Weather Nice. Fishing Fair

The weather has been great. High in high 70's to low 80's and lows usually in high 50's Cold front coming tomorrow with lows in mid 40's and high in low 70's. I might break out a sweatshirt in the morning to go with my shorts. The locals always know who is from the north when the temps drop because we don't break out the winter coats when it hits the 60's. Most think I'm from the North Pole because I wear my shorts and tanks every day. It takes a hard frost to get me out of my shorts, which is far and few this far south.

The crappie fishing is a little slow right now, but picking up every day now. The crappie seem to be bigger this year. We are getting a lot of them in the 12 to 13 inch range. So far the biggest is a 15 inch 2lb crappie caught by Dad. Here is some pick some nice fish.

Oh Ya Dads been kicking my a$$ this year so far on the fishing. That is his big ones.

Thanksgiving Over and all Decorated for Christmas

We had a good Thanksgiving Day dinner at the recreation hall here in the park. A lot of good friends and Mom & Dad was there. All kind of food to over stuff yourself on. I was a good boy and only had one plate of food and skipped desert all together. (I think the size of my plate had a lot to do with 1 plate and no desert !!! But don't tell anyone.)

On Friday Denise and I took out the Christmas decorations and put them up. Looks good too. Not as good as one of our neighbors, but we don,t have a storage shed down here or room to carry all they have to put up.

A few pics to show our decorations and some of the rest of the parks. The top pic is of the neighbor with all the decorations. The pic of Santa flat against the tree was taken after he left the Cheers and Beers. ( I Think ??) Why else would have he fell out his sled and landed against that tree.

In Florida and All Set Up

We made it to Florida with no problems. Traffic was good all the way and so was the weather.

We stayed in Indiana for 4 days then in Alabama for a week. Next stop was in White Springs, Florida for a night. We arrived here in Lake Port on November 7th.

Have everything all set up and ready for the winter. (If you can call this winter) Will be here for at least 5 months.

Dad and I bought a Bass Boat to keep down here so we don't have to triple tow. Sure is a lot less stressful just pulling the 5'ver, than having a boat behind that you can't even see. You don't have any idea if anything is wrong or even if it is still there.

Here's some pics of the boat. It's a Ranger 363v with a 175hp Evinrude. Older boat but has been taken good care of.

Look Out Florida Here We Come

We left this morning at 6:00 am and made it as far as Marion, Indiana. We will stay here for 4 days visiting friends and family. Then off to Alabama for a week.

The trip here was a good one with light traffic and only one incident. That was a globe off our celling fan fell off and broke. I never thought of checking them. but will from now on. Not bad for the maiden voyage.

I love the ease in setting this up. Just pull in, unhook, push auto level and it does it all by its self. A lot easier than the old one. Took about 10 minutes to level, hook up electricity, hook up the water and sewer. (Can't get much easier than that with hiring someone to do it for ya.)

More later.

How do we collect so much stuff ?

Well we have all are stuff in our new home. What I don't understand is where we got so much stuff. This 5th wheel is bigger and has larger storage area under it and we still have it packed in as tight as sardines in a can. I swear Denise is a magician cause she can make room when there is no more room. I have all the under storage packed full. We even made 3 trips to Good Will Store to help make room. If I ever decide to switch homes again, (I hope someone shoots me !!!!!!!!!!!!)

We are all packed and ready to head to Florida. Just waiting for the 26th as I have a Dental cleaning in St. Johns that morning. We will leave here early in the morning and stop for my appointment then head south.

The Matson's aren't in the new house yet, but the floors are all done. All they have to do now is the kitchen cabinets and move. Will be done with out us as we are ready to head south for fun in the sun.

Steelhead are in the River

The steelhead are in the river and wanting to play. Went out Saturday afternoon for a couple hours and this was my reward for my effort. One an 8 1/2lbs the other 12lbs. Not to bad for a rookie aye. (Just think what will happen when I learn what I'm doing.)

No I Didn't Fall Off the Face of the Earth

Hasn't been a lot to write about. Just been working on the campgrounds and enjoying the summer.

Salmon season has started and going good. Caught a few then boat broke and was in shop 3 weeks. Got it back now and fishing some.

The Matson's bought a house right next door to the campgrounds and we been remodeling it. They want to be into it by November 1st when we leave to go south.

Denise went out last Friday and bought a new home. Well I'm going to blame it on her. We got a 2012 Cedar Creek 34RLSA. Traded our Coachmen in on it. So far we LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, OK, I Will Update !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so, it's been a while. Sue me. LOL. I got back from my Alaska trip on the 6th and been kinda busy. (Well it sounds good.) Haven't been that busy just lazy I guess. I have to be in the right mood to post or it doesn't come out good.

