Winter Excursion 1, Day 23

Slept late this morning as the Kids wore us out last night.  It was a wonderful night and we'd do it again. Here's the Santa pic with the Kiddos:

Cath & I left camp around 1000.  Nice tear drop camper had moved in last night.
Log siding and all!

Drove to the PX at Charleston Air Force Base, picked up a few things and stopped at the commissary for some needed supplies as Cath is starving me again. A few more errands and then back to camp, nice relaxing late afternoon and evening. Local seafood and steak for dinner.
Early to bed as we are BSing (baby sitting) tomorrow. We are actually looking forward to it, the Kiddos are a HOOT!

Winter Excursion 1, Day 22

Woke this morning to a brief rain storm. The day turned humid with temps near 80. We had a lazy morning, had a nice breakfast and watched a Rambo movie.  Here's a few pics of the campsite.
We finally set up the Coleman Canopy.

 Nice site with lots of room.

After lunch we were off to the Kiddos. We left their house about 1630, hit rush hour traffic, and an hour later we arrived at the Charleston Festival of Lights. We've seen Christmas light shows before, but nothing like this. First there is a 3 mile drive through all kinds of Christmas lights. These are not done by homeowners, but sponsored by 100s of local businesses. It is in a big city park.  Next there is a train ride through tons more Christmas decorations. Santa is there for the kids and there is food and vendors for knickknacks The next few pics do not do it justice, you have to see it to understand.
The Kiddos under one of a thousand displays.

 All of us boarding the train.

 Again this pic does not do it justice. This is one of the famous Live Oaks in this area.

 On the way home picked up some pizza and then back to camp for a good nights sleep.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 21

Lazy Day. Got started around 0700.  Coffee and looked at the news. Cath straightened up the camper and I put the finishing touches on outside stuff.
Nicole brought Wesley over about 0945.  He and Cath had a great time. Nicole took Kennedy to school and then picked her up and was back to camp by 1330.  She (Nicole) immediately hit the hammock!
I'd been out searching for campfire wood.  The wood in this area is very expensive! I'm ashamed to even post what I had to pay for 1/4 face cord of wood (Oh well, it's for the Kiddos). When I got back to camp both Kiddos were there so I had them unload the wood. What a hoot! And they had a really good time.
Wesley unloading and Kennedy stacking.

 He did not want to get out of the pickup truck bed.

 So I had to clean him off with the brush.

Last pic today is of our flag. We fly it at every campsite. Solar light keeps it going at night.

Going to tour the Christmas lights of Charleston tomorrow evening. It will be fun, Bri is the chauffeur, we only have to eat subs, drink wine, and entertain the Kiddos. 

A little football (it's Monday night) and then off to bed.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 20

Moving Day.  Cath and I awoke and got the camper ready to move by 1000. Kids and Kiddos showed up around 1100.  Cath, Nicole, and Kiddos headed off for a days adventure to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
The most photographed bridge in South Carolina.

 Cath and the Kiddos.

 Cath and Kennedy on the path.

 Cute selfie, Thanks Nicole!

 The Oaks in this area are beautiful. And they make great smelling campfires.

Bri and I hooked up the camper and headed back to Buck Hall (our favorite campground in the area). We detoured to his house and washed and waxed the camper, looks really nice, all clean again.  Picked up a sub for lunch on the way to Buck Hall. Got everything set up (to include Nicole's hammock) before the girls and Kiddos arrived. The girls made Thanksgiving leftover Stromboli for dinner (turkey, stuffing, cranberries), YUM!

Nicole found her favorite spot (thank goodness we got it up before she arrived).

This is Cath getting a few beers from the cooler.

A quick campfire, smores, and a few libations, and the kids were headed home.

I'm going to lay some wood in tomorrow as we are here for the next two weeks. Might even rinse off the truck as it is getting a little dusty.

A few more looks at football (the satellite is working great) then we are off to bed. No big plans for tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 19

Another great day!  We went to the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier at Patriots Point.
That's Nicole, her Dad, and the kids walking to the carrier.

When we first pulled into the parking lot there was a Hiller helicopter giving rides. I think Wesley liked this better than the rest of the day.  He even got to see it takeoff.

Here's another view of the stern.

 The flight desk had lots of different Navy jets and planes on display.

 This WWII sub was off the stern of the carrier.  We toured that also, tight quarters!

 Kennedy and Wesley sitting on a missile!

 Nicole and Rick on the flight deck.

Afterward Rick took us all to lunch at a really nice seafood restaurant on the harbor. Thanks Rick!

Afterward, back to the house for some college football and an afternoon with the Kiddos. Nicole made a delicious Low Country Boil, the shrimp were super fresh.

And of course the Kiddos had to knot up my shoes after dinner.  Took five minutes to get the knots out.

We headed back to camp around 2030. Tomorrow is moving day, back to Buck Hall for 14 days. We are looking forward to it as it is a really nice, small campground and a lot closer to the kids. And Oh yea, we can have a campfire there!

Winter Excursion 1, Day 18

The day after Thanksgiving (down day for us).  We missed the kiddos, but they had some time with their Granddad Rick. We will all go to tour the Yorktown (WWII Aircraft Carrier) tomorrow, have lunch, and then a Low Country Boil for dinner at Bri and Nicole's, sounds like a seafood day to me.
Cath and I went for a short drive to check out the campground at Charleston Air Force Base. It's nice , but right next to the runway and not really big.  It's wooded so not Sat TV.
Back at camp we got a pic from Nicole.  Here's Kennedy getting ready for practice at the driving range: Notice the outfit, she's ready for the pros!

Back at camp Cath and I played some cribbage, had a few libations, and basically chilled out.
Sunset from our campsite, and yep we were in the rockers!

