A Stress Free Environment

What is a "Stress Free Environment?" Well, a stress free environment means different things to different folks. To some, a stress free environment may mean the beach, mountains, a round of golf or maybe a spa treatment. Is it a place or a state of mind? Well, a few weeks ago I found a 'Stress Free Environment." I spent a few days on a beautiful lake in Tennessee called Center Hill Lake.  We stayed at Pates Ford Marina which is located on the tail end of the lake and a great place to eat, rent a boat or stay for a night. The waters of Center Hill are some of the clearest lake waters in the state, however a rain the day before causes them to be slightly murky. Actually, this turned out to be a good thing because the water falls were flowing.    

We rented a pontoon boat to cruise the lake looking for any adventure. We had hopes of spotting an Eagle, which have become common around the lake. Also, this lake has many water falls back in the hollows that I would like to take a few pictures of.     

Heading out on a beautiful day, we pass houseboat row. This brings back memories, because several years ago, I had a boat that we used on most weekends. 

To give you an idea of Center Hill Lake, here's an over view of the lake as seen from a flying Canadian Goose's point of view. Checkout all of the twists and turns this lake makes and all of the coves. That's because it's located in very hilly terrain.   

You ever heard of the Old Man of the Sea? This is called face on the lake, not. I'm not sure what its called but it sure looks like a face. Checkout those nose hairs. 

One of the many falls that was flowing. I'm guessing that this fall is 40-50 feet high. It seemed that in every cove, there was a fall flowing down from the hills. It was great to move close to the fall and feel the cool mist, and listen to the shower of water against the limestone.

Another water fall that has attracted other boaters. Interestingly, water falls seem to draw folks in close because of their beauty and sound. I think this would be called a "stress free environment".

I paint Lake, River and Bay maps and here's a vintage style map of Center Hill Lake. I call my maps treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. 

Click for larger image

I hide a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters of all my lake map paintings that folks love to search for. 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.

Mr. Fish Head, Fished all day,Get a room, Bait Relations

Here's a few more of my fishing cartoons, enjoy.

Oh yeah, I paint lake, river and bay maps, read what my customers are saying. "I was finally able to give my husband the map I bought for his birthday last night. I want you to know how beautiful it was and how touched he was by it. He loves this Lake. His family has a home there and when we are lucky we get away for a few days, it’s the only place we want to be. He actually had tears in his eyes. Thank you for the beautiful art work."

I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do 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, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

Ahhhhh...What would you do?

What would you do if you had just woke from a night's sleep, rubbed yours eyes and spotted an animal tail around a corner inside your home? 

Well for me, the first thing that entered into my mind was: "Dang kids are playing a trick on me like the time they painted my toe nails purple while I was asleep in the lazy-boy." I didn't figure it out until the next morning when I had taken a shower and was putting on my socks. Imagine the shock of seeing 10 purple toes nails looking back at you and then thinking what the heck was I doing last night.  But this time was different, it's a real creature. I thought, what the heck is that and how did it get in the house? Dang, looks like a Raccoon and we don't have a pet Raccoon. I bet the wife has let it in thinking it was Creamy the cat, which is possible because her night vision is not what it used to be. 

Now what to do, throw shoes at it, call animal control, get the guns? Just call me Davy Crockett because I feel there's a new coonskin cap in the future and then to my surprise....... 

As I turned the corner to get a better look this is what was looking back at me. Kibble our cat. I suppose the reason I was thinking Raccoon, is because before I went to bed, I spotted this outside munching on cat food.

It's a Raccoon stealing cat food outside. Just call me crazy.

Oh yeah, I paint lake, river and bay maps, read what my customers are saying. "I was finally able to give my husband the map I bought for his birthday last night. I want you to know how beautiful it was and how touched he was by it. He loves this Lake. His family has a home there and when we are lucky we get away for a few days, it’s the only place we want to be. He actually had tears in his eyes. Thank you for the beautiful art work."

I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do 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, or at least enjoy one on the wall.

The best lake party boat!