Anyway the trip to Alaska was better than I imagined it could be. Seeing the kids was GREAT and Dakota kept me entertained from the time I arrived till I left. She is so sweet and lovable you just can't get enough of her.

As I posted we took a trip up the Dalton Hwy. The trip was around 800 miles total and we had a good time. The first night we spent in Wiseman, Ak at a bed & breakfast. The cabin we rented was adjoined to another cabin by the bathroom so we had to share the bathroom. No big deal just knock before entering and all's well. The next night Katie was hoping we had our own bathroom and she got her wish. It was right out back of the cabin. A one room delight. (Yep an outhouse) But it was all our own !!!!! LOL. No running water to the cabin. If you wanted a shower you could run over to the inn and use the shared shower room. But we had our own Toilet.

We traveled up over the Artic Circle and the Contintal Divide to Atigun's pass. It was very rugged country and not a lot of places to stop and spend money. (No big tourist trap here. Just wide open country.)

If you go on this trip try to carry enough gas from Fairbanks to make a round trip as the gas in Fairbanks was &3.99 a gallon and the price on the Dalton Hwy. at the Coldfoot Truck Stop was $5.39 a gallon. Yep we bought $100.00 worth to make it back to civilation again.

We stopped at a few streams and fished for Graylings and even caught a few. One place we stopped Levi was showing off and catching them one right after another.

I put a few pics of the trip. One is of the area they call the roller coaster, another is of Atigun Pass and others are just some of the places like Oh Shit Corner.

Tired of typing now so we will stop for now and you all will have to wait till I feel it in my fingers to talk again.

Heading Up The Dalton Highway

The kids and I are going to drive the Dalton Highway. Leaving on Monday and driving as far as Atigun pass. Just want to see what the Ice Road Truckers are driving all winter. We will spend the night in Wiseman, Ak just north of Coldfoot, Ak. Coldfoot is a little over 1/2 way to Deadhorse, Ak. Should see lots of interesting roads on this drive as they call it a roll-a-coaster.

On Tuesday we are heading back south and will over to Manley Hot Springs and spend a night there.

Hope to see lots of wildlife on this trip and good scenery. On this trip we will cross the Arctic Circle the Continental Divide.

Will post about the trip when we get back on Wednesday or Thursday.

In Alaska

Well I didn't drive here like I would have liked to this year, but I'm here and loving it. The cost of driving compared to flying was a no brainer and I have a place to stay with my son and family. The trip here was a good one with no unexpected delays. All the flights were on time and relatively smooth. I did get a free dinner at a bar in Minnesota because the cook sent my order out to the wrong person and I was waiting forever till they realized what happened. It didn't matter to me, as I had a 3 hour lay over to kill anyways. Killed 2 hours in there and at airport prices I didn't mind it free, (and had a place to sit and watch TV in comfort.) LOL.

The kids and went out along the Chena river and tried to find some fish. The river was high and fishing was tough but had a good day despite no fish. Seen a lot of Alaska's wilderness. I saw a moose on the way there. After that we came back to the kids house and Levi caught a grayling in the pond in front of his house.

More later when it happens or when I get around to write it, which ever comes first.

A Rainy Day (Yipee)

Most people don't like rainy days, but I do because I can take it easy and relax. This year has been a busy one with the wedding coming up and the rest of the regular work that needs done. I haven't even took time to fish up here yet. (I know, I know that's hard to believe)

I have redid the area that was all washed out and it looks good. Now if the grass grows fast as we only have a week and a half before the wedding. It will be a nice break when I head to Alaska June 21st. A well deserved 2 week break. Looking forward to seeing Levi, Katie and Dakota. Hope to take them sight seeing while there. Do a little fishing, enjoy Alaska and the kids.

Good Year for Shrooms

Well our trip was cut short because of a storm that dumped 7 to 8 inches of rain on the campgrounds in Manistee, so we went back after 5 days of hunting to help get Matson's campground straightened up.

We ended up with 2006 mushrooms in 5 days and left just as they were getting prime. Every place we stopped and looked we found shrooms.

The rain caused big wash outs in the roads and banks. Washed all the black dirt and grass seed (that I worked so hard to get down before we left) into the river. I get to do it again. (Whoopee)

Oh well at least I have lost 10 pounds since we have got here. I guess a little hard work doesn't hurt. Better for me than all the goodies and fishing in Florida. (Where I gained 20 pounds over the winter)

We Got Shrooms

We went out for a look this afternoon and found 255 shrooms. Not to bad for the first look.

Mushrooming

We're in Atlanta, Michigan Mushrooming. Will be here at least a week. Hope we get a lot of them.

