Ocean Isle Beach - 2006

It was another great Summer vacation in Ocean Isle Beach (OIB). Thanks again to Debbie and Ricky, they are our honorary island hosts. We are grateful for all they do to make our week fun and memorable.

Our group keeps growing larger, 22 this year and our charcoal bill is getting outragous. Rick promised a Weber gas grill next year so we should be good to go. We might need to consider a backup chef, Pale Ale and dinner for 20+ doesn't work well together; it's fun for the cook but I messed up Mom's dinner - Yikes!

We had two new additions this year. No, not the people - boats! We went fast, very fast (Sunsation) and then we went slow (Carolina Skiff). We learned that Debbie's Skiff is a bit underpowered for a crew of 8, or was it 9? I was on the lookout for the Coast Guard as every other boat on the intercostals' waterway passed us by. OK, maybe they were laughing but I refused to make eye contact. Stand tall, look straight ahead, and push someone out of the boat if you see flashing lights.

OIB is a special place for us and we enjoy every minute. All the kids had a blast, the weather was fabulous all week, and I played miserable golf as usual. Rick, Kevin and I still had fun but I can't seem to master out-of-town golf (what's up with that?). Kevin caught fish and crab, Kirk and Jen cooked ribs, Deidre and Kara got lots of sun, and Kellen learned a valuable Tequila lesson (must be hereditary).

My brother Kirk decided to fly to Las Vegas the week before, win a bunch of money to pay for our vacations, and then meet us at the beach. Debbie watched Mark and Kerri while Kirk partied and gambled Viva Las Vegas style. We were all rooting for him but luckily I had money to pay for my beach rental. Hey, you know what they say, "what goes on in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas". In this case, the money stayed in Las Vegas.

Our fireworks plan was cut short. Actually, they didn't even get started before the OIB police gave us some thought leadership. There's something about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For an island that doesn't allow fireworks, there were a lot of people breaking the law??

All and all, we had a wonderful time. Traditions like the parade, auction night, Taco and Steak night, etc., are all times we will remember. A special thanks to Debbie for graduation night, she always does more for others than she ever expects in return.

We're looking forward to next year. I've made an executive decision, we are not driving! Well, that's the plan anyway and it doesn't save that much money with the church van.