Traveling with Gramps

It is one thing to have the title of “Grandfather.” It is another to be a “Gramps” or whatever name your grandkids might give you as your relationship with them develops. I have said many times that if I can do at least half of what my granddad did for and with me for my very special grandkids, then I would be doing OK. This weekend my oldest grandson and I went for a drive to explore and did we ever find something interesting that I am sure he will remember for a long time.

The two of us traveled to the Mississippi River to check out the conditions at one of my favored place to paddle the big river. Of course the river was frozen, but that did not mean there weren’t things to see and do.

As we approached the ramp area/parking lot, I noticed several large totes neatly organized in the lot. Several fellows were working around the totes, so the two of us got out to look around and ask questions. What we learned was that we were seeing the fruits of cutting holes in the ice and seining freshwater drum/sheephead out of the Mississippi River.

The river guys explained that in a typical year they might harvest 300,000 pounds of fish from the river. What we saw was maybe 20,000 to 30,000 pounds of fish. Ironically, the fellows knew where to seine by referring to maps from the 1960s!

These fish would soon be bound for New York and Chicago to be sold on the delicacy market. Apparently those folks know something about preparing these fish that I do not know. I cannot remember ever eating this species unless it was smoked - which was good.

Needless to say, our travels generated ample discussion on the way home. There were plenty of questions asked and certainly good memories made!