On the way over here we seen a Bald Eagle setting in a tree along the road, as we were getting ready to pass it it flew out and along the road a ways. Beautiful site.

Will post later to let ya'all know how we're doin.

Getting A Lot Done

OK, we have been back in Michigan for 15 days now and getting a lot done. Leaves are picked up and over the hill. The cabins are opened up and clean. The trees that were blew over during the winter are cut up and cleaned up. I dug the stumps out and hauled them off. Trailers are moved around for the new people.

Everything is on hold right now because of the weather. Rain, rain and more rain. Haven't been able to do much the last few days. The river is trying to come out of its banks. The ground is soft and saturated and the moods are damp. Need this rain to go away so we can get more done around here. The wedding is June 4 and we have a lot to do to make this place look like Buckingham Palace. Les thinks she is royalty, so we are working extra hard to keep up with her expectations.

Haven't even had time to put the boat in and fish. That's OK because the water is to high and I have enough fish any ways. Pike season open Saturday and maybe I will fish then.

Ooh yea I also mounted an TV antenna on the roof of the truck camper and a TV inside of it. Ran all the wiring and dewinterized it so it's ready for mushroom season. Did a lot of that in the rain because that is the only time I have to do my stuff.

In Michigan For The Summer

Well we made it to MAnistee, Michigan Monday the 11th. After we left Kentucky we stopped in Marion, Indiana for a week to visit with Denise's family. It was cold, windy and rainy the whole week. Then we stopped in Coldwater, Michigan for a week to visit my family. Weather was a little better, with one day in the 80s.

The trip to Manistee was a windy one. Had 20 to 30 mph side winds the whole trip. Didn't bother us all that bad except the fuel mileage. The wind cut the mileage down a couple of mpg.

We're all set up here and worked today. It was hard to work all day when you are used to being lazy all winter. That's OK, I really need to work hard every day to lose the weight I found in Florida this winter. LOL

The weather up here has been great so far. The next couple days is going to be good, then cooling off a bit.

OK I'm tired and going to set back and relax now.

Later

Were in Kentucky

Made the trip from Alabama to Kentucky today. Don't like the weather. It's cold, 39 degrees. Now if we just left Michigan and was heading south I would think it was good, but leaving the 80's and heading north it's BURRRRRRRRRR !!!!!!!!!! Oh well, I might as well get over it, as it will be this way for a few weeks.

The drive was good. Traffic was not bad and no unexpected surprises or difficulties along the way. Light rain and drizzle most of the way.

We are at Singing Hills RV Park by Glasgow, Kentucky. Going to visit with my niece Whitney and her husband Jake this evening. The RV park is nice, but all dirt roads and pads. I like this kind of park better than the all cement ones. More rustic and you can even have a camp fire at your site. Walked around this afternoon and met another couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan on their way back from Florida.

We stopped at a fudge shoppe and I bought way to much fudge, even though we went and ate first. Would have hated to see how much I would have bought if I hadn't ate first. (You noticed I said "I" bought way to much.) Oh well, maybe the good fudge will keep my mind off the cold.

In Alabama

We left Wednesday morning for our trip north. The first day we traveled as far as Albany, Georgia and stayed at Chechaw State Park. The only problem we had, was when we got to Heehaw Junction a tire was low on the fifthwheel, so we filled at a truck stop and down the road we went. The traffic was light all day and skies were clear.

On Thursday morning we were getting everything ready to go and I noticed the tire was low again, so I took it off and we went to town and had it checked. Some where we picked up a small piece of steel. Had the tire removed from the rim and patched from the inside. All's good now and we went on to Tuscumbia, Alabama. Traffic was light except thru Birmingham, and it was terrible! We went right thru the middle of Birmingham, as that is the way the GPS said was best. I'm not going to argue with the GPS as it hasn't got me lost yet. (sometimes I wish it had the wheel though)

We will be here in Alabama for around a week.

Packing Day

Been here for a little over 3 months now and it is time to head back north. Will spend the day packing and leave early tomorrow morning.

The weather has been beautiful this winter down here and is in the 80's every day now. really hate to leave, but it will be to hot before long for me.

We will go as far as Georgia the first day. Spend the night there and to Alabama the next day. Spend a week in Alabama visiting Denise's kids . Then to Kentucky for a night to visit my niece Whitney and then to Indiana for a week to visit Denise's daughter and parents.

When we get to Michigan we will stop in Coldwater to to see my daughter Denim and family. Then to Manistee to get the the campgrounds ready for the season. Hopefully they will get rid of all the snow and the water will be unfroze by then.

Well that's our plan, will keep you all posted as we go.

