The Lakeside Inn Marco Island

Maureen and I visited the Lakeside Inn on Marco Island or a 2nd time. This time it was just for a 4 day long weekend. We left early Thursday morning with Jenna taking us to the airport on her way to work. The flight and drive were uneventful and we arrived there at about 1 PM. We met Anthony Flatt, but our room wasn't quite ready. We made a quick trip to the Publix then returned to get checked in. They room was the same one we stayed in 6 years ago when we were last here. We finally got to the beach around 3 PM. We used the public parking on the south end of the island. Someone had left a all day parking voucher on the ticket machine so we didn't have to pay the $8 parking. The beach there is very nice. The water temps were in the high 80's. We stayed a few hours then got cleaned up and went to CJ's on the Bay for the end of Happy Hour.

CJ's has a tiki hut outside with live music on the weekends. Boaters can pull in a dock right there. There is a very nice sunset view. The restaurant is attached and has a bar and dancing area inside as well. It started to rain after about an hour and we moved inside. There were quite a few characters working the dance floor and the two of us had fun watching them. We hung for a bit but called it a day about 10 PM.

The next morning we drove north to Lover's Key State Park It was about 15 miles off I -75 past Bonita Springs. It was $8 per car to get in. They offered a tram ride to the beach which was about 1/2 mile from the main parking. We were only the 2nd group on the beach that day. it was deserted. Later we found out it was most likely due to the Red Tide which had arrived a few weeks earlier and caused massive amounts of fish to die and be washed up on the shores along southwestern Florida. According to the news over 3 million pounds of fish had washed up along the coast. As we sat on the beach volunteers were still cleaning up dead fish and the smell was a little funky. After a few hours a wicked storm moved in and we took shelter in a gazebo there on the beach. Everyday we were there the rains came at about the same time 3 PM. My understanding is that is typical southwester Florida weather. That evening we went to dinner with Anthony Flatt the manager at the Lakeside Inn. We went to Snooks another cool place right on the water. We had been here before but it was now under new management. The food was quite good I had the grouper and Mo had stuffed shrimp. There was live entertainment as well. I enjoyed meeting Anthony and learning of the interesting places his career had taken him.

Saturday we found a great place to park for free. Turn left at Pinchers, go one block and there were about 15 parking spaces on the street. Beach access was right across the street and landed us right on the beach at the Marriott Beach club. There were chair and umbrellas for rent, para sail, jet ski, and paddle board rentals too. We just chilled on the beach and spent most the afternoon in the water. It was so hot and the water was the only relief. We did some shelling and found lots of live sand dollars as well as a few other cool shells. I'm bringing a few home for our Grandchildren. That afternoon we found a spa for Maureen to get a pedicure and I waited around in the brew house next door. That evening we had the most awful Chinese carryout. Found out later that is not the thing to get on Marco Island.

We checked out the following morning and visited with Anthony at his home near Bonita Springs. We went to lunch and then flew home later that afternoon.

Outer Banks 2018

Busch Gardens - We gave ourselves 3 1/2 hours for the drive left at 6 am sharp. Took rt 3 south through Waldorf avoiding any surprises on 95. With only 1 stop we made to Williams-burg by 9:30 and were in the park shortly after opening at 10 AM. It was a wonderful day in the park. Everyone got along so well, the kids were well behaved. We pounded sugar all day to power us through. There was a food and wine festival happening throughout the park. I had vouchers for 15 tastings. We used on variety of foods along with some craft beers. That, along with the free refill soda bottle did us for the day. We had a few other things as well. The attractions were enjoyable as well. A few more kiddie ride then I remember. There seemed at least one in every Country throughout. Camden did the Battering Ram twice. Pop pop got beat up on it his one time riding and didn't ride much else fort he day. All the big girls were able to do a few of the larger rides like the Griffon, Apollo;s Chariot and the Loch Ness Monster ride which was celebrating it's 40th year. We elected to skip the Scotty Mccreery concert that evening and attend the Celtic Dancing show int he Fyre Theater. We made the correct choice as we really enjoy the dancers and its up close in a good atmosphere rather than open air. A few more rides after that and we were out of there and back on the road to the Outer Banks. It took a couple hours to get there with Maureen driving the last hour we arrived shortly after Midnight.

Sunday was a gorgeous day at the beach. After grocery shopping was done we packed and headed there shortly after Noon. Camden was so excited and had a ball. i don't think he stopped going all day. In and out of the water, digging holes, finding shells, and making friends. He's still a little leery on the boggy board. Maybe a smaller one if we have another nice day at the beach.  Charleigh on the other hand is still a mess at the beach. She is not happy in the sand and appears petrified of the water. She cried almost the entire time we were on the beach. She quieted if given her pacy and held in a lap. The women had their hands full keeping the baby calm. Hopefully, she too will do better as the week goes on.
We picked up pizza later that evening at the Collington Pizza. it's a couple miles down Collington Road past Wright Brother's. Pizza was good but a little over priced. Got some wings too.

Dowdy Park = We passed this park last night on our way out for pizza, thought it looked like a cool place to visit, so we visited this morning. It's a relatively new park being built by the County. In fact there were construction folks there while we were there. It is right across the street from the YMCA. Jamie went on a bike ride while Maureen and I hung with the Grandchildren at the park. The kids had fun Camden and I played hopscotch and king of the hill. CK just loves the swings adn would stay int he security of the swings the whole time if you let her. We played around for an hour or so and then realized Jamie had biked back to the beach house.

We attempted to go to the beach later that morning but only lasted an hour or so because the wind was whipping and everyone was shivering in their beach chairs. We hit the liquor store the stopped at the DQ for a kiddie treat. We hung at the house that afternoon and went to the Jolly Rodger for dinner. Decided to go early 5PM because of buy one get one deal. Some where not happy with the choice of eating early? and did not eat. Anyway, it was a really cool place. Lots of lights and decorations, pirates, a cool little gift shop in the middle, reasonable  prices and friendly service. We'll return there for sure.

