THIS ONE’S ABOUT me.
You might be wondering about the new face you’re seeing, literally, in the sports section of the Peninsula Daily News.
The face belongs to me, the new sports reporter at the PDN. I work for Sports Editor Brad LaBrie and succeed Matt Schubert, who took a new newspaper job in Lincoln, Neb.
Along with writing about sporting events happening on the North Olympic Peninsula, I have been charged with utilizing this space on Thursdays and Fridays to help guide you through your outdoor activities.
I recognize the intimate relationship that must exist between readers and their sportswriter/outdoor columnist, so today’s column will address the questions currently bouncing around your brain.
First, where do I come to you from?
This is a bit of a complicated answer, but perhaps only because I make it so.
Technically, I moved to Port Angeles from Vancouver, Wash., but I was only there for six weeks, and I wasn’t even paying rent.
Before Vancouver, I lived in Indiana.
But I lived among the Hoosiers for less than two years, not even long enough to get one of their dark-blue license plates for my vehicle.
Also, I was attending graduate school, so most of my time in Indiana was spent sitting in classrooms and driving on the freeways en route to campus.
Probably the best answer I can give is I come to you from Utah, where I was born and spent most of my years.
How do I like the Peninsula so far?
Living in Port Angeles is great.
As I drive to work, I see a huge body of water with massive boats floating on it.
When I return home, there are stunning mountains for me to look at.
And I don’t mean to sound like I’m running for office, but I can see Canada from my front porch. Pretty cool.
Am I aware that Bella and that vampire dude went on their first date here?
I can’t believe this was your third question.
Yes, I’ve heard that. So cool.
Or is it?
Have I visited the area before moving here?
Four years ago, a friend from Bremerton took me to Fat Smitty’s, just off Highway 101, to eat what he believes is the best burger in the world.
But Fat Smitty’s was closed that day, so we drove to Port Townsend and found delicious food at a Mexican restaurant.
Do I know that it rains a lot here?
Don’t worry about me.
I actually like the rain, and I’m excited to soon experience the least sweaty summer of my life.
My wife is from Seattle, and I don’t know if she holds the proper authority, but a few weeks ago she declared me a true Pacific Northwesterner because I enjoy the weather so much.
What do I know about the outdoors?
Well, the lowland lakes are opening this weekend, and word on the street is they are packed with bigger-than-usual trout.
Also, this place is going to go crazy when the halibut season opens next week.
Oh, and it appears there is no visible algae on Anderson Lake and toxin levels are low enough that you should be able to fish the popular lake this weekend. Stay tuned.
Finally, I experienced Hurricane Ridge the other day. Turns out, heaven is closer than I thought.
What I know best about the outdoors is that I have a lot to learn.
Do I fish?
I’d rather not go into specifics at this time, but I am currently a terrible fisherman.
I have a lot of heart, though.
When I was younger I sometimes fished on the Buffalo River in Island Park, Idaho.
I usually kept my line in the water for hours, hoping stubbornness would lead fish to my bait.
But success always seemed just out of reach. I blame the river.
After what you’ve learned over the last few minutes, you still want to contact me?
OK. I finally got the techies to set up an email account in my name, so feel free to fill my inbox with success stories, funny experiences, or tales of woe from the great outdoors.
I also have a phone, but so far it confuses me. We have a new phone system that we’re all trying to get used to.
My email is lee.horton@peninsuladailynews.com and my phone number is 360-452-2345, ext. 5152.
