Summer Vacation 2015 - July 10-20

Friday, July 10    D.C. bound

Up early Friday morning to exercise and run. Finished a 3 mile run by 745am. My stated goal was to be on the road by 9am. That said, in the back of my mind, I was good with getting out of town before 10am. I’ve learned to manage the family by giving them an earlier stated goal.

We hit the road at roughly 930am. And just like most trips, I shouted out the current mileage for Bella to recall later so we could track our total vacation mileage. Yeah, I know, we could simply use the trip indicator, but that takes the fun out of it.

It rained for the next 3 or 4 hours, or until we crossed over from PA to MD. It seemed like we hadn’t seen a long stretch of sunny weather for several weeks. We were aching for some sunshine. Like magic, as soon as we dipped a little south of 70E into Maryland the skies cleared and the temps soared into the 80s. Ahh, summer!

The first leg of our vacation was 2 night stay in D.C. We pulled into town near 4pm. Funny how we seemingly came out of the woods along the Potomac and the next thing we knew we were on Embassy row –Massachusetts Ave. Very cool! Our hotel was on that same street but a few miles further into town. In fact, our hotel – Homewood Suites – was just a few blocks from the White House. We found it rather easily.

The kids were more than thrilled that we had a suite – essentially a living room and bedroom, though the living room would double as their shared bedroom. We didn’t spend but maybe 20-25 minutes in the room before setting out about the town. Just before we heading out, I placed a call to cousin Mike C. to hopefully arrange a visit and dinner venue for Saturday evening. We discussed a couple options, one going to their place, and two, meeting in town for dinner. We left it open ended.

All were hungry so our first priority was something to eat. Just a few blocks from the White House we found a Mediterranean version of Chipotle where we all agreed to dine. Decent food, but not out of this world. Still, it did the trick!

First stop, the White House from Pennsylvania Ave. I’d seen the White House before but only from the rear or Constitution Ave. Very cool! Hot too, by the way. Felt like almost 90 and nothing but blue skies. And since we were sun deprived in Columbus, the bright sun was almost too much to take.

After a walk by the White House, we took in the Eisenhower Building directly adjacent or to the west. From there we headed to the National Mall where we took in all the memorials, including the Washington monument, World War II, Vietnam War, Lincoln, and lastly the Korean War.

It’s fair to say, that Mindy was a little sore with the three of us. Jacob I understand, all he did was complain. I’d said or done nothing to deserve her scorn.  She seemed to mellow as the evening progressed. Cousin Mike was right, my legs were cramping by the time we made it back to our hotel, which was probably close to 9pm. All totaled, I’ll bet we walked a good 4 miles.

By then the kids were hungry again and wanted to order pizza. Mindy wasn’t to hip to the idea but I, however, was eager to please and found the flyer left under our door and ordered a pizza and some fried rice. Long story, but we eventually got our pizza and fried rice. The pizza wasn’t much more than a frozen pizza warmed. The fried rice was good, though.

Lights out by 1030pm.

Saturday, July 11  - Cousin Mike and family

Up bright and early Saturday morning and out for a run around the Washington Monument. Again, it was pleasantly sunny! Very much enjoyed the run about town. Much to my surprise, Mindy was in the hotel lobby enjoying complimentary breakfast upon my return. We enjoyed some time together before heading back to the room where the kids opted to sleep in.

Mindy suggested that we leave them sleep and take off for some site seeing of our own. That way we could visit a few of the Smithsonian museums without any complaining. We set out around 10am, best guess. Gorgeous morning. We headed to the National Archives where we spent the next couple hours. It must’ve been near noon when the kids sent a text sharing that they were up, ready and on their way to meet us. We met them near the National Mall, but not before taking a quick stroll through the Art museum’s sculpture garden. Very cool!

From there we lunched with the kids from the many food trucks lining the street before eventually heading to the Natural History museum. The Natural History museum we took in several exhibits, including the Hope diamond, evolution of mankind, ocean animals, dinosaurs, etc. Before we knew it, it was after 4pm. We had ideas on seeing the space and flight museum too, but we were running out of gas

and time.

