Home Again

Well we are back in Manistee Michigan. I already was cleaning leaves up. We have a lot to do here. The store/office has to be remodeled and moved into. Then the lodge has to be remodeled by July 1st. Oh ya there will be mushrooms to pick when they decide to stick their heads out from under the leaves. That's a must do !!!!!!!!!! I have to get the boat ready and in the river. When did I ever find time to work before I retired.

Denise is complaining about the cold weather, but I'm loving it. 85-90 every day is to hot for me. I like the cool mornings. I haven't even broke out the long pants yet. Maybe if it snows I will. LOL

Still in Florida

Here we are still in Florida on March 25th. Will be leaving in 4 days to head back north. The weather has been hot the last month and I'm more than ready to get back to Michigan to some cooler weather. This ole boy doesn't like in the 80s every day. It has been a very nice winter down here. I have worn shorts every day this winter down here, although I have broken out a sweat shirt a few times.

I went to the Bassmaster Elite weigh-in Thursday afternoon. Got to talk to Kevin Vandam and shook hands with Shaw Grigsby. Seen a lot of the pros as they were comming in from fishing for the day. You can walk the banks right where they park their boats and walk up to the weigh-in. Here is a couple of pics from the weigh-in. The first 2 pics are lookin up and down the the shore line with all the pros boats parked. The 3rd pic is Shaw Grigsby weighing in. The 4the is Kevin Vandam weighing in. The 5th is Kevin Vandam in his boat with a kid from Make-A-Wish Foundation that Kevin brought down to Florida with him to full fill his wish. He was letting him drive his boat in this pic.

Denise at Work

Denise has been working at the park cafe this year, along with helping in the office at months end. I think she is really enjoying working with the people. She comes home tired and a pocket full of tips. It gives her something to do and earns spending money.

Here is a pic of her working inside and one of the crowd outside. Good size crowds every night now.

FLW in Clewiston, Florida

Went to the FLW weigh-in on Saturday in Clewiston, Florida. Had a great time and saw a few pros too. The top picture is of Aymon Wilcox the first place Co-Angler winner. I talked to him for about 5 minutes while he was in line waiting to weigh-in. This is the second year in a row he has won this tourny as co-angler.
The middle picture is of Larry Nixon, Anthony Gagliardi and Dion Hibdon. They are pros on the Chevy Team. The bottom picture is of Roland Martin waiting to weigh-in.
Denise and I went around to the different booths and got free tee shirts, hats and lots of other freebies. We had the hats and shirts autographed.

You gotta love Lake Okeechobee.

Denise Working At Aruba Cafe

Denise is helping out at the cafe in the park. She seems to enjoy it even though it wears her out. She comes home tired and sore from a nights work. The little place is always busy, especially on Friday nights when they have a band playing outside. She enjoys the people and the extra money. The people seem to enjoy here too.

Here is a pic of her working taking orders. The other pic is outside by the band with Mom, Dad and friends enjoying a few drinks and the music.

We had a new neighbor move in to our neighborhood. It is a small gator in the drainage pond right behind our 5th wheel. It is about 2 feet long and one of the best neighbors I have. He doesn't party all night or make any noise. He helps keep snakes away and I don't have to entertain him. So far I think he has entertained us, as we go out to see if he is around every day.

Here is a couple of pics to show him and his location to us.

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.