Service COE Campground

 

Have you ever driven past some place and thought, “I’m going to stop there one day”?  That sums up our many journeys across Southern Alabama on Highway 84. Always on the was to a destination.  This time was going to be different. 

We have never stayed anywhere on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.  The waterway was one of the last major “pork barrel” projects  of the last century.  Another story for another time, but basically it ties the port of Mobile to the Tennessee River.  This was done by channelizing the Tombigbee River,  and digging a ditch to connect the two rivers together.  Barges can now make their way from Mobile Northward, without having to go up the Mississippi River.

Service Park and Campground is located just off the highway, near Coffeeville, AL. A hidden jewel, so to speak.  Nothing nearby to attract crowds.

Ten feet beyond that rail fence is the waterway.

See the Casita?

The river was running near flood stage, and apparently had awakened a few river monsters.

Three of four barges a day.  Sally thought she did a great job running this one off.

We’re here for a couple of days.  On our way to Auburn, AL for a music fest.

Before leaving home, we met with some friends for a crawfish boil.  A good friend and his wife purchased an old farmhouse years ago, and had it moved to near their home.  They restored it and rent it out for celebrations of all kinds.  They named it the Gathering Place. 

Lots of stuff decorate the yard, and plenty rockers cover the porch.

The main course.

Which it appears most everyone enjoyed.

The Trinity River Called!

 

After our fishing trip to Guntersville, Alabama a few weeks ago, I was pretty much bummed on going back.  The thought of a six to seven hour drive, and a repeat performance by the fish, wasn’t worth the risk. But, an almost instant report from the banks of the Trinity River in Texas, had us and rolling Wednesday morning.  The plan was for my nephew, his six year old son, and myself to leave early.  My brother planed to pick up a cousin and join us later that afternoon. 

We stopped at a local Walmart to purchase our license’s, and were on the water by 2 PM.

Honestly, I was a bit concerned about taking a six year old on such a trip.  It’s not easy fishing, especially when the fish are biting.  But all concerns were quickly forgotten as I watched him.  He was well behaved, minded everyone, and had a blast.  To see the joy and amazement on his face made the trip worthwhile.  The fish we caught were a bonus.

What we came for.

Ready to be skinned and fileted.

I want to help.

The final product.  Chests full of boneless, skinless filets.

We were in Texas only 48 hours.  Headed for home just ahead of the rain, but it caught up to us at Beaumont and accompanied us the entire way. It made for a stressful drive, but we arrived safe and sound.  Spent this morning doing a final trimming of the filets, and put most of it in the freezers.  We did try a bit for supper, tonight.  The neighbors declared it as some of the best.

It’s always good to get on the Trinity.  It’s a beautiful river that still runs clean and mostly undisturbed from Lake Livingston to the Gulf of Mexico.  Hope to visit it again, soon.

On another note, the egg should be rolling again soon.  We’re going back to Alabama for a music festival.  It takes place in the town of Loachapoka, AL.  Is that Lo-ah-cha-po-ka, or Loch-a-pock-ah, or ????….jc

A Wandering Mind

 

‘Not much of interest to anyone” would pretty much define our lives the past week or so.  A foursome, which included my brother and I, went to Guntersville, Alabama last week for some Crappie fishing.  A good trip, but no one informed the fish that we had traveled three hundred miles, and were expecting them to cooperate. Four guys, two boats, three days, fifty fish! For those that may not know, that’s not good.

One highlight of the past weekend was receiving a phone call from friends traveling the Natchez Trace.  They had departed home in San Antonio the week before, and had visited Memphis and Nashville.  They were traveling the Trace on their way to New Orleans.  Knowing that they were going to pass near us, they called and asked for campground suggestions.  We recommended a state park nearby, which allowed us to visit with them, as well as share dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.

Our dinner conversation put the wheels to turning.  Where’s the egg heading next?  For the first time in seven years there’s not at least one date and destination written on the calendar.  Heaven forbid!

Friends have told us we leave Mississippi at the wrong time of year.  I’ve always been pulling out the first of May and returning in July.  Leaving in September and returning in November.  This year is going to be different, maybe.

We’re going to hang around and enjoy Spring.  Do a little more fishing and loafing.  Maybe head out for Colorado the first of July. Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana also sound good.  Possibly, even Wyoming.  Return home the first of October.  Something to ponder.  We’ll see how it goes….jc