I got a hold of Mike once we were back at the hotel. Via text, we’d already agreed to take the train (subway) out to his place for dinner. I was much looking forward to hooking up with Mike and meeting his wife and kids, whom we’ve never met. We guesstimated our arrival to be around 7pm. Mike gave me directions for subwaying to his neighborhood, which was NW, I believe from downtown D.C. We picked up the subway at DuPont Circle. Very fun. Frist subway ride for both kids. Mike met us at the Grosvenor/Strathmore stop. Pretty sure he lives in Bethesda.

As close as he is to town, his home is tucked away in a very nice older neighborhood with mature trees and large lawns – very close to the Potomac.  We met Barbara, Andrew and Rebecca (Becca). His oldest daughter, Katy, was working. We had a lovely time visiting, talking and getting to know the family. Barbara was a very gracious host, and their kids very polite and helpful. Before dinner, I enjoyed a beer on their covered deck on the east side of the house (I think). Chatted with the two kids while Mike grilled salmon, burgers and dogs. They put on quite a spread with so little warning. We very much appreciated their kindness. The kids all hit it off really well. Later, after dinner and dessert, Katie finally got home from work. She seems very nice too, and will soon be finding her way to Ohio where she’ll attend college. We offered our home as a weekend refuge should she need to get away any time she’s in Ohio.

The plan all along was for Mike to drive us back to the city (to our hotel) after our visit. That was really fun too, and the kids had a ball yuck it up from the back of their Honda minivan. Andrew seemed a little shy at first but was quite the entertainer once they got to know one another.

Before dropping us at our hotel, Mike drove us around the National Mall and closer to the Capital building, which we didn’t get a chance to see earlier in the day. Gave us some historical context too, which helped better understand the lay of the land. Again, we can’t thank Mike and Barb enough for hosting us, especially so last minute. We thoroughly enjoyed their company. Guessing we were back at the hotel near 1045-11pm.

Sunday, July 12  - Davanita Beach house

Eager to get to the beach, I was up near 7am and soon out the door for my run. This time I opted to run away from town and through the residential district in and around DuPont Circle. Very cool! Lovely homes with lovely landscaping. Gone about 40-45 minutes. Took Mindy coffee and then promptly hit the shower. We headed to breakfast without the kids around 8am.

I hoped to be on the road for Garden City by 9am. Bella was moving slow. We didn’t get on the road until 935am. No biggie. The drive to the beach was expected to be about the same as the drive from CMH to DC. Mike gave us some cursory directions to I-95 before dropping us the night before. We found the freeway with little to no trouble. What we weren’t expecting was the hour long traffic snarl outside and south of DC and well into VA. Actually even a bit longer. Bumper to bumper for about 40 miles. Ugh!!

We stopped for gas and food somewhere in VA. Finally the traffic opened up and was never an issue again. Long time on I-95 – pretty much all the way down and well into NC or 360+ miles of the 440 mile trip. The last 30 miles included numerous jogs on old two lane highways. Arrived at David & Anita’s Garden City beach home at 6pm on the nose. Ahhh … after a couple quick hugs we ventured across the street and onto the beach just to get a sniff of the fresh ocean air.  Very pleasant.

2-story, 4-bedroom, 2-bath beach house. Nice, quaint. Older décor but ideal for the locale. After luggin’ in our luggage and a quick peek at the beach, we headed off to dinner at the Gulfstream restaurant, which sits on the marsh side of the strip, and a couple miles further south in the quiet end of Garden City Beach. Coming from such crappy weather, Mindy and I requested outdoor seating, In hindsight, that probably was a mistake given the bright sun, warm temps, and high humidity, but hey! We enjoyed a very nice seafood dinner. I had mussels and Alaskan King crab legs. Yum!

Back at the beach house, we headed out for a night time stroll on the beach. Gave Bella my flashlight so she could chase crabs. David and I walked all the way to the pier and then up the stairs to the retail district of Garden City Beach. The girls and Jacob walked back on the beach.

We weren’t up too much later, tired from another day of driving.

