Family, Friends and Beer

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

      It's been an awesome holiday and the first in 5 years that I actually had Christmas and New Years both off. I was spoiled working construction for so many years with holidays off but since I have been at the hotel and running my own thing on the side time off has been at a premium. I did not realize how much time I missed with family and friends. This year I got to catch up with an old high school buddy I haven't hung out with in 3 years and I only know how long it's been because he has a 3 year old that I just met for the first time. His wife was pregnant the last time I was down It seems every time we hang out he has another kid (he is up to 4 girls now ). I also got to have Christmas eve with my sister and her kids they all live close but besides my nephew I don't see them near enough. The wife's sister came into town for a few days to visit from down south we showed her around the city and her and the wifee went shopping leaving me with free  time. Many beers were had and my friends that live close came by to drink and be merry. I kept myself from starting any projects so I spent my free time reading and finished a few books I had started Including The Book of Barkley*,The last volume of 299 Days** and Dr Ben Carson's One Nation***. I missed my cuz's big new years eve blow out by working late at my side job, and by the pictures I missed a good one with tanerite, firearms and fireworks but the wife and I enjoyed a much needed quiet night to our shelves. I did however make the neighbors new year day party ,we sucked down some oysters and drank more beer. A great time with good folks.

Day after Xmas sunrise best I have seen since moving to the beach house
picture doesn't do it justice

The Porch Bar
nothing like old friends

       So for the new year. I have spent too much time working and getting out of debt but it needed to be done and that journey is near complete I have a ton of goals for this year and with hard work I will knock them down. All my work is to put me in the place that I want to be where I can enjoy more time with family and friends while I build the life that I want pursuing my passions like fishing, hunting and living a more self reliant life style. As always I will no matter what be Livin the my Dream

* The Book Of Barkley by L.B. Johnson  This book deserves a full review but lets just say I wish I could write even 1/10 as well.

** 299 Days By Glen Tate  Been reading this one for awhile its has 10 volumes very entertaining look at the collapse of america maybe not for your liberal friends

*** One Nation Dr Ben Carson  Living in Baltimore where he worked I have followed him for a long time I believe it was men like him who started this country and I would probably vote for some one like him if I thought we could vote our way out of this mess we would be better off if we had more leaders like him. This book seems to set the table for him running for president. I wish him well

neat little oyster shucking block made in Maine

Mick Oshea's Pub Baltimore
good spot for lunch with friends 

Got more free tickets to the Ravens-Browns game we made the Playoffs yeah!

Go RAVENS!

got a post in

    Hey y'all, its been a solid month and a half since I posted anything however I solidly lurk upon these nets from my phone. The computer is still on life support and if you are reading this I managed to make it work long enough to post something. November was a busy month I started it in the yak chasing stripers. I did quite well though I have no pictures turns out I can be more productive with a rod than technology. I downloaded the pictures from my camera to the computer and lost them on both. I know, no pictures it didn't happen O well. I also managed the VIP treatment from a vendor at work for a MMA match at the Baltimore arena nice spread for a cable company and  now I know why my bill is so high.

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     Got pictures of the fight sights but had to trow my catch back my beautiful wife was taking the pictures. Been in the woods a few more times with no luck getting on anymore deer and have had about the same luck with water fowl.

     Update !!!!! started writing this over a week ago and lost internet connection, Comcast just lost their cool points. So I lost where I was headed with this post except that I been on the move. Managed more free stuff from work this time tickets to the Ravens Jacksonville game. It was the first regular season game the wife got to go to, we met up with friends to tailgate and had a great time getting our drink and eat on, The day before the game I took my nephew and friend Pete to On Target to put some rounds through the M&P's Neither had shot many handguns so after teaching them some basics we burned a couple hundred rounds my shooting sucked but its hard to get much quality out of my shooting when teaching others, at least for me your mileage may very.

