Memorial Day 2008

The Fishin Optishin came in Friday afternoon and we went out to get a head start on what we planned to be a fish fry Saturday evening. It didn't work out very well, we were only able to boat a few skinny Spanish mackerals. Dink wanted fresh fish Saturday night and the pressure was on.
Saturday morning we were joined by the Ancient Guy Shoved Out of the Plane (Old Paratrooper) and we set out early despite threatening skies and 100% promise of rain. Guess what happened? It rained! We came back in mid-morning with nothing in the bucket.
We went back out that afternoon after lunch at Mrs. Culpepper's Thai Buffet (including crabcakes and fried flounder, ice cream one dollar extra) we were only able to boat one little gray trout. However we ran into a chum with a bottle of rum....well you know the rest of the story. Typical of so many people down here, if you're on a boat, you're fishing; looks like Sarah got a little nibble (you need to look closely here) Guess that's what happens when you troll with wounded wild animals.

The best part of the ride home was, well the ride home. After the rains the skies were pretty.

Sunday morning we nailed some pretty Spanish early, caught a few fryer blues, and then targeted flounders at an artificial reef. Lo and behold someone followed us to our "secret spot" Knew I should have blindfolded him that time I took him.

The Spanish agreed to line up for a pretty picture if we would promise to let them go later; although while they were lined up they did a Rockettes tribute to George Gershwin, but we lied. We like to practice catch, filet, ingest, digest, and release fishing.

This happy little fellow is trying to create an optical illusion. Yes Bobby, they both weigh 8 pounds

Another masterpiece from the Fishin Optishin. Too bad he created this delicacy in Durham and not Morehead.

We saw more boats Sunday than I believe I've ever seen before except for a Fourth of July, Labor Day, or Seafood Festival weekend. I guess we're done griping about $4.00 gasoline; it's going to stay there unless we cut our consumption. And I point that finger right at myself; we rode to Swansboro Sunday afternoon with the Owner, and to Shackleford Monday afternoon.

In town all week, hope to go with Jackson early Saturday morning for a half day trip.

All pictures courtesy of The Fishin Optishin, and used without the permission of the NFL, Major League Baseball, or HeMustBeHigh Productions

Back from Colorado May 21 2008
Just got back in from a week-long trip to Denver and Colorado Springs; worked there for a few days with one of our best reps and then went to the AHRI meeting at the Broadmoor. Here's an example of the artwork in my hotel room, odd, in most hotels where I stay the artwork isn't lit, and is bolted to the wall. Hope they don't notice this is missing for a while.........
Believe it or not, and most people don't and that's OK; I won the men's tennis tournament. Won the doubles last year, no trophy yet, this year they gave a gift certificate. Bought a visor at the pro shop with my earnings

Pike's Peak, absolutely beautiful. On Sunday, after I won the AHRI men's tennis tournament, did I mention that? Anyway, after I won another championship (2 straight years, but who is counting?) I drove west to the other side of this beautiful mountain. Went up on Cripple Creek and by Victor, a couple of old gold mining towns. Cripple Creek residents are upset that mining companies want to go in and do some clear cuts, can't say that I blame them.

An example of what I believe is a gold mine

Went to the gate at Pike's Peak but it was too late to see if I could Race to the Clouds. It was funny that younger people at the meeting had never heard about the hill climb they do here; it was once one of the biggest races in the world, the open wheel division has run since 1916On Wednesday morning before our meetings cousin Mike Reilly and I went out to the USAF Academy. Here's a shot from the visitor's center looking back to their famous chapel

Static shot near their airfield. Not sure what it is but I'm sure many of my readers do. Their airfield was in constant usage, gliders were going up constantly and parachutists were jumping two at a time

Outside shot of the chapel, really beautiful. We were surprised to hear how they try to install a strong faith basis in the cadetsInside shot in the chapel, there is a stainless cross above the altar

A video of a USAF group marching, we suspect for their graduation this weekend, as they pass final inspection they break rank, watch until the end

Good time, nice five star hotel, beautiful area, and did I mention another championship? I did? Are you sure? OK I'll drop it, but trust me at my age I don't get many of those so sue me if I enjoy them when I get them.

Summer starts with Memorial Day this weekend, got the Old Paratrooper and the Fishin Optishin coming in to fish, maybe we'll find another trophy...................................

More Videos
Dave and I fished all day today (Saturday 5/10) without any results to speak of. Had some heavy weather overnight that might have messed things up; offshore the swell was a bit too much for our little boat. Ended up going to Lookout, the Haystacks, all over but no fish for supper.
This video shows Nell One going under the Beaufort/Radio Island HighRise Bridge. As we go under the bridge we enter the Morehead City Turning Basin (deepwater terminal)

This clip shows a run from one of the entrances to the Haystacks back to the Beaufort Bridge. We pass a tug pushing a couple of barges on our starboard.

And the last film shows Nell One in her true environment, up a creek looking for puppy drum, trout, flounder, whatever. This is the type of fishing I really enjoy down here.

Off to CO next week, check back later

May 8, 2008

Nell One, now with video!

OK, at least I know I'm a novice at video but I plan to use this and try to get better. First video is a clip of Nell One returning to her home port in a little bit of a chop (20 knots SW). you can see the narrow channel which opens into our home at Spooner Creek

The next clip is me leaving the Atlantic Beach HighRise heading for the deepwater terminal. I guess I forgot the camera was on, glad I didn't pick my nose. In case you're wondering why I keep looking back..... I had just committed an act of piracy and I wanted to see if they were....no, nevermind, I'm pulling into the main channel of the ICW and I always look back to make sure no one is barreling down on me through the bridge. Part of driving a boat is keeping a lookout 360 degrees

I'll try to post more from Saturday's trip.

A group of assorted shots; not to be confused with sordid shots...............
These pictures came from the Fishin Optishin from his trip here a couple of weeks ago. We fished Friday and Saturday, were lucky and caught a lot of fish. When I catch fish the seagulls eat well, as shown hereBobby took some good shots of the addition

Here's a nice sailboat crossing the Beaufort BarAnother good house shotOne day's catch, cleaned and ready for consumption or freezingA happy couple relaxing on Sunday morning; after two long days of fishing it was OK that storms kept us in, and forced us to go out for breakfast.....followed by a nap, and then another napA couple of pretty blues, well I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholderWe tangled with a jaws wantabe, you can tell this was my first time out in the sun this year, nice farmer tan line going on the arm

And this film was taken today (Tuesday 5/06); this is inside Spooner Creek heading for our little landing, nice shots from a nice day. Those who have gone in and out of this creek should enjoy it; those who haven't should call me and ask for a boat ride

I'm in town all week and taking a couple of days off here and there. I plan to fish Thursday in the Neuse, and somewhere down here on Saturday with the Old Paratrooper.

New furniture is here!
May 3, 2008

This weekend the owner (Project Managing Supervisor Terri) found some new furniture for our addition. Here is our new deck furniture:
Here is our new sun room furniture:And last but not least. dinner for two at our new casual dining room table:

Yes, we're out of money. If you were to suddenly remember that you borrowed some money from either of us a long time ago and never repayed it, now would be a good time.

Seriously we're getting ready to finish the yard, a few projects inside, looking for a casual dining room table with 8 chairs, and a comfy sofa.

I'm in town all week, going to take a few vacation days this week when it's pretty and try to catch some fish.