Winter Excursion 9, Day 61

Today was one of our best travel days ever. We were prepared to leave early and we did it. I got up at 0600 and Cath was up by 0630. We were on the road at 0800.

It was a great ride. We took all the back roads. Traffic was light to non existent. Just the way we like it.

We stopped at a gas stop. Check out the name!

We got to or new campground by 1400. We were a little apprehensive about this place, but it's going to be fantastic. 

The folks we will be working with here were happy to see us. 

We did a minimal set up as we don't have to work until Friday. That gives us a few days to set up!

Here's a few pics of our view from the site. I'll post pics of the site when we are set up.

We are super happy so far!

Winter Excursion 9, Day 60

After yesterday's storms the weather has turned nice. Sunny, low humidity, and temps in the 60s!

We spent the day putting the finishing touches on our packing up. It will only take a few minutes in the morning to get out of here.

We had a camper arrive in the slot next to us. It's a 47 foot fiver! It is HUGE!

We met the Kids, Kiddos, and Mary for dinner at Holy City Brewery. The food was good and the beer was better.

We all said our goodbyes and got a good pic. It was taken with an iPhone so it's portrait!😧

We will see everyone, including Mary, in July for our Alaskan Cruise. Or if we are lucky we will see the Kids and Kiddos while we are hosting.

Winter Excursion 9, Day 59

We spent the day at the camper.

We had some heavy rain in the afternoon, but dodged the worst of the weather as it was north of us. Some areas of the south had tornadoes. The rain ended around 1600.

We had an early New Years Eve dinner as we will be traveling that day.

We are for the most part packed up, but will finish some last details tomorrow.

All is well in the Boss camp and we are looking forward to Dames Ferry and hosting! 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 58

After breakfast we continued packing everything up for our move. It's amazing how much stuff we have out after 6 weeks in one place. Cath worked on the inside and I got almost everything outside put away.  The weather thankfully did cooperate.

Later in the afternoon we drove to the Kids' house and we all went to Home Team BBQ.

We had to wait about an hour for a table, but the weather is so warm we waited outside!

Here's everyone at the table except me...I took the pic!

We had a great meal here as usual. 

After dinner Cath and I drove back to the camper. We are forecast for severe weather tomorrow so we will hang out at the camper.

Winter Excursion 9, Day 57

Cath and I drove back to camp this morning. We felt like we had not seen the camper in a week. It was good to get "home"!

We started doing chores in anticipation of moving to our host duties on Tuesday (today is Friday). We topped off the propane tanks, got ice, hit the Class VI store, and put everything away in the camper from Christmas. We want to get the outside stuff packed up, but the weather is not cooperating. 

It rained today and is forecast to rain for the rest of the weekend. Monday is forecast to be nice, hopefully everything dries out. We hate packing up wet stuff!

We had a nice dinner and went to bed early with no intention of getting up early! 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 56

I think everyone except Brian slept late, he had to go to work.

Wesley and I flew his new drone. He got the hang of it really fast. He said it's just like playing a video game.

We all played some games in the afternoon,

When Brian got home we set up the new pizza oven and had an "After Christmas Pizza Party."

We had a blast making all the pies. Everyone got to make their own.

Here's Grandma Mary helping Wesley.

And here's his pizza. He likes no toppings, just cheese!

Kennedy and her friend, Maddy made a nice looking pie.

Brian and I decided that a little practice cooking in the new oven is necessary. We did six pies and each one got a little better, but some more practice is in order!

We did another movie and then everyone went to bed.

It's been a fun Days of Christmas with all the Family.
 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 55

Merry Christmas!

Everyone opened their presents and we had a nice breakfast.

Even the dogs got new bones.

And The Family scored a new pizza oven.

After breakfast Brian and I got ready to go to work. I was once again Santa. This time for over 200 folks and children at Christmas Dinner for Brian's Club. I was on my feet for over four hours and probably had over 150 pictures taken with adults and Kids. My knee felt great (NOT) after we were done.