Back with Kiddos tomorrow, looking forward to it.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 17

Thanksgiving Day.  Had a late breakfast and left the camper at 1100.

Played with the kiddos and got the turkey on the Weber at 1400. Fooled with the kiddos all afternoon in between prepping T-Day dinner. Bri got home early (1600) and we watched the football games.

Here's one of Wesley with a Popsicle.

 Cuties!

Nothing like a Cowboy for Thanksgiving.

 And that drum bone is really good!

 After dinner time to relax.

 But Kennedy has other ideas.

Cath and I got back to the camper around 2100.  I think we will both sleep good tonight. Tomorrow is a down day for us. Will miss the kiddos, but the rest will be welcome...LOL.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 16

Getting ready for Thanksgiving day.
Slept in a little (you can do that when you are retired), had some oatmeal with fixings for breakfast. Cleaned up the camper and then off to final T-Day shopping. Hit the commissary and walked (ran) Kaylee while Cath did the shopping. Went to another food store as the commissary did not have the specialty stuff Cath needed. Then off to the drug store as we have both been a little under the weather, but we're getting better fast. I still can't get over the traffic in this area, we see more cars in 5 minutes than we see in a week at home. A 15 minute trip to a store takes over an hour!
Ended up at the kids house around 1200.  The Kiddos were having lunch and we joined them. Cath and Nicole did the T-day prep stuff.  I went to Lowes and to another food store as there was more forgotten stuff (can you believe that).
The Kiddos had a great day playing in the yard, temps here are near 70.
Nicole's Dad showed up at the house from Florida for the weekend, it was great to see Rick again.
Bri got home from work around 1730 and the famous Scarlet Oak Circle Oyster began about 1830. All the neighbors came and we went through a couple of bushels of oysters.

 

Neighbor Jim did a great job with the oysters. He had a good size fire place with a steel skillet. We heated the large skillet, put some oysters on it, covered them with soaking wet burlap to steam the oysters, then shoveled them onto an oyster shucking table (hole in the middle, trash can under the hole, to catch all the shells). I think I ate maybe 20 - 30 oysters and I'm still full as I write this. We had a really good time and send our thanks to all the neighbors.

Cath and I headed back to the camper to get a good night's sleep before all the T-day festivities tomorrow.  Looking forward to the meal, the kiddos, yakking with Nicole's Dad, and hanging out tomorrow. 

Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving, remember what his day is for.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 15

Baby Sitting Day!  We got up around 0600, quick bite to eat then fought traffic to get to our baby sitting job by 0900. It was a wonderful day with the Kiddos.  They were really good, ate well, watched "Finding Nemo" (I'd never seen it ), had a few snackies and there were no "accidents"..LOL
I've been a little under the weather today, but hope to be better tomorrow.
Spent some time in the yard playing with the Kiddos.

Bri has done a great job with the play set in the back yard.
Nicole made a really tasty meal for dinner. Afterward we had some entertainment courtesy of Wesley. You'll love this video:

Tomorrow is the world famous Scarlet Oak Circle Oyster roast.  Looking forward to it, it sure beats the 3 feet of snow we just got back home in Lowville, NY.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 14

Recovery Day.  We missed the Kiddos and it was a quiet day.  We drove up to Moncks Corners and checked out the Air Force campground there. Nice place and the lake is big! Might have to stay there next year.
Tomorrow is baby sitting and we are both looking forward to it.  We missed the Kiddos today.
Did a little food shopping and some camp maintenance.  Replaced the CB antennae and did a little caulking.
Good dinner and early to bed as we are BSitting at 0900.
Sorry no pics, I'll try to do better tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 13

The day started out and finished wonderful. The Kiddos could not have been better.  They fell asleep last night around 2100 and slept till about 0800 this morning.  I guess we wore them out. 

After breakfast (cereal and then pancakes) they headed to the playground. 

 After a few hours Mom and Dad showed up.

It was kinda cool today so Nicole had to bundle up, that's my blanket and my hat, but it looks better on her than me!

Wesley finally wore himself out and Dad was there to rescue him.  Probably did almost an hour on Dad's lap. I'm pretty sure Bri's leg was asleep.

 And of course the Kiddos love their shows.

We all had a good dinner.  Mom, Dad and the Kiddos headed for the house.  Cath and I will sleep good tonight.  No plans for tomorrow, but may need the day to recover.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 12

Up this morning at 0600, family pictures at 0900. Can't wait to see the pics, the kiddos were great and I'm sure there are a lot of really good pics.
Cath and I hit the commissary and Nicole brought the kids to camp for lunch.  The Kiddos are spending the night as Bri and Nicole have a wedding to attend.
It was a wonderful afternoon with the kiddos .  Here's some pics:
Wesley on the jungle jim.

Cath making sure he doesn't get hurt, of course he didn't!

After 2.5 hours on the playground they were played out.  Relaxing and snacking!

Me too! The hammock is the bomb.

And of course Wesley had to fall out!

Then it was pizza time.

And then all to bed.  Cath and I are exhausted....LOL.

Winter Excursion 1, Day 11

Cath & I slept in as there was nothing going on until 1100 this morning. And by the way we didn't get to bed till 2330 last night.
Nicole and the Kiddos came over to the campground, we had hot dogs for lunch, and then a good walk. Kaylee had a blast as she was off leash.
Here are some pics of the campground and the Kiddos:
Looking out from our camper.

 The Wild Viszla on guard.

Nicole and the kiddos in the hammock.

 And Kennedy after her walk.

 A view of the campsite.

Bri came over for a toddy and dinner, we had a good time.  He was a little over-dressed for a campground, but no one noticed and we keep the outside lights down low.

Tomorrow is family pics. We have to be there at 0900, so early to bed.