Boca Grande, to us its the tarpon fishing wonderland. The playground of the elite during the winter months, or “social season” but during the summer months, it’s mostly abandoned and boarded up in case of a hurricane... we love it down there, and even tho it’s hot, it’s not as hot as Wadmalaw Island.

This year we managed to escape down that way for a week. Enough time for both of us to relax and wind down. To spend mornings fishing or exploring, lazy afternoons enjoying nap time or reading or just lounging, and the evenings enjoying culinary delight after delight.. and ending most evenings with chocolate martinis!  But the main reason we were down that way was the tarpon, the silver king, the poon... I’ve never seen so many in my life. Literally thousands rolling and gulping air. We could see them so well on Capt Mark Bennett’s Hummingbird Minn Kota. It was amazing how clear you could see the images and the detail on that thing (now of course B wants one, lol).  The 15" Mega is the real deal.

Anyhow, back to fishing.  B was the first to ‘hook up’ with one. About a 70#'er.

B, being an amazing fisherman himself, was easily able to get this one to the boat, snagged a quick photo and then a clean release. 

Then it was my turn. I asked Capt Mark to make sure he hooked a "little one" for me. Well, he doesn’t listen, and soon I found myself with a 120# Fish at the other end of my line. You’ve never felt anything like the pull of a tarpon. It’s like trying to pull a school bus off the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. And they fight!! Holy💩 do they fight. B actually was holding onto my pants so I wouldn’t get pulled overboard 😂😂😂

After about 20 minutes or so and I couldn’t feel my arms, B helped me for a bit. Then I tried some more and let me tell you. When they jump and get new air and a new lease on life. It’s on like donkey Kong again , the line zings against the drag and they’re another 1000’ away. Anyhow between the two of us, B finally got him to the boat and Jenni got some amazing photos (actually the one of us with the tarpon is one of my all-time favorites.  The feeling of catching your first one of these pre-historic fish is overwhelming and amazing.  #imhookednow for sure!  We also had a nice, clean release on this one. 

B has been fishing with Capt. Mark & Jenni for over 20 years now, sometimes they're like #brothersfromanothermother.  There are always lots of great stories, some about fishing, some about life, they always catch tons of fish, and Jenni is an awesome first mate and photographer.  Details & Links at bottom of blog post. 

If you want to fish with them, my suggestion is that you book early.  He fills up FAST.... and make sure to ask him about his shoes!  lol

Our second favorite thing about BG is the FOOD!!!!  Always amazing, delicious, and most have a great view, or a great story behind them.  We ate at Millers Dockside the first night, which is a tradition.  On the waterway, and at the marina.  The tuna tacos were delicious.  Night 2 at the beach, to watch the sunset at South Beach Grill, where we left our mark on the directional sign of 531 Miles back to Wadmalaw along with several others.  Night 3, PJ's Seaside Grill, which was delicious, but we were informed that this was our last meal there, as they were closing after 31 years. Night 4 Third Street Bistro.  So delicious,  grilled shrimp cocktail and out of this world fish.  Super cute little restaurant.  Definitely going back there.  Night 5, "The Temp", aka The Temptation.  always outstanding.  and our last night tradition... "The Pink" aka The Pink Elephant.   Simply amazing, the service here is the best on the island.  We had some great servers during the week, but here, it's top notch. Here are some photos (when I remembered to take them) 

And for a few random shots of the interesting sights and the streetscape... and we ended up taking the "big rig" down there, talk about country come to town, and we don't smoke, but lol, how long has it been since you've seen one of these babies?  the Temp has one by the bathrooms. 

All the deets...

Place:  Boca Grande, FL  26˚ 44'56" N 82˚ 15'43 W
Charter Captain:  Capt Mark Bennett www.tarponsnook.com
Tarpon Fishing Photos: Jenni Bennet www.jennibennett.com
Accommodations: www.BocaGrandeVacations.com

But most of all, thanks, B for another great trip to Boca Grande, and sharing your love of fishing (especially tarpon now), and this crazy fun filled life we have with me!! 💕

Theres nothing quite like the smell of pluff
mud, salt water and oysters in the morning. We are so blessed and fortunate to have this view and serenity on the lower Leadenwah.

