A New Venture In Life
On June 28th 2016 I embarked on a new venture in life. Like many others said goodbye to New Jersey for a more relaxed and affordable way of life. Moving to South Eastern Delaware is a dream that has come true finally. Although I will always be from Jersey I’m happy not to be living there any longer. Setting it straight Jersey has much to offer. In the burbs mostly a safe place to live. New Jersey has a lot to offer from its sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and its inner bays to its vast forest land and lakes. However the middle class is running away and have every reason to. From stupid laws for stupid people that kill freedom to its harsh unreasonable firearms laws the state has become a tough place for outdoorsmen to enjoy the freedoms that they are their god given right.
Some of you may have noticed that posts on The Plastic Hull have slowed. This was due to my big move in June – July. It took most of June to pack up and sift through everything acquired over the past 14 years living there. Able to purge enough to only make 2 trips with a 12 x 6 box trailer that Chris Parson of The Kayak Fishing Store graciously let me borrow. IT however was a giant billboard!
I quit my job giving myself about a month to move and unpack comfortably prior to starting a new job lined up prior to moving in Lewes Delaware the second week of July. The moving process was painful. At the 2 weeks away point, feeling way ahead of where I thought turned out to be an illusion. There was so much more to do and to the bitter end. Thanks to my friends and family for all of the help. Especially my buddies Leonard and Dan. Without their help I would still be living in NJ.
I thought there would have been time to do other things especially a bit of fishing but the time just slipped away. I was able to accomplish a few bucket list things prior to leaving. Mainly visiting brewery’s in NJ and the surrounding area.One final Heroes on the Water event in Wildwood and with a good friend showing me around the Philly area which previously had never experienced. Good times and cherished every minute as the deadline was set.
Leaving a place after living and working locally for 14 years was in a way hard but in another a huge relief. A new start is welcomed! Departing wasn’t hard. It was funny because i stopped to get gas and a bite to eat at a Quick Check and for the first time saw Chris Christie the NJ governor in person just getting a drink. I had to do a double take. What a great way to leave. I plotted a route to take the Scutters Falls bridge out of NJ so I didn’t have to pay a toll to leave. How gratifying is that! It was an excellent cool night to make the last drive with the trailer and the bed of my truck fully loaded.
We arrived just before midnight and the next day it was unloading time. Leonard stayed a few days although the weather wasn’t all that great. Dan arrived and we had a good time hanging out at Paradise Grill a local beach resort style bar/club on the bay. I could get used to the beach life! 
The following Monday I started the first week at the new job. This was the day I felt how laid back it is here. Working in Historic Lewes its loaded with tourists during the day. The first town in Delaware it includes historic homes and buildings. Located on the Delaware bay its is an old port town. Setters traveled by sailing wood vessels in to live in the USA. There is alot of History and unique architecture in Lewes which makes it a great town to work. Along with its unique shops and restaurants. I’m hoping there is ghost tours around Halloween!
Just when its all going well my truck decides its going to break. After the big move it seemed I needed just about a new everything else. Mechanic tried to fix the problem but it ended up being worse. It was time for a newer vehicle anyway i was just hoping for a few more months. SO after weeks of my mom helping me out by carpooling her to work using her Honda Pilot then me driving the rest of the way with my dad picking her up everyday was getting old a week in. 3 weeks later finding a used truck I liked but the salesman selling it to someone else for $500 above my offer i decided to buy new. Now sitting my driveway is a beautiful 2016 Ford F150. I don’t typically brag but its a beautiful truck!
I haven’t been kayak fishing since that HOW outing at Wildwood in June. I severely miss it. Although having to been able to get out paddling to keep me sane. Once my new kayak hauler is set up I will be fishing as much as possible to close out the summer and into the fall. This is one advantage of living more south. A longer fall season.
Delaware has much to offer. There isn’t really much of a “rush hour” as a matter of fact everyone that lives here are not in a rush. This is a good and bad thing. The worst part about it is while driving you could be the only vehicle on the entire road. A majority of people here will pull out right in front of you. Then proceed to drive 10 miles per hour below the speed limit. If your not in a rush then wait to pull out when the car with no one behind them passes. Other than that great beer is minutes away at both 16 Mile Brewing Company or Dogfish Head, My dad has been taking me to 16 Mile for the past 5 years now.
Fishing is in my backyard now. Within minutes to the bay 20 min tot he ocean and 15 minutes to the closest pond its the best of both worlds. Delaware Paddlesports is right around the corner so i plan on doing more with then as soon as i am set up with my truck.
Future plans are to be present at the CBKA tournament on Kent Island MD and then the TKAA Tournament at Norfolk VA. Hoping my kayak hauler is all set by then! On to making some local friends and fishing buddy’s. I will still see everyone that I love in Jerzy soon. I will fish Raritan Bay again in the future as that is the one place among a few others I will whole heatedly miss.