Before

Summer is practically here and people are moving in and getting settled at Silverock Cove. Even the four legged kind. If you haven’t met the cat, you will. What used to be a skittish little black blur who darted off at any attempt at affection, is now the resident SRC lap cat. I spent this past weekend up at Silverock Cove and he hung with me the whole time. I like having him around. We keep a bag of dry cat food at the lake and feed him when whenever we are there. I know others do the same. And I have it on good authority that the builders keep him well fed on the weekdays.

I think our kindness is paying off. Saturday morning he left me a special prize.

My Special Prize

He stayed away most of the morning—gloating I’m sure—but returned around lunch to check in. He ran right up to the doormat where he had left it and stared down at the exact spot where it had been. He then looked up at me as if to say, “Hello. Did you not get the present I left you?” I thanked him with a good head pat and some more Friskies. I didn’t have the heart to tell him how quickly I had discarded the poor little mole, or how high pitched my squeal was when I did.

But I digress.

He is a sweet little cat and we should give him a name. Please comment below with any name ideas. Get the kids involved too. We will get Cassie, Lynn and Allen to vote on the best suggestions. 

Everyone knows gas grilling is fast, easy, and convenient on a weeknight in the suburbs. But most lake lovers prefer a more heightened experience—one that is enhanced by the beautiful views, good company and all the tasty aromas of old-fashioned grilling. But which is better? Lump charcoal or briquettes? According to an article on seriouseats.com there’s not a more fundamental and fiercely debated topic in the world of charcoal grilling.

Here are their arguments for each side:

Lump Charcoal is made by burning wood in the absence of oxygen, and lump charcoal is the product of that. Since lump is charcoal in its most natural form, it’s no wonder purists will almost always prefer it. Beyond that, lump charcoal has a lot of attractive qualities; it lights faster, burns hotter, and leaves very little ash compared to briquettes. Lump charcoal is also more responsive to oxygen, making it easier to control the fire’s temperature if your grill has adjustable air vents.

Pros: Lights quickly, burns hotter, little ash production, easier temperature adjustment, all natural

Cons: Burns faster, more expensive, less consistent (bags can contain usually small pieces of charcoal)

Briquettes are kind of like the fast food of charcoal; they’re cheap, reliable, can be found on almost every corner, but you really don’t want to know what’s in them. Unlike the pure lump charcoal, briquettes are manufactured wood by-products compressed with additives that help them light and burn consistently. These additives do give off a chemical smell when lit, but allowing them to burn until covered with white ash before starting to cook should avoid any off-putting smells transferring to your food. Although they may not sound attractive, there are some good advantages to briquettes. They provide a more stable burn, maintaining a steady temperature for a longer period of time with less hand holding then lump charcoal.

Pros: Burns longer, easier to maintain consistent temperature, cheaper

Cons: Longer to light, chemical smell, large ash production

Before you launch your boat and cast your first line into Smith Lake, you must have a valid  fishing license. The good news is they are pretty easy to obtain. Outdoor Alabama is a great resource for everything fishing and according to them, you can get an Alabama Hunting and Fishing Licenses at any of the probate offices and many of the stores that carry fishing tackle or bait. The are also available online and by calling 1-888-848-6887. 

Anglers 16 years through age 64 who are residents and fish with rod and reel or artificial bait must have an Alabama fishing license or a Wildlife Heritage License to fish with hook and line outside county of legal residence or from a boat anywhere on freshwater. To purchase a resident license, you must have a valid Alabama Driver’s License, Alabama’s Non-driver’s ID Card, or meet residency proof requirements. Non-residents ages 16 and older are required to have a non-resident’s license. A person may only be a resident of one state. Resident and non-resident annual fishing licenses are valid from September 1 through August 31 each year.
Residents 65 years of age and over are exempt from buying fishing licenses providing carry an Alabama Driver License, an Alabama non-driver identification card, or other proof of permanent Alabama residence and age while fishing.