The other members of the group spent the ride back napping as the Landcruiser rocked them to sleep. I was too keyed up after the shoot I had just experienced to sleep. I used the time to talk guns and hunting with Claus and discovered we were pretty like-minded in our choices of guns, calibers, and hunting style. The conversation made for a pleasant ride back to the estancia.
Lunch was still a little ways off when we got back, and the opportunity to change and cleanup was a welcome one. Waders and hip boots are necessary when duck hunting and very welcome when standing in cold water. However, the feeling just after taking them off is one of the purest pleasures a waterfowl hunter can experience. Stretching, wiggling toes, and allowing air to circulate, is a feeling you just have to experience for yourself. Lunch consisted of chicken-fried steak, home fries, and salad. Dessert was a chocolate mousse. It was all good and I ate my fill. After lunch, I headed back to my room for an hour nap before the afternoon hunt. A combination of the early wakeup call and a full belly from lunch had me asleep almost before I could set an alarm.
