Post a Comment On: The Family

We started our vacation with quick trip to Houston to see Jeff and Jennifer. Much too short ... just a quick dinner at Papadeaux's. Didn't even get to see the Schultz's. Feel bad about that.

The next day we were off early toward Atlanta. Once past Mobile, we thought we could make it to Montgomery, but we ended up stopping at the Comfort Inn in Evergreen, Ala. I present a ringing endorsement of this fine place. The folks who run it are super nice, the place was real clean and the price reasonable. A Waffle House next door ... what more could you ask for? By far the best motel we stayed in during our trip. We also figured out it was our second visit here, as the day we moved from Atlanta we started off in the afternoon to get a head start to Texas. Again, we thought we could make that trek between Montgomery and Mobile (the other direction) but grew weary and stopped here in the middle of nowhere.

[Image]On Wednesday we arrived in Atlanta to stay with Jacki and Denise. We had two goals for ATL, to meet up with friends and see a few sites. One of our first trips was to The Varsity, an Atlanta institution. I can't say it's one of the finest restaurants in the city, but it does have history and it is a lot of fun.

Next, we went to the King Center, (thekingcenter.com) and Ebenezer Baptist Church and Centennial Olympic Park. Brian and Sean enjoyed a visit to COXnet where Perry gave them some awesome goody bags. The boys also endured a visit to the AJC were Mom and Dad caught up with friends.

[Image]Those visits allowd us to visit friends, but so did a wonderful evening with our old AJC and COXnet cronies at Ippolitos. Jacki, Denise, David, Sue, Denise Porter and her family. Thank you, all, for your great conversation and uplifting confidence in me. It means a lot to know someone out there believe in my abilities and wants to work with me. Cory also feels very at home with all of you. I think we can safely say we have three "homes" now. We were as comfortable in ATL as we were in Arizona and Utah last summer. (OK, humidity and rain notwithstanding.) You all had me thinking ... if things don't work out here, we know we would be welcome and that is a comfort.

We also had a chance to catch up with some old neighborhood families from Tyson's Corner. We met with the Beggs and the Sidelingers at El Azteca. It's great to see how much everyone has grown (or been born!)

[Image]But the beach called, and we were excited. We created a pirate flag for our rented sloop, the Surf Seeker. We used this sleek vessel (standard white van) to commandeer ice cream trucks and overtake fast food restaurants, to learn port and starboard and the value of a clean deck. Thanks, Denise, for the loan of your craft room in the flag effort.

The drive to Pine Knoll Shores was not uneventful. We saw much more of Florence, S.C. than we intended and ever want to see again. On the flip side, Fair Bluff, N.C. was quite a quaint little farming community in tobacco country. Too many back roads though, and we ended up staying the night in Jackson, N.C., home of Camp Lejeune Marine base. It's not easy to find a hotel room along the coast of North Carolina on Saturday, July 3. But, we got in to Grandpa Ted's home at Pine Knoll Shores at a decent enough hour, barely stopping for lunch before hitting the beach with cousin Ian. (I've put all the beach photos together, as we went often.) Pete and his family joined as the beach after their torturous red-eye from Utah via Las Vegas, Charlotte and New Bern. We also found the condo pool to be a welcome respite from the salt water.

[Image]Fourth of July celebrations were spent at the Bogue Banks Country Club, where we ate our fill of clams, barbecue (where's the beef?) and hot dogs. The kids had a ball with a three-legged race, Boccie Ball and a little kiddie course on the putting green. The fireworks were grand and really, really close. I've never been that close. The scene along the sound reminded me of my parent's home on Clear Lake, watching fireworks going off in the various cities around the water.

[Image]Other great trips during the week included the Emerald Isle waterslide park, the putt-putt, bumper boats and go-carts near Grandpa's house (we liked putt-putt so much we did that twice.) We also visited the Maritime Museum in Beaufort where we heard a lecture on sea turtles, which were nesting on the Outer Banks during our visit. (We didn't see any.) A great lunch at some old restaurant that escapes me and a trip out to Cape Lookout on what was supposed to be a speed boat. Note to pilot: 18 mph ain't speedy. But his accent was a joy!

[Image]Other fun memories from the trip (gathered in a "various" gallery) was a trip to Fort Macon (State Park site), used in the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and World War II. We also enjoyed some wonderful meals together ... thank you Ted and Marian. The boys enjoyed playing chess with their cousins and generally hanging out.

[Image]Thank you so much, Ted & Marian, for allowing us to visit and making it possible. Pete and family ... we really enjoyed your company and hope we can get those kiddos together again soon. And, again, Jacki & Denise ... we love you.