Hunt For Santa

You better be nice to us we know Santa. and will tell on you if you don't act right.

Canyon Dechelly Arizona

Lightning strike, during the worst flood in last 30 years. I caught it with regular camera good/lucky timing. Joyce on the other hand was down in the canyon literally runing for their lives avoiding the flash floods. Joyce did make it out some people got caught and had to ride out the flood on high ground down in the canyon. See the video Joyce took while down there

Bridge over Troubled Waters

Tumwater Park Olympia ,WA

The Hunting Club

Bobby-Earl Sr-Earl Jr-Vick

Must have been one of our " Buzzard Luck Days"

Can't shoot nothin and won't nothin die

Just about the exact spot that Joyce and I met

This is where she felt the magic after seeing me dance to Flash Light. I still have skills. Of course I will have to be paid if you want to see them ! Absolutely No Freebies

No Checks but Food Stamps OK

The things you do to go hunting . Help!! There seems to be a creek where the road should be.

Grizzly in background over my left shoulder(Russian River). He introduced himself to me later, much too close and personel..

Ross Barnet Resevior

Hybrid Stripper Fishing caught a small one didnt have a big enough rod to get out to the really big ones. Did you know that the hybrid is a cross between a white bass and a stripper ... The prize fish here are the 3-4 lbs crappies and the 40+ lbs catfish..

Water Fall Northshore Hawaii

We were out just exploring and stumbled onto this gem of a Water Fall. Just like life you never know what gems you might find when you have a little faith and try.

Seward Alaska

End of the Road. One of the first places I caught salmon in Alaska. What they do is release fry salmon here so when they come back to spawn after traveling thousands of miles out in the ocean for 7 or 8 years. They return and just hang out in the bay becase there are no spawning streams for them to go into.

P.s. Salmon always come back to their birth place to spawn in the associated streams and die. Talking about GPS.

Big Bird Bar Alaska

How drunk do you have to be to spend all your time here ? Was located a stones throw away from Byrd Creek a popular fishing hole just outside Anchorage.

Alaska Bears gets Take Out

Just happy that it was not me I would have been in the picture if I had not ran to the other side of the river when I saw the bear. Now we know they perfer fish over dark meat!!

Sandia Peak New Mexico

We took the tram to the top, well worth the trip. A ski resort in the winter. Located in the Sandia Mountains out side of Albuquerque. Often between 15 -30 degree temperture change at the top. One of the first places that Joyce was questioning myspeed and ability to drive around the sharp turns thru snow up the mountain side with a small guard rail between us and glory.

P.S. Daddy seems to have had the same reaction on our drive to Hover Dam in Nevada.

Lets go Camping Upstate New York %#$*$

Lake Powell Arizona

Overlooking lake Powell , has as much shoreline as state of California. Rented a speed boat and we could not find our way out of the bay the marina was in. Probally was for the best we might still be lost. See another blind end cove.

Alaska Pipe Line

Out looking for a leak that we can claim.

Lake Champlain Vermont

Fishing for those big smallies

Tram ride Seattle Washington

Our sightseeing tour over the river and thru the woods

Fishing the wilds of Montana

Salmon/trout fishing just got to keep an eye out for bears, no bears just pronghorns

Lake Cor'dealine Idaho

Stopping for pictures on the way back from Montana. We came over the bridge in the background and found it picture worthy.

Lost in Montana

This is how they switch drivers in Montana while the car is still moving.

SUV/Auto Rod Holder

Don't leave home without them

Alaska's Finest Cruse Line

We now know the answer to the question posed above.