     Hope to get out into the woods around the holidays and maybe get one more deer for the freezer or at least get the young bucks out for a squirrel hunt or two. Dont want to jinx it but the computer doesn't seem possessed anymore so maybe ill get a christmas post in a couple days but if not Y'all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS

experiencing technical difficulties

My already light blogging may get even lighter due to ongoing home computer issues, lack of repair/replace funds and construction at work with premature internet failure due to demolition lines being ripped from the wall. So go do something constructive, read a book, cut wood or what ever else it is that you do. I will still read my daily blogs from my phone but posting on it is too much of a pain in the ass. Still Livin The Dream!

A Patapsco Bow Hunt

After working 10 hour days for 2 weeks straight I was happy to finally get the hotel shut down, packed up and ready for construction. Also I finally managed a whole weekend off for the first time in a couple months. My nephew joined me for an Saturday hunt on Patapsco Valley State Park land. We arrive early for our long walks to our respective spots. I finally got my out of shape ass to my spot about the time light was first filling the woods. I figured it would take me awhile to get there but I did not allow near enough time to get there and get set up before first light. I was going to be hunting out of my new pop up blind for the first time and I new it would take awhile to get set up.When I arrive I could already here deer moving through the hollow so I ditch the blind and  moved to the edge of the hill and set my blind chair up between to trees for cover. I knocked an arrow just as four does came into view they were all at 60 yards and moving on the opposite side of the cut and out of range. Then I caught a glance of  brown on my side of the hill, I could only see the body through the brush but I knew it was a shooter with a nice body size. I drew and waited for the deer to clear the brush. When it finally did I thought it was another big doe I released my arrow and Twack! I new from the sound I made a solid hit but as the deer bolted up hill I caught a flash of antler. My doe ended up being a scrub rack 3 pointer maybe 2 or 3 years old and dressed a nice 110 pounds.  My nephew sent me a text just after I shot saying he had one down. He hadn't made the best shot so he found me and helped me drag my deer the 100 yards to the field where we could put him on a cart. The drag about killed me. I am really out of shape. We still had to track his deer and get them both the half mile or more to the car through an uncut field. Thankfully his deer was significantly smaller than mine and with the help of the youngster I managed to get back to the Truck. I need to start doing some cardio. It was great not only getting out with family to do something we love but to both get deer about the same time of the morning I couldn't have asked for a better out come and yes I am still getting ribbed about being out of shape and an old man which I told him I'm not old  yet I'm still in my 30s at least for another year. I would have figured between all the paddling I do and walking in the city I might have had an easier time but I guess walking on flat concrete and uneven dirt are two different things. I gonna make it a priority to go on more hikes this winter.

September on the water

             My only day off this week was Saturday so I made plans to get my running done early in the week and depending on the weather either get to the woods or the water. Water weather prevailed with highs in the 80s and very little wind. Fishing reports were telling what I already new striper's were in my neighbor hood. Friday night I had kayak rigged for a early launch and with spirits high I went to bed. Up before sunrise had my ritual sweet tea and took the doggy for a walk then slid the kayak down the hill and gathered my rods.
Had to head back to the house for a bit but launch by 7 am. I pushed out past the piers, cast my lure to each set and began to paddle on a slow troll. About ten strokes in the morning peace was broken as my rod was slammed knocking my ram tube completely back as line poured off the reel. I grabbed the rod and new that I had a nice one. I don't know if it was because it was early or because I haven't hook a good fish in awhile but I proceeded to do everything wrong from this point. The fish managed to get my other line wrapped up first then my third rod that wasn't  even in the water. I flipped the fish in the boat where it promptly tangled my pliers. I started literally laughing out loud at my predicament. However I did manage a quick picture and good release then I paddled back to shore to get my shit together. I looked like I had never caught a fish before  but at least It was a nice 27 inch striper.
             After cutting tangled lines and re rigging I trolled my shore line for quite a few passes before heading out to the Patapsaco. Reports were of fish towards the north but I have some honey holes to the south to check first. I arrived near the first one and noticed bait busting every where I trolled around the edge and got a knock down and a 12 inch blue. I decided to cast a spoon and hit several more before heading to my next spot. I probably should not have left fish because I did not catch any more. I headed home around 10:30 and made my wife a big breakfast and made plans for my evening run.
After shrimp kabobs on the grill for dinner I headed back out and trolled inside of stoney creek with no luck. Took some sunset pictures and headed home hopefully I can get on them more this week.

