Camping at The Angelina River

I was in high school when we went camping on the Angelina River.

I’m not sure who came up with the idea that we needed to go primitive camping in a spot that was only accessible by boat. It was either Daddy or Uncle Rick.

None of us girls would’ve immediately thought, “ Hey, let’s go to a place with no bathrooms, showers, running water of any kind…oh, and we’ll have to make a few trips in the boat to get everything to the camp.”

Whoever’s idea it was, it ended up being a good one.

It took about three or four trips between two boats to get all the water, ice chests, and tents we needed to the site.

Daddy and Mae had their big tent, I had my small tent, and Uncle Rick and Aunt Barb decided to sleep under the stars. I know that had to be Uncle Rick’s idea.

Anyway, we got there and set up and the fishing and trash talking started.

We all swore we’d be the ones to catch the first fish, the biggest fish, and the most fish.

I don’t remember who caught what, so I probably didn’t catch any of those, lol

But, I can tell you what I didn’t catch. And it was Uncle Rick’s fault.

Probably.

I’m gonna blame him anyway.

I had spent a couple of hours bank fishing while everybody else was in the boats. I was getting a bite that kept taking my bait.

Figuring it was a little one, I changed to a smaller hook. After a little while and a lot of bait longer, I finally hooked the little sucker!

Uncle Rick comes around the bend in the river right then and I’m standing where they tie the boat up reeling in my catch. He decides it’d be great fun to swoop close by and make a wave.

He cut my line with the boat. It pulled taut at first like it was tangled up then it went slack.

No weight. No hook. No bait. NO FISH!!!

It’s funny now, but back then, if I cussed (and if I would’ve been allowed to) Uncle Rick would’ve gotten an ear full.

While we were there, a guy came to talk to us a couple of times. He had lost his job. He had been something or other important and had a nice brick home (he said). He camped on the river for free to save money on electricity and bills and such.

I asked Uncle Rick what the guy’s name was and he said it was Ol’ Newt. I’ve wondered through the years if Ol’ Newt ever got on his feet again.

Uncle Rick and Aunt Barb were going to sleep outside. When we were packing the boats for the first trip, Uncle Rick said,

“Bird, I can’t believe you let those women talk you into tents and changes of clothes. It’s costing us an extra trip or two.”

I’m pretty sure he was teasing… At any rate he received an eyeroll from me.

It turned out, as the nights went on, their cots moved closer and closer to the fire to smoke out the gnats and mosquitos.

The last thing that was exciting to me back then was when I was getting some bait from the ice chest in our boat and I saw a scorpion. I had never seen one in person before that. Not alive anyway.

I went and told Dad that I was pretty sure there was a scorpion in the boat. We went and looked and he found it and scooped it out of the boat.

I think we all checked our sleeping bags and where we stepped ( and squatted) a little better after that.

Camping and fishing have been favorite hobbies ever since I can remember. Getting to do those things with my family has given me some of my best memories.

Not just because we cut up and tease each other, but because I’ve gotten to spend time with the people I love

Until next time, take care of the people you love and don’t forget to make a few memories worth telling.

Grab a cup of coffee and stay a while ☕…

A few stories you may like are coming soon

What was Jesus Like?

Don’t Flip in Front of the News!

Don’t Throw Frogs at the Window!

Are you hungry 🍴…

A few recipes you may like are coming soon

Campfire Cobbler

American Chowmein

Chocolate Mint Snow Cookies

Pull up a chair 🪑…

Around here stories are meant to be shared. Do you have a memory that makes you glad to be able to share time with the people in it? I’d love to hear about it!