Fifth Annual TradGang St Jude's Kayak Trip

[gregg dudley]

We saw a lot of wildlife, told a lot of tales, ate some good groceries, and generally had a good time.  The Gettmans are fantastic people.  If you ever get an opportunity to do something with them, do yourself a favor and take advantage of it.

I'll leave off with a picture of an anhinga, which was Pam's favorite bird, a group photo, and a sunset.

 

 

A good time was had by all...

 

[gregg dudley]

Originally posted by Deno:
Great pics Gregg. Thanks for the paddle along
Deno    

Thanks for the comments.  As much trouble as photobucket gave me today I almost said the heck with it!

[Eric S]

Very nice!

[rastaman]

Thanks for the pictorial Greg! Awesome job! What kind of camera are you using now?  I remember a year or so ago you shared that info but I can't remember what you said.

[hitman]

Some great photography there Gregg.

[gregg dudley]

Thanks, guys.   Just using a Nikon d5000 with a 70-300 mm lens.

[wooddamon1]

Very cool!

[SELFBOW19953]

Great photos, Gregg.  They bring back a lot of memories.  We fished the Oklawaha all the time, before and after the Barge Canal.  I have been on the Silver River numerous times as well, only as a tourist on the glass bottom boats when Ross Allen was there.

[GRINCH]

Looks like everyone enjoyed the trip,thanks for the pics.

[elkken]

Pam and I just got back home, we spent some extra days touring central Florida seeing the Crystal River and driving down to St Pete's for a few days.

To say this trip exceeded all our expectations is an understatement. The Dudley clan are some terrific folks. Gregg is fifth generation Florida and much of his family live right around him in Weirsdale. We were priveledge to meet his mom and dad, Stan and Kathy, his sister Kiki and her husband Eric. Gregg's wife Renee, the sun goddess is a keeper.And Greggs kids are the best, Hanna is a senior this year and Reed is in college. Every Sunday night they have a family dinner at Stan and Kathy's and we joined them on this trip. Boy were the hunting stories flying around the table and the meal was wonderful.

[elkken]

I have been trying to talk Pam into this trip for a few years now and at first all of the gator pics from previous trips kinda scared her off but finally she relented and the bidding got serious at the next St Jude auction, sorry Matty. You need to go on this trip !!!

I'll add some pics and more comments later when I get unpacked. We both got home with terrible colds complements of American Airlines I'm sure. Soooo more to follow.    

[elkken]

this is why Mrs G was hesitant to go kayaking in Florida

[South MS Bowhunter]

Great pic's Gregg and Ken, looking forward to the rest of the adventure!

[KyRidgeRunner]

Looked like an awesome trip!  Nothing like floating down a river.... maybe one of these days I'll make my float with my tall tines and a dead white tail deer as my travel partner.  

[RC]

Outstanding pics sir Greg!RC

[tippit]

One of the Best Trips Joe (Whip) and I have been on!  Only regret is we didn't get to enjoy Renee's company on our trip  

This is always such a cool deal! I need to buy this one year!

Bisch

[gregg dudley]

Thank, fellas!

[elkken]

OK on with the story .... Gregg and Renee were the most gracious host and truly made us feel welcome.

On the first day they picked us up at 8am, Gregg is a very puctual guy, and we headed for the Ocklawaha River for a full day of kayaking and fun on the water.

 

Gregg and Pam

[mangonboat]

Gregg and Renee, thanks for hosting this fantastic trip for another year, and Kenny and Pam, thanks for bidding high for the Kids! Looks like a great trip once again this year!

Did y'all camp overnight? I haul my canoes and/or yaks down to FLorida almost every year to paddle the tidal estuaries and creeks but haven't camped later than April.