I’m getting older now, I’m slowing down a lot. I can still drive myself and my wife to the store or doctor, cook meals and still go to Church. A lot of my friends have died or need help getting around, my wife and I try to keep in touch and visit when we can. But an old man isn’t what you want to read about. So let me tell you a story of a young man full of piss and vinegar, with a brain about the size of a walnut.

I’m Jim and I guess you need to know a little of my childhood before you can understand how I lead the life I have. I grew up in Central Florida, S. of Gainesville and N. of Orlando, went to school there and lived the rural Florida life. I started fishing from the time of remembrance and got my first 22-bolt action at 12. I fished and hunted all around our home, living on a canal that led into a rather large lake I could do about every type of outdoor activity that most kids only dreamed about.

I had a 14’ Jon boat with a 9.9 hp mercury on it so I could cover miles of the lake and explore to my heart’s content. My parents worked so I had after school and summer days to do about what I wanted to do. I had some chores around the house I had to do and as long as I let my older sister Susie know where I was going and about when I would be home, I could come and go as I wanted. I learned wood skills from the library and talking to the older people who lived around me. Mr. Mapp would ask me to take him fishing when the specs (crappies) were biting and when the shell crackers were on bed. In return, he would tell me stories and sometimes give me some fishing gear or a box of 22s. I fed a lot of people squirrels and rabbits once in a while a duck or some quail. Just living the good life.

After I turned 15, I got my driving permit and could get a motorcycle as long as it wasn’t over a 100cc. So, I got a Yamaha 90 and put some hard saddlebags on it, and I could go anywhere I wanted. I then discovered my first obstacle to go and do what I wanted I had to have money. I got a small allowance from my parents for yard work and washing the cars. $10.00 a week would buy a lot in the late 60s, but not enough to live the free life. I got a job as an afternoon janitor at my high school. I worked from 3:30 to 6:30 every day after school cleaning classrooms. I got paid twice a month and made about $60.00 per check. I had weekends, holidays, and summers off and could fish and hunt whenever I wasn’t working. I saved my money as best I could, my parents bought my clothes and paid for my school lunches and a lot of other things, so I was doing fine. I was spending a lot of Saturday on trips to the gulf to fish for reds, snook and trout. Sometimes I would be able to camp out on Saturday night and come back Sunday. It was hard to carry two rods, tackle, food, drinks and camping stuff on a bike. You can do it but it’s not easy and the whole idea for me was to have fun not struggle.

School was going ok, I was a decidedly C-B student, if I liked something I would do good. I liked Florida History and made As, World History Cs. I took Shop and did good on it as I liked to make things and work on stuff. At 16 I got a regular license and found a station wagon that ran ok but was ugly as sin. It cost less than my bike had and had room inside for all my stuff and even for me to sleep in. I sold my bike and bought a 14’ V bottom aluminum and another 9.9 hp motor. At the time in Florida, you didn’t have to register a boat if it was under a 10 hp motor. I was now having to buy a hunting and fishing license so I tried to save money where I could. I liked fishing salt water and started fishing from Stienhatchy to Crystal River. I would spend a few days at a time there in the summer and a couple of weekends a month during the school year. I still fished and hunted close to home too.