Back at the Kids' house we got a super Christmas dinner together, played with the Kiddos new stuff, and watched another movie.

Sleep will come fast tonight!

Winter Excursion 9, Day 54

Christmas Eve.

Here's a pic of some of the cookies Cath baked. I think she made around thirty dozen! The CCBM was a success!

We left camp and got to the Kid's house just after lunch. We relaxed and played some games until the Kids and Kiddos left for church.

And here's a once in a year event. Wesley dressed up!

Cath and I stayed home. My knee arthritis is acting up pretty bad. We got the traditional Christmas Eve dinner ready, "Low Country Boil". 

After dinner we had a short concert starring Kennedy! And backup drums by Wesley.

 

After the concert we watched "Red 1" a new Christmas movie. We all enjoyed it.

After the movie the Kiddos hit the rack and the adults did what adults do on Christmas Eve.

I think we got to bed around midnight.

Winter Excursion 9, Day 53

We left the Kids' house this morning and went back to the camper. It feels like we are never at the camper..LOL. That will change when we leave here next week.

One of the blinds in the camper broke so we drove to Lowes and lucked out as they had a new one in stock. I had it replaced before lunch.

We just relaxed all afternoon, watched some TV, and did I mention RELAXED!

We did some wings for dinner on the Ninja. I think we have the recipe perfected. The wings turn out great!

We were off to bed early and looking forward to a long winter's night sleep.

 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 52

After breakfast we started house clean-up as Brian and Nicole and coming home today. The Kiddos did really well By noon we were all done with clean-up.

Wes and I watched football all afternoon and Cath and Kennedy finished the last of the CCBM by frosting the cookies Cath basked yesterday.

The Kids arrived just after 1700 and the Kiddos were thrilled to see them. They had a great time in the NC mountains.

We all had dinner and then watched another Christmas movie.

Cath and I were officially relived of Kiddo Duties and we will both have no trouble sleeping tonight.

Winter Excursion 9, Day 51

Wesley made us his World Famous Egg Sandwiches this morning. They were really good. He is contemplating open a restaurant. He wants to call it BBB (Boss Big Breakfast). He may have to win a legal battle first!

After breakfast we headed to the camper just to check things out and disconnect the water as temps are forecast below freezing tonight. The dogs enjoyed the ride and I got a new co-pilot.

We played some games (Sequence) and then headed back to the house. All was well with the camper.

Cath finished up the rest of the baking. All that's left is to ice the cookies she baked to day. That will happen tomorrow.

After dinner we caught another movie, Happy Feet. We'd seen it before, but it was good to watch again.   

Winter Excursion 9, Day 50

The Kids are still in the NC mountains!

Cath & I got the Kiddos off to their last day of school before winter vacation.

Cath continued the CCBM and finished her next to last batch! I can't wait to that that pic of the finished products.

After the Kiddos got home from school we headed to Wesley's basketball game. They won 24-21! The team is now 1 & 3.

After the game we all went to SeeWee for our annual "fry fix". We had fried everything; calamari, shrimp, fires, mushrooms and onion rings! Wes ordered BBQ wings and ate 7 of the 12!

Back at the house we all watched the new Christmas movie Red 1".

After the movie it was finally bedtime. It's been another crazy fun day!

Winter Excursion 9, Day 49

The Kids left a little after the Kiddos left for school.

Cath continued the CCBM and the end is in sight. I will get a nice pic of the finished product when she puts out the first platter.

After dinner it was homework time for Kennedy and Uno time for us and Wesley. He truly loves to give out those +10 cards!

The Kiddos get a kick out of our new phones and editing the pictures. They make some crazy stuff.

This is Wesley's "I'm getting ready to do something" look!

We all watched some Thursday Night Football and the Kiddos hit the rack at halftime. Cath and I were not far behind as 0600 comes early. Tomorrow's a school day!