Almost Moving Time

Well it's almost time to hook up and start heading north. The weather is beautiful and we haven't made anybody mad, it's just that time of year. The crappy fishing isn't that good but the gills are biting good. Really hate to leave Florida but, the weather will get to hot for me and the Matson's need the help up north. So it's Michigan bound in the next couple of weeks. Don't know for sure yet exactly when but soon.

Our trip to Michigan will take a while cause we will stop in Alabama for a week and then in Kentucky a day or two. Don't forget Indiana. I don't know for how long in Indiana yet. All depends on how long Michigan takes to get that white sh*t off the ground. Hope it don't take to long as we have a lot to do at Matson's.

Will let all know when we leave and start are way north.

We Had Visitors

The Matson's and Palmer's came for a week visit on thier way back from the Keys. It was good to see them. The weather didn't treat them well. Got cold at night and was only in the 70s during the days. One day it didn't make it out of the 50s. Hope they had a good time anyways.

Fishing didn't treat them that well either. We went out and got a few crappy, but with the cold weather the bite was off.

Yes We Are Still Alive

It's been a while since I last posted, but we are fine and having a good time here in Florida. We took a trip down threw the Keys to visit with friends from Michigan. When we arrived at where they were staying, they wanted to go to Key West. We are always game to a side trip so we went.

The last time Denise and I went to Key West we wore our self out trying to see everything by walking. (Now the Island is not that big, but in 85 degree weather and not knowing anything about Key West it made it VERY LARGE.) This time we rented Mopeds and and had a riot. ( made the Island a lot smaller ) There was 8 of us and once we figured out that at the stop signs, 1 go all go, we stayed together pretty good. If any one goes to Key West it is well worth $35.00 For 6 hours of fun. We were every where on the Island and even had time to stop and eat.

Fishing is OK. Not as great as I hoped, but dad and I are getting a few each time out. Denny and I went out the other day exploring Fish Eating Creek and had a good time. We caught Blue Gills and Cat Fish. I kept 2 cat fish for dinner and they were great.

That's all for now. Will try to update more often, but you know how it is when us kids get doing something and don't want to stop to do our home work. HAHA

A Good Day On The Water

Dad and I went out crappie fishing this morning and had a great day. We left about 6:30 am and was on the water at day light. The fish started cooperating right away. Dad was in the back of the boat and having a riot. He was fishing with 3 poles at first, but before long he couldn't keep up and put one away. This went on for quite a while. When they slowed down we went to the other side of the canal and started all over again.

The only thing that interrupted us was a little rain. (Well maybe it was a lot of rain.) Started out as a sprinkle, then dad said it was getting foggy or really raining cause he could hardly see the bridge that was about 1/4 mile away. We found out it was NOT fog a few minutes later. And boy did it RAIN. We both had rain jackets on but they weren't enough. Should of had the whole suit on that way maybe we wouldn't have been like a wick and soak up the water clear to our arm pits. LOL

That didn't stop us as the rain only lasted a few minutes and the fish were still biting. Kept on fishing till they slowed down. Good thing the fish can count, because we were getting real close to are limit and we probably would of went over if they hadn't known enough to stop biting when they did.

That's One Big Gator

Denise and I went out fishing the other day and she took pics of this big gator. The gator had to be at least 12 feet long. Maybe longer. I know it wouldn't fit in the boat with us. Maybe that is why it was licking it's lips every time we went by. LOL That day there was 22 gators layin on the bank. That is in about a 1/4 mile of canal bank. They like the sunny days to sun them selves.

Had a good birthday. Didn't win at bingo that night. Ooh well you can't win every time and we have won a lot this year.

Our friends Scott and Cheryl called today and they are in Florida. Going to the Keys before they come here. Guess we will have to go see them in the Keys. It is a nice trip down thru the Everglades, about 4 1/2 hour drive.

Crappies Are Bitting

Well we are getting a few crappie, not setting the world on fire but getting some. The ones we are getting are nice ones, in the 11 to 14 inch range. Of course they have to be 10 inches to keep them down here.

We had a nice Christmas and New Years. The pics of Denise, Me and the one of Mom and Dad were taken New Years Eve at our park Christmas Party. It's a good time. They have finger food and Drawings. We won 40 dollars on the 50/50 drawing.

Ooh yea the pic of the water, if you look close it has ice on it. Just took it to show you it's not always 80 degrees down here. (We have to put up with Mother Nature at her worse.) LOL. After all it was 28 degrees that morning at day light. Had to get up early to get the pic of ice, as it went away fast when the sun came up. But still we had ice. Made me want to go ice fishing. (NOT)

Eating a lot of Oranges, as they are delicious fresh from the orchard. The tomatoes are good too. ways enjoy the fresh friuts and veggies when we get down here.