chili bone

So, it's been raining most of the afternoon and has picked up during the evening. We're expecting 2- 4 inches here along the immediate coast. We may have had some gusts in the 30- 40 mph range. Basically, it's been like a strong cold front that would come through during the winter...nothing like the folks up north are expecting in a day or two. Carl

Irene has just decided to open up with a prodigious amount of rain here. Decided to toast the beginning of the festivities with a yuengling. About 24 hours from now we should hopefully see some clearing skys and, I pray, not too much damage.

Here is snippet from the local hurricane warning statement in Wilmington. Sleep will be hard to come by tomorrow night. ...WINDS... AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES...SUSTAINED WINDS ARE FORECAST TO REACH 30 TO 40 MPH FRIDAY EVENING...INCREASING TO 50 TO 70 MPH SATURDAY MORNING. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH 75 TO 85 MPH ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST AT THE HEIGHT OF THE STORM SATURDAY. POORLY ANCHORED MOBILE HOMES MAY BE DESTROYED...ALONG WITH THOSE OF OLD OR POOR CONSTRUCTION. SOME WELL ANCHORED MOBILE HOMES WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO ROOFS...WALLS...AND WINDOWS...AND COULD BECOME UNINHABITABLE. SOME HOMES OF FRAME CONSTRUCTION WILL SUSTAIN PARTIAL WALL AND ROOF FAILURE...AND POSSIBLY BLOWN OUT WINDOWS. LOOSE OUTDOOR ITEMS WILL BECOME PROJECTILES...CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. MANY AREAS WILL EXPERIENCE POWER OUTAGES WITH SOME DOWNED POWER POLES. NUMEROUS LARGE BRANCHES OF HEALTHY TREES WILL SNAP. SOME TREES WILL BE UPROOTED...ESPECIALLY WHERE THE GROUND IS SATURATED. ...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE... AS HURRICANE IRENE APPROACHES THE COAST...THERE IS AN INCREASING CHANCE FOR COMBINED STORM SURGE AND ASTRONOMICAL TIDE WATERS UP TO 9 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL WITHIN AREAS CLOSER TO THE COAST... RESULTING IN WORST CASE FLOOD INUNDATION OF 4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE SURGE ZONE. ...INLAND FLOODING... A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRE AREA. SEE LATEST FORECAST FOR LATEST INFORMATION. TOTAL RAINFALL BY LATE SATURDAY IS EXPECTED TO BE FOUR TO SIX INCHES WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS FOR YOUR LOCATION...AND BE READY TO ACT IF FLOODING RAINS OCCUR. ...COASTAL HAZARDS... SIGNIFICANT COASTAL HAZARDS ARE LIKELY ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. STRONG RIP CURRENTS AND LARGE BREAKING WAVES WILL MAKE GOING INTO THE WATER AT THE BEACHES UNSAFE. ADDITIONALLY...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT BEACH EROSION AT ALL AREA BEACHES.

Wilmington, NC, I would think that would be a good idea. Yeah, this isn't our first rodeo with a storm. I've seen the eye of 4 hurricanes pass over my house since 1996. I know the Gulf has been having their share over the last few years, but I think we have been due for one on the east coast. It's just the way the cycle goes. Carl

I suppose I should start keeping an eye to the south as things are starting to get interesting come this weekend.

I can't specifically comment on the CF 1, but I have the CF 3 and thoroughly enjoy them. They may be a bit more laid back in sound compared to other models. For $100, check them out.

Enjoying a Wild Turkey with a splash of water this evening while trying to figure out what went wrong with the fishies this morning. Trolled for 3 hours with one bluefish to show for the effort. The conditions were a little sporty during the troll so tried a little bottom fishing and nada... I think the east wind was shutting the bite down. Must have been wearing fish repellent today. Came home, cleaned the boat and commenced to drinking. At least I can catch a buzz. Listening to some Steely Dan and winding down the evening. Everyone have a round on me. Carl

Chuck - Positive waves and prayers sent your way. Carl

Fini, I make no claims on having much fly fishing experience but I would think you have the makings of a good setup to give it a go. If there are some tackle shops in the area, it may be worth picking the brains of those folks for the type of equipment that is most commonly used and the fly types used duirng the year/season. You could also go with a fishing guide one time to get your bearings and then go from there. Winding down the week sippin' on a bourbon. Have one on me fellas. Carl

I actually don't know the man's name, but he has a stand that he sets up on weekends across the highway from Poplar Grove Plantation. He shuttles back and forth between his place on Scotts Hill Loop Road and the stand with coolers in his truck to supply the shrimp. The ones we got this weekend were a bit on the small side (30/40 count), but sometimes they are good sized.

