August 28, 2009

Trying to reason with another hurricane season; TS Danny is going to brush up to our coast tonight; shouldn't be too much of a problem but its always worrisome to see those things form up off Africa and come across the Atlantic. There is another one behind it about a thousand miles off the Cape Verde Islands....of well, take the bad with the good.

Last Friday night West Carteret opened their season with a 21-18 win over North Brunswick. Jackson averaged either 31 or 37 yards, depending on whether you trust my stats or the newspaper's. Theirs sounds better.

Before the game some students gathered to tailgate. Nice picture of Staci Hoell, Rod and Debbie's daughter. She is one neat young lady, very smart and looking at colleges near San Francisco for next year. She is going to do well at whatever she tries.

And a picture of Jackson after the game. Due to Danny they played their second game last night and defeated Swansboro 58-6. 2-0, first time West Carteret started that well in quite a while. Jackson had 3 punts and averaged 31 yards again according to my calculations; we'll see what the paper says tonight.
Worked in the Tidewater VA area this week, stopped at Edenhouse Bridge on the way and revisited a place I used to really enjoy when I was a kid. We fished out of this landing in the Albemarle Sound and Chowan River for many different types of fresh, brackish and saltwater species. I remember catching a bream on one side of the boat and a flounder on the other one hot summer day under the old bridge. Beautiful water and good memories

And now for something completely different; a Hyundai Genesis; after looking at the the logo on the wheels and the design and paint I thought it was a Bentley. Really nice car.
And a shot for the SkuttleDude, I found the AC Dude. Wonder if its the Air Conditioning Dude, or the Air Cleaner Dude? Now try to remember....who was the Assman?
And last but not least a shot forwarded to me by the SkuttleDude. Look closely at the nameplate above the license plate and the prancing stallion to the left of it. And I always thought my roadster was made in Japan, come to find out she's from Maranello!

At this point I'm supposed to be in town all of next week and then we have Dink's birthday planned for Labor Day weekend (we'll celebrate yours too Kevin, but Dink likes to suck up all of the oxygen in the room) Terri will be very busy with the preparations, wish her luck.

August 21, 2009
Where did summer go?

Last Saturday we went to Sanford to celebrate Cooper's third birthday with pizza at Elizabeth's. We had lots of fun and Cooper got many fun gifts from his family. Poor kid, no one ever pays any attention to him.......

He enjoyed his cake

Grandma Nana begged for and recieved free medical advice; she has no shame......
Cooper immediately started playing with his toys
He saw the table with his presents early on; he was always looking for the next box
Holly helped him with his beautiful birthday cake; nearly burned his nose blowing out the candles
Meanwhile out at Lee County Airport a B-17 was giving rides
Enjoy the noise

Those old engines sounded sweet

And in for a landing

On Sunday Terri and I went out for a short shark fishing trip; the ocean was calm and we caught 6 small sharks. Good pulls; but nothing compared to one particular sight..........
They should never make fun of our top on pop's old boat, or my bait catching rod and reel combo once they see a pink umbrella on a Jones Brothers boat. Tres chic!

Trying to reason with hurricane season; might be able to go surfing some this weekend.

Off to VA next week, tune in again next week, same time, same station

August 14, 2009
Rain
Happy birthday Pygmy.
We've had a lot of rain all week but I was still able to get out a couple of times for some late evening golf. Not quite ready for the Champions Tour but getting better. Shot a 38 one evening; chipping and putting are better than normal so I'm scoring better than my shotmaking.
We've had rain this week. Wednesday evening it rained hard here, but nothing like Havelock which got 9.9" ! Unbelievable.
Off to Sanford Saturday for Cooper's party, then to PA and MD Monday through Thursday.
Y'all act like somebody now, y'hear?

August 10, 2009
Strange fishing trip

Let's start with this BC cartoon which coincidentally was published August 9th. I'm not going to tell this story; many of you accuse me of "exaggerating," You all talk behind my back I know it; then there was the time with the strawberries Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic... that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox DID exist, and I'd have produced that key if they hadn't of pulled the Caine out of action. I, I, I know now they were only trying to protect some fellow officers...; where was I? Oh yes, sorry I digress. I prefer to call it livening up. Anyway, something similar to Thor's adventure happened to the Fishin Optishin on our trip Saturday. I'll give the FO the opportunity to tell what happened under comments.........

Since we were shark fishing we had to get some bait. Using my homemade Sabiki rig rod we caught some little pinfish and menhaden to use. FO was astonished this rig worked. Others fishing around us praised my ingenuity by stopping their boats, pointing at us, slapping each other on the back while doubling over laughing. I'm not familiar with this type of nautical salute, only seen it once before when he had the "Bermuda cover" on my daddy's old boat. However my chest swelled with pride as they lined up to come by and "salute" the Nell One.
An example of the bait.

An example of what we caught during the day. Most were 3-4 feet long and put up a good fight on light tackle. There was at least one barracuda involved also, but again, I'm leaving that to the FO to tell.

I didn't bring big or strong enough hooks. Here is an example of what happened regularly.

Someone bit the wrong end of the bait! This little croaker must have not seen what was coming.

On the way home FO took some pictures of the rig which has been working in the turning basin for several months now. They drag the bottom, put it on a barge and take it out in the ocean to dump.

On our way home after a fun day; not as many people going our way as on a typical summer Saturday afternoon, but still a crowd

Not sure why Bobby took this picture, probably wanted to look busy while I cleaned the boat........But it is a good shot of the boat and the old SkuttleMobile

Rinse the boat and trailer down, flush the engine, no fish to clean, Bobby provided some delicious burgers for dinner. It was time for a greenie from Holland (or two) and listen to what really happened during our Shark Week fishing trip. The floor is yours Bobby..........

In town all week, might be the last time for a while; would like to get out one evening if the winds lies down. Come on, let's go!

Exciting week
August 7, 2009

OK, maybe an exaggeration. On the way to VA I stopped by the old house and saw the new paint job; looks really nice.

The MhCFD was out testing some pumps at the shopping center across the street

Late Sunday afternoon Terri and I set out for Oriental. As we crossed the Neuse River an impressive rain squall was coming down east, so we got off the ferry, turned around and came back home via Beaufort.

Told you it was an exciting week didn't I? Maybe next week will be a bit(e) more, FO is heading our way in the morning for at least one day of fishing......shark fishing. Count your fingers and toes boys and girls, this might be fun