This has been a great week to get away. Temperatures along the Gulf Coast have hovered in the upper eighties with a few pop-up thunder storms. As predicted, our grandchildren have kept us busy. But we’ve had great fun cooking in, playing games, and refereeing squabbles between the kids. Yep, that occurs occasionally.
On Sunday, Shelley and I attended an Anglican church service in a local pavilion. This is a new congregation working toward a permanent facility. Very friendly and a wonderful service.
On Sunday afternoon, I took the grands to the pool as a distant rainstorm slowly passed by. No rain on us to speak of, but the thunder was enough to cause the lifeguards to keep everyone out of the pool. So, Abby (5) and Isaac (7) sat very patiently as we waited for the “all clear.” It didn’t come. So, after 30 minutes, I suggested that we toss in the towel. Isaac said, “Yeah, I’m ready to call it quits.” Abby piped up “I never call it quits, Granddaddy!” She is one determined little girl.
After a nap, I strolled out to the front porch when the skies were clearing and found both Isaac and Abby putting on sunscreen and packing up for the pool.
Granddaddy: “Where are you guys going?”
Isaac and Abby in unison: “The pool.”
Granddaddy: “You are? Who’s taking you?”
Isaac and Abby declaratively and in unison: “You are!”
Yep, neither of these guys have an initiative issue.
The trip to Florida was pleasant enough. By the way, if you need evidence that we are in a recession—I don’t—the only congestion in the I-95/I-85 corridor and points south to the Florida panhandle were either accidents or road construction. My sense was vacation traffic was down, and the hotel where we stayed enroute just off of I-85 was not at capacity.
In Virginia, gasoline prices hovered around $4.09, North Carolina in at $3.99, South Carolina was $3.79, Alabama was the low at $3.76, and in Florida it jumped to $4.19. I expected that and used my cruise control as often as I could to improve my milage. Looking at trends, I don’t think we’ll see much improvement on the way home this weekend. The good news was gas lines were not a problem. But the expression on the faces of those pumping it reflected an eagerness to register their unhappiness at the polls. No, I didn’t ask folks their opinions. As someone who served in a legislature for 16 years, I’ve learned to read “the look.” A bunch of politicians should get their resumes polished up.
On the trip down, most drivers shared the road civilly, with the exception of a few youthful “jack-wagons” determined to weave in and out of traffic as if endangering others was a sacred right.
We were glad to arrive safely. Our vacation house was four bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, and lots of porches that make for plenty of space for everyone. Most of the folks who visit Rosemary Beach rent a place for a week and bring their kids to bike, walk, jog, and hit the beach and pool several times a day. They are exceedingly polite, respectful of your privacy, and desire quietude.
Getting around the community is easy also, including a brief hike to the beach. Walking there takes just ten minutes. However, courtesy electric trams rotate frequently around the neighborhood to transport people to the beach. This helps, particularly when you are carrying umbrellas, chairs, and boogie boards.
I had a nice chat with one of the drivers. They “upgraded” their trams over the last year. I asked if they are an improvement. She said with a delightful southern drawl, “Well no, honey. These new ones are 72 volts, and the older ones were 96 volts. So, we gotta rotate ‘em twice a day now. These things will never replace a good ol’ pickup truck.” I think she has a point.
We are in a constant rotation with the grandkids to the beach, the pool, or the local ice cream parlor. They keep us busy, and we keep them happy. Soon this vacation will end, and we’ll be packing up for Virginia.
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. Grandchildren are the dessert of life. This vacation validated that conclusion.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
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