Wednesday was a beautiful afternoon at the beach. The water was easy 70 degrees and we all spent plenty of time entertaining Camden in it. On the other hand young Charleigh wanted nothing to do with it. The noise may have been what put the fear in her but it took quite some effort on everyone's behalf to convince her that the beach sand and water were the place to be. She cried pretty much all day but as the week went on she become much more accustomed to the beach and all that goes with it. Camden did very well wearing his life vest. He did super making friend, sharing and playing in the water. By Friday he was in pretty deep and ready to try the boogie board.

We ate  late that evening around 8 pm at the Blue Moon Grill in Nags Head. 45 minute wait turn into an hour but they had a decent musician playing outside. There was also a cool shark head Camden liked. Drinks were had while waiting and everyone loved their dinners. Especially, the cheese steak which Jenna had. It was huge and could have feed 2 but she managed to get it down. The fish and chips were good too.

Thursday Camden and I played miniature golf. We played the pirate ship mini golf place on 168. We played 18 holes in about an hour and then decided to play the other 18 for an additional 5 dollars. 2nd time through we only kept track of our hole-in-ones. We each had 2 and wound up getting a free play. Still have the coupon in the car.

Friday, was another nice day at the beach. We left that evening, knowing Camden and Charleigh would sleep most of the way. Got across the bridge off the island when Maureen remembered she had forgotten to leave payment for the cleaning person. We had to turn around and go all the way back. Not  a good start to our 5 hour drive.

Lake Gaston Summer 2018

Our family spent a good bit of time at my brother Mark and sister-in-law Kimberly’s vacation home on Lake Gaston this summer. We began Memorial Day Weekend. The water was already warm on the lake due to an unusually warm months in April and May. Camden and I were 1st in the water shortly after our arrival. Charleigh was very unsure of the water. She wanted nothing to do with it. She would scream and call for Mommy. Camden on the other hand did super. In and out all the time, constantly asking to ride boat or jet ski. He had his first experience on ski tube too over Memorial Day weekend. He did super for a 4 year old. Jamie continued to work on learning how to water-ski. We tried a ton but she just wasn’t gonna get it that weekend. She would eventually get it when we returned in July.

July 4th 2018 fell on a Wednesday, the only day of the week when working stiffs like us don’t get the extended long weekend, so we went from Saturday June 30 - Monday July 2. The fire department did their fireworks show Saturday night but the guy on the corner did not do a show as in years past. There were however various other folks shooting off fireworks over the weekend. The sunset was awesome before the fireworks. Max and his girlfriend Shelby were there for the weekend as well. Max went and picked up some barbecue at Grandpa’s. He had been at the lake a couple weeks prior with a group of his graduating buddies from Northeastern and they had tried the place. Max was leaving afterwards to begin his new job in Amsterdam. Shelby works for a railroad in Virginia. Camden and I attended church Sunday morning and then attempted to find a golf course.
The GPS took us to an old site were a community golf course had once been. We eventually found Lake Gaston Golf club the next day. They lost the greens so all we have done is hit balls at the driving range. It's really all Camden is ready for. Next year I'll let him ride the cart while we play. The Raimondo family arrived on Monday morning. They were there when we returned from the driving range. Amanda likes the water and riding on the tube. We couldn't convince her to give the water-skiing a chance. We really need a stronger boat. It would be so much fun pulling multiple skiers and tubes. It’s very difficult to slalom with only 90 HP motor. We should upgrade the speed boat this winter. We had a nice visit with Sherry and Jim. We left after dinner and made great time home. Maureen drove and did it in 3 1/2 hours.


Maureen, Jamie, Charleigh and I returned to the Lake on Saturday August 11th. We made great time and arrived at the Huddle House for breakfast at 8:15. We ate a huge breakfast and arrived at the house about an hour later. The Gurney's and Mark's family were already there. Mark and Eric were working on replacing a few boards on the dock. They finished up shortly there after and we had an enjoyable day on the lake. Alex had a couple buddies with him. Austin and CJ. They were harmless except for CJ spoke about some very off the wall topics that made folks feel uncomfortable. I doubt he will be returning. Jamie finally, got the skiing down. She did numerous long runs over the weekend. I used the white skis and had some nice runs too. I did a really long slalom run after kicking a ski off by the dock.

We visited Raleigh on Monday. Had breakfast at Mom, visited my father at the Sunrise facility, went and visited Mary Jo then ate dinner at the Mellow Mushroom. We then returned to the Lake House for another couple of days. That's the first we've stayed without Mark being there. Tuesday morning I took Camden to the golf course but The course still was using temporary greens so
so we hit a couple of buckets. I like the convenience of the golf course and look forward to taking my grandson there in the future.

The video above shows how far along Charleigh K has come this summer. All the time at the pool has really helped with her fear of the water. Camden is doing super with his diving too.

We visited the Lake one last time in October after Maureen and I returned from New Orleans. Jamie I and the kids left Thursday morning/ I believe it's the first I've been in the fall. The water was still in the 70's but we saw no one in the water. Camden and I did a bunch of fishing both from the dock and off the boat. We spent some time in South Hill picking up the reupholstered boat seats. We visited Occoneechee State Park on Friday, visited my Mother and Father in Raleigh on Saturday, then returned home to Crofton early Sunday Morning so I could attend the Ravens game with Maureen. This was the first fish we caught off the boat Friday afternoon. I watched another boater and learned how to anchor the boat closer to the shore so we could fish off the back end. It worked real well as we caught this guy by a grassy area on the other side of the bridge. Camden reeled him in and helped me get him landed.