WOW, this is one big kayak and can comfortably seat eight people. Makes a great party boat. It’s approximately 32 feet long and weighs about 950 lbs with a capacity of 1750 lbs. Great for group fishing trips or if you just want to party, this kayak will fit the bill. Heck, you could take the whole family including your friends. The Kayak is limited to only one color, yellow. With an appropriate name like Bus-yak who would forget it. Oh boy, just think what your friends would think when you paddle up in the Bus-yak? "This Bus-yak glows."

You may have a few concerns about the Bus-yak.  Like, is the Bus-yak difficult to turn around on narrow waterways? This is not a problem. The engineers at Bus-yak solve this issue with swivel seats. Each seat will swivel 180 degrees, which allows for paddling in the opposite direction. There is no need to turn the Bus-yak around; it’s always pointed in the right direction. There is a warning about all parties swiveling around at the same time causing a rollover. With a little group coordination this problem is solved. Also, you may think that transporting Bus-yak may require a large vehicle due to its sheer size. On paper this does appear to be a fact, however with a little creativity the Bus-yak could probably be spanned and strapped between two Yugo’s and off you go. Can you imagine fishing on the Bus-yak with your family? Think of what fun you will have. It’s better than a Banana Boat ride in the ocean.

Then I woke up and realized that the Bus-yak was a dream. Whaaaaaaaaaaat! Dang, what have I been drinking. Anyway, "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream with a Bus-Yak." 

Also, check-out my decor maps of your favorite lake, river or bay. I paint river, lake, and bay decor maps and hide things in the waters. I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do 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.

All about earthworms?

It's all about bait, earth worms to be exact. A few more of my silly "Under the Bobber Cartoons". Enjoy!

I don't only create cartoons, I also paint lake, river and bay decor maps. I hid a tiny mermaid/fish in the waters and folks love to search for her. 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. 

Lake Winnebago

What, "people of filthwater"! What does that mean? More about that later. I just finished a map of beautiful Lake Winnebago which is located in Wisconsin.  If  you look closely, you can see fish jumping in the water. 

 

The lake was named after the Indians that lived around the lake. Interestingly, the Algonquian Indians called them Winnebago, which means "people of filthy water" because the lake had a fishy smell in the summer months. Speaking of fish, Lake Winnebago is a top Walleye lake and many tournaments are held at the lake. 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 four 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 LeoLakes.com.

Paddle over to website to see my Lake, River, and Bay Maps. I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes  maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

   

The opening of a tackle box time capsule!

A story about lakes, rivers, and bays, sort of. This story is from a few years ago, but I think it's a good one and close to my heart. Enjoy!

Every tackle box has a story, some can only be told by their owners and others can only be told by their contents. The year was 1986, Top Gun was the top movie, Ronald Reagan was President, gas was .89 cents/gal, and this tackle box was being used to catch fish. Since then it has been kept in the garage, on a shelf, behind the Christmas wreaths where it has been collecting dust for a number of years. It came into my possession many years ago after my father passed, at too early an age. It’s been a few years since I have opened the box and I don’t really remember what it holds.

I do remember fishing with this tackle box as a kid. Back then it was like opening a fresh box of the best chocolates with all the swirls and shapes tempting me and urging me to try every one. Will it be the same? As I unlatched the golden buckle on the aluminum box, I began to smell a musty odor apparently from being sealed for many years. I lifted the tri-fold, black bins out and peered at the contents. The multi-color lures, hooks, floats, and spit-shots, are beginning to show their age, less colorful, less shiny.

At this moment, I remember the lures that caught the big fish. I even remember some of the fish that we caught, the wonderful meals that we ate, the warmth from the camp fires we built, and that smell of water proofing from our tent. But most of all, I remember the feeling, the feeling of being with family and friends in the great outdoors. It’s true; every tackle box has a story. What’s in your tackle box?

I think I will move this tackle box back into the house. Hope you enjoyed! Hey, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream! Do you need a unique and great gift for the lake lover? Check-out my decor maps of your favorite lake, river or bay. I paint river, lake, and bay decor maps and hide things in the waters. I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do 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.

Smell fishy, Swim Bob Swim, Fish-stration

Here's my latest cartoons, I call them under the bobber. I hope you enjoy!

Hey, Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream! Need a great gift for the lake lover? Check-out my decor maps of your favorite lake, river or bay.

I paint river, lake, and bay decor maps and hide things in the waters. I don't hide snapping turtles, but I do 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.