This time I ran down the hill first towards the highway. I was a little discouraged that there weren’t any sidewalks and running along the berm would’ve been a death wish. I circled through the few hotel and restaurant parking lots then headed back up the hill in the old neighborhood I ran the morning before. And just like then, there was an inordinate amount of traffic flowing through what seemed like a sleepy old neighborhood.
Back to the hotel after approximately 30 of running. Before heading in I walked the grounds taking in the pergola atop the highest point. Unfortunately, the nearby mountains were once again socked in by cloud cover. To say that the Ashville weather was a disappointment was an understatement. We’d simply have to return another time to take in more the stuff to see and do. It was time to look forward to 4 days with David and Anita at the lake house. The forecast for their neck of the woods was about the same rain-wise but much warmer temps (low to mid 80s). But even those temps are chilly for Lake Wateree in July.
I took Mindy coffee. This time she was still sleeping. I read from my Kindle and played on my phone for a bit waiting for her to get up. She didn’t plan to shower since she took one the night before. She and I headed for breakfast after getting our stuff organized for departure. The kids opted to sleep in again despite Bella sharing that she wanted to join us the night before.
Enjoyed pretty much the same entrees – scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee, juice, mini-muffins. Mindy pocketed a few muffins for Bella. Back to our room by 830-840am. Our stated goal was to leave Ashville by 9am but that was never in stone. By the time the kids were up, showered and organized, it was after 930am. We checked out of the Country Inn & Suites at 945am. Mindy pulled the Pilot around to the door while I checked out. She offered to drive to David & Anita’s.
It was raining again and rained for the next two hours – hard at times. Despite the rain, we made excellent time barreling down I-26 towards Colombia, SC. It’s 70mph most of that stretch, and we were out of the Smokies shortly before entering SC. The rain all but stopped 20 miles west of Winnsboro. We even got a few splashes of sunshine which caused the temps to spike up near 80 degrees, which the four of us cheered for.
David asked that we stop somewhere along the way for mustard, the one thing he forgot to pick-up while in town on Saturday. I suggested we stop at the Wal-Mart in Winnsboro. Having stopped there with David back in June I was pretty sure that I could get us there. Turns out I got a little discombobulated in town. We ended up stopping at the local Bi-Lo instead. It was nice and new. I picked up mustard along with a couple bags of chips.
The store was full of folks in their Sunday’s best, apparently on their way home from church and ahead of Sunday dinner. Happened upon Mindy and Bella on my way out. They were heading in to use the facilities. Couldn’t hold it. I phoned David asking for best route to his place from the Bi-Lo. Turns out, we were super close to the Wal-Mart, which is what I figured. Because his directions were counter to the GPS, I suggested I call back as soon as we were on the road again, which was only minutes later.
As soon as we made our left off of 321 and onto 34 I knew where we were. The drive from Winnsboro to David and Anita’s is about 30 miles but went quick. Making it all the more exciting, the sun came out and the temps headed quickly into the 80s. It was near 1pm when we pulled in their drive. Felt so good to get out of the car and feel the warm sticky air.
Having done this a time or two, we were quick to unload our gear and get to relaxing. Mindy poured a cup of coffee and I was going to have one too but that turned into a beer when David handed me a Hop Nosh still there from our June visit. Enjoyed some yummy snacks too, chips, salsa and guacamole.
We hung out for a few hours before boarding the pontoon for dinner at The Retreat. Jacob captained the boat while the rest of us relaxed. Nice ride under partly cloudy skies with no apparent threat of rain. That was very nice! The Retreat’s Sunday menu is pared back from its usual but good nonetheless. I’m pretty sure that everybody opted for soft drinks since they can’t sell booze on Sunday’s.
We ordered a couple appetizers – spicy shrimp and something else. I ordered beef tips and grits just like I have the previous two visits there. They’re always delicious. Hunter, our server, was cute as ever. Unbeknownst to David, I gave Hunter my credit card early on insisting that the dinner check be on me. Dinner was predictably delicious. I ate all my tips (they were small this time around) but couldn’t finish all the grits. I took what remained in a to-go box mixed with Mindy’s leftovers.
Despite already having my card, David still tried paying the bill but Hunter ultimately decided it should be first come first serve. Jacob drove us back to the lake house just as he’d driven there. David suggested we watch a movie – Despicable Me 2. But once I reclined in their comfy leather sofa I knew that I was in trouble. There wasn’t any way possible I was staying awake for the movie’s entirety. Huh-uh! In fact, I am pretty sure that I fell asleep before the main movie even started. We watched several small clips first. I did manage to stay awake for those.
I woke just as the movie ended suggesting to the group that I saw it all. Uh, they knew better. Before heading to bed, Mindy and I stepped briefly out onto the deck to drink in the sounds only the lake house can provide – a symphony of critters (frogs, crickets, etc). Very loud and very summery! Mindy, Mindy, Mindy - I love it!
Was in bed and asleep in a hurry.
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