Southern Comfort...Off and On

Our southern exposure tour began officially with our arrival in Lexington, SC to visit Maeve/Aaron/Kendall and Erin. We had a good drive south and spent a few days with the kids. The next leg of the journey took us to Myrtle Beach for a week at the Sheraton Ocean Ridge timeshare. Myrtle Beach was pretty dead this time of year and the weather was a mix of cool, clear days and downright cold, wet and windy weather. The Sunday morning that we left actually started with our van doors being frozen shut!!

The next leg took us down to The Villages, FL to visit Pat and Katie Coakley. As always, we enjoy being with our great friends. While we had some mixed weather at least it was always mild and warm (at least it was warm to us). Sun mixed with rain was still welcome over the cold wind of northern Michigan.

Saturday we head to Port Charlotte to visit the Finlans, friends also from our Harbor Beach days. We've done pretty well this trip freeloading off our friends! Another posting will be made after we get to Edisto Island beginning February 12.

Kendall was glad to see Grandma Rose and Grandpa Bob

Maeve helped us maintain our Superbowl tradition of making pasties. While we won't be eating them for Superbowl at least they will be able to enjoy them.

The Grand Strand looks a little empty with January cold and wind


The kids joined us for the first weekend in Myrtle Beach. We relaxed and played games during the cold weather. We tried out a new game called Telestrations.

Friday night we (minus Kendall and Grandma Rose) ventured into the cold to get some nightlife and celebrate Erin's birthday at Broadway at the Beach. We checked out the Hard Rock Cafe where the bar tender gratiously gave us some free shots to celebrate Erin's BD. Then we headed to Blarney's bar where a good group from Columbia, SC was playing. Tokyo Joe plays some pretty darn good music! Erin's friend Rachel Estes flew literally cross country from San Diego to join Erin for her birthday.

Saturday the boys and Kendall headed to Ripley's Aquarium. It was a truly nasty day of wind driven rain and cold temps. But, Kendall enjoyed the aquarium and Daddy Aaron and Kendall "immersed" themselves in one little viewing pool.

Our last night in Myrtle Beach led us to Margaritaville at Broadway at the Beach. This guy was pretty impressive on his stilts.

Sunday morning at it was time for some church. So, we headed to the House of Blues for their gospel brunch! Good food and good gospel blues. We recommend it.

Once at The Villages we settled in a bit with the Coakleys. After a hard morning on the pickleball courth we had to rehydrate so we headed to McCall's where Pat and friends are members of the Mug Club. Friends of friends were visiting so we all hydrated together.

Pat and Katie bought us tickets to see a show in The Villages. It was a Tribute to Ricky Nelson featuring his twin sons Gunnar and Matthew who also had their own hit in 1990 as the duo Nelson where they had some pretty serious hair! It was a great show and reminded me just how many hits Rick Nelson had.

As Nelson looked in 1990