Well Over a Quarter Million Already Spent This Year.

A couple days ago I had an extra $2 in my pocket.  Rather than save it for a rainy day I did the only sensible thing I could, I bought a Power-ball Ticket.  Fast forward to yesterday. Secure in the knowledge that I must have won the 236 million dollar jackpot Clider and I headed out to build some blinds.

The first stop was at 'The Blind' on Anderson.  Water levels here are down quite a bit in our neighborhood but only slightly lower as you get closer to the lake.  All the old stakes and blind cover had been blown away from 'The Blind' but I was happy to see that water levels are good enough to support a new hide being built.  Clider spent a lot of time creating a path towards the bike trail and in the process cut down tons of cover material. I strung the new stakes and sank backdrop cover into the ground.  We then did a preliminary camo on the new shape of the new 'The Blind' and made it ready for an opening day grassing and cat-tailing.  While we were busy sweating and spending $187,692 on this part of the lake Peat did absolutely nothing, no wonder he's such a fat slob.

At this time I must mention that as Clider and I cruised by boat to the pylons, and over to 'The Other Side' to get a look around at possibilities, I was not wearing a life jacket.  I did not die.

We docked at 'The Point' and I was amazed by what I saw.  Normally it's all grown in with grasses and cover and all you need to do until the first hard freeze is cut out a nice spot and make room for chairs.  This year our lack of rain and high heat meant that nothing really grew on land.  What did grow was tons of new marsh grass in the bay to the left.  If I was a duck that's where I'd want to be.  In fact the only Greenies we saw were back in the reeds near a spot that Clider has been itching to boat hunt in. Again we spruced up 'The Point' to the tune of $76,268 and made it ready to go.  Peat did some fine retrieving drills and we made it back in time for me to fall asleep in my chair watching the Giants beat up on the hapless Redskins.

 GBCH

Now with More Power and Mucho Camo

Well There It Is!

Regular readers of this blog will remember many years ago when the whole 'Betty' series of vehicles started with the Ole' Black Betty.  A 1986 Ford Bronco II that I traded a ham sandwich and a 12 pack of Budweiser for.  She was a good old truck that brought us to Sauvies Island in the middle of Arctic Blast 08 (?) despite her 2wd capabilities and lack of power or functioning transmission. She started a long line of Betty's.  Black, White, Red, Red again, Camo Green & white and finally Brown.  As you know Brown Betty has gone on to do great things at 8MPG without me.  So, with money in my pocket it was time to spend, and spend big. May I introduce to you......... New Black Betty!

For years I have been attempting to get Fred G to buy the perfect vehicle that could replace Lisa.  Not that Lisa needs to be replaced but I grow tired of hearing about how he never drives her, worries about getting home after hunting and can not use her as a daily driver due to her thirst at the pump.  "Fred G, I say, buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is perfect for your stylie life as a city duck hunter.  Easy to park, luxurious, nice stereo, comfortable and good lookin' just like you"  He never does.

So I did.
Fresh with dollars from the sale of Brown Betty I immediately turned and burned into this. A 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the ultra reliable I6 engine and full-time all wheel drive. It only took me 15 minutes to make the decision, and 8 days at my mechanic to get her ready to go.  I spent today 'Biffing the crumbler' and this is what you see.  Despite the convict spotter headlight, non working sunroof, half a heated drivers seat, noisy aftermarket exhaust and a rip or two in the interior she is good to go.  Even got a thumbs up from my Sweetie. She likes it so much she decided that it may be hers.  Awesome!

Now before you go saying "Bob D, doesn't Clider already have an all black SUV with a boat hitch and a Ducks Unlimited sticker on the back window?" let me remind you that this is a Jeep.  Merican! Made by Merican's and driven by a once and former 'Expert' unlike Clider.  Nothing personal but he is sure to die soon.  Have you seen those pods on his boat?

GBCH

Whoa.... I was Just Getting Warmed Up!

Being that Clider refuses to post any information relating to the pods he has installed on his boat, I will be forced to do it for him.  It goes like this....

"Hello better duck hunters than me!  I recently got me some new pods for the boat that I keep trying to get Bob D. to perish in.  He's a huge pansy when it comes to riding exceptionally close to the water line in the frigid and deadly waters of the Idaho rivers and lakes we hunt.  Also, knowing full well that I want to bring along way more decoys and gear than necessary, and my fat bloated dog, I knew that some pods were in order.

Well here they are.  I had them welded up by a guy who has never done this before and after a couple trips to the lake and then back to the welder I have to believe that they are watertight.  After all what could possible go wrong?  They hold the weight of my sandwhich and a paper plate with ease..........

It seems as I was composing this post that Clider was composing his.  A day late and $70,000 short.  I have to apologize for my miscalculation.

I'm sorry.

Please disregard this post and read the one below for the correct information about the upcoming way that Clider will drown.

GBCH

Pre-Season

The Idaho Chapter is hard at work preparing for the impending onslaught of rapey green headed mallards.  Peat has been on a ration controled diet to deal with his morbid obesity, and has been honing his retrieving and swimming skills with frequent backyard and lake training sessions.  Otis managed to knock a forest grouse out of the air with his single shot .410 the other day, Peat went out for the retrieve with the most enthusiasm he has ever exhibited for a non tennis ball target.

Best looking member of the Idaho Chapter

 The boat floats a little higher in the water with the new addition of pods.  These probably won't break off in the middle of winter leaving massive holes in the back of the boat, sending it's occupants to certain death.  The two wires I have been rubbing together to start the engine have been replaced with a waterproof, hard mounted switch.  New battery cables, front grab handles, blind mounts, waterproof light quick connections, grass mats for the blind, and a little paint are all in the works in the upcoming weeks.

Peat gets the ladies with his good looks.

The boat is registered, the hunting license is in hand, and the Duck Stamp is paid for and on the way. 

It Must Be Time For Another.

Goodbye to the Ole' Brown Betty!

Hello next money pit vehicle!

Today I sold off my old truck to some kid from Pinehurst that needed a truck to go to work.  Hope he makes lots of money to afford the gas that he is sure to buy at a stunning 8mpg.  Sure, the old truck ran well, always started, hauled anything I put in it, was yet another custom H7HT creation and brought me to The Point multiple times with the capacity to bring home the hundreds, if not thousands of Greenies I shotten. But times have changed.

Do I have the 'Crazy Eye'?

Many of you know I will not be hunting for the first month of duck season so I can go back East and help my Mother through some tough times.  The gutters need cleaning and the yard needs to be raked. She also is getting some chemotherapy. The good news is that we are all positive that she will come through this well and be her old self in no time.  And that means with me out of the picture the competition for 'The Expert' title is up for grabs by anyone with access to a truck, boat and a gun.

Hey, that could be you!

But it's not me.  Not yet anyway.  Now that I am flush with tons of cash there is only one thing to do, and that's to find another hunting rig.  I'm thinking Jeep. And I start the search tomorrow. Rest assured that you will hear aboot it first right here in this very blog.  If past experience is any indication of how long it takes me to make a harebrained decision on another bad vehicular conveyance then stay tuned.......
It may be tomorrow.
GBCH