Saturday…Rain delayed Will’s game an hour, so we didn’t leave for the beach until 7 pm. They played the number seven team in the nation, and Will got the start. Teams like that are going to get the bat on the ball, so to stay close the defense has to make plays. Spartanburg played two hard hits just out of reach, leading to four first inning runs. After that, Will threw three shutout innings. The Rays bats were quiet. Will got one of four hits.
After we passed Camden around 11 pm, I realized we’d need to get gas to make it all the way. No sure what stations would be open, I filled up before Florence at a truck stop. Bought a 64 ounce soft drink for a dollar, to keep me awake. So big, it wouldn’t fit in the van’s cupholder. Arrived at the NMB condo around 1:15 am.
Sunday…woke up early and went for a run. The rest of the week my back hurt, from the pounding ocean waves (and the cheap mattress). Learned early on that this year Matthew wanted to play in the waves. So we spent more time in the ocean than anyone else in the group.
One afternoon we spent a long time in the water. Ceil was with the group on the beach, which was rare (she spent more time up in the condo tending to her parents). A big wave washed away my white Titleist cap, which I shouldn’t have been wearing. As usual, the surf continually washed us northward, up the beach. Instead of fighting it, we drifted over 500 yards away from our original location. In the back of my mind, I thought Ceil might be worried about us, especially if she found my cap washed up on the beach. But we kept on floating, until I finally told Matthew we needed to walk back. Sure enough, we met a harried Ceil, walking up the beach, looking for us. She had another search party walking the other way, and had also checked the condo and pool area. Another day in my life.
PaPa John’s pizza for supper.
Monday…Anna’s cousin, who just turned 12, befriends a 12U baseball team from Ohio, and spends the rest of the week hanging out with them on the grassy area between the pool and beach. With little else to do, Anna and Vic hang out with them as well. Throughout the week, kids from both groups played together on the green.
After KFC takeout, I take Matthew for a late cruise of the town. We only hit the Bass Pro Shop, as the long day in the sun finally hit me.
Tuesday…we had 30 from our group dine at Bonefish. The reservation wasn’t until 8 pm, which is late for me (and Ceil, and her parents). Were I choosing the dining spot, I’d pick a more local establishment, rather than a national chain. We’re spoiled living in Atlanta, blessed with choices.
The older boys (Will, Zane, Ben, Beau, etc) go out by themselves, to Wild Wing Café. The younger kids (Anna, Matthew, etc) stay at the condo and play on the beach, unsupervised. There were several grownups still there at the condos.
Wednesday…late in the afternoon I slipped away and went to the Pelicans game, dutifully arriving at the ballpark shortly before the gates opened. Youth baseball teams attended in groups, in town for a tournament, like Will’s team last year. They paraded around the warning track. Seated by myself in the front row in left field, I was the first fan the parade encountered, so a majority of players made it a point to give me high fives. Teams marching were from East Cobb Baseball, Peachtree City, and Holly Springs, among others. The Pelicans game went 13 innings, without much MB offense. Still, a fun time.
Thursday…woke up early and played Par 3 golf with Will. Plenty of tall pines for some shade, and a nice breeze blew as the cool morning air heated up. I was out of practice, but improved throughout the round. Will had a back nine under par round (-1) going for about six holes, before going back over par.
Shot of the day: Will had already hit the green on 14 when I teed off. As usual, my shot went straight, but right…disappearing into the pines. It finally dropped out, and bounced onto the green, closer to the hole than Will’s ball. My only par of the day.
When we returned to the condo I dived in to a cup of homemade peach ice cream. Anna asked if she could go with her cousin to the Ohio boys’ baseball game. It was such an absurd thing for girls that age to do, so I offered to drive them…hoping they’d see what a waste of time it was (though it gave me some time with Anna, who I never get to spend enough time with). I made sure the girls sat where they could be seen by the boys, who won their game.
Some of the group waited until 9 pm and then drove 45 minutes to Holden Beach NC for dinner. We went with Ceil’s parents to a local favorite, Stevens Seafood. Anna’s three girl cousins went with us, to give them more time back on the beach afterwards. I told them they’d have to come in at eleven. Anna and Vic dutifully came in, but the 12 year old cousin refused, saying she’d come when four other older teens from the group came in. This act worried her grandmother to no end, and foreshadowed a similar act the next night.
Friday…Ceil and I finally went on a morning walk, which is actually a shell collecting expedition for her. It was a good year for shells, she said. Matthew and I went for one last swim, then Ceil and I spent the rest of the day packing. The last of the boiled peanuts were eaten. Piggly Wiggly was running a sale, and Ceil and her dad boiled 28 pounds worth. As usual, I stuck to the homemade peach ice cream.
The kids ate Subway, but Ceil wanted McDonalds.
Saturday…Back home, Ceil received a call from her parents. Our 20-year old niece had gone out Friday night with her dad’s friend’s son, whom she had hung out with all week. At 1:30, he told her it was time to go, but she refused. Saturday morning everyone woke up and prepared to leave, but the niece had not returned. The police were called, but not enough time had passed for them to be able to help. After what had to be the longest day of her parent’s life, the niece finally showed up around 4 pm.
Ceil was worn out from the ordeal, as well as the week, and probably her father’s weakened condition. She wasn’t able to do anything, so I took her to Willys, Trader Joes, Publix, and Dunkin Donuts. Got to play with the new Coke machine at Willys, that has hundreds of choices.