Exploring Kauai Beach

Out for a walk and exercise

Daddy and the boys

Mr. Earl and his sons

Daddy and Ameta

Holding his latest great grand daughter

Oahu Sunset North Shore

Sitting on the beach watching the sunset with my Punkin

Spider Rock

Canynon Dechelly Last known home of the Anastasi Indians who just up and disappeared. There are no accounts of what happened to them they were last seen about 1915. They carved their homes high above the canyon floor into the side of the red clay caynon walls

Bonneville Lock and Dam

Outside of Portland Oregon

One of our nap places was the gravel parking lot overlooking the scenic Columbia River Gourge historically known as the route taken by Lewis and Clark. Our routine eat then nap then walk down to the water and fish. The entertainment is watching people hook sturgeons that some time pull them along the shoreline for 2 or 3 city blocks and hours before breaking the line.They come back down and try to hook one that they can bank , then take pictures and release. FYI : They have to be under 60" in order to keep them. The Columbia River record is 2000 lbs

Talking about going to the Sea Lion's

It is illegal for you to disturb these animals in any way in this San Francisco Marina. FYI : Instead of paying the big bucks on a sight seeing boat you can walk around the marina and take a tour on a smaller fishing boat. Not as touristy but makes for more manly stories.

Historic District of Santa Fe New Mexico

Exploring the sights

Santa Fe New Mexico This was the kitchen

This gives a whole new meaning to "Woman get in that kitchen and go cook me something. " you could get a buffalo in there. This was back in the day when I tried to explain to Joyce that when we were out in those type places she was suppose to go out there and shoot/kill/ runover or beat something to death with her shoe just woman up and feed me like the pioneer women did. Her reply was " Yea Right the only thing I will shoot for you is the bird @#%&* " I then took the car keys back since I didnt want to be on the menu.

Old Town Santa Fe New Mexico

Just chillin in the old town square

Birth place of Martin Luther King

Atlanta Georgia At the steps of greatness

South rim of the Grand Canyon

We didnt go down in the canyon since Joyces has canyon issues.

Maui Church

In just about the middle of no where on an old dirt road seldom taken. Who ever thought I would find a church that looks like it might be on a beach in heaven. This was while Joyce was visiting a site in the Hawaian jungle being reclaimed for use after decades of abandonment. Often refered to as :the "Wild Wild West" best known for its drugs and shoot outs. Buildings and surroundings were being cleared/cleaned by prisoners of the state. This was just another program in a long line that Joyce visited that you would not believe !!!

Portage Glacier Alaska

Joyce holding a piece of acient histioy Ice literally from the ice age millions of years old. Talking about an old glass of water. But I would not recomend drinking it anybody remember " The Thing "

College Graduation Day for both

Stealling a little time before Graduation. Joyce graduated " Suma Cum Laude " in 3 years at her college. I on the other hand graduated " Thank You Laude " in 4+ years of college . I will admit that she did help me substancually improve my grades. It rubs off !!

Caged and Captured

Joyce experimenting with the SLR Camera in college

Pittsburgh Celebration

Talking about a "po" college student I could not even afford the "or". The plan was to elevate myself to poor status right after I got some socks. PS. My feet didnt stink !!

March on Washington 1983

Rather stylish atire with the masses in the background

Elephant Butte Lake Nomads

Just outside of Truth Or Consequences New Mexico. It was hot enough to have on turbins. I did get in and try to swim didn't work out to well but I was smart enough to wear my life vest. I caught a cramp. Joyce can't swim and we were all alone. Laugh if you want I always wear a life vest. "Always try to anticipate your problems". Words you can live by and with !!!

Out Roaming the Jamaican Landscape

Nice place just no tv's. We hung out with the people and learned how to travel like the locals.You could walk across the street from the hotel complex and get a gypsy cab ride to town for $5.00 cab on the complex was $20.00(one way). The gypsy cab drivers would try to charge on complex prices I told one guy that " We just wanted a ride to town not to adopt him " Don't think Joyce liked me saying that. But we did get a ride with someone else. We happened to meet a couple at the hotel the woman was from the area and showed us the ropes. How to get to town cheap and get around to the tourist spots in other cities using local transportation which was a van that was one step away from having chickens on it. Oh and lets not forget it was crowded. No more of that stuff for us, from now on the gypsy cab drivers are going to have a mental assessement by Joyce while I check for axes , mechettets and chickens in the trunk and under the seat.

