Bein’ Sporty in the South

Paddling through the bayou amongst the Cypress trees and various water plants and lily pads took us into a magical world of birds (Great Blue Heron, Little Blue Heron, Night Heron, White Ibis), alligators (we saw two young ones!) and a fishing spider (yes, it actually fishes for small fish). We learned that the Cypress is wide at the base because it swells in the water, creating a strong structural base, which leads to it being highly valued for its natural rot and decay resistance. Demand was so high for this wood that nearly all of it was cut down for building by 1925 and what we see now is 2nd growth. Amazingly, left to grow, they can get as wide as 17 ft across. This paddling trip was one of the most relaxing and interesting afternoons I can imagine.

Steve, trap shooting, finds another sport he’s naturally quite good at 🙂

Not as relaxing, but just as fascinating, we tried trap shooting at Canemount in Mississippi (!) I (Dinah) have had the feeling that I wanted to understand hunting. Knowing that so many people are passionate about it and that we are indeed omnivores, I wanted to see if I could look at hunting a different way.

Dinah giving trap shooting a go.

Steve was told he was a natural marksman and had an impressive hit rate on the little ceramic discs that get flung through the air mechanically. But, I was happy to just tone down some of my fear of the sound of gunshots and anger at guns, and try to put myself in the shoes of a hunter.