Monday, July 13 – Front nine & Drunken Jacks

I ran Waccamaw Dr. to Atlantic Ave. then along the Marsh then back to the house via the beach, but not before a jaunt out on the pier to check out what it was all about. Very warm running in the warm, muggy sun on the beach. The ocean breeze made it tolerable.

David and I planned to golf and wasted little time getting ready. I threw my clubs in his car. Think we were on the links by 930am. A little pricey - $98 for the two of us to play 18 holes, but also a very nice course.  Unfortunately, the course backed up in a hurry, in fact so much so that we opted to skip a hole in an effort to get out from of a couple slow groups just in front of us. The starter on the golf cart encouraged us to do so. By the time we finished the 9^th hole, it was all backed up again. We opted to bag it for the day, now about 1130am and scorching hot (low 90s and sunny). David headed inside the club house requesting a rain check for another nine holes. Surprisingly, they were most gracious and granted the request. We planned to come back Tuesday or Wednesday a bit earlier to finish.

We stopped for ice, beer and a few other things at the Kroger at the beach connector. Very convenient. The girls were just back from the beach but planned to head back with us. Jacob & Bella were still down there. David & I met them there. We hung out on the beach for a good couple hours. He skies soon turned overcast and later stormy. By then, however, we were back at the beach house on the lovely front porch, where we enjoyed a few more beers and some tunes. David suggested we head to Murrells Inlet for dinner. We let the kids stay back at the beach house after fetching them a pizza.

We dined on appetizers at Drunken Jack’s while also enjoying a few more local craft beers. We soon ventured out along the marsh boardwalk where we took in a two man band playing some bug music at an outdoor bar. Very cool! Enjoyed that very much! Guessing it was near 11pm by the time we headed back to the beach house.

Tuesday, July 14 – Wicked Tuna

After a lovely morning run along the strip and beach, we opted for a leisurely day hanging out at the beach. Lower key day, no drinking at the beach or beach house for me. Threw the Frisbee with the kids and David at the beach. We had three variations on the flying disc: traditional Frisbee, hollow, round ring, and then another that resembled the lid off of a 5-gallon Home Depot bucket, though translucent top with a stiff edge. Surprisingly, it was easiest to fly/guide through the stiff ocean breeze.

David suggested we dine at Murrell’s Inlet again, only this time at Wicked Tuna, a newer place along the marsh walk. This time the kids went along for the dining experience. All the restaurants along the boardwalk were crowded. Hard to find parking but we managed. Directly attached to wicked tuna was Crazy Sister’s marina, which offers all sorts of water sports. And since Mindy and the kids had been talking about going parasailing, I went to enquire about it while waiting on drinks and appetizers. Would be about $165 for the three of them. Offered to pay for all of them to go if they were game. They were. Gave Mindy my ccard for booking. She returned a few minutes later but sharing that the price was a bit higher than what they quoted me moments earlier. She and I walked back to ask what gave. They apologized, and cited that they forgot to deduct the special discount they quoted me. They quickly resolved the matter.

Dinner was delightful. I had broiled grouper – expensive too. Dinner for 6, including tip, was over $400, but that included appetizers and drinks too. Not sure it was worth that price! Meh – vacation.

With full bellies, we headed back to the beach house. We sat on the front porch where I sipped a Jack & Coke. Through the large side window in the neighbors house, I could see the MLB All-Star game going on, live from Cincy. I didn’t have much interest in watching the game for real. Thinking we were in bed by 10pm. David and I planned to golf Wednesday morning, taking advantage of the rain check we got Monday.

Wednesday, July 15 – Back nine & Parasail

Already the last full day on the beach. Once again, I ran to the north along the strip and beyond and then back along the beach. Despite begin out early – before 730am, the sun was still very warm. Good run! Before leaving for golf, this time in the Pilot, I delivered a cup of coffee to Mindy’s bedside. David and I planned to stop at Lowes after golf to pick-up a new gas grill and new rocker for the front porch.

