We took our 3rd annual trip to the cabin a little earlier this year. The next weekend after the 4th felt a little soon to get away, but of course it was still so nice to get-away. No TV, no phones and no computer, just a whole lot of nature and relaxation. I haven't slept that well in a long time! The minute we pulled into the driveway, Trent was begging to go Turtle hunting. We unloaded the car, and Marshall brought the fishing poles down to the lake. Callie took her first cast and caught her first bass. She even knew that's what it was! As she commented, it really is "just her size!"
Trent had a sucessful turtle hunt. We caught 5 turtles - 3 big, 2 small. We separated them into two buckets. I carried the little turtles up to the porch. If you've read any of my frequent animal antics post, you know we do follow the catch and release (after a day.... or two) program.
Unfortunately with the distraction of Trent falling into the swampy water off the pier yet again, we left the turtles defenseless down at the lake to be pilfered by a lazy predator during the night. You may have heard the term shooting fish in a barrel? I was really disappointed in us, but it was a good lesson. There was only one "body" so we had hope the other's had escaped. We gathered up the remaining little turtles to return them to their home. Every place we go up-there has a nickname. I think I will call the turtle swamp, Trent's Bay. We released the turtles in Trent's Bay and Trent convinced me since we were there we might as well try and catch a couple more since his buckets back at the cabin were empty. We were really in hot pursuit of this particularly elusive turtle. I mean it was a real chase! I perfected a new style of paddling the canoe. Picture me standing gondola style in the front. Who says you should never stand in a canoe! If I didn't think at any moment I could be swimming in muck 5 feet over my head, I would consider bringing a video camera, because it is America's funniest home video material for sure. We have more fun doing this! And I get the best work out chasing swimming turtles all over creation! Anyway, we finally caught the turtle, and realized, it was missing its back foot. Totally open wound. At this point I was ready to ban the turtle hunting for life! Ugh! How could we have been so irresponsible! Again, a good lesson to learn. With as much fun as it is, I could hardly deny the pleasure, and we caught many more which we did keep safely. We even caught one that we caught last year. I know because it has a tumor like thing on the side of it's head.
I'm hoping next year we will catch "stumpy" again, then I will feel a little better about the whole thing. On a side note: I didn't take it, or even look at the results, but there was a poll on facebook that asked, "Should hunters be able to put their hunting pictures on Facebook?" I thought it was the lamest question. Anyway I hope I have properly conveyed the fact that I accept complete responsibility for the turtle casualties and vow to never let it happen again. There, my conscience is clear.
That first day Trent professed his love for turtle hunting, and pretty much said that's the only thing he likes to do up at the cabin. This made me nervous, because although we do a lot of turtle hunting, we do a lot of other things too, and Daddy and Grampy really like fishing. He did say he liked skiing. For as many turtles as Trent caught, Callie caught Bluegills! SHE just might be the fishing buddy.
Every time she would cast out her line, she would pull in a fish. Grampy would cast it out for her, nothing. Callie would cast it - FISH ON! She would get so excited, and Trent so jealous!
Trent did catch the biggest one, but Callie caught the most! I've always considered myself to be a good fisherwoman. I didn't fish much this trip but I did catch two fish, and a lot of Weed Bass! I put my pole down, bait still out, to take a picture. I looked over and my pole was bending into the water, I caught a huge Perch, on accident! The other fish I caught while Marshall and I went out one night just before dinner. It was an "Evil Eye".
The most interesting thing we caught was a frog that still had it's tadpole tail. It was sort of creepy looking. Just not something I was used to seeing.
The food at the cabin is so great. Especially eating the fish we catch. Lunches are particularly fun. We had a campfire lunch at the Third Island. Marshall made his speciality, "Camp Cakes" Sandwiches and dessert.
Callie and Trent did a little "mountain climbing". Callie is such a little monkey. I can't believe how she made it up this hill all by herself!
Our Picnic lunch is always at Leach Beach. Trent has his skiing down to the point of waving to the crowd. Callie took her first official crack at it up and down the beach.
She loved it so much she didn't want to stop, unfortunately her daddy boat and grampy boat ran out of gas!
We are so lucky to have opportunites like these! Thanks for letting us use your cabin Mr. and Mrs. K!
She made sure we had her birthday girl hat. Breakfast at Egg Harbor - Rainbow pancake made with a special flair for her special day!
Marshall is all about the thumbs up with the kids lately!
