll most likely eat it with crackers and cheese. That is, after all, what should be done with summer sausage.
Darrell Says:
9 July 2007 at 10:35 am.
Kristine, There truly no meal as fine as bear sausage, crackers, cheese, and a good glass of Caymus!
Jim Mirkalami Says:
8 February 2008 at 3:46 pm.
I have been visiting this site a lot lately, so i thought it is a good idea to show my appreciation with a comment.
Thanks,
Jim Mirkalami
Jason Case Says:
21 February 2008 at 2:02 pm.
Just thought I would leave a message letting you know what a great site you have, and enjoy reading your blogs. I hope to maybe sometime take a similar trip to Alaska with my Father. Looks like you guys really had a great time. How’s that bear sausage treating ya?
Thanks,
Jason
Darrell Says:
22 February 2008 at 2:21 pm.
Jason, the bear sausage is best summer sausage I’ve ever had! My family and friends can’t get enough of it!
Lyle Says:
15 June 2008 at 11:50 pm.
Yes there are a number of High Grade Watches that you could have bought in lieu of going on the trip, however the time you spent out there is probably worth a lot more in the long run. I own a number of Rolex watches but would trade them all to have a son with whom I could hunt.
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