My unusual neighbor!

Today, I had a few errands to run and I went out to my vehicle. To my surprise, a neighbor came over. I'm not taking about your usual neighbor, you know the one with a wife, two kids and an SUV. This one, slithered by. One thing that you must know, we live in the woods, "The Ten Acre Woods", as I call it. We have many neighbors that drop by often. Yes, it was a snake about 3-1/2 ft to 4 ft long, I think it was a Black Rat Snake and he appeared to be a healthy feller that's been eating a few rats, mice and rabbits.

I'm not frightened of snakes as some folks are, but if a bee comes near, then I scream like a girl and freak-out. You see, I'm allergic to bee stings and swell up like a pumpkin and it's not even Halloween. Anyway, the Black Rat Snake is non-venomous and they are pretty docile unless you corner them.

The neighbor stayed for about ten minutes before slithering off into the bushes. I'm guessing it was lunch time and something juicy was on the menu. 


Check-out my vintage style maps that I paint of lakes, rivers, and bays. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 


As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

Beautiful Greers Ferry Lake

I get a lot of enjoyment out of doing maps. Probably because I have the artistic and technical ability, along with the love for the lake, river and bay life style. Here's a map that I enjoyed doing, Greers Ferry Lake, located in Arkansas. This is a very popular and beloved lake. I'm not sure what makes this lake so loved, but you can feel it from the folks who order maps of Greers Ferry. In fact, I keep a list of what is the most popular and beloved lakes from the information that I gather. I would put Greers Ferry in the top five most beloved and popular lakes in the U.S. 

I just finished this 2ft x 4ft decor map framed in barnwood. I've had several folks request barnwood frames because of the decor in their home. The vintage style of the map does look nice against the rustic frame. I'm considering adding barnwood frames as a choice on the website because of requests from customers.  

I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for over four years now and have complied a lot of information. I think that in a future blog, I might write about the "top ten most popular and beloved lakes in U.S."  

My maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. Oh yeah, I hide a tiny mermaid in the waters of all my maps that folks love to search for. Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoMaps.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Official Empty Nester

Our youngest daughter is off to college! Last weekend we moved her in to her dorm at Sewanee. The college is located on a 13,000 acres domain that has lakes, creeks, caves, mountains, and woods. Believe it or not, but her sister is a senior at Sewanee studying Biology. Sarah's not sure what to major in yet.

Her dorm was built in 1929 and has been renovated. It's like Goldilocks, not too big and not too small. 

It has been reported that a ghost occupies the room that she will be staying in. Luckily, she doesn't believe in ghosts.  

I snapped this picture of the campus. Sewanee is often in the top five of the most beautiful college campuses. 

It's Official, we are now empty nesters!

I paint lake, river and bay maps. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

What is a Rascal?

My daughter went to Japan during the first part of summer and brought me back this lure called a "Rascal."

I have to say that this is a most unusual lure. Who would have thought of a Raccoon with a piece of bread in its mouth as a lure. I wonder what type of fish will be interested in this lure. On my next fishing trip, I will find out. I'm sure my first cast will be straight up in a tree, too far to fetch and another lost plug.  Yep, that's what will happen. 

Actually, this lure is modeled after a cartoon character in Japan, "Rascal the Raccoon." It's kind of like having a Disney character like "Goofy" and making a "Goofy" lure. Pretty dumb if you ask me. Of course it would be funny if someone asked.... What kind of bait did you catch the lake record on and you answer, It was a Goofy bait!  

I'm a purest when it comes to fishing. I think artificial bait should be bait that fish would actually pursue in real life. It's just not right using a fat little artificial raccoon with a piece of bread in its mouth as bait. Okay, yes you can catch fish on non-traditional bait such as those little beer can baits etc... However, this thing would look better on a key chain. But.....................we shall see on my next fishing trip. I will likely catch a lake record called an Oak!

Ever wish you had a beautiful decor map of your favorite river, lake and bay maps? Now you can. Check-out my vintage maps at LeoLakes.com. We have over 200 ready to purchase, or we do custom and personalized maps, too. They make a unique gift for the lake lover, lake house owner, or fisherman and Christmas will be here before you know it.   

"As I look over this lake, The most amazing scenes appears in its wake,

The sun arises just above the shore, Giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore." LKO

  

Tybee Island Adventure

Amazing! You will be really surprised by what followed us back to our beach chairs on Tybee Island. Well first, lets begin at the start. 