David arranged for us to tee off the back nine in lieu of following the many groups already out. The idea was that we would have to wait until we spotted the first group teeing off hole #9. At that point we were told we could tee of off #10 so we could get in the back nine. They guessed that it would be a 10-15 wait. In reality, it was more like 30 minutes, but still well worth it. We wouldn’t have anyone out in front of us, so there would be no waiting which both of us hate.

I played OK and within myself. My driving was something less than spectacular, but my second shots were decent. I think I carded bogey golf. David beat me by a handful of strokes. Finished up by 1030am and headed directly across the street to Lowes where David picked out a new gas grill. Got a great deal after having to engage the manager to honor their poorly documented sale. He picked up all the necessary accoutrements as well – a full tank of propane, cover, mat, and utensils. They didn’t have more of the white rockers in their circular. But David had another idea. Asked that we stop at Cracker Barrel which was directly across the street. There he bought a fine wooden rocker. The price was notably higher than Lowes but more than likely of higher quality too.

We stopped at Kroger for a few grocery items, including ice, and then at the new growler fill place on the beach connector. Back at the beach house we quickly ate some lunch then headed over to the beach. I was going to drive to Murrell’s Inlet with Mindy and the kids for their parasailing adventure but Mindy assured me that they’d be fine and that she knew how to get there. That way I wouldn’t have to wait around while they parasailed. Cool.

David, Anita and I hung at the sunny beach, David and I sippin’ beers. Good times! I could see Mindy and the kids parasailing way out in the ocean. However, I only knew it was them due to the time and general area. Only two parasailing outfits heading out of the Inlet.

We moved our beach chairs back twice that afternoon as the high tide was moving in. Late afternoon David and I were greeted on the beach by three young men from Minnesota wanting to share the good news of Christ. We engaged them in some light discussion, which was likely a little bit more than they bargained for. I encouraged applauded their endeavor but asked that they too keep an open mind as they move forward in life.

Back at the house I took a brief nap while David prepped and grilled dinner – grilled chicken thighs and breasts. He also whipped up yellow rice and black beans along with a tasty salad. Very good!! Jacob met a girl from Ohio while parasailing, and she and her family invited him to join them at putt-putt on Murrell’s Inlet. They picked him up on a golf cart, which is a popular mode of transportation all along the grand strand. I think he was back around 1030-11pm.

Thursday, July 16 – Beach to the Lake Wateree in 3 hours

Time for David and I to head to the lake house, while Anita, Mindy and the kids stuck around Garden City beach for one more night, but not at the beach house. Apparently a scheduling snafu with the family beach house for which Anita opted not to make a fuss or scene. Instead, she and David graciously paid for a room at a popular Myrtle Beach resort for one night. The reason they needed to stay an additional night is because we booked a flight home for Jacob way back in mid-May when we thought we had the beach house through Sunday.

Up early – by about 615am, I finally got a glimpse and photos of the lovely sunrise over the ocean. Of course impromptu photos meant a steamed up camera lens. This time I decided to run south towards the Gulfstream restaurant – to the quieter end of the strand. Nicer homes down there too. Very nice, in fact! A little further than I imagined, probably 2 miles. I ran the beach on the run back. Nice!

David said we should plan to be out of the house by 11am. Still before 8am, he was rearing and eager to go. Mindy and I were all but packed by 815am. We took our coffee and went for a walk on the beach. Nice! David was chomping at the bit to hit the road. J Had all the stuff setting alongside the Pilot, since we’d be leaving the Prius for the girls and kids.

Anita’s daughter was expected at the house near noon. However, Anita didn’t really want to have an unpleasant run in so we cleaned up the place and pulled out well before 10am (closer to 915am). I suggested we have lunch with the girls, but David said we needed to get on the road. Anita quickly reminded him that he agreed to visit the beach flea market with her. Too funny!

We headed to highway 17, I think it is, and to the north just a spit to the beach flea market. Rows and rows of tents of vendors selling their wares. Jacob misplaced his iPhone charger so Mindy bought him a new one there. Ended up being faulty. Of course we didn’t know it at the time. Like all the other days that week, it was hot! And the tents had no AC. I couldn’t take it anymore and headed to the car to wait. Jacob came with me.

