Dothan was a metropolis compared to Hartford’s one traffic light, Piggly Wiggly, and about nine thousand churches (one of which touted my uncle as its southern Baptist, borderline snakehandler, fearless leader).

I went into the Army to get away from that area and was sent to Ft. Rucker, twenty miles from where I grew up.

So you weren’t super impressed with the land of pick ups, mobile homes, inbreeding, and all night convenience store chicken and tater logs, huh?

Eh, me either. I no longer visit,drive to, through, or fly over the state of Alabama.

Should you ever return to the area, please check out the Boll Weevil monument poised smack dab in the middle of Enterprise’s Main Street.

I can’t speak for the others, but for me, there was no room to bitch. I was totally awe-struck the entire trip. Mike said in a preparatory email that we’d “see things we’d never see anywhere else.” Turns out that wasn’t just a shallow boast. Having loved the outdoors and nature all my life, I was amazed at the things I saw that I’ve previously only read about or seen in captivity. Flying fish, sting rays, remoras, sea turtles, (fuckin fish-thievin) dolphins, and the list goes on. And of course, there was this dusky shark that I swear had to be at least 20 feet long and 1800 lbs (give or take a little… *grin*).

I have to admit, before we left, I was a little anxious about being 30 miles off shore in a 26 ft boat. Once out there, I gained a new perspective on just how miniscule we humans really are. The vastness is breath-taking.

Then there’s the other aspects of the trip. There was a chance we might not even get to go out on the boat. Nothing’s ever certain when you have to plan around weather and mechanical issues. That would have been fine too. Lady H and I have always enjoyed the time we spend with Mike in any setting. On this trip, we got to make new friends that we hope to see again soon. Everyone got along as if we all knew each other for years. And in a way, I guess we did, by proxy.

Kayden, I have to say. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that you’re the same in person as you are in your writing. It was a pleasure to get to know you. Yeah, I’m still gonna fuck with you about the “elitist water”, but I’ve got a lot of respect for you.

Danny, let’s go steal some pears, dude!!!

Mike, thanks again for the trip of a lifetime.

P.S. You ready to do it again next week???