Joyce auditioning for her next job

She really had the traffic under controll not one speeder in sight while she was there. I am sure that she thinks that there are sharks in the waves.

Sunny Isles Beach

Sunset from the balcony Homewood Suites overlooking the Fort Lauderdale skyline

Fort Lauderdale Skyline

This was a Homewood Suites it was a secret placeto stay.

Joyce on the Fort Lauderdale Bayline

Joyce certainly hit a home run with this place in Sunny Isles Beach suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Two bedroom two bath kitchen and all the exterior walls were glass. We could lie in the bed and watch the sunset then look at the reflection of the moon on the water with the buildings as a backdrop. It was a sureal place to stay it felt like standing on the edge of a cliff while floating on the clouds. Might be one of our top 5 accomindations while traveling. Best of all it was only peanuts per night. I felt kind of guilty, if we had on mask we could have been arrested for robery. The next time we tried to go back, we were told that the place was now all condos. Someone who stayed there saw $$$$'s bought the place and made megabucks. Joyce is a hotel houdini some of the deals that she has gotten have been nothing short of miracles She can't walk on water but she can make you feel like your flying over it with substancial discount included. Does anyone know the Popes digits I want to talk to him??

Protage Glacier back in the day

This is a picture of Portage Glacier back in the early to mid 90's. The pictures taken of the glacier in 2008 show that the ice is no where near the water. We know for a fact that global warming exist pictures don't lie, but politicians do. The people who say that global warming does not exist are lying, crazy, stupid or all of the above.

Sockeye Anyone

Hooked a big one about 8 lbs. Finally caught something in the rain and cold and no bear to take it from me.Turns out I should have been watching for the Park Rangers evidently this was a no fishing area. Had to let it go and I was planning on frickaseeing that sucker.It was a high dollar fish ($78.00 - $104.00 lb) That was like throwing away $600.00 . The pain of it all. I really need therapy now!!!

Byrd Creek Low Tide

At low tide it's very treacherous. It looks like a good time to get in there and fish. It's like a skating rink once you start sliding there is no telling when you might stop before you get to the water or after you are in it. People were falling left and right after the tide went out it was very slick -- always go down bank at an angle with your weight behind you so you can sit down if necessary to increase your but drag coeficient. Therefore when they call you a fat ass in ALASKA it really is a compliment. Never go down before you identify a way to get back up. One of the dangers in AK is that people get stuck in the mud flats at low tide and drown when the tide comes back in.

Eklutna Lake

Nice place to fish and take pictures. Just trying to get in some fishing in before I had to pickup Joyce from work. I had to pay to get in usually try to find free spots but the guy in the walmart sporting goods department recommended it. Just hapened to be in the direction that I was exploring that day. Hint -- Always go to walmart sporting goods there is always at least one employee or customer that will direct you to some decent fishing holes.

Alaska Outdoor Ballet

I took this time to practice the illusive ballet arts that will prepare me for my next confrontation with a bear. The locals said Bears won't charge you if you Temps levé, then Pas de chat and Pirouette. Then while they are laughing do Triple Runs not in a circle and screem like a little girl. Just in case you had not figured it out yet I have no problem amusing myself when alone. "Some times you just have to skip or dance to where your going it certainly makes it a more enjoyable trip." By Me

P.S. There were other people out there they were just far enough away to wander what I was doing

Cooks Landing Park

On the banks of the Arkansas River just outside of Little Rock. I got there just in time for the white bass run. They were catching them by the garbage can full. I had a picture of three guys carrying a 20 foot stringer maxed out with white bass. Trying to get them out of there before the game warden showed up. To catch some fish I had to get in with the crowd. For the first hour I caught nothing even though people beside me were catching fish consistently. One of the guys that was catching on every cast had mercy on me and gave me a lure and talked me thru the technique. After that it was on I caugh so many fish my arms were acking. Did not keep any because we were at a hotel. I ended up giving them to a lady with mental issues that had stopped fishing and started annoying everone for the fish they caught. To be honest I didnt mind giving them to her but she did scare me a lot. That was just the price of admission.

