Turkey Point Camping Trip: May 8th - 10th
Campers:
Joe White : Lewis White : David McDonald : Carroll Gilliam : Chris Gilliam : Little Man : Zoey
This was a calm and mild mannered weekend compared to some of our trips. Started off with my dad (Carroll) and I meeting Joe and Lewis at there house. We sort of caravan'ed from there to the boat launch. Got there loaded our gear in the boat. Which of course we have way too much gear... Funny how when I started camping all in needed was a backpack, tent and small cooler an could go anywhere. Now there is air mattresses, Stoves, Lanterns, Ipods, Battery packs to keep the Ipods working, Cast Iron cookware... Any way I must digress.. Get to the launch and load the boats, all while trying to keep the dogs from running off. This trip my boat was in the shop so we had to ferry the gear to the point... Turkey Point that is...
Once we get there and all gear stowed, tents put up, Kitchen area setup , and Ipod hooked up.. .We are finally ready ... Ready for that first day at camp Beer... Nothing beats it, all hot and sweaty from lugging gear and setting up tents... Now a nice ice cold adult beverage is waiting... Boy that is nice...
The night procceeds with telling of manly stories around the fire... Sorry can't tell those here.. If you want to know the stories you have to attend the camping trips... Anyway everyone sitting around the fire chill'n catching up, talking about work and how much we enjoy work and couldn't think of doing anything else...(Just incase one of our bosses is reading)
Dinner Friday Night:
In another life when these camping trips started, in 1999, we had a fearless leader by the name of Bill Cook. He dubbed the phrase "Friday Night Fry Night". So everyone brings something to put in that ever so good Peanut oil.... Usually we have a mix of items from Catfish, Hush Puppies, Chicken wings, Corn Fritters, Fries, Tatter Tots, etc... However since prior to this trip Joe and I have done some Trot line fishing we had plenty of Catfish so we had Catfish, battered in Mustard and Honey then dipped in Louisianna's fish fry.... (Mr. David receipt)
So here we are sitting around the fire drinking a few brews, eating catfish and hush puppies.. .Thinking it just doesn't get any better than this... Well Legally it doesn't get any better that this..
Later that night Joe, Lewis and I decide to take a little trip to one of our favorite fishing holes called the point.... You don't catch much fish there but you can catch a heck of a buzz... (Yes it is a bar on the water). When we arrived we found that the bar was about to close... The only people inside was the Owner and Bartender... Thankfully they know us and they let us in to quench our thirst before making the long trek home.
Returning to camp at about 1am... Pretty much everyone heads for the their tents and turns in for the night.
Saturday Morning:
Well Saturday morning started off bright and early for my dad and I as we headed down to the lake to do a little fishing... However, not being able to keep up I soon returned to the comfort of my tent to catch a few extra winks.
Saturday Breakfast:
After awakening for the second time now it is time for breakfast. Breakfast Casserole another one of Mr. David's receipts. Roughly goes like this, a dozen eggs, Sausage, Tater tots, and Cheese...Oh yeah.. Someone forgot the cheese...so scratch the cheese... Place everything in the dutch oven and place beside the fire, cover with hot coals from the fire and wait. Presto... Breakfast Casserole... Very good... Specially with cheese..hehe
Shortly after breakfast and it was time to head off and do a little fishing... So David, Dad, and myself head off on a three hour tour....(tell me you aren't thinking of Gilligan's Island right now)
The rest of the day was spent, having a few adult beverages, fishing, telling of more man stories (again must attend to hear), target shooting and adult beverages...
Later that afternoon Dad and David went searching for the fishing holes again and Joe, Lewis(needed a driver) and I went searching for the point...
Typically we runs some trotlines and do some fishing but someone forgot the lines... hmmm Thanks Mr. White Rhino...(White Rhino thats another story for another time)
Saturday Dinner:
Saturday nights are dubbed "Bring your meat night" everyone brings there own meat and we throw some baked potatoes wrapped in foil in the fire. While we grill our meat... Dad and I had Rib-eyes, the white gang had sirloin, and Mr. David had chicken.
To top it off was one of my old boy scouts receipts for cobbler... Typically we do peach but this time it was Blue Berry... Have to say I like the blue berry better...(say that 3 times really fast)... After desert and the finishing of the Crown... my Fave... Time for bed again....
Sunday Morning
Sunday morning dad was up and gone earlier, chasing those fish around... When I woke up dad and David were out slaying the fish.. Joe and I sat around the fire drinking gatoraid... needed hydration for some reason...
When the fierce fishermen returned it was time for another breakfast casserole... Shortly after breakfast mother nature decide to remind us that she was in control... Letting out a full day of rain.. Nothing better than packing up all your camping gear in the rain. Knowing when you get home you have to set it all back up to dry.. fun fun.....
As mild and calm as this trip was it was very enjoyable special spending time camping with my dad. Probably first time primative camping with my dad in over 10 years.... Good stuff...
