Vacation in Charleston, SC

We just got back from five days on the Isle of Palms, SC, near Charleston, and had such a relaxing, enjoyable time. We all found some great sea shells, sand dollars, star fish, live conch shells, and hermit crabs. We spent most mornings on the beach before it became too hot, so everyone avoided sun burns. (Yea!!!!!)
We found an interesting phenomenon at the beach. The retreating morning tide would leave large pools of water that had fish, crabs, and even sting rays (I almost stepped on a small one about 18" in diameter!) We found a large sand bar about 50 yards off shore that would only appear for a few hours each morning before the weird tide would reclaim it. We waded out to it daily to find the best shells.















Monday we played golf from 3pm until dusk.










On Tuesday, we went to Patriots Point where the WWII aircraft carrier Yorktown is on permanent display. Also for tour were the destroyer USS Laffey, a Coast Guard cutter USS Ingham, and a submarine USS Clagamore. By mid-day, we'd walked several miles of small corridors and cramped passageways, climbed narrow ladders and stepped through tiny hatches. The displays were first class and a history buff's paradise. The National Medal of Honor Museum is housed on-board the Yorktown.
We finished our trip with some great seafood in Charleston and a walk along the battery that overlooks Ft. Sumter.
I'll have to say, I was impressed with South Carolinian's state pride. It's second only to Texans', but it's close. We had a great trip and look forward to going back.

Minimally Worded Wednesday

Kristy's target practice video reminded me of this one. This video is from 10/06 in the Poconos. Turn your volume up to hear Amanda Faye whisper, upon seeing her bull's-eye, "Hah, I see it!"

Golf at Black Mountain

On my way to the Providence Road Men's Retreat this weekend, Daniel and I played golf at Black Mountain Golf Club near Asheville, NC. We hadn't seen grass that green for months! The scenery was gorgeous and the fairways were wide...but not wide enough for our often atrocious hooks and slices.

The second photo here was a funny situation. Daniel had hit the ball into the woods on the hill on the left side of the photo. Assuming it was lost, we started driving up the cart path. Moments later, a ball came rolling past us going the other direction down-hill. He drove over it and had to run back down the path, around the bend, to retrieve it. Meanwhile, the two golfers in the distance are watching us and wondering "what's going on?"
The weekend was a big success. Randy Harris from ACU, our speaker, did a great job. Very easy to listen to and full of information. I think, despite an unusual number of sports related injuries (one sprained ankle, one sprained toe - mine, one eye that found a finger in b-ball, one nose that fought an elbow -also mine...the elbow, not the nose, and a 60-yr old guy that involuntarily took a short cut down a steep 40 ft hill...rolling), we all came away feeling energized.