By Sherman Shifflett Looking for a place in the mountains to get away for a few days? A place to kick back and enjoy good food and scenic views? Well, there's a quaint place right here in Central Virginia and apparently, it is not a secret. On Friday, February 14, 2020, Ava and I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day at Lydia Mountain Lodge in Greene County, a few miles west of Stanardsville, … [Read more...]
A Pair of Red-tailed Hawks
I heard the crows fussing outside. When I peeked through the kitchen window I could understand why. There was not just one, but two Red-tailed Hawks perched side by side on a limb in the backyard. Interestingly, the squirrels were busy feeding and paid no mind whatsoever to the two big fellows that could have easily eaten them for lunch. The crows squawked and carried on, but kept … [Read more...]
Record Spotted Bass
On New Year’s Day, Clifton Joel Hamilton caught a 4-12 spotted bass at Claytor Lake, a state record for this species. A spotted bass looks almost exactly like a largemouth bass, except the mouth is smaller and it’s full of teeth. For several years now, we have been fishing at Lake Norman near Charlotte at family gatherings and caught bass from the dock that were almost like … [Read more...]
Western Virginia Sport Show
If Cabin Fever is closing in like the Coronavirus, perhaps a trip to ExpoLand in Fishersville is in order. The 33rd Annual Western Virginia Sport Show is underway. This is always a fun-filled occasion for outdoor-types with lots of people you’ve never heard of and a few you have. It’s basically a travel show, with guides from across the county. There will be seminars and displays, … [Read more...]
Big Ol’ Bluefins
Bluefin tuna made a good showing last week out of Pirates Cove and Wanchese. Private boats caught several nice fish, the biggest tuna weighing in at 831pounds. And more good news on the saltwater front. An in-the-slot puppy drum was caught at ramp 55. There were some small black drum landed at the Jetties. In Nags Head, some stripers are still showing up in the sound. In Virginia waters, … [Read more...]
Guardian Angels
Children today don’t need a Guardian Angel. Who needs angels when you have two over-protective parents that monitor each breath, public schools that inspect your lunch bags for trans-fats and a nanny-state government that requires seat belts and helmets when a youngster pulls up a chair to the kitchen table. But Boomers certainly needed Guardian Angels – a whole flock of them. It’s a wonder any … [Read more...]
Chick-fil-A
When it comes to chicken sandwiches, there is Chick-fil-A and then there is everybody else. No one else is close. Their sandwiches are simply incredible. They are leaders in a most competitive industry. Not long ago, Nancy and I were asked to baby sit for the young boys next door. As it turns out, both have a problem with gluten. We had offered to buy dinner for the children and their … [Read more...]
The (Practical) Joker
Some would say that I am a practical joker. I like to play unexpected pranks, especially on my closest friends. For example. Wayne Haga, a CPA from Princeton, WV, was a long-time campmate of yours truly. For over 35 years, a group of us including Wayne have gone camping twice a year. Wayne was also a regular patron of the local Trout Unlimited Fund Raising Banquet which I … [Read more...]
A Mexican Corn Salad
More and more, I am cooking Mexican dishes - tacos, burritos, quesadillas and the like, but I struggle with side dishes. While a taco with lettuce, tomato, cheese, onions and sour cream doesn’t need a lot to accompany it, I feel like there should be something else besides refried beans, salsa and tortilla chips. Naturally, I experimented and came up with a Mexican Corn Salad and it … [Read more...]
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