I blinked..........and it's today!

Dayton Wayne will be 17 next month. I must admit that I am very proud of him in most every aspect of life (with the exception of completed homework and body odor). His buddies and he are Bass Fisherman. One of his best buds, just aquired a older Winner bass boat and Merc motor. We followed him out last month on the maiden voyage. A few kinks to be worked out.

Boy asked this afternoon if he could take the Ranger and tag along on the second trip. After much discussion with him and my wife, I let him hook up and followed everything he did, until they were out of sight and fishing the pit around the bend above Dutch Gap. They were gone a couple of hours. Being scared to death, I went for a bite to eat while my stomach was in knots. There were two other boats on the water that I could call to check on them or pick me up and deliver me to him. I also track his phone (which better not be turned off). They fished a while, and unfortunately he had to tow his buddies back to the dock.

Since the traffic was light, I had him make a run before he loaded the boat. Funny, you never get the chance to see your own boat on the water.

Here is how it went. I never really considered that he was going to grow up. Why didn't you guys warn me?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ7HguY7MQo

Spring is coming. All the best to everyone.

Dayton

That's neat,hard to believe that's the same kid that was hiding in the back seat from me and Shoer at a NW bash, not that I blame him for that! kooks like you and Mrs. Dayton did a good job.

Great post Dayton. They do grow up fast. Give em a hug (whether they like it or not) every chance you get. You never know what the future holds.

Thanks guys. I do try to hug the little giant when I can. He will stand there and take it but not much on giving back! When we say "Love you boy", we get back "Uh huh, you too", but we will take that for now.

I do try to respect that this life we have is fragile. I've been so blessed that honestly it scares the crap out of me. I keep waiting for my luck to change and I pray that I'm not consuming up my family's allotment of blessings. Several people have shared important stories from their life with me. I try to take them to heart and share them with my kids. I hope they listen. We are not promised anything past today.

Texting and driving, damn drugs that can ruin your life (or take it) with a single use.................it's crazy out there.

On the flip side of that, I can tell you that as crazy as this world is, that the good people far outnumber the bad. I know schools get a bad rap these days, but I can speak out our family's experience with Chesterfield Public schools, I will tell you that a lot of great people are working in them. From Bus Drivers, to teachers, to office staff, to our school Resource Officers (uniformed police) they exceed my expectations daily. And I'm kinda picky.

I won't bore you with the details, but I've got a long list of good items I have witnessed. I've emailed the local media on multiple occasions to provide a story or invite them to something cool at my childs school. They never have time. Funny, that they always have a team available to race to the school for a negative story, like cell phone video of two girls in a hair pulling fight!

I'll get off that soapbox, but my point is that I see a lot of people working to make my kids better, smarter people and doing their best to keep them safe. And it means the world to me.

Dayton

Dayton, I subscribe to your channel and saw the post on youtube before I saw the post here. Hopefully you don't mind that I posted a comment on the video page.

It's funny, I only met you once but back when Shoer was around I used to chit chat with you on here. I actually met you and your family on the river once when the shad were running - didn't really talk, just exchanged hello's and "nice to put a face to the name". Back then your son was about 5-6 years old at the most.

Anyways I followed you on youtube because 1. You're just a genuine good dude and 2. Since those Shoer says circa 2004-2008ish, I've lived in Georgia, Minnesota, and now North Carolina. I really really miss my hometown of Prince George and fishing the Chester/Hopewell area.

Anywho just a note to say great video and I hope you'll keep posting videos. I watch the fishing ones b/c it reminds me of my home-sick stomping grounds. Maybe one day we'll make it back to the tri-cities area. So no, I'm not stalking you lol, just wanted to say thanks for posting these.

Dayton,
Your a good man. Love reading your post and watching your videos. Time flys, enjoy every day!

Good job. Not easy some time seeing how fast they grow up.

Great video...you did good...and he did good

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Told Marsha a was going ambush him this morning when leaving for school and work. Yo see if I could get a hug. Here it is. And to add insult, he is slouching down to meet me.

Hey Dayton great video. You should go on online and show your son boating accidents when driving a fast bass boat. Not to scare him but hopefully it will help him think what can happen when he is crossing boat wakes.

Thanks Jim. I agree. We just had a talk about it. It is serious stuff.

Including this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AkgjPkCQXc&app=desktop

I remember my first trip in my dads boat alone. I felt like such a grown man. Just a old 16 ft Jon boat. 18 years later and I'm fishing with my 5 year old son. What could be better. Congratulations on raising a good ol boy man. Now just don't show him my fishing holes. Lol.


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