Buck on the Bus — D.C. trip a time to remember

What a privilege it was to ride along with the group of fishermen from Destin, Panama City and Mexico Beach to the United We Fish march at the Capitol in Washington D.C. this week.

On the 18-hour ride up and 17-hour ride back, there were times of laughter, times of anxiousness, times of weariness and times of excitement.

But most of all it was a time they, and I, will never forget.

Here are some of the excerpts from a travel-blog I wrote along the way.

•And we’re off – 9:16 a.m., Feb. 23

Buck is on the Bus and we are rolling. We pulled out from Capt. Anderson’s Marina about 8:20 a.m.

When I got to the marina this morning at 7:30 there were already folks in the parking lot loading the bus and picking out their spots on the bus.

I quickly made contact with the bus driver — Richie Johns — who hooked me up with power on the bus for the laptop to keep the battery charged — so we can keep in contact.

It was so neat to see all the guys drive up, excited about the trip. The TV stations were out getting interviews and folks were posing for photos.

We’ve got about 35 to 40 heads on the bus. We have folks from Mexico Beach, Panama City, Lynn Haven and Destin. I even ran into a guy who worked with my dad years ago at the St. Joe Paper Co.

In the seat next to me were two big bags full of crackers, M&Ms, Kit Kats and Almond Joys — or as some said, breakfast. Capt. George Eller, who is sitting next to me passed it back, or rather slid it along the floor, with everybody filling their sweet tooth.

•Bags on the Bus

Bags on the bus, bags on the bus — why do you need all those big bags on the bus?

It’s always amazing to me to see how big the bags are that some folks pack for trips. For this trip, not much was needed, just one change of clothes. One night in Richmond, Va., then off to Washington D.C. for the march. After the march it’s back on the bus for a 16-hour ride.

•In the driver’s seat -10:10 a.m., Feb. 23

Richie Johns is the man behind the wheel — the driver for Coastal Coaches

Mr. Johns said he’s been driving charters for eight years. “I love it,” he said.

When asked what he thought about driving this bunch of fisherman, he said “I always support the fisherman. I love to eat fish, especially red snapper.”

Right now we’re in Dothan and stopped at the Hardee’s — apparently the bags of candy were not good enough.

•Going because he’s responsible -1:48 p.m., Feb. 23

Capt. Chuck Guilford of Mexico Beach, formerly of Destin, says he’s going to D.C. because he’s got people depending on him.

“I’ve got two boats and five people that I’m responsible for their living,” Guilford said.

With the fishing regulations the way they are, “They are taking it all away from me a little at a time,” he said.

 “They’ve got us under their thumb and they keep pressing down,” Guilford said. “The information they are using is flawed.”

Guilford, 79, has been a captain for 33 years and “I enjoy every minute of it.”

His charter business is “Charisma Charters” located in Mexico Beach.

•Are we there yet? – 2:04 p.m., Feb. 23

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard the question asked about 20 times or more — “Are we there yet?”

I bet you parents only thought kids asked that question.

Anyhow, we just passed a sign that said 51 miles to Atlanta. And Rich, the bus driver, says a good 10 hours yet.

So the answer is “No – we are not there yet.”

•The bullpen – 2:53 p.m., Feb. 23

Just passed by Turner Field — saw the sign that said “Bull Pen Grill.”

We’ve got our own bullpen right here on the bus.

Lots of bull flying.

Oops, lots of red taillights ahead — traffic in Atlanta — gotta love it.

•Bus time talk – 3:19 p.m., Feb. 23

Here’s a quote for you –

“If they’re going out there fishing and can’t catch a red snapper, they must have forgot to tie a hook on.”

In other words the red snapper are plentiful.

•Chatting with one of the guys – 4:54 p.m., Feb. 23

I ventured to the back of the bus a few minutes ago and chatted with one our boat captains from Destin.

I’ve known Capt. Bill Williams for a number of years.

Anyhow, Capt. Bill of the Miss Hazel, which docks at Fishing Fleet Marina, says if things don’t change, “It means we can’t make a living.”

Capt. Bill has been a captain and fishing out of Destin for 20 years.

“We’ve spent a lot of money building reefs … and we’ve got more fish on those reefs than we know what to do with, and now we can’t catch fish,” he said.“Last year I was off about 40 percent and it could be more than that this year,” he said.

Williams said there is talk of cutting the red snapper season down to 51 days and if his business gets cut anymore and he can’t fish he said, “I don’t know I’d do.

 “I thought government wanted to put us to work, not take it away,” Williams said.

•On the road again – 7:23 a.m., Feb. 24

Well after a four or five hour nap and a shower, we are back on the road again — it’s about 2 1/2 hours yet to D.C.

We got in at the hotel last night a little after 1:20 a.m. EST – so it was a 16-hour ride just to Richmond.

When we got off I-85, Ellis the driver said, “help me look for Hooter’s, our hotel is supposed to be right behind it.”

Needless to say that sparked some quick comments.

At the hotel, there was snow on the ground that had apparently been there for a couple of days and shoveled to the side — but we’ve seen snow nonetheless.

We all ate at the hotel. The breakfast was pretty good — not the most nutritional, but not bad.

Speaking of nutritional. Capt. Bud Miller and Diana Clevenger were talking about all the granola bars and fruit they brought along, but when asked how much they’ve eaten of it — “none.”

“Yes but I can tell my wife I brought it a long,” Bud said.

When you’re on a trip like this, eating nutritionally goes out the window — it’s a matter of surviving the ride.

•Credit, where credit is due – 8:27 a.m., Feb. 24

You know I’ve got to give these fishermen on the bus credit. This is a long way to go just for a three-hour march with hopes of catching the eye or ear of someone that can make things change for them.

It is apparent that they all love their jobs, and that’s all they want to do is their jobs.

But in order to do that, they’ve got to be able to catch fish. It’s not that they want to take all the fish in the sea, but they do need to catch enough to keep the customers coming.

For most of them it’s their livelihood — it’s all they know — it’s what their dads did — and they are just trying to do what they love – FISH.

So yes, I give them credit for making the step to get on the bus to D.C. to take action to keep what they love.

•Wow… - 5:28 p.m., Feb. 24

Wow … that about says it all. What a great and awesome thing to be a part of.

I feel like I was actually a part of history today.

Capt. George Eller put it pretty good a minute ago.

 “It was awesome — I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I’m proud I was part of the process to get to hear the senators and congressmen in person.”

“What impressed me most was hearing the unity from all of the fishermen from all over the United States,” Eller said.

“I think we stand a worthwhile chance of getting something done real soon … and if they hold true to their word, we should get something done. And if they don’t we can sure fire them.

I half way expected Sarah Palin to show up,” he said.

•Glad we made the trip … but – 7:16 a.m., Feb. 25

“I’m glad I made the trip, but I’m ready to be home and in my bed,” Tom Stewart of Destin just said.

“Me too,” said Capt. George Eller.

I’m pretty sure that is safe to say of everybody aboard the BUS.