Outdoor Adventures

Goree, Texas is gateway to Miller Creek Reservoir which is a great place if you want exceptional fishing, camping, boating or hunting. The lake is the best kept secret in North Central Texas for fishing according to a testimonial. Goree is within 10 minutes or so of the lake, which is just a hop. Forget the skip and jump. Miller Creek Ranch is an ideal getaway.

Miller Creek Ranch is one of the most diversified hunting destinations in Texas. The ranch offers Trophy Whitetail Packages, as well as, Wild Hog hunting. If you are looking for a Guided Duck, Turkey, Goose or Sandhill Crane hunt they can put you a hunt together that will keep you coming back year after year. The ranch also maintains a strong population of quail and their dove hunts are a great way to start up the new hunting season with a bang!

Miller Creek is an isolated reservoir and has generally good fishing for all species with traditional baits. Catfish are usually caught in upper portion of reservoir. Crappie are abundant and are of good size. They can be caught in the row of timber by the water pump station southwest of the boat ramp, and also across from boat ramp around submerged brush piles. White bass and hybrid striped bass are often located in the lower half of the reservoir. Many anglers target these fish in the cove across from the boat ramp. Many prefer trolling for these species.

Camping is often enjoyed in conjunction with activities, such as: hunting, hiking, walking, climbing, canoeing, biking, boating, swimming, and fishing. Camping may be combined with hiking either as backpacking or as a series of day hikes from a central location. Outdoorsmen have been visiting these parts for years. Never a dull moment!

Fishin's good~real good

This was the first day's catch. The second day was almost that good. And the third was a bit less. And I'll never tell what they used for bait!

These two fellas stayed in Goree at 'A Place To Stay' for three nights and had themselves a big time. Catfish galore! These guys became aquainted in the oilfield business and are now lifelong fishing buddies. 'Grumpy', who is on the right, was on a road trip and decided to check out the lake while passing through. After seeing the huge heads on the fence posts, he decided to tell Floyd about it and they planned their next fishing adventure at Miller Creek. They'll be back and they will be telling others about their new found fishin' hole. And I'm hopin' they'll put in a good word for the lil' cabin.

Nature Tourism

What fun we had gearing up for the Real Rural Tourism Symposium last Friday in preparation for tomorrow! Remelle and I toured the tour. We mapped, timed, planned and played all afternoon. Tough job, but someone had to do it. We blazed our way around Knox County and 'experienced the prairie'.

A heavy rain the night before kept us from 'experiencing' over in Vera, but that makes my excitement of the unknown grow even greater. I'm showin' up for the simple purpose of finishing what we started.

As this event plays out, it will be well worth the time and effort. The symposium is like a bridge which unites, connects and serves its' purpose. Through our county-wide connection we can accomplish something together that we couldn't alone. All of our little pieces make one beautiful picture called the Knox Prairie.


Here is a detailed schedule of the tour, click here. A lot has been going on around here due to the tour stopping in Goree and at the lake...James has the Memorial Building park mowed and spiffy, Glenn from the City has been sprucing up the street corners, Caroline and I went out to Miller Creek this morning and picked up four bags of trash, Miller Creek Ranch has dropped off refreshments for the stop at the lake and TXDOT has worked hard shredding highways and weedeating the overpass these last two days.

Miller Creek

It's gonna be a beautiful day for FISHIN'

In Loving Memory~

Ruth Miller Hutchens Wilson, 89, mother of Johnnie, Brenda, and Larry Hutchens, died early Thursday, Jan. 10. Service will be at 10:00am Saturday at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Sayles Blvd in Abilene. Interment will be at Goree Cemetery at 2:30pm. Family and friends are welcome to gather afterwards at Brenda's home at 813 W Oregon in Seymour.

Ruth Miller Hutchens Wilson
Friday, January 11, 2008

I was born Mabel Ruth Miller on July 24, 1918, the middle of nine girls born to Zoa Ann Jackson and Elmer Nathaniel Miller. My early schooling was at Brushy and Goree. At Brushy, my family owned the land that Miller’s Creek crossed; therefore the creek and, eventually, the reservoir, were named for our family. On May 1, 1935, my high school sweetheart, W. O. “Billie” Hutchens, and I were married. To us were born Johnnie Marie on September 10, 1937: Brenda Ferrell on March 2, 1941; and Larry Miller on September 6, 1944. Billie died April 15, 1959, turning my world upside down.

After moving to Abilene, I attended and graduated from McMurry College (now University) with high honors in August, 1962. I taught at College Heights, Jane Long, Mann Jr. High, Cooper High School and Jefferson Jr. High. It was at College Heights that I met and married Al Wilson, who had a son, Howard Paul. Al and I both retired from the Abilene ISD and managed rental property and held estate auctions until his death in October of 1989. I remained active until a stroke hit me on March 11, 2007.

A lifelong Methodist, the Woman’s Society of Christian Service awarded me the lifetime service award at First Methodist Church in Goree. Upon moving to Abilene in 1959, we joined Aldersgate United Methodist Church and I remained active in the Home Builders Class until my stroke.

In addition to Billie and Al, I was predeceased by six of my sisters as well as one daughter-in-law. In addition to Johnnie and her husband Charlie Merrill, Brenda and her husband Joe Dickson, Larry Hutchens, Howard Wilson and his wife, Cindy, I am survived by eight grandchildren: Brian Merrill; Angela Merrill Head and husband Joe; Richard Merrill and wife, Susan; Gordon Merrill; David Dickson; Juli Dickson Keehn and husband Darrell; Amanda Hutchens Turner and husband Jimmy; and Hayley Wilson. Also surviving are twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters as well as two sisters, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Services will be as I’ve planned at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Sayles Blvd. in Abilene, Texas, at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 12, officiated by Rev. Derrell Patterson officiating, with interment at Goree Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory. Visitation will be after the service at Aldersgate.

Pallbearers will be grandsons and spouses of granddaughters, Brian Merrill, Richard Merrill, Gordon Merrill, Joe Head, David Dickson, Darrell Keehn, and Jimmy Turner.

Family and friends will gather at the Dickson Home, 813, West Oregon in Seymour, Texas.

Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX 79605, or to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, or the charity of your choice.