Synopsis:

This week, you can follow Erick and the crew to the West Tennessee waterways where they shed light on some of the teams and techniques that help to preserve and promote outdoor recreation and notable natural resources in the area. And, of course, you can join us for some of that famous West Tennessee barbecue and local brews too.

Just outside Memphis is the Ghost Section of the Wolf River, a nine-mile stretch of waterway that meanders its way through tupelo trees and swamp for as far as the eye can see. The crew sets out with the owners of Ghost River Outfitters to experience the Ghost River, an example of how a habitat can heal itself given years of uninterrupted recovery, which is something enthusiasts hope is one day a viable option for the urban stretches of the Wolf River, as well.

Next, Erick gets hands on at one of the oldest restaurants in the country — Bozo’s Hot Pit Bar-B-Q. Famous nationwide, the barbecue joint has been open for 92 years without interruption. And while the restaurant has moved locations once in its history, the mouthwatering recipes and specials the institution is known for have remained the same all these years.

Definitely a first, the team met up with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) at Whiteville Lake to do some electrofishing, a technique by which a non-lethal charge is sent through small portions of the water to stun fish for retrieval and documentation.

Then, after a long day of "hard work", Erick and the crew visit Ghost River Brewing, located in downtown Memphis. Ghost River donates a portion of all keg sales to the Wolf River Conservancy — the same non-profit tasked with monitoring and maintaining the Ghost section the crew had just paddled.

Overall, West Tennessee is typically known for Memphis’ connection to Civil Rights history, barbecue and its musical ties to Elvis, Tina Turner, and other legendary names. That said, there are also outdoor recreation opportunities and notable natural resources not to be missed.

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