Joyce Catching The Big One

Joyce about to explaing her how not to touch the fish when releasing it technique.

Brandon (7) Driving Mr Dan

Can someone please tell me whats more scary than a 7 year old driving a 3000 lbs cabin cruiser with a 8 cylinder big block chevy engine ???

Will (13) at the Helm

This is the one that everyone on the lake should be very very afraid of. You can never ever figure out what this one might do next. He is the reason boats should have seat belts. He is not "Spock" and Logic does not exist at this helm

Derek (10) taking us in

This is the one that would give you your best chance for getting in safely. He is a take charge and get it taken care of kind of child.

Someone Call Out the Hound's

Pack of Beagles hot on the trail of one of those Mississippi Swamp Buck Rabbits. What they don't seem to realize is that evidently rabbits can climb trees.

End of the hunt

The crew showing off their bounty and telling questionable stories about how they shot the rabbit while sleeping on a stump and watching Oprah.

The Quilts of Gee's Bend ( small rual town in costal Alabama)

Joyce talked me into going to the Corcoran Gallery in DC for this showing. Who ever knew those old quilts that everyones family used under the top matress as throw aways. Were really works of art and very valuable. I would encourage everyone to see this show if you get a chance. You will really enjoy it. It was like a trip back in time with Big Mama , Aunt Emma and others sewing on the bed using those old metal block irons as weight to hold down the quilt while sewing. The show travels all around the country, so there is a chance it may be at a city near you.

Roaming the shoreline of Lake Ontario

Hoping to find a place to maybe catch a King Salmon away from the crazy crowds.

My present for the day

Can anyone tell me what I did today. The worst snow for the year. At least I had a snow blower. Yea !!!!@

Joyce Hanging out with the Fishes

Joyce trying to blend in at the fish tank in Vegas. Right before security ran us off because she was screeming at the fish to stop looking at her. I just think she didnt want to go into ???. It is the best ??? that I have ever been to. The displays are quite realistic and yes boys and girls its free.

The Family

Family photo around Mama the only child missing is Regina the oldest

The Road Man

Term used ,quite simular to calling shotgtun as a child for the window or front seat on a car trip. The road man makes his intentions known that he is going to stay on the edge and shoot any rabbit trying to change local. Translation: the rest of you all get your @ss#s in the bushes, tie vines and briars and push those rabbits to the edege so I can shoot them. As you see here our road man is busy posing for the camera instead of looking at the rabbit th dogs are chasing. I will have to talk to him about that.

P.S.for the purest among you it does not make any sense to call shotgun since everyone there already has one !! DUH

The Bucket Man

Term used to describe the person who is lucky enough to find something to sit on (bucket, log, stump ...) it is hard work walking thru 6 ft high grass, briars, tie vines palmeto limbs. One of the worst is the rich Mississippi Delta field mud. It acts like concrete with every step it forms another ring around your boots and starts to feel and look like you have cinder blocks on your feet. When you get out you prepare for the leg cramps that will eventually catch up to you.

Beach In Hawaii

On The North Shore checking out the competition. Joyce and I are trying to start a surfing school. This will be right after we get up enough nerve toactually get in water above our knees. Note- I have a snorkel set that has been to Hawaii several times and has never been wet I think it is dry rotting. Might be for the best it was made in china and probally has lead paint.

Trying to make "Paper"

Our next attempt to support our selves in Hawaii. The surfing school went down the drain as soon as Joyce discovered that there were sharks in the water. The next plan of attact was to fall back on my natural born talent of dancing. Back in the day I was well known for my skill level. Reconized and described by my family and friends as "a modern day dancing sevant".and "just dancing fool". Joyce even said that she could believe only part of that description. Unfortunately people dont reconize real talent when they see it.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

Joyce shooting hooky from her conference wandering around the harbor trying to find a boat she can hotwire.

