Few people know it, but back in the day I was a commercial
shrimper. Yup, it is true. Hours and hours on the ocean culling countless
shrimp. Oh, how I miss the salt water mist blowing through my hair....... When was
this day you ask? Well, to be honest it was actually night. One night. One
night last week.
Let me pause here to tell you another story. When we arrived in Yankeetown about a month ago and first went to the marina where Dan and Jeanie
moor their boat we noticed several shrimp boats moored on the other side. I
admired at the boats and wondered out loud what it would be like to be a
shrimper. Jeanie said like “It would not surprise me if you guys somehow
actually got on one”.
Step in our friends Mike and Liz who we met in 2016 while in
Alaska. They saw we were near their house in Florida and reached out to get
together. While we were talking he asked where we were staying. When I said B’s
Marina and Campground in Yankeetown he replied. “You are just down the road
from my brother, he owns three shrimp boats moored at the marina.” Get the
picture?
Several days later we met John and Karen, said shrimp boat
owners, while out to dinner with Mike and Liz. One thing led to another and
Karen said “Would you like to go…..”. Before she finish her sentence I said
“Yes!”.
Two weeks went by; it was too cold, it was too wavy, it was
Chinese New Year (their customer closed for the day). Finally a day worked out
and I was able to get out on the Lady C!
The weather was perfect; warm and
calm. Let me tell you this: shrimping is long tiring work. The crew works 12-14
hours a night, 5 days a week in all kinds of weather. It was a fun one-night
adventure but I got to hand it to those that do it for a living! Rather than go
into detail I have created this video below of the night’s events.
Wow, what an adventure! I cannot thank Mike, Liz, John and Karen enough. Plus, I may or may not have snatched a bag full of some of the bigger shrimp for ourselves!
If that was not enough, we had even more adventures this
past week. Mike and Liz had us over for a day of 4 wheeling and a prime rib/crab dinner.
We were joined John and Karen (the shrimp boat owners). Only this one picture but a great
time was had by all.
Barb in the Quigley's side by side
Tuesday night and Wednesday Farmer Bob and DeAnne flew
down for a visit! They have several friends and relatives spending the winter
in Florida so they spent a week down here visiting. They were only in our area
for one day so we tried to plan activities that they would enjoy and could not
do back home in North Dakota. Dan and I took Bob fishing. This was Bob's first time fishing on the gulf. Throughout the day we caught perch, ladyfish and trout. I would tell you that he caught more fish than me but no one would believe it so I won't.
Bob and Dan ready for the big one!
We even saw gaters in the river!
Bob with a Ladyfish
Dan with a Speckled Trout
Bob even caught oysters!
Barb and Jeanie
took DeAnne kayaking over to Three Sisters to see the manatees. DeAnne had never seen one so that was a treat.
The manatees got really close!
Manatee under the arrow!
They also stopped by Monkey Island for lunch. Unfortunately it was closed but Barb did get to see a few of her relatives.
Barb's first cousin Ralph
As if that was not enough we all then met back up at Dan and Jeanie's for a Florida Feast of oysters, crab claws, steak and fresh tuna. The oysters and tuna were firsts for Bob and DeAnne, I think they were met with mixed reviews.
Oysters and crab anyone?
Saturday was also a big day, it was moving day! Although we thoroughly
enjoyed the time in the area with our friends, we could not wait to get out of
that nightmare of a campground. Saturday morning we were hooked up early and
pointed the rig towards Lithia Springs where more adventures await!
Last but not least we had some pretty cool news from our
daughter Jessica. They used her in some advertising material for her hospital
so if you are driving down I-81 near Chambersburg, PA look for her on the
billboard!
Amazing what we take for granted. One person's job would be another's scorn. They all have their dangers and benefits. Glad you are still Enjoying your time with Friends while exploring the area. Be Safe!
Who'd have thunk a meetup in AK would have led to a fishing trip in AK, glad we brought Mike & Liz that day. We picked up shrimp off the docks in Pass Christian for $5.50/pd with out going out all night. Mike wanted Dave to go out with his brother, since Dave doesn't do boat well that's not in the books, he went vicariously through you on your video. Looks like some more fun water adventures, nice your finally out of the nightmare campground.
That would be so cool to be part of the crew for a night! Way past working for any more than one though lol. Super closeup of the manatees... you can count whiskers!! Your daughter sure resembles her Mom on that billboard,very cool to be in the ad.
Barb and Jess certainly do look alike! The manatees swam right up to the kayaks and gave them close and personal looks. They could not have asked for a better day!
Wow what a great video. I am jealous what a cool time. Would love to do it one or two times, but not night after night. About how many pounds did they get? Are the shrimp shipped alive?
