Lions and Tigers and…Ducks!

Inspiration and Awe on a Saturday Night
 

Record crowds packed the main sanctuary last weekend as Christ Church’s Mandarin hosted Jase Robertson, the popular Louisiana duck hunter from A&E’s Duck Dynasty. Spreading his family’s message of “Faith, Family and Ducks – in that order" Jase Robertson preached to the masses about the importance of God and family in our lives. His candid telling of how his father’s dark times actually brought the family closer together, and how at age eight, he first experienced God’s majesty from a hunting stand left the congregation with the realization that the Lord truly does work in mysterious ways and through ordinary people.

Duck Dynasty has captured a huge audience since first airing last year. Set around the family business of making products for duck hunters, most notably duck calls, the shows popularity stems from the pure likeability of the Robertson clan. “They are an outrageous and unpredictable bunch of characters, but people can relate to them and they are simply fun to be with,” remarked one of the show's producers. Rather than the usual drama and four-letter words, the quintessential recipe for a popular reality show, the Robertson’s face their daily challenges and…gasp...compromise. “A family has its ups and downs, but in the end, we are a family and have to be there for each other.” This was part of the message Jase was sharing last weekend. That and God.  He explained the importance of faith and how God truly works through all of us. “God uses flawless people to spread the knowledge of His word. I mean, look at me?!”

Jase also took the opportunity to talk a little about the show, duck hunting and the family business the Duck Commander. But truly, he was there to talk about faith and being okay with who you are and what you believe in. "Life," he said, "came from something and that something is God." Making the most of this life can only be achieved by keeping your priorities straight: Faith, Family and Ducks – in that order.  And this is ultimately, the message of the show.

Fresh from Jase’s simple yet inspiring message, our small group decided to continue with the outdoor theme and make dinner a bit of an adventure. Located right on Julington Creek at Hoods Landing is Clark’s Fish Camp, a rustic, seafood restaurant well-known by the locals for its fare and its ambiance.  A Jacksonville staple for over 30 years, Clark’s Fish Camp touts the largest privately owned collection of taxidermy in the country. Once an actual fish camp, Clark’s is no-frills but big on thrills in terms of décor and atmosphere. Everywhere you look the menagerie of preserved animals is, in a word, overwhelming. Add to that a recently opened aquarium as you walk in the door featuring Lilly, a five-foot North American Alligator, local turtles and fish and you have the makings of an outdoorsman’s paradise.

Being a city girl, I’ll admit that I was a little unsure as to what my friends had gotten me into. I quickly realized I had nothing to worry about when at 6:30 on a Saturday night, Clark’s was not only full but the wait was close to 45 minutes. Clearly, we were not the only ones who wanted to continue the Duck Dynasty theme of the evening as I noticed several of our fellow table waiters were wearing some sort of Duck Dynasty attire. We settled on the dock with couple of cold beers waiting for our name to be called.

Once seated in what seemed to be the main dining room, our server was quick to offer drinks and get appetizers started. The room was bustling with diners and servers all under the watchful gaze of the animals – have to admit, a little creepy – as I studied the menu. Not unlike the restaurant itself, the menu was just as overwhelming.  Seafood, Prime Rib and Wild Animals; sautéed, fried or steamed; charbroiled, blackened or Caribbean style. Anything you could imagine was on the menu, prepared in most any way imaginable and then some. I found it a little difficult to know what to actually order. (Had I read some of the reviews, I would’ve realized that the Prime Rib is popular.) I let the group help me decide on Clark’s Low Country Boiled Platter.

Gator Tail and Fried Pickles were the first to come out, I might add quite swiftly, and they did not disappoint: piping hot and fried to perfection. Our server came to take our entrée order. She was friendly, knowledgeable and apologetic in regards to the menu – Rock Shrimp was not available for our Country Boil – but she was prompt to offer a substitution at no charge. She did inform however that additional snow crab legs would be an upcharge but we decided it was worth it. Entrees came next and our party was presented with the Low Country Boil, the local whole-bone in catfish platter and the Fish Camp Platter. The shrimp in the Low Country Boil was a bit mushy due to being at the bottom of the platter and the Crawfish was a bit overcooked. But the clams were actually quite good as were the snow crab legs. Both of the fish platters were fried and done well however, the coleslaw, being a very “personal-taste” item, was not the best. The hushpuppies, on the other hand, were delicious with lots of great flavor, served warm and seconds brought when requested at no charge.

With full bellies, quenched thirst and inspired hearts, we stepped outside to see the twilight over the creek and complete the Clark’s Fish Camp experience. Overall the experience was unique and tasty. The service at Clark’s was phenomenal which of course makes one want to come back and try some of their other specialties. Naturally, the atmosphere is unparalleled and worth the trip if you don’t mind the décor staring back at you while you eat.