Fishing the Russian river for salmon

Just another day in Alaska fishing and trying to avoid the grizzly bear that has been scaring the fishermen on the river. It was somewhat disconcerting to see people walk by carrying really big pistols and rifles. My only protection was my trusty multi tool and the advice that a woman gave me when I stopped to get directions while her husband was loading their boat. "If you are going to to be out here in bear country make sure you are not the slowest person in the group". Funny but true

The Hustler

It does not look like much now but in the mid to late 70's it was a money making machine. The thing that my father always said "As long as you have a truck you have money if you want too". No truer words have ever been spoken!!! We grew up cutting yards and doing odd jobs on the weekend with my father. True to form it was more like an adventure a typical lawn cutting would begin with cuting the front yard then take a 90 minute break for a snack/conversation supplied by the home owners; then a weeks catch up conversation/ knap and finally cut the back yard. That was then followed up by going next door and cuting their yard where we got clothes rather than food because the people owned a large clothing store. I used the truck to deliver chairs for Lazy Boy and a furniture warehouse.This while taking 18 hours a semesters working at a restaurant 40 + hours a week and cleaning up the church on saturday nights.

My Grand Father and GreatGrand Mother

My best guess is that this photo is circa 1915 -1925 Dry Ridge Mississippi.

Sitting down at the Orleans Casino Buffet

Enjoying the food in Vegas and trying to fill up those bottomless pits the kids call stomachs.

Dancing water at the Belaggio Casino

One of the best things about Vegas is that if you are willing to explore there is always sometheing to do. Even better yet a lot of it is free. Especially when you are traveling with kids that just want to eat. Simple solution Sams Club and make them walk until their feet hurt.

Nightime in Ohau

We are enjoying the night life doing some detective work looking for "Wofat" Diamond Head in the background. For those of you who don't have a clue Hawaii 5-O was shot here.

Almost as Good as Mama's

It has a few toes in it but I can't seem to get my whole foot in. Not to worry I am getting there. For those that don't know I am a buscuit connaisseur. Criss crossing the states in search of the perfect bisciut.Of course no one can make biscuits like Meta and Lee at best you can only hope to find a distant 3rd place contender. I had found a good 3rd at Hardee's she was almost 80. When I went in for my biscuit fix I would only go in when she was working. I could look at the biscuits and tell if she made them. That one faithful day I went in and she was gone and I almost cried. Fate shined on me and I found her at another Hardee's, that only lasted 6 months before Hardee's left the area and she was gone forever. I imagine that she is making some good buttermilk biscuits in biscuit heaven. That was about 15-20 years ago. Since then I have had to make my own biscuits when I couldnt get home to get my fix.. I would say that in another 5 or 10 years my biscuit skills will have reached perfection.

The Coffee Club

A sort of place where everybody knows your name. Young and old gather each morning to eat, drink coffee. I droped by to say hello and listen to the tall tales. A sort of Facebook Cafe. If you come in alone you just talk to the person closest to you. The cop in the background had stopped at a few tables inside to chat with the patrons. He stopped at our table to put in a not so suttle request for a rabbit from our next hunting trip.

Lake Anna Crappie

Little over 14 1/2 inches(2 lbs) caught it jigging along side the docks. Could not catch anymore at the time because the small kids swarmed the spot trying to get the next big one.That didnt work so they followed me around like I had doughnuts in my pocket and asked me a million questions that I didnt understand.Their father seemed to be enjoying the peace and quiet at my expense. I think he should have been paying me for child care.

Another Crappie Jigging the Docks at Lake Anna

Things are looking up caucht this one off some submerged brush that I dropped in the day before. The secret strategy now that I have cracked the code is .... not free

Earl'sTea Cakes

A Mississippi version of the Queens "Tea Biscuit" served at Tea Time. Simple quick and easy to make but hard to get just right. There were no proper civilized tea parties at my house, just if you had a chance to steal one when Mama turned her back get it and " Run. Forrest Run ..."

Water Bottle Holders

Fishing on the Potomac

Good Fishing Day with Gary Yamamota

Good Exercise Program

Perfectly good boat for sale . You will need to put wheels on it if you want to pull it on the highway.