Agreed to head to Murrell’s Inlet to get some lunch with the family before heading our separate ways. The girls couldn’t check into their Myrtle Beach resort until 3pm anyway. Because Drunken Jack’s wasn’t yet open, we headed across the street to a gift shop. Spent too much time there. Mindy bought a few things. Headed across the street to Drunken Jack’s again near 1050am. Seated us even though they weren’t technically opened until 11am.

Enjoyed some lunch – more seafood for me, a fish sandwich. Proud to say, we’d eaten nothing from a chain while on vacation, and mostly seafood for me. Finished lunch around noon. Gave the kids and Mindy a hug and wished Jacob a safe flight home Friday afternoon. Wouldn’t see him until Monday or Tuesday evening in CMH. The girls headed with the kids to Myrtle Beach while David and I headed to Lake Wateree. The plan was to be there before 4pm so we could pick-up his newly acquired boat at the nearby marina repair shop. Brother Tommy and Wally were driving down too, and they expected to arrive sometime near 4pm as well.

We made good time heading west with a few brief jogs to the north. Arrived at the Wateree marina around 340pm. David headed inside to settle up for the work on his new used runabout while I waited in the car. We hitched the boat to the Pilot and headed off to David’s lake house, just another mile or two up the road.

Tommy & Wally were already there but had only recently arrived. They were out back on the dock awaiting our arrival. We’d been in touch via text for the past couple hours. Took a while to unload all our beach gear. And because David was showing Tommy around the place, I carried in most of it.  By the time we finished I was beat from the heat.

We hung out inside for a while relaxing until  I received a call from our home security alarm company sharing that they received another phone line cut alarm. Funny, I had just been thinking about that over the past couple days. At about the same time, I started experiencing issues with my cell phone. Inexplicably stopped working. Long story short, ended up being an issue after paring with David’s JBL Charge 2 wireless speaker. After an hour of calls with VZW HD we figured it out on our own. Once the pairing was torn down, my phone started working again. Weird!

Wasn’t too much later when launched David’s new boat from the nearby boat launch on June Creek. David headed straight to his dock before we all headed out for its maiden voyage. We sipped a few beers and enjoyed leftovers for dinner – the same fare we had Wednesday evening at the beach – chicken, black beans and rice. Delicious again. All week, David and I had loosely discussed partying like rock stars Thursday night. But in reality, we did anything but. All very tame. I guess we can blame Wally’s presence for that. J

Friday, July 17 - Retreat

Despite and rainless forecast, I woke to overcast skies. Thinking I was up near 720am, which for years has my natural rise time barring any outlandish drinking/partying the night before. David was already up, of course, always is. After some coffee, I headed out on a run. Ran to River Rd. and back, and did so at a decent pace and without completely depleting my energy stores. Will all the hills, it’s a true test of my health and endurance.  I’m in better shape than the year prior when those same hills kicked my ever lovin’ arse! J

After an early morning boat ride fruitlessly looking for bald eagles, we spent most of the day playing/swimming off of the dock. After a few beers David wanted to rearrange the plastic puzzle dock pieces he has to better accommodate his growing fleet of water toys (pontoon, runabout, and 2 jet skis). It wasn’t a pleasant experience having David curtly barking orders at us, but we eventually achieved the desired results.

We were expecting the girls to arrive around 4pm after dropping Jacob at the Myrtle Beach airport around noon. Mindy and I were texting back and forth until she sent what seemed like a rude comment. No more of that! I guess that’s the danger of texts … context.

They arrived near 430pm. By then, we’d had plenty of time in the sun and plenty of beers. After a brief rest, we got cleaned up and pontooned to dinner at the Retreat. Packed house and only one dock space available for mooring. We enjoyed a beer from the covered patio before our table for seven was ready.

Good meal! Always is. Mindy and I both enjoyed tips and grits. Lovely sunset on the drive there. Dark for the drive back. Good times!

Saturday, July 18 – Pork Butt

Another good, hot and sunny run, but this time the opposite direction, to and past Suede Ln. Tommy, Wally, David and I took off around 930am to fuel the jet skis and pontoon at Beaver Creek marina. Partied from the dock most of the day, taking off in the jet skis a time or two. Good times! Had just a couple brews before moving on to water. Got lots and lots of sun, probably too much. It was very warm and sunny, just what us Ohioans ordered.

