Now that the weather has begun to moderate (moderately moderate) I thought that I’d get my fishing tackle and poles straightened up and make the final repair to my trailer. I did find a photo (of sorts) of my boat/trailer after the fall.
Today I replaced the roller that’s shown in the yellow circle below. The portion of the trailer that the spare tire is mounted on was twisted and while this forces the spare to ride a little to the left (in the photo) it has no effect on handling or aesthetics so I’m finished with all the repairs.
I put in near Athens Al. at the Elk River Mills boat launch. While there I ran into the guy in the photo below. He’s a tournament fisherman in a league that competes from kayaks. I had no idea that was a sport. According to him, there are actually three different leagues and he competes in all three.
This thing has a strong electric motor on it and extensive electronics. Here is a little closer view.
I ran my boat up the Elk River to what I guess was nearly the Tennessee line. When the water started getting ‘thin’ I saw this house on the east side of the river.
There is a lot going on with this place. That’s a pretty unique platform that the house is built on, made of huge concrete blocks and stacked 10 feet or so high. I suppose that’s their way of keeping the river out of the house should the Elk ever flood, but between the bank of 6-8 feet and the block, they’ll escape everything but the second coming. City folk might find the water collection system a little odd and they may think it strange that the house has been circumscribed with a electric wire-mesh fence. Both of these are common when you get away from pavement and light poles and live your life on the edge of civilization.
I will say that this first time I’ve ever seen a gate on the water side of a boat launch, but they obviously have their reasons.
Here is a view (below) of the electric mesh fence. My guess is that it is solar operated as I could see no power going to the place. Looking at other photos I’ve taken, I can see no exterior lighting. These folks apparently have no power or have a generator for emergency interior lighting.
Living this far out it’s a good idea to have an electric mesh fence as all kinds of critters will want to either live with you or eat you. If you’ve ever had a raccoon as a roommate you know just how hard they are to vacate. Same with skunks, possum, squirrels, etc. When you get on in years feral dogs, hogs, and coyote begin sizing you up. All good reasons for fencing.