They will get anywhere from 500 to 900 pounds a night and yes, they are shipped live to New York. They put them in plastic bags with special water and artificial seaweed. oxygenate them and put them on the plane.
You made the best of your stay despite the crummy campground and memorable activities. Lots of fun with great folks you met on the road. Wished we were there to have some of that shrimp or any seafood for that matter.
I think after having experienced this laboursome harvest of shrimp it is easier to accept the price of them in the supermarket. We often complain about the price of seafood but forget about the hardship that is involved in fishing and the long ways of travel before in reaches our table. Nice video!
Thanks, and on top of that they have to deal with weather, storms, hurricanes and the shrimp bury themselves in the mud during cold weather. Who knew!?!?
No wonder wild caught shrimp from the Gulf cost more. That is way too much work, but so glad to see them throwing back everything but the shrimp. Loved seeing the dolphins eating their way along the boat. Great video! How neat that Jessica is in the WellSpan ads!!
What an awesome adventure to go on the shrimp boat. Great video. Thanks for sharing. I was drooling over all those shrimp. lol
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely shrimp country around here. You can get a huge plate of them for $12.
DeleteWow, what a night of shrimping! Fun video.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was a blast!
DeleteAmazing what we take for granted. One person's job would be another's scorn. They all have their dangers and benefits.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are still Enjoying your time with Friends while exploring the area.
Be Safe!
It's about time.
They definitely work hard and long hours every night!
DeleteWhat an adventure you folks are having. Glad you've put the unpleasant campground behind you. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteWe are now in Lithia Springs State Park, it is worlds apart from our previous park!
DeleteVery cool adventure there Bubba Gump. I don't know if I could eat those now. They are so cute with their little bug eyes.
ReplyDeleteOh believe me, we will still not have an issue with that!
DeleteWho'd have thunk a meetup in AK would have led to a fishing trip in AK, glad we brought Mike & Liz that day. We picked up shrimp off the docks in Pass Christian for $5.50/pd with out going out all night. Mike wanted Dave to go out with his brother, since Dave doesn't do boat well that's not in the books, he went vicariously through you on your video. Looks like some more fun water adventures, nice your finally out of the nightmare campground.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us, they are a great couple. I think Dave could handle it if the waters were calm.
DeleteLooks like you are prepped to ride along with The Deadliest Catch. How fun! Does your GoPro smell like seafood now?
ReplyDeleteThere are actually a lot of similarities other than the cold and the wind. Very interesting night!
DeleteWhat a cool experience! Makes you appreciate the shrimp that much!
ReplyDeleteNow whenever I have a shrimp I will think of that experience!
DeleteThat would be so cool to be part of the crew for a night! Way past working for any more than one though lol. Super closeup of the manatees... you can count whiskers!! Your daughter sure resembles her Mom on that billboard,very cool to be in the ad.
ReplyDeleteBarb and Jess certainly do look alike! The manatees swam right up to the kayaks and gave them close and personal looks. They could not have asked for a better day!
DeleteWow what a great video. I am jealous what a cool time. Would love to do it one or two times, but not night after night. About how many pounds did they get? Are the shrimp shipped alive?
ReplyDeleteThey will get anywhere from 500 to 900 pounds a night and yes, they are shipped live to New York. They put them in plastic bags with special water and artificial seaweed. oxygenate them and put them on the plane.
DeleteCool I thought they would ship them alive. That's a lot of shrimp.
DeleteI think they will live up to 3 days in the oxygenated bags.
DeleteIt is amazing what adventures you find yourself in if you are willing to say "YES!". Love the video.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to have this opportunity!
DeleteYou made the best of your stay despite the crummy campground and memorable activities. Lots of fun with great folks you met on the road. Wished we were there to have some of that shrimp or any seafood for that matter.
ReplyDeleteWe sure had our fair share of fresh shrimp in that area but these do not get any fresher!
DeleteI think after having experienced this laboursome harvest of shrimp it is easier to accept the price of them in the supermarket. We often complain about the price of seafood but forget about the hardship that is involved in fishing and the long ways of travel before in reaches our table. Nice video!
DeleteThanks, and on top of that they have to deal with weather, storms, hurricanes and the shrimp bury themselves in the mud during cold weather. Who knew!?!?
DeleteNo wonder wild caught shrimp from the Gulf cost more. That is way too much work, but so glad to see them throwing back everything but the shrimp. Loved seeing the dolphins eating their way along the boat. Great video! How neat that Jessica is in the WellSpan ads!!
ReplyDeleteIncredibly educational, I will never forget it!
Delete