About Us
Close your eyes and picture this.
It’s late March in South Alabama. The grass has just turned green and the dogwood trees are full of blooms. You can finally enjoy the outdoors without freezing or burning up, but you’ll be sneezing from the blanket of pollen surrounding you. The woods come to life as dawn creeps through the tree line on the first turkey hunt of the season. Birds chirp, squirrels jump from tree to tree, and you can hear the occasional train riding the tracks. Cows graze in the pasture, chickens peck through the yard. Later, crawfish traps are drug out of the creek producing a bountiful supper paired with corn, potatoes, and Conecuh sausage. Summertime is filled with rides down dirt roads looking for a new adventure. All you need is a bamboo pole and line to discover what can be found along the creek. Finally, on your front porch you’ll find rocking chairs filled with friends sharing stories and cold drinks. It’s not just a pastime, it’s a way of life. All of these and more can be found on a trip Down Olustee.
Olustee creek is located in South Alabama and runs through Pike and South Montgomery County. It spans over the “Black Belt” region. This region of south-central Alabama is home to some of the best hunting in the Southeast. From white-tailed deer, eastern turkeys, and wild hogs to bobwhite quail, wood ducks, pheasants, and mourning dove. Our fishing is incredible, with world class bass, hand sized “brim”, monster catfish, and freshwater crawfish. Over the years, I have memories of Olustee Creek at Shady Grove, Alabama, most prominently under the bridge located on County Road 1101. During the spring and summer months, we will set out hooks along the creek and catch all sorts of fish and turtles. Your catch is always a surprise, especially since Olustee Creek branches off of many other creeks in the area. There really is a discovery and an adventure around every pine tree in the area.
I always joke about having to dig through the forest in my freezer to find supper. God has truly provided us with a grocery store at our fingertips. He has given us perfect soil to grow vegetables and fruit galore. As we sit in the woods on a turkey or deer hunt, I often find myself thanking him for every single blessing he has bestowed upon us. He has provided us nourishment through food but also through fellowship with one another. The time we spend Down Olustee benefits us in way more ways than one. I invite you to look closely at our designs. You’ll find a simple cross as a part of each to keep Him at the forefront of every product.
Down Olustee is a lifestyle brand inspired by all these things and so much more. I draw every one of these designs by hand and put hours of thought into each. My hand drawn prints will be featured on my own line of tees, children’s clothing items, stationery and paper goods, and more to come. It would be such an honor for you to make these products a part of your everyday, whether it be through clothing or home goods. I hope this line opens your eyes to the southern way of life and all things we enjoy.
XOXO,
Jessica