Emily and I went down to the farm Friday around 3:00 to try and beat darkness and traffic getting there. We stopped on the way at Bass Pro and got a couple mineral supplement blocks, couple more Cuddeback Captures (proving to be a great product thus far), and a different predator caller I had researched a lot about, the FoxPro FX3 (http://www.gofoxpro.com/) which is definitely worth the extra money over any other brand. It has a lot more distance on the wireless remote, and you can download sounds directly to it versus having to buy cards...just seems to be ahead of the rest in product technology that works well. We will see how it performs later this year. We got some gas and cold beers and got down right in time to go check the game camera from last week and maybe, roost a turkey. We did roost some birds right near where we parked while AG was feeding. And from the game camera, we got some of picture- a couple of doe's and a one horned spike, cant wait to see what we get with three cameras out.
The next morning I got up and had an amazing hunt. Called in two birds first thing, near where we had roosted some. I was sure they were good gobblers, both gobbling their heads off and strutting. I am glad I waited to shoot as I could not see anything but heads till they were 5 yards away. They were both young jakes with 4-5 inch beards, so I let them ease all around me and slide away listening to them shock gobble at everything! That was a successful hunt in my book. So I went and scouted the area a little bit for a spot where I am planning to put a feeder. Then, as I was heading in, I decided to hit the crow call, and boom at least two gobblers sounded off not to far away. I eased around a road using the topography to help hide me, and with a little calling here came three red headed long beards right in. Nailed the one that had the easiest shot at 25-30 yards....a bit longer than I thought he was, but that new choke tube and shells I got at the end of last year paid off. (I missed/wounded one like that last year at about 35-40 yards). The bird had two beards (an 11" paintbrush and a 5" second beard), he weighed 16 lbs. 4 ounces and had about 3/4" spurs, which was surprisingly short for the beard. The spurs were not very pointy either...maybe he had worn them to a nubbin? Great start to the season!! 
After cleaning the turkey, we took off to Union Springs to get some lunch (Subway) and buy some groceries for supper and breakfast. We took our time getting there and rode around some to show Emily the area more. We also stopped by and saw some neighbors who were getting ready to have a fish fry. When we got back to the camp, we started smoking some deer backstrap and a turkey breast from the freezer and slow cooking some fresh turnip greens. While everything was cooking, we dismantled an old feeder that has not been in operation for like 10 years. We used steel wool to clean the rust off and get it ready to paint. I plan on rehabing this old barrel and add a feeder kit to it when I buy the other feeders, soon. Dinner turned out great and we had a blast just chilling on the porch with baby and doggies. Before dinner Amy Grace decided to spend some time attempting to roll over, good stuff.
The next day we slept-in to catch up on rest after a long week, and after breakfast, we went out in the field to put out the two new cameras and two mineral blocks. We had fun getting the dogs some running in, watching Star try and hitch a ride on the golf cart. We saw several turkeys and a couple of racked bucks. Then when we got back to the camp, we cleaned up, packed, and got back on the road to fight Spring Break traffic home! This weekend showed us even more so, how it would really fit us and our personalities to live somewhere like this. Maybe one day we will be able to move closer to the farm or even to live on it. Dreams for the future to work for...Longleafs planted in 2003-04 growing well
Turkey tracks in road:
Amy Grace loaded up and ready to head back to B'ham:
Turkey tracks in road:Amy Grace loaded up and ready to head back to B'ham: 
On Valentine's Day (Saturday), we hiked a while and then cooked up a good fajita meal - camper style! 
Star wanting us to pull out her bed so she could sleep:
Fajitas for Valentines:
On Saturday morning we woke up much more refreshed (stress off from being away from town/work for a couple days) and after a nice breakfast, showered, and headed out for our first hike, the 1-1.5 mile round trip to the two waterfalls via the East Rim of the Canyon. The tough part about the hike would be the 400+ stairs and steep descent. I started out with the baby in the Baby Bjourn and Emily with the dogs. The Baby Bjourn is designed so that you can carry the baby on your chest and that made it quite an adjustment walking (especially down hill) as I could not see my feet. But we made it and little Amy slept the whole time. The falls were perfect and flowing nicely. We then faced the tough task of being out of shape and having to climb back up the gorge with baby and doggies. It was a challenge and we needed several breaks but we made it back to the car...all within a two or three hours. 
First waterfall:
On the way to the second waterfall: 
Second waterfall: 
Sunday turned out to be the best and most beautiful day yet. All the campers had left and we were all alone in the campground with the exception of the host. We felt great from the excersize we had gotten in the Canyon, and were ready to go again. Today, we set out to hike the West Rim Trail, a 5+/- mile loop trail. It was fairly level for most of it and was really enjoyable, offering some great views along the way. We hoofed it in order to get back for the Super Bowl as well as to get some good excersize. We made it back in about 2.5 hours. This was fun!
