Marion County Lake is full
By TOOTSIE SNELLING
Marion County Park & Lake Reporter
After nearly three inches of rain, the lake is full and looking great! We really needed it as it was getting kind of low. We should be in good shape now going into spring and summer. Hopefully that won't be all we get. It was a good soaker and has really greened things up.
The pasture burners have been busy, too. This is my time of the year. I love seeing the emerald green pastures of the Flint Hills after they have been burned off. Then come the wild flowers — I can't wait!
The fish man came two weeks ago with our channel cat, about 8,000 of them. He brought half of them Monday evening, then returned Wednesday evening with another load. Dale, Danny, and Galen unloaded them after dark and it was cold. They were really nice channel, running from 12 to 20 inches. People have been catching them already since the rain. Several nice stringers were caught at the north end. PLEASE remember that the limit is five per person, per day. And, that they have to be 12 inches long (and that doesn't mean you can catch five fish, then continue to fish until you catch a bigger one to replace one you already have. (After you catch five fish, you're done for that day.)
The Smiths braved one cold day to fish and came up with some nice ones, the largest weighing around four pounds. They had around seven or eight of them. Those fishing were David and Jacob Smith, Jackie Huertas, Krystel Ellis, and Melissa Lacom. They were happy fishermen!
Fishing from the heated dock has been slow — the crappie just aren't cooperating. Last year was so good I guess they are taking this year off.
We had the McPherson Bass Club here on Sunday. There were eight boats with two fishermen each and they fished all day long. But not one of them came in to tell us how they did. Dale came in to check on the race and when he went back out they all had gone. I think we shall make a rule that you have to tell us how you do when you go fishing!
The nice weather over the weekend brought out many fishermen. At this time of year everyone needs a new license and permit.
We were gone last week on vacation. Dale, me, and my sister, Virginia Gettinger took off from Wichita last Thursday morning en route to St. Louis then on to Tampa, Fla.
The rain that had been here was in St. Louis by the time we got there, so after reloading we had to sit on the tarmac in the middle of a thunderstorm, waiting for the lightning to quit before we could take off. We were number eight in line!
If you remember, it was pretty cool here and we all were wearing jackets. But, when we stepped off the plane in Tampa it was 83 degrees with humidity of 100% or just about. Wow, what a change!
It rained down there the first few days, too, but at least it was warm. Another sister, Regina Prothman from Missouri also came down so we sorta had a family reunion.
My brother had rented a house on the beach for all of us. It was on Anna Maria Island, which is located south of St. Petersburg and north of Sarasota. His wife Judy is a teacher and was on spring break.
Our house was located on the bay side, but we could walk about a mile and be on the Gulf. It was great! I'm ready to go back.
We were up early every morning, setting in our screened in porch, drinking coffee and watching the sun come up. Then we went shelling (I had to buy an extra bag just to bring back all my sea shells).
The water there is a beautiful turquoise bluegreen with deeper blue further out, and the sand is that famous white. We all had sore legs from walking so much. Walking in that sand and water was different.
We went to Beer Can Island one morning, looking for sand dollars. We found a few, but the sea was pretty rough that day and you had to wade out about waist high, then watch out for the waves that would knock you over.
We found several star fish out in front of our house, but they break up so bad that we let them go.
Looking north-northeast from our porch was the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. All the cruise boats went out Sunday evening. What a sight to see all lit up and big! We watched several tankers and freighters go out, too.
One evening, we took in a sunset on the gulf side. I believe everyone else on the island was there, too. You all know how Dale talks — well, one morning while out walking, he ran across two little ladies talking and taking pictures of a house. They asked him if he knew who's house that was? of course he didn't. They said it was Tom Selleck's, so of course, I had to go take a picture of it!
Anna Maria Island runs a free trolley service that runs every 20 minutes and it is about an hour ride from one end to the other. You can get off anywhere and shop and in 20 minutes get back on again.
They don't have fast food chains on the island, only one grocery store and everyone checks in at the same time, 3 p.m., so when we hit the grocery store Saturday evening everyone else was there, too. Boy what a mess, you could hardly walk around. I'm ready to go down there and open a grocery store — I probably could retire after six months.
It is spring there and the trees and flowers were beautiful. We saw trees in full bloom with pink, purple, yellow, and white flowers, just breathtaking.
Of course, our return trip was eventful too. Upon leaving Tampa International, we sat in the plane for an hour waiting for a thunderstorm to clear before we could be backed out from the terminal. Then once on the runway and full throttled up had to abort take-off because of incoming traffic, we had to go around and wait in line again. So, needless to say, we missed our connecting flight at St. Louis by about 10 minutes and had to wait three hours for another flight into Wichita. This flight was heading into the cold front and was like riding a bucking bronco. Our pilot apologized for the rough ride, he tried going up and down, fast and slow, but nothing worked, so we stayed belted in the whole way, getting in at 11p.m. What a cold slap in the face with north winds and 39 degrees!!
We had a wonderful time, but are glad to be home safe and sound.
While we were gone, the war broke out and President Bush visited McDill Air Force Base which was just across the bay from us. We noticed more helicopters and coast guard cutters out on patrol that day.
Our prayers and thoughts are with all the service men and women who have been called to duty. May you all return safely home.
What about them Jayhawks!! We missed Thursday's game flying home, but Saturday's game was an edge of seat, nail-biting game. Can't wait till Saturday!
