Alligators of Aberdeen

I woke at 6am and felt great. I quickly headed to the restroom where I brushed my teeth and peed. Before making coffee, I changed into my running shorts. I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee before heading off on my run.

I ran north (east) under the fishing pier with a stiff breeze blowing against my back. I ran for about 15 minutes before making a u-turn. After the turn I had that stiff breeze blowing directly in my face. It was blowing so hard that it took the wind right out of my lungs. However, aside from the breeze, it was another beautiful morning.

Back at the beach house, I took a quick dip in the pool before heading in for another cup of coffee and a quick shower. I  After a shower, I spent a little time writing in my blog all the while choking down two strawberry pop-tarts, something I refuse to eat at home.

Soon the others were up and just about ready to leave for golf. I made Mindy a cup of coffee just before we left. It was about 815a when we left the house. It was a quick drive up the strand to Aberdeen golf club. The clubhouse was far removed from the main road in, and the course surrounded  by nice but modest homes.

Aberdeen is another full service golf club. You pull up and someone’s there to greet you and take your clubs. They directed us into the clubhouse to settle up while they prepped our carts. We left the parings up to them.

Green fees were $46, but I spent a few more bucks on a course book that gave details about each hole. Well worth the extra few dollars. Aberdeen has three 9 holes courses. One was closed for aeration.  We played the Woodlands and Highlands. The Wood lands were tight and tree lined with water in play on almost every hole. The greens were the fastest and most undulating yet.

Like the prior two rounds, we played the dot game. Of the 14 driver holes, I hit all but one fairway. My driver was on. Too bad I couldn’t couple my accurate driving with good putting. It seemed like I was three putting damn near every hole. And it wasn’t that I was putting poorly. These greens were something else. There were numerous signs alerting golfers to the presence of alligators and rattle snakes. We encountered an alligator in a pond next to the number 4 hole tee box. Mike Mullins threw him some of his granola. He came for it right away. He was about 6 foot in length, and obviously used to being fed. About 20 turtles came a calling too. I got out my camera and took some pictures.

Dot-wise, I was racking them up. I kept the lead for the entire 18 holes. Scoring wise, I was pretty consistent front and back. I shot a 49 on both. I had an 8 & a 7 on two successive holes on the back that hurt me. Kenny had low score, shooting a 91. It was a scorching hot afternoon. We finished around 2p.

I called Mindy back at the beach house to see what was up and what we might need from the IGA. The list was short: ear drops, ice, and laundry detergent. I agreed to get today’s bounty. We bought another four large bags of ice. That’s about 20 for the week/trip. I asked Mindy to prepare me a sandwich. I was ravenously hungry and hot. Mike Mullins wanted one too. Kenny and Mike O. passed.

We passed Haley, Teri O. and the girls walking the strip on our way to the beach house. Mindy had our sandwiches ready but was obviously upset about something.  Apparently, the boys wanted to go with Haley for ice cream, but once the girls caught wind that they were going and threw a fit until Teri O. agreed to take them and walk with Haley. Everybody was in an uproar of sorts. Could cut the tension with a knife. I finished my sandwich, got into my swim suit, and cracked a beer. It was pool time!

Mike O. wisely gathered up Evan and took him fishing at the pier. Went quietly. You could cut the tension at the beach house with a knife. None of the women were talking to one another beyond the necessities. Mindy was probably most upset. More than once said she was ready to head home. Thankfully, though, things calmed as evening set in. Kenny made it clear that he wasn't grillin'. Mike Mullins agreed to do the deed.

Grilled burgers and steaks. I opted for a burger. In fact, I had two. They were thick and juicy. Yummy! After dinner Mike O. took all the boys back to the pier for more fishing.  I decided we sorely needed and tension breaker, so I got out my iTouch for the first time all week and put on some Larry the Cable Guy. Soon, everybody was in stitches. Good call!

Larry the Cable Guy morphed into Jimmy chooses the tunes night on the beach side balcony. I tried my best to play music I knew that everyone would like. My efforts were largely a success. By darkness, everyone was drinking beer and having fun again, even Mindy. We partied until 930-10pm, or right after the boys got home from fishing at the pier. They shared all sorts of stories, including catching several baby sharks and a star fish as big as Jacob's belly.

The others stayed up yucking it up even as Mindy and I called it a night. I only asked that someone remember to bring in my Bose dock. There was a storm brewing out over the ocean. I didn't want it ruined from water/rain/moisture. Good night starving pygmies!