TEXAS TAYLOR TRAVELS: 2018

Monday, December 31, 2018

Dec 26-30 Back to Mack Creek

Thursday night we got a heck of a rainstorm. It was over about 8:30 am and I headed on to the deer lease. There was water everywhere. It cleared up an then it was pretty. Kevin got here about lunch time. We just rode around looking at things,. That evening we just built a little fire and chilled. I hunted in the woods Friday morning, It was sure pretty but I saw no deer. I checked all my cameras ad actually had one daylight buck picture, but the rest were all night pics. Kyle came up Friday evening. John Jennifer and the kids came in to spend the night, They were coming back from Arkansas. We had a good weekend just not really hunting much but we did eat well. Sunday morning it just set in and rained. We all loaded up and left. I will probably come back on Tuesday.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Dec 23-26 Its Christmas

Adam and Andrea came in on Friday. They made their rounds on Saturday. I got home on Saturday and spent the day cleaning my ruck from the deer lease. I finally got it cleaned inside and out. We are taking it Monday to Bryan so we can carry the boys trampoline. I'm sure going to hate taking it back to the lease after its so clean. I cooked a big pot of chili early Sunday morning as we had our Christmas with A & A later that day. Mike Z, Kristi and the girls came over for lunch also. Our Christmas is done in shifts this year. This doesn't happen often but I forgot to take any pictures Sunday. Monday morning we picked Mom up and headed to Bryan to have Christmas with the boys. Kevin was also there as he came in from West Virginia on Saturday. Peyton and Luke had a good haul. We left about 7:30 that morning and got home about 4:45. Makes for a long day. Christmas morning we went and watched the girls open their gifts. Kristi cooked breakfast and we had a great morning. That evening Kevin came home to spend the night. He will leave to go back to West Virginia on Sunday.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Dec 19- 23 Back to Mack Creek and Loggers

It was a drizzling Wednesday morning. I didn't get in any hurry to head to the lease.. I made it to the lease about 11:30. The Loggers have moved in and were cutting and loading in the front near camp. They have some good equipment and are moving fast. Max was interested in all the work and kept wandering down there to check it out. The deer are still moving at night. I checked one of my cameras and had plenty of deer pictures. 80% were from midnight to 3:am. If it wasn't for cameras I would tell you that three wasn't a deer for miles. Thursday started out with a little drizzle and then cleared up. I hunted my climber but about 10;30 the wind was blowing so hard y big ole tree was swaying. I got down and just walked the woods for awhile. In my old age I don't cover as much ground as I used to. It sure is pretty this time of year in the woods. I did check my other two cameras and to no surprise I had all night pics. It just amazes me how the deer will lay up all day. That evening I rode around to check on all the logging, These guys have some good equipment .There were two more crews working in here near Tennessee 1. When I got back to camp John and I decided the wind was blowing too bad to go out so we had an early happy hour. Thursday morning I decided to just walk the woods and sit. I saw lots of deer sign. About 9:45 I had 3 grown does feed past me. The wind was in my favor and they never saw me as they were about 30 yards from me. I was able to take a picture but with the camera phone its hard to see. That evening I hunted a box stand again but only saw a pretty full moon rising. I'm heading home tomorrow as Christmas time begins. Hope to be back the day after Christmas.

Bobcat (date and times not correct)

Wiley Coyote (dates and times are wrong)

Thicket Stand (date and times are wrong)

Early Happy Hour

Morrison Stand

Its pretty along Mack Creek

Morrison Stand

Morrison Stand see the fox on the right

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Dec 5- 18 Its December

I came home from the deer lease early Tuesday morning. My ole back just needed rest, Just unloaded a few things and took it easy all day. I did put together my new Blackstone Griddle which came in while I was gone. It was simple and I'm read to cook. It took a couple of hours to season it following the instructions. I loaded the tractor on the lowboy so I could leave early in the morning to head to Kristi's to mow their new property. That evening I cooked my first meal on the griddle, Rib eyes with squash and mushrooms. It was chilly Wednesday morning (37) when I left . I started mowing. about 8 and finished about 12:30. The land is 4.7 acres with a lot of trees to dodge. I had no real problems except getting tangling up in barb wire. They are going to build a volleyball facility and it will be the new home of Kingwood Revolution Volleyball Club. When I got home Susan was feeling bad and in bed. Thursday morning I left early and went to Houston PPL to exchange and pick up a Power Converter for the trailer. I had received the wrong one when ordered it, I took awhile to get back as I got caught up in traffic due to a wreck. That evening I did shrimp and asparagus on the griddle. I think I am going to really like cooking on it. I got some kind of bite on my hand Wednesday and it sure is swollen. Not sure what it was but it also itches a lot. It was an overcast day Friday with light showers. I loaded Susan's car with one of her big sewing machines. She is going to Silsbee tomorrow for a refresher course. When we got up Saturday morning it had rained 6.25 inches during the night. I headed to the deer lease. It was a wet nasty day. I came back home Sunday so we could go to Sammi"s birthday dinner. Monday morning I took Mom to her dr appointment. Kevin sent some pictures from West Virginia. He had to drive thru a snowstorm to head to work, Its way too cold for me . I had a dentist appointment early Tuesday morning, after that I headed back to the deer lease. Friday morning about 7, I got a call from Susan. The toilet in our bathroom had hung up and ran all night. Since we are on a septic system , once it got full the water overflowed. I headed home and pulled up carpet in our bedroom. The padding I just ripped up and threw away. Luckily only got as far as Susan's closet and vanity area plus a little in the room itself. I got fans set up to dry it all up. We were going to take the carpet out anyway but now its just sooner than later. Timing is never good. Later in the day I went and picked up Sammi. She is staying with us for the weekend. Susan is taking her shopping for her birthday. The rest of the family went to Austin as Mackenna"s club volleyball team has its first tournament of the year. Saturday Susan and Sammi went shopping. Even after drying out, the carpet had a musky smell to it,. I cut it in strips and took out all the carpet that had been wet.. I didn't want to try and move our bed but I was able to get what I needed out. The smell is now gone. Sunday I found that my water well pump was spraying water on the discharge side. Luckily I had all the parts on hand to repair. When I finished I had one fitting that had a drip, I will redo another day. I mowed the front yard and was headed to the back when my blades quit turning. The belt was on and I thought my pto/clutch may have quit. It turned out to be a broken wire at the clutch, Will make repairs later as this just wasn't my day. That evening I carried Sammi home. Monday Susan and finished up the bulk of our Christmas shopping. After we got home I re-engineered my water well piping and we now have no leaks. I finally got around to working on my Ranger Tuesday. Good news, I got the new belt on, Bad news is there is a hole in the housing. I think moisture got in and cause belt to slip. I think I can repair it with rtv sealant. I will have to go to town to get some but think I will wait till Saturday as I plan to head to the deer lease in the morning,.