In Memory of Warmer Summers

Blakeley State Park, AL to Latham, AL

Friendly horn taps: 1

Miles: 30

Total so far: 722

Alabama has been good to us, but we are taking another short day to accomplish two things:  We could use the rest and the availability of campgrounds is quite limited.  We either had to do an 84 mile day or this short 30 mile day, so we stopped at Hubbard Landing on the shores of the Tensaw River.  This is what they refer to in Alabama as a fish camp.  There is no swimming, no water skiing, no jet skis (I am good with that!) — just fishing. Oh, they deer hunt, boar hunt, and turkey hunt when those seasons come too.  When asked about the other water sports, Paul Bryars, the manger, says, “No, that’s not a good idea.  We have alligators.  Big ones.  We killed one the other day that was 11 feet, eight inches long.”

OK then, no swimming.

We took it easy and watched the activities, folks cleaning fish, people taking boats in and out, sportsmen getting more bait, and we got a load of laundry done – always a bonus in our world.  I chatted up some of the fishermen and found out that fishing for bream, crappie, and catfish is pretty hot right now because the water has gone down from some flood releases a couple of weeks ago.  From the massive coolers of fish that I saw, I would have to agree.

Our socializing around the camps resulted in two rather immediate invitations to fish frys later on in the day.  Because we are all about food on the best of days, we obliged of course.

The early morning light graces the grounds of an Alabama estate, framed by southern pines

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A cooler of freshly caught fish just off the river -- to be consumed tonight at a fish fry

Paul Bryars shows just how to measure out 100 live crickets for bait

Coming's and going's at the fish camp boat dock

A fish fry on the banks o the Tensaw River

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Tomorrow’s Mother’s Day ride is dedicated to Joyce Munizza

We never thought that we would ever loose a lady that has touched so many lives.  Joyce Munizza will forever be in the hearts and minds of the people of Washington Parish, LA.

On July 30, 2010, Joyce was returning from her sister’s house in Denham Springs, LA, when a drunk driver crossed the center line between 80-90mph. Joyce will never be able to spend her golden years with her husband, Tony. Her 4 children have lost their mother and her 7 “little” grandchildren will grow up with out their Nana.  Joyce was employed at Northshore Ambulance Service and was a very dedicated member of Talley’s Community Church.