A few weeks ago, my wife and I spent a few days at Tybee Island South Carolina. Tybee Island is near Hilton Head and is a nice change because it's not as large and well known. However, the island is a great place to spend a few days, great food from mom and pop restaurants, and there are very few chain restaurants, which is a plus. The island has a nice beach that's a sure relaxation highlight. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do any fishing, but I did hear that the fishing is really good. 

I always like to go adventuring while on vacation to discover what needs to be discovered. We stumbled upon this boat dock which made a beautiful picture. 

Interesting, the beaches are very wide at low tide and almost completely disappear at high tide, much more than other beaches that I've been on.  

Shark Attack! 

Dang it, wife was eaten by a shark. I hate that!

We visited the lighthouse on the island, but for some reason they were filming a Viagra commercial. I'm not sure why they would be filming a Viagra commercial here?

I saw more critters on the beach than any other beach that I've been on. Critters such as crabs, stingrays, dolphins, jelly fish, etc...  In fact, while walking on the beach we met a new friend. His name is Herbie. No, he's not the white Volkswagen Beetle in the Disney movie. He's Herbie a Horseshoe Crab. 

Believe it or not Herbie followed us back to our beach hangout. Now, the wife wants to keep Herbie. I told her "okay we can keep him, but you have to take care of him". My wife is a teacher and her plan is to show him to her class. The only problem is how do we take him home?

Just to get this story straight and not get folks to excited, I must mention a few things. First, Herbie is only a shell and there's no living animal inside. Second, I don't believe a Viagra commercial was being filmed at the lighthouse. Third, I often try to be funny while blogging, hope you enjoyed. Lastly, checkout the vintage style maps that I paint. 

I do custom and personalized lake, river, island or bay decor maps. They make a great gift for the lake lover. If you would like to see if we have your body of water, go to LeoMaps.com. 
 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Blow dry fish, Camo Discrimination, & Bob suddenly realized

New cartoons, Enjoy!

I paint river, lake, and bay decor maps and hide things in the waters. I hide  a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream!

Treasured Maps

I talk with a lot folks who have fallen in love with the body of water they live on, grew up on, visit or have family history with. My wife came up with this poem, which puts in words, how folks feel about there special lake, river, or bay.

"As I look over this waterscape, The most amazing scenes appears in its wake, The sun arises just above the shore, Giving grace and beauty to this place that I adore." LKO

I started out creating a map of a beloved river that I adore. This small beginning has developed into a fun business. I understand how folks feel about there lake, river, or bay and am lucky to create treasured maps for folks that have treasured memories of there special places. Below I wanted to share a few emails that I receive from these water lovers when they receive one of my treasured maps. 

Customer Email 8/1/14: Larry, I am practically speechless.........when my husband opened the carton and that amazingly beautiful map lay inside we were both overcome.  He could not believe that he had received such an amazing gift and I was just beside myself as this had far exceeded my expectations.  I was so very worried that this would be a product that looks really good on line but when you get it, the product is a disappointment.  What we found was an amazing piece that is truly a "treasured map". Thanks again for all your help, but most of all thank you for sharing your talent! 

Customer Email 7/23/14:Hi Larry, Another satisfied customer! The map arrived today (stuck in Nashville for 2 days; go figure). She LOVES it! Opened it while I listened. You included such a wonderful note! That makes it even more special and I appreciate it all the more. We have websites here for the island and for the Lakes Region. I'm planning to tell everyone about my map and give them directions to the website, so be ready! Thanks again for a truly unique product. PS.... Don't be surprised if you hear from my other daughter and son-in-law. They will be green with envy when they see this map! 

Customer Email 7/15/14: Thank you Larry!  Fantastic.....The map is beautiful and I can't wait to hang it in how lake cabin. I will be ordering more for some of my lake friends.

Customer Email 6/13/14: Larry, our map arrived yesterday and we love it!  It is beautiful and we can't wait to frame it and hang it on our wall so all our friends and family can see it.  I would highly recommend you to anyone wanting a lake map for their home too, it is really beautiful and I consider it a piece of artwork too. Thank you so much! 

I hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. These maps make great gifts for the lake house owner, lake lover, or fisherman. I have over two hundred on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes lake, river or bay maps, too. If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoMaps.com. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift. To see more of my work click here www.LeoLakes.com. 

Remember: Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.