Every year when I was younger, my dad would let me miss a week of school and take me on a hunting/camping/fishing trip in the panhandle of Florida on the Apalachicola River. It is an area that almost seems to take you back in time, back before we paved everything and put up buildings. A wild, untamed part of Florida that few know about and even fewer get to experience. You won’t find this place on any tourist brochures.
As I’ve gotten older the trip has become less about missing a week of school and more about getting away from my kids for a week spending time with my dad and unwinding. There is something so refreshing about being out in nature and away from your daily hustle and stresses. You feel closer to God and really have a chance to properly reorganize your priorities.
As our annual trip is upon us, I will be there in less than 12 hours, I am reminded of all the amazing adventures I’ve had out there with my dad and a few other friends over the years. We could tell stories for days. The river splits and forms an island that is only accessible by boat and that is where we like to spend a lot of our time. We go whole days sometimes without seeing another person out there. On one hand, it’s a shame more people don’t get to experience this beauty, on the other hand, that’s one of the reasons it’s so beautiful.
Sunrises and sunsets on the river are amazing. We are always finding some odd, bizarre or otherwise interesting things. Two years ago we found a giant turtle shell.
There are also Indian mounds on the island that the Native Americans built in order to stay dry when it flooded. Here is my dad and I standing in front of one of the mounds.
Then at other times it’s the simple beauty of the patch of flowers we found in the middle of the woods and the flying insect that was coming to get the pollen.
I’m looking forward to getting back out there, eating some fresh fish and spending some time with my dad. I also look forward to the time when my kids are old enough that I can bring them out too.
Beautiful post, now I’m going to curse you under my breath. It’s 17 degrees today in Indiana! Have fun and enjoy!
Thanks. I sure hope it doesn’t get down to 17 degrees here, that’s cold out in the woods!
What a great tradition. Thank you for sharing. Good lookin’ catfish too.
The catfish are some of my favorite parts about the trip. We always have a fish fry and it is amazing.
Have an amazing trip and look forward to seeing pics! What a beautiful place and great quality time with your dad! Sunshine Grandpa, that is!
Enjoy and I’m sure your kids will be thrilled to go with you, once they are of age!
Can’t beat that father & son time. It’s traditions like this that really make me feel for those who don’t have a father in their life. It’s also a good reminder of how important our job is with our children. Does he “beat you” at hunting and fishing or have you been able to take down the champ in this arena too like you did with Ping pong?
Hunting isn’t me vs. my dad, it’s more us vs. nature. I can assure you nature doesn’t let us win at anything. Ha. (But if we’re keeping score Dad is definitely ahead)
I’m glad to see you spending time with your Dad. There are so many kids that very seldom have contact with their parents once they are out of the house. You are making memories which you and your Dad will
cherish for the rest of your lives.
We’re building on our memories. The older we get the more precious those memories become.
Love it. Hope you’re having a great time with your dad. Wish my dad were still alive so we could create and share similar memories.
Thanks, we had a great time. I’m blessed he’s still around and part of my and my kids’ lives.