Sippin on some bourbon while I rig some fishing rods to see if any fish may be chewing tomorrow morning. Had some fresh shrimp tonight....saw my man driving from the marina to the shrimp stand this morning so I had to get some. Hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July celebrations. Carl

I don't have my own eastern NC sauce but the one below is good. They are out of Goldsboro. http://www.scottsbarbecuesauce.com/

Winchester, That reef is somewhere south of Frying Pan Tower. Too far for me in my 18 foot Key West. I remember reading in the news about the barge when it was being sunk. Enjoy your week.

You got that right. Living in in eastern North Carolina, that is the only way to do BBQ...Whole hog, slow cooked, vinegar based sauce. Hush puppies, boiled potatos and slaw on the side. Maybe also some Brunswick Stew.

What pound test line was on those reels? Although if the fish decide they don't want to be caught they'll find a way to make you look like a fool. I guess that's why it's called "fishing" and not "catching". I went out yesterday on lake atlantic few a few hours to one of the artificial reefs a couple of miles offshore. I could have waterskied out there it was so calm. Only a couple undersized black seabass and a few bluefish to show for my efforts. I was hoping to entice some spanish mackeral or possibly a cobia but it wasn't going to happen. Enjoying a Saranac pale ale (or three) on this hot afternoon. Weather man is calling for 105 heat indices the next couple of days. Stay cool gentlemen. Carl

Sounds tasty chili bone. Gas or charcoal? You will have to stop by sometime. I am off Greenville Loop on Leeward Lane. The gray cedar house with carpenter bee holes on the facia Gas grill used for the steaks. Those carpenter bees are a pain. We had problems with them at our old house. I do need to take you up on your offer. I'd like to hear your system sometime.

Tarheel - Saw some azalea belles doing the parade wave in front of Landfall for the garden tours today. Just enjoyed a grilled new york strip with baked potato and wilted spinach... yum. Watched some awesom Masters golf action this afternoon and am now enjoying some bourbon and water and listening to some Allman Brothers. Enjoy your evening gentlemen. I'll buy this round. Carl

Hey Tarheel, How was the food? That chef cooked some good food when he used to run the kitchen at Deluxe. Hope everyone is enjoying the nice spring weather....azaleas starting to bloom now. Carl

We got the kids down not long ago, too. Had a couple of Saranac Pale ales when I first got home ...now switched to a bourbon and water to wind down the night. Trying to figure out the marine forecast for this weekend for some fishing. I've heard the spot run is starting and the spanish mackeral and bluefish are thick outside the inlets, but the wind is not looking all that great for this weekend. Guess I'll pick at some flounder and drum along the waterway and creeks if the wind picks up. Cheers gentleman, Carl

You know, we do the same thing. In three weeks we are dropping the kids off with the grandparents in little Washington and the better half and I spending a long weekend there. Oh by the way, I'm hoping the Pirates have there game face on and Pinckney is out of his funk today. Hope its a good game.

Rush - 2112

That overcast sky scared me off the water today...wasn't sure if things were going to get sketchy this afternoon. Maybe a quick fishing trip tomorrow morning. Sure did enjoy a great fresh shrimp scampi meal this evening and ever so glad to have tomorrow off from work. Happy Labor Day everyone! Next round is on me. Carl

Just finished my second beer after a fairly busy day...mowed the yard, edged the driveway and sidewalk. I also mended my cast net so the little bait fishies can't escape as easily. Or it could be I just can't throw it worth a flip. Getting ready to hook up the boat for fun on the water around Figure Eight island tomorrow and Monday. I'm about to switch gears and start sipping on some Wild Turkey and water. I wonder if Winchester limited out on doves this afternoon. I may try to kick some of them up next weekend. Carl

I enjoy a rum now and then and I tell you the best I have had is Mount Gay Extra Old. However, I drink it like I do the bourbon, either over ice or with a little water. Their Eclipse brand is good too, but the Extra Old really sets itself apart.

Dang Winchester! Canvasbacks around Charlotte?! Who would of thunk it...that's awesome. Although, there were some particularly cold winters for several years around that time so I bet birds were looking for any water they could find that wasn't locked up. Tarheel - No guarantees, but I'll try to take you up on the generous offers you have extended to get together. It would be nice to meet you. Small kids and work seem to take my free time but I'll try to give you a call soon. Carl