Winter Excursion 9, Day 48

Although it's not until tomorrow we are celebrating Brian's 45th today! Cath made a yummy Lemon Marange Pie for desert after a great steak birthday dinner. We spent the day at the Kids' and will be spending the next four nights here. The Kids are heading to the North Carolina mountains with some friends for the weekend. Cath and I get the Kiddos and the dogs!

The Kiddos are still in school for the next two days and then Christmas Break begins.

It should be a fun weekend with the Kiddos.

We will go back to the camper prior to the weekend as temps are forecast below freezing and I want to disconnect the water.

All is well with the Boss Family!

Winter Excursion 9, Day 47

We headed to the Kid's house this morning so Cath could continue the CCBM. She got the last three doughs made and will bake them tomorrow.

I spent the late morning washing the truck! Although we miss Kaylee, it's amazing how clean the truck stays now. 

Brian got home early and he and I played some cribbage. He needs some practice...LOL!

Nicole got home from work around 1730 and we all sat down to a nice dinner of Goulash compliments of Grandma.

After dinner we headed back to camp. As usual sleep will come quick! 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 46

We traveled to Edisto Beach State Park this morning to visit our neighbors from back home. We all had a great time catching up on what's new.

They had a fun time getting out of Upstate NY this year. They didn't leave until after 4 feet of snow had fallen. They had  snow on their camper roof until they got to Virginia! They said that won't happen again as they are leaving earlier.

Jerry and I got a nice walk on the beach, but the shell hunting was not great.

We hit very little traffic on the drive back to camp in the late afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised. Folks traveling in the opposite direction were stuck in a miles long traffic jam.

We arrived at camp just at sunset, watched a little TV, and had a nice dinner! 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 45

Today was my first day in my new gig as Santa!

Brian and I left the house late morning and went to his Country Club where I was volunteered, coerced, and forced, into my new position as Santa. I was a little apprehensive at first, but after the festivities started I really had fun.

I started out as the doorman/greeter where I got to welcome everyone, but mostly the little Kiddos. Here I am at the front door before all the arrivals.

After that I just wandered around, talked to all the Kiddos, and their Moms and Dads. It took a little while, but I think I got into the spirit.

The best part was talking to all the Kiddos. All the boys wanted Robots and Remote Cars, most of the girls just wanted makeup kits. Many of the really little ones were scared of me at first, but they all warmed up eventually as I had a sack full of candy canes! One very little girl followed me all around and was upset when she had to leave. The babies were fun, but a few of them howled when they sat on my lap for one of the hundreds of pictures taken of me!

The Santa Suit was very warm and after two plus hours I was soaked and a little dehydrated. It was hard to try to drink water from a bottle with that beard on. Next time I will use a straw.

We will repeat this on Christmas morning. I'm actually looking forward to it!

Back at the Kid's house we all went to Wesley's basketball game and rooted him on. After the game Brian and Nicole went to a friend's dinner party and Cath and I took the Kiddoes to the local BBQ joint for dinner. We styed at the restaurant until the Bill's game was over. If we had left before the came was finished Wes would have gone into withdrawals! 

As usual it's been a fun whirl wind day. Back at camp we slept like bears!  

Winter Excursion 9, Day 44

We got to the kid's house around noon. Hung out with the Kiddos, played some cribbage with Brian,, and just relaxed.

Around 1600 we Ubered with Brian and Nicole to downtown Charleston for an early dinner. We went to a restaurant called 167 Raw and had some of the best seafood of the trip so far. We started with a dozen each of shrimp, oysters, and clams.YUM! Lobster rolls, Lobster pasta, Scallops and fried Oysters were the main course. The deserts were also spectacular. All washed down with some nice wine!

After dinner we walked down the street to a Celtic and Classical Christmas Concert. It included the Taylor Festival Choir, the Palmetto Youth Choir and Ivan Goff playing the Uillean Pipes and Whistle. The concert was held at the Circular Congregational Church near the Battery in Charleston.