sunset at stoney creek draw bridge

photo copped from Pasadena Seafood FB I just liked it I believe its their boat at  Baltimore light

fishing buddy"s  fisherman and blue heron he said the birds name is Frank

my catch

Stoney Creek morning

A big dope in a plastic boat

 Fall Is always my favorite time on the Chesapeake Bay the temps are cooler the big fish come back in and fishing gets good in my area. The only hard part is deciding to go bow hunt or fish so I let the weather decide. No matter what Ill keep livin the dream....

Poly 80 project update

The project is coming along nicely was gonna build it over winter but couldn't help myself once I got some parts.

My 2014 CBKA tournament rehash

          Spent the last weekend camped out at Camp Wright on Kent Island Md for the CBKA charity tournament benefiting Make a Wish Foundation and the Mid Atlantic Chapter of the CCA. woke up friday and knock out my honey do list, weed eating and such then got my gear together and my fishing partner picked me up around 12. We made a grocery store stop for some ingredients for my contribution to the evenings potluck and some drinks then hit anglers on 50 for some bait in case our plan to troll and jig didn't work out. We made it to camp around 2pm sent up our tent then headed back to town for lunch. We stumbled into Lukes grill the first place we found and were rewarded with excellent buffalo shrimp and a slamming ahi tuna steak sub with wasabi sauce. After lunch we poppoed back over to camp signed in finished setting up our bunks and rigging our rods before the 6 pm captains meeting. At the captains meeting we got our rules briefing and a few words from Chesapeake Bay Light Tackle   author Shawn Kimbro and Tony Friedrich from the CCA. Then a quick glance on fellow kayaker Mustfa preparing masgouf bluefish and back to the tent for my own venison cheese dip. Finished the dip and went to the pot luck dinner feast. There were steamed craps smoked wings and bacon wrapped stuffed jalepenos just to name a few. Enjoyed meeting new people and catching up with others I have met hell I was almost social for a change.
           I stayed up a little late and partook in too many  waters ( no alcohol allowed ) and when morning came it was a little foggy start. We managed to get to the water after sunup and after launching my buddy notices bait fish breaking everywhere just off the launch. All anglers launching after us high tailed it to the bridge passing by but we decided to troll around the launch and my partner was immediatley rewarded with a 14 inch striper. We each had 2 more knock downs with no hook ups then decided to troll the contour to the bridge. This was a futile adventure we jigged the bridge the sewer pipe trolled and bottom fished for the next 3 hour with not a bite. After a lunch on the beach the tide began to move out and we decided to ride it back toward camp and troll on our way. About halfway back I get my first fish a 14 inch fiesty bluefish who inhaled my 4 inch Bust Em Baits white paddle tail. Once passed camp and pass the Matapeake pier we found abundant bait fish breaking on top, we trolled through I hooked up a small 12 inch striper and partner got his first blue we began to cast to the pods and spent a good hour hooking small blues at will. It was time for check in and the rain began to fall so we packed it in. The drag up the hill at camp was a killer it had been 5 weeks since I paddled and my pack wasn't quite ready for the excursion.
           We packed up camp in the rain and headed for a well deserved shower Knowing that our fish would not win the day we settled on showers and dry clothes. I don't remember all the winning fish but if you interested you can find them at the Chesapeake Bay Kayak Anglers website. I do know a 14 year old angler caught 2 md citation white perch something I have been chasing all year and its nice to see youngens getting out and fish. A great tournament for a great cause and a hell of a lot of fun.

trolled up this blue

my only striper

snagged this little fellow

measuring them up