David smoke a couple pork butts beginning early that morning. We picked at the smaller of the two from the dock. He pulled off the larger, more meaty butt later for dinner.

Headed in too cool off and possibly nap around 430pm. About the same time, clouds and an eventual storm moved in. While Mindy slept, I watched TV. It poured rain. Could hear it beating against the roof and windows. Lasted something less than an hour, but still a lot of rain in a short amount of time.

The 2^nd pork butt was exceptionally tender and delicious.  I pieced on it after my nap and shower. By then the sun was out though about to set. David and I went out to check his new boat since we knew the bilge pump wasn’t working. A whole lot of water on board and enough to have the lower half of the engine block submerged. The only way to drain would be to pull it out. David promptly drove over to the June Creek boat launch where I met him with the trailer.

Said it would only go slightly above idle the whole way. Uh-oh! Once on the trailer, we let it drain from the ramp for a solid 10 minutes. We took it back to his place. Enjoyed a Jack & Coke while watching some TV – a program highlighting session musicians from the 60s/70s. Pretty much one group of musicians played on just about all the hits from that era. Who knew? We also watched a foodie program from New Orleans.

Sunday, July 19 – Last full day on the lake

Another run to River Rd and back. I was out a little earlier so the sun had little impact. Still plenty hot and humid though. Temps and humidity both above 80%.

The days plan included going on a eagle watch boat cruise and then lunch (hamburgers) at one of the lake Wateree marinas with great burgers. I was skeptical about seeing a bald eagle. After all, this was our fifth visit and we’ve yet to see one. But see one, we did. Kind of hard to distinguish and eagle from other local birds of prey with the naked eye, but David’s zoom lens doesn’t lie. Gorgeous bird!

I drove the boat allowing David to relax and enjoy a little time with his wife. Hot & sunny. Bella and Wally tubed all the way to the marina, where we docked and enjoyed lunch. Yum, yum!

Back at the lake house, we played on the jet skis. I didn’t drink but one beer all day. David and I pulled the runabout out of the lake again as a chance of thunderstorms loomed on the horizon. We knew it would hit if we left it in the water. Just how things work. Of course it never did rain.

David cooked up a New Orleans style dinner – crawfish, corn on the cob, tater boil. He & Tommy partook big. The rest of us enjoyed a nice, fresh salad.  The plan was to head home Monday morning. Gone from home for 10 days. Was looking forward to some downtime at home.

Monday, July 20 – Home

Up early. Thinking it was near 630am. Ran to and past Suede Ln again. Nice run, and early enough that the sun didn’t play too large a role. Mindy & Anita stayed on top of laundry during our entire stay, which made packing for home easy. Clothes wise, we didn’t bring that much anyway.

Tommy left a note in the visitors book. Did a group photo before heading out. Had a great time both at the beach and lake, a much needed break from the recent stress and ugly Ohio weather. Hit the road near 930am.

Perhaps the easiest drive home ever. No weather issues and no traffic snarls. And while GPS had us taking 64 to Rt 35 west , we defied its direction and headed further north on I-77 to Rt 33. Lovely drive towards home. Sunny when we arrived very near 6pm, or 8.5 hours. A couple hundred miles from home Mindy and I discussed our arrival. I suggested we stop first at home to unload and then I would stay behind to mow the lawn while she and Bella went after Eiknarf. Our lawn hadn’t been cut for 11 days. I knew it would be long.

The lawn wasn’t as out of control as I expected, but it was wet, long and lush. In fact, it looked more like spring lush rather than late summer lush. I was in shorts and mowing within 20 minutes of arriving home. I push mowed the entire front and most of the back to avoid tractor tire ruts.

Looked good by my finish. Of course Mindy and the kids were back by the time I finished. Jacob was home then, too. Jimaken dropped him after soccer practice. After a shower, the family headed off to Barley’s. Nice to be home and nice to have a familiar beer and wings. Yum!