To wake to to the smells of the creek and the sounds of birds chirping, donkeys braying, roosters crowing over morning coffee starts my day out on such a peaceful note.

Life is what hat you make of it. Daily. Either you can make it difficult or make it wonderful. You can choose to dwell on things you can't control or have no control of, or you can move forward. You can wallow in your pain or grief or sadness or anger, or you can let it go. Personally, I've done a lot of "wallowing in grief" but with good reason. Today though is going to be amazing, and it all started with pluff mud, salt water and oysters. Oh, and a wee little spotted fawn in the front yard ❤️❤️❤️

Trip down memory lane and blast from the past. Received an inquiry late last night for a tie. Turns out, she's married to a friend from high school...

Memories of 'Jack & Diane' blaring from the cassette deck of the '76 Triumph Spitfire ragtop blasting through the countryside and a mostly angry little 15yr old girl. Angry that my parents had moved me from paradise (aka Hilton Head Island) to this po-dunk one stoplight town in the middle of BFGeorgia.

As it turns out. It's probably the town that 'saved me'. On a collision course with way too much way to big for your britches fun, Woodbury, GA (aka BFG) was just what I needed.

Looking back, I'm so very thankful, not just for saving me. But for the amazing and lifelong friendships. Thank you Roxanne for making me take a little trip down memory lane today. And thank you for your purchase of a Chukkar bow tie for tour hubby. Can't wait to see the photos!

Then, and a couple years back when I took Hannah & her friend to visit UGA for college visits. Their very favorite part was the trip to Woodbury. Mine was the lifelong friendship and seeing Debbie & TLC (Tommie Lynne Cashion)

BFG

I was always meant to be a country girl ❤️❤️❤️

As 2016 draws to a close, my thoughts have drifted to who doesn't love a #happyending?  Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about necklaces here!!!  My favorite new necklaces besides the #perfectdroptassle are the new #happyendings, aka the Perfect Drop Tassle, with a Happy Ending.  What is a happy ending?  It's a necklace you can dangle a host of different endings from which should make you happy! You're not tied down to a single tassle, an antler, a cross, a pendant or one of anything.  You can literally "dangle" just about anything off the end of your #happyending necklace.  They start of course with a great foundation necklace, ie one you can wear with just about any ending that makes you happy, or several happy endings for that matter!  What's left will be picked up from @TrailerFash on Monday and put on the website next week.  

Until then, everyone have a SAFE & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  2017 Bring it... 2016, good riddance...

#whatdoesntkillyoumakesyoustronger #make2017youryear #endthesadnesscycle #psdontdrinkanddrive #2017bringit

B & I went hunting last night.  Neither of us saw anything. Heard some shots so know they were walking somwhere.  When we were walking in the house he hugged me and said how blessed we have been by the deer gods this year.  I killed my first ever buck, he was awesome (getting mounted, thanks B). B killed the biggest body weight, oldest deer he's ever killed, in fact he aged out on the teeth chart according to the jaw bone charts  (also getting mounted). B also killed two cull bucks (the ones who need to go because they're just not right, or they're all they're going to be and not produce any bigger rack then they have, and the better ones need to be breeding,  and I killed a doe as well.  We have plenty of meat in the freezer for this coming year, and are enjoying packing some up and giving it to family, as well as a few who need it. Above all, we only hunt responsibly and ethically.  B only hunts with his bow, as for me, I hunt with a single shot slug gun.  We only take what we need, or what needs to go.

We are truly blessed & thankful to have this life we have.  As I look back on 2016, though there were some of the toughest moments I've ever faced, there were some awesome times too.  #whatdoesntkillyoumakesyoustronger #blessedlife #thankfullife #deergods #lowcountrywildlifeservices

I got this from my daughter the other day.  It really made me think about the girls & women out there who dont have a good relationship with their mothers.  It's so very important.  Hannah and I have an awesome relationship, in fact, sometimes we say we're the same person.  We haven't had an easy life, in fact it's been much harder than most, but throughout we've tackled lifes worst moments and best as well.  I'm very, thankful for this amazing girl today, and every day.  Funny, as I was writing this, she called me just to chat (of course she was driving, she always calls when she's driving...)

Call your mom, if you still have her and tell her you love her.  Then call your daughter(s) and tell her you love her too.  #youcanthankmelater #positivelife #girlsrule