Brian & I took a walk in the church yard and found graves dated back to the 1700s!

After the concert we Ubered back to the Kid's house and finally hit the rack around 2300. A great time was had by all! 
 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 43

Laundry Day. 😠 But we set a new record! We were the only ones at the laundromat and were finished in 1.5 hours!

Back at camp we did a little maintenance and just relaxed.

I did get a haircut and a beard trim (finally) in preparation for my Santa duties over the next few weeks. I will post a pic or two. I think it will be fun. 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 42

We went over to the Kid's house around mid-morning. Cath continued with her CCBM again today. She got the brownies finished and did another batch of the Mexican Wedding Cookies. She's half way there and will finish up next week.

I made some 3-2-1 ribs for everyone's dinner and spent the day tending the grill. The ribs turned out fine and everyone said they were good.

Wesley and I left at 1615 for his basketball game. The game was 25 miles away from their house and as it was rush-hour it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there. I could never live here with this traffic!

Brian, Nicole, and Cath went to Kennedy's orchestra recital. Cath said they get better every year.

We all got home around 2000, we said our goodbyes, and headed back to the camper. It's been a whirl wind day! 

Winter Excursion 9, Day 41

The Christmas Cookie Baking Marathon (CCBM) continued today. She got the four batches from yesterday baked.

I was even able to get a few bites without getting my hands chopped off. Cath is getting generous in her old age!

After the Kiddos got home from school we hung around for a little while and then headed back to camp. Temps are going into the low 30s tonight, so I wanted to be in camp in case we need to shut down the water.

Winter Excursion 9, Day 40

We left camp around 0930, headed to the Kid's house to start this years Christmas Cookie Baking Marathon (CCBM). Cath got the first four batches of dough made. Only six more batches to go.

I did a little garage door repairing and will finish that job up tomorrow.

We stayed at the Kid's for dinner and Nicole made a yummy German meal!

Back at camp we hit the sack early as this CCBM stuff will wear us out!

Winter Excursion 9, Day 39

We had to be out of Brian & Nicole's house by 0700 as the house keepers are coming. Brian left for work and Nicole, Kennedy, and us had breakfast at the BBB (Big Bad Breakfast). Nicole took Kennedy to school and Cath and I headed home. On the way I asked Cath what was up for today? She replied "Northing". So I said lets drive to George L Smith State Park in Georgia where we have hosted for the past three years. We wanted to see our friends at the park and also check out the major damage the park sustained during the hurricanes this past fall. The damage was way worse than anything we could have imagined. The park may open by 1 March, but I would bet it won't. Here's a few pics that really don't show the full effect. You have to see it in person to believe it.

The debris piles below are on the campground road and are 12 ft high and hundreds of yards long!

Most of the pine trees that were in the campground blew over in the 110 mph winds. The roots balls tore up a lot of the infrastructure and especially The 6 X 6 walls at the campsites. The root balls have been removed, but there is still tons of debris all over the park. The trails were destroyed and still remain unpassable. The park office had a tree fall on it and some of the cottages were also damaged. 

It's heart breaking to see all this after all the great times we spent there.

Winter Excursion 9, Day 38

We left camp for the Kid's around 0900. Brian and I put the finishing touches on the Christmas slights while the Kiddos finished the Christmas Corgi House. Here's a pic of the finished product.

After a quick lunch the adults left for "Wine Under the Oaks" an annual December event at Boone Hall Plantation. There is a limited number of tickets and Nicole was able to score them. The is probably a few thousand folks in attendance. When you enter the grounds you are given a wrist band and a wine glass. There is probably 50+ wine vendors there and the sampling is free. You just roam from vendor to vendor. Later we got some well needed food and a few bottles at the "Wine Store" and sat in our chairs and enjoyed the concert. The group was very good and played lots of different genres. It was a super fun time. Here's a few pics.

Back at the house I think we all hit